Regional

Chicago family rescued Christmas Day

Marshall McClung
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Big Santeetlah – The Graham County Rescue Squad and U.S. Forest Service teamed up for a Christmas Day rescue of a family stranded in the snow at Swan Cabin in the Wolf Laurel section of Graham County.

Local man dies after Cherokee County crash

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Murphy – A Robbinsville man has died from injuries sustained in a four-vehicle collision on Old Ranger Road in Murphy.  The death of 56-year-old Robbinsville resident Kenneth Blevins was confirmed by the N.C. Highway Patrol. Blevins succumbed to injuries sustained in the Dec. 17 crash at 7:33 a.m.

Eastern Band reacts to new cabinet member

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 31, 2020
As the new presidential administration prepares to take office, with it will come the first Native American to ever serve on a Presidential Cabinet. In December, President-Elect Joe Biden, D-Delaware, announced that he had nominated Rep.
In this March 29 photo, Graham County Deputy Jim Hyde (left) and Graham County Land’s Quinn Carver help man one of the five entry points into the county, which were closed to non-residents in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

In this March 29 photo, Graham County Deputy Jim Hyde (left) and Graham County Land’s Quinn Carver help man one of the five entry points into the county, which were closed to non-residents in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

A look back at 2020

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 31, 2020
The dawn of the new decade was seemingly dominated by a worldwide pandemic. And while the coronavirus has certainly made its presence felt in the area, Graham County still had a bevy of impactful events occur within its borders.
Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins plucks a steal away from Hiwassee Dam’s Michael Simms during a preseason scrimmage Saturday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins plucks a steal away from Hiwassee Dam’s Michael Simms during a preseason scrimmage Saturday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knocking off the rust

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 28, 2020
Hiwassee Dam – If Saturday was any indication, Robbinsville basketball looks primed to move into the upper echelon of competition in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Graham County’s contribution to the division bused both varsity squads to Hiwassee Dam for a preseason scrimmage against the Eagles.

Eyes on the prize

Kevin Hensley
Monday, December 28, 2020
Nantahala – In pre-COVID times, a 2-loss volleyball team from the Smoky Mountain Conference was all but guaranteed a spot in the 1A state playoffs. However, as the virus has altered the way high school athletics are being conducted this year, that guarantee has been kissed goodbye.

County slated to receive COVID vaccine

Charlie Benton
Monday, December 28, 2020
The light at the end of the pandemic tunnel may be nearing, as doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are scheduled to arrive.  Graham County Health Director Beth Booth said the county was slated to receive its first 100 doses of the newly-approved Moderna vaccine soon after Christmas.