Regional

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

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

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

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

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.

Fire and rescue squad receives $29K grant

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Raleigh – Graham County Fire and Rescue was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $28,694.67 from the office of the state fire marshal. State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said in a May 15 press release that the grant was through the 2025 Volunteer Fire Grant Fund.

A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rescue boat revealed

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Lemmons Branch – Three months of speculation regarding the purchase of a new search and rescue boat was cleared up at a quick convergence of local and regional officials Aug. 14. Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.

GREAT news for county broadband

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Robbinsville – According to July 28's broadband meeting, the immediate future should usher in a competitive market; in turn, giving residents both lower pricing and better internet reliability across Graham County.