Regional

Alleged kidnappers, victim arrested

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Two men from out of state were arrested in Graham County after an alleged kidnapping, with their alleged victim also picking up a drug charge.  Warrants show that 34-year-old Mohammad Hassan Kheradmand of St. Petersburg, Fla. and 31-year-old Michael Bazarov of Washington, D.C.
Robbinsville High School senior Ainslee Munro proudly displays her diploma from the U.S. Army Military Police School, after completing two months of National Guard basic training on Aug. 19.

Robbinsville High School senior Ainslee Munro proudly displays her diploma from the U.S. Army Military Police School, after completing two months of National Guard basic training on Aug. 19.

‘We said good morning to the sun’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Most wait until they are either near or have just graduated from high school to begin basic training. Ainslee Munro decided to get a jumpstart. Now a senior, Munro embarked on two months of National Guard training over the summer. Having a U.S.

Seay tapped to lead Graham DSS

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Robbinsville – After nearly four months of vacancy, Graham County will soon have a new Department of Social Services director. County Manager Jason Marino confirmed that the Graham County Board of Commissioners had approved the hire of Amy Seay to lead the county’s department of social services.

Library card sign-ups underway

Koda Moody
Thursday, September 16, 2021
It was recently announced by Franklin Shook, president of the Nantahala Regional Libraries system, that September will hold multiple involvements for the surrounding libraries.  September is recognized by the American Library Association as “Library Card Sign-Up Month.
Graham County Transit lead driver Terry Crawford, director Juanita Colvard, assistant director Tracy Jenkins and dispatcher/scheduler Donna Hill (from left) pose with the safety award the system received from the N.C. Public Transit Association. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Transit lead driver Terry Crawford, director Juanita Colvard, assistant director Tracy Jenkins and dispatcher/scheduler Donna Hill (from left) pose with the safety award the system received from the N.C. Public Transit Association. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

County transit receives statewide safety award

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Fort Hill – Graham County Transit riders can rest assured that they’re in good hands, with the agency being recognized for its attention to safety.  For the third year in recent history, Graham County Transit has received a safety award from the N.C.

Andrews woman in custody after alleged meth trafficking

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Snowbird – A Cherokee County resident remains behind bars in Graham County, after allegedly being caught with methamphetamine and marijuana. On Sunday, Graham County deputies conducted a license checking station in the area of Massey Branch and Tapoco roads.

Schools return to in-person instruction

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 16, 2021
A two-week, in-person break ended for Graham County students Monday.  The district returned to in-person instruction – with a full mask mandate enforced – after switching to remote learning Aug. 31. “It went very well,” Superintendent Angie Knight said.

County rapidly nearing 1,000-case mark

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 9, 2021
The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to rapidly spread through Graham County. Last week, the Graham County Department of Public Health confirmed 77 new cases between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3. Two additional deaths were confirmed Aug. 31 and Sept.

Brown, Wachacha retain tribal council seats

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Snowbird – The Snowbird/Cherokee County delegation on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council will remain the same for another term, following the tribal election held Thursday, Sept. 2.  Each of the six communities elects two representatives to the council.
The 2020 census revealed that Graham was the only county in “Region A” to see a population decrease over the last decade.

The 2020 census revealed that Graham was the only county in “Region A” to see a population decrease over the last decade.

Population loss concerning

Charlie Benton
Thursday, September 9, 2021
With 2020 Census results coming in, the main takeaway for Graham County so far is a substantial population loss.  According to the numbers released in August, the county lost 9.4 percent of its population between April 1, 2010 and April 1, 2020.