Regional

The 115th Annual Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in Robbinsville on Nov. 5. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The 115th Annual Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in Robbinsville on Nov. 5. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘The mountains are calling’

Latresa Phillips
Friday, November 14, 2025
Robbinsville – It was on a Saturday – Nov. 5, 1910 – that the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a memorial for Chief Junaluska in Robbinsville.  Pastor Armstrong Cornsilk – a friend of the great chief – spoke kind words, hoping that “All could be happy together.
Snowbird's Tayen Bridges competed for the title of "Miss Cherokee" during this year's competition. Photo courtesy of Cherokee One Feather

Snowbird's Tayen Bridges competed for the title of "Miss Cherokee" during this year's competition. Photo courtesy of Cherokee One Feather

An honored tradition

Latresa Phillips
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Cherokee – Each year, the Cherokee community hosts a pageant to crown a representative for the Cherokee Tribal Nation.  Miss Cherokee serves as a cultural ambassador, promoting government, language, history and culture.
Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Swain County Sheriff’s Office detectives believe this is the Jeep Cherokee used in the Sept. 6 shooting incident at the Paddle Inn Rafting Co. The owner of the vehicle was arrested Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Swain County Sheriff's Office

Atlanta man arrested in Nantahala shooting

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Nantahala – Exactly 3 ½ weeks after a sign supporting President Donald Trump was torn down and a gun was fired in the direction of a business owner, authorities with the Swain County Sheriff's Office apprehended a suspect in the incident.
Five new members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians graduated from the Cherokee Language learners program Sept. 25. From left are She-li "Seli" Lewis; April "Svgta" Johnson; Jack "Uwetsi" Cooper; Desiree "Kiyug" Turpin; and Kyla "Kali" Millsaps. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Five new members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians graduated from the Cherokee Language learners program Sept. 25. From left are She-li "Seli" Lewis; April "Svgta" Johnson; Jack "Uwetsi" Cooper; Desiree "Kiyug" Turpin; and Kyla "Kali" Millsaps. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Heritage preserved

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Snowbird resident Kyla "Kali" Millsaps was honored with the Speaker's Council Award at Sept. 25's Cherokee Language learners graduation exercise. Snowbird – The Cherokee culture is steeped in traditions of language, spirituality, food, storytelling, crafts and other forms of art.
With members of both the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation in attendance, the nieces of Thomas B. Whatley – Gwen Kinard, Terry Peacock and Pamela Puglisi (center, from left) stand proudly behind a sign dedicating the bridge over the Cheoah River on Old U.S. 129 in Robbinsville in the fallen patrolman's memory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

With members of both the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation in attendance, the nieces of Thomas B. Whatley – Gwen Kinard, Terry Peacock and Pamela Puglisi (center, from left) stand proudly behind a sign dedicating the bridge over the Cheoah River on Old U.S. 129 in Robbinsville in the fallen patrolman's memory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Bridge named in trooper's honor

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Robbinsville – Almost 78 years after a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was killed in the line of duty, he has received a localized memorial that will remind daily commuters of his sacrifice.

New program used in search

Marshall McClung
Friday, September 19, 2025
Search and rescue has gone high tech – somewhat anyway, as searchers are still needed on the ground.  Graham County Emergency Services Director Brian Stevens explained that a new program was recently used in a search for a lost hiker in Deep Creek.
Brittney Holder owns B's Pet Grooming, but also works tirelessly to help control the local animal population. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Brittney Holder owns B's Pet Grooming, but also works tirelessly to help control the local animal population. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pressing 'paws' on local animal population

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Mountain Creek – Monday morning started early for Brittney Holder, with the chore of loading up 19 dogs and 11 cats to be transported to Norfolk, Va.'s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for rehoming.

Wachacha retains council seat; Smoker elected

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A new face will represent Tutiyi/Tsalagi Gadugi (Snowbird/Cherokee County) on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council. Incumbent Adam Wachacha was the top vote-getter for the two local spots in Sept.
Staff and management of Appalachian Mountain Health celebrate a ribbon cutting held Monday outside the Robbinsville office on Tallulah Road. The ceremony recognized a recent batch of upgrades to the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Staff and management of Appalachian Mountain Health celebrate a ribbon cutting held Monday outside the Robbinsville office on Tallulah Road. The ceremony recognized a recent batch of upgrades to the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ribbon cutting ushers in new era for medical facility

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Tallulah – Employees, local management and upper-level representatives crowded outside Appalachian Mountain Health of Robbinsville on Monday, to hold a ribbon cutting signifying the conclusion of $1.3 million in upgrades to the former Tallulah Health Clinic.
This map pinpoints the location (circled in red) where an Atlanta man was found after a 12-hour search Aug. 28. Map courtesy of Tory Lynnes/Graham County Fire and Rescue

This map pinpoints the location (circled in red) where an Atlanta man was found after a 12-hour search Aug. 28. Map courtesy of Tory Lynnes/Graham County Fire and Rescue

Rugged search mission lasts 12 hours

Marshall McClung
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Deep Creek – Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue and Stecoah Fire and Rescue were involved in a 12-hour search for a lost hiker in the Deep Creek area of Graham County on Aug. 28. The Graham County 911 Center received a phone call around 5 p.m., Aug. 28 from James Clark.