Regional

Statewide broadband bill moves closer to fruition

Charlie Benton
Friday, June 11, 2021
Raleigh – Another measure to bring better internet to North Carolinians has passed the House in Raleigh and heads next to the Senate.  A $750 million broadband expansion measure for all 100  counties passed the House unanimously on May 26.
Summer Teesateskie gives testimony on the stand in Superior Court on May 6. She was sentenced to 90 days, after repeatedly violating the conditions of her parole. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Summer Teesateskie gives testimony on the stand in Superior Court on May 6. She was sentenced to 90 days, after repeatedly violating the conditions of her parole. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Officers see cases continued

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Robbinsville – A hearing for Graham County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matthew Cox will take place on June 30 in Swain County, after Superior Court Judge William Coward found nothing exculpatory when reviewing his file on May 6 in Graham County.
Cars sat idle Monday afternoon, waiting to get gas at the BP in Robbinsville. Vehicles flocked to stations across the county after news of a major pipeline hack. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Cars sat idle Monday afternoon, waiting to get gas at the BP in Robbinsville. Vehicles flocked to stations across the county after news of a major pipeline hack. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

County stations grapple with fuel shortage

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Graham County gas stations are reeling from a fuel shortage in the eastern United States brought on by a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline.
Bobby Kays has been accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on Saturday night. After the incident, the damaged portion was boarded up with plywood and the pharmacy reopened Monday. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Pharmacy

Bobby Kays has been accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on Saturday night. After the incident, the damaged portion was boarded up with plywood and the pharmacy reopened Monday. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Pharmacy

Humvee theft leads to two-county chase

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Robbinsville – It started with a vehicle being taken from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office.  It continued in Cherokee County.  And it ended just shy of the Macon County line.
A sign at the Robbinsville Wendy’s restaurant advertises help wanted, as Graham County continues to have the highest unemployment numbers in the Southwestern region. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

A sign at the Robbinsville Wendy’s restaurant advertises help wanted, as Graham County continues to have the highest unemployment numbers in the Southwestern region. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

A complex picture

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 6, 2021
While people in western North Carolina are indeed returning to work, compared to the initial drastic dip with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic approximately a year ago, experts familiar with the local job market say the picture is more complicated.
Robbinsville's Sydney Farley, Maggie Knight and Gabby Hooper (from left) celebrate Senior Night on April 29. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Sydney Farley, Maggie Knight and Gabby Hooper (from left) celebrate Senior Night on April 29. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights begin postseason trek

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' postseason journey was derailed Wednesday night, as Robbinsville fell to the visiting South Stokes Sauras (No. 15 seed, 10-4) in the first round of the 1A state playoffs, 3-0. The Lady Knights (No.