Regional

The former location of Oak Valley Hardwood – and before that, Stanley Furniture – has sat vacant since 2019. New Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams hopes to change that. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

The former location of Oak Valley Hardwood – and before that, Stanley Furniture – has sat vacant since 2019. New Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams hopes to change that. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

New Robbinsville mayor hopes to attract jobs

Randy Foster
Friday, January 7, 2022
Fresh off his November victory over an incumbent, newly elected Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams knows what his top priority is. “My main concern is getting jobs,” Mayor Adams said. “People are really suffering.
An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

‘Tough as a pine knot’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Tampa – “She certainly left her mark on this Earth; as she not only showed us how to live, but how to die.” That was just a snippet of the announcement made by mother – Robbinsville Middle School principal Tonia Walsh – Friday morning. But just that one sentence encompassed Kortne Waginger.
Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer and wine sales in Robbinsville expected; just not as soon as you thought

Randy Foster
Friday, December 31, 2021
Robbinsville — Starting tomorrow, for the first time since the 1940s, it will be legal to buy beer and wine in Robbinsville.  The local Ingles, the only supermarket in the county, geared up for it: Staff trained? Check Greeting cards section moved? Check Coolers installed?
Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Remembering 2021 in Graham County

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Even as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, Graham County – as a whole – continued to experience both positives and negatives in 2021.

Board approves premium pay

Charlie Benton
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – More Graham County employees will now benefit from premium pay, following a vote at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 21. The board voted unanimously in favor of $1,500 in premium pay for detention officers employed between Jan. 1, 2020 and Nov.
Michelle Shiplet, left, helped her husband Matt during his almost four-month struggle to survive COVID-19. He missed Thanksgiving, but was home in time for Christmas at their Sweetwater home. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Michelle Shiplet, left, helped her husband Matt during his almost four-month struggle to survive COVID-19. He missed Thanksgiving, but was home in time for Christmas at their Sweetwater home. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beating the odds

Randy Foster
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Sweetwater – Matt Shiplet, a federal highway engineer, was getting ready to shift between road projects back in August when he and his wife Michelle escorted a relative to be tested for COVID-19. Within days, both were sickened by the dangerous virus.
Rumors about the demise of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care’s Robbinsville office began spreading on Facebook on Saturday, but county officials have denied the claims. Photo by Koda Moody/The Graham Star

Rumors about the demise of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care’s Robbinsville office began spreading on Facebook on Saturday, but county officials have denied the claims. Photo by Koda Moody/The Graham Star

Urgent Care not going anywhere

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Robbinsville – Despite rumors and some questions to the contrary, Graham County has stated that Smoky Mountain Urgent Care will remain in operation.

County Deputy cleared after June shooting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Tallulah – A Graham County sheriff’s deputy has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of a Dickson, Tenn., resident. Deputy Courtney Heaton fatally shot 31-year-old Mickey Ray Rice on June 20, after officers gave chase when Rice fled from a traffic stop in Robbinsville.

Corbin to seek re-election to state senate seat

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Franklin – Someone will represent western North Carolina in the U.S. Congress, but it won’t be Kevin Corbin. Despite originally intending to run for Congress, state Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon, announced on Nov. 22 that he would run for re-election to his seat in the N.C. State Senate instead.