Regional

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom (front) and Kensley Phillips work through a drill at a July 23 workout. Knights volleyball and cross-country will begin their 2020-21 season next month, but COVID-19 restrictions will keep spectators at a minimum. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spectators limited for fall sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Raleigh – An Oct. 15 announcement from the N.C. High School Athletic Association confirmed what many had feared: sports will begin next month, but crowds will be sparse. In the release, the association maintained its desire to mirror both advice from the N.C.

Fontana to operate on $239K budget

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Fontana Dam – After a slight delay, the town has finally adopted its 2020-21 fiscal year budget. Town Administrator Zelerie Rogers presented a breakdown of the expected $239,169.

Cluster identified at school

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Thirty cases in one week. Fueled by outbreaks at both Graham Healthcare & Rehabilitation and a local church, Graham County’s COVID-19 case count has been on a meteoric rise over the last month. The surge has also forced Graham County Schools to switch to remote learning until Monday, Oct.

Beginning a new chapter

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stecoah – A local resident has released a continuation to a book published 19 years ago. The Nantahala River, A History and Guide is the latest work from Stecoah resident Lance Holland.
N.C. Department of Transportation, Division 14 representatives Wanda Austin, Dirk Cody and Brian Burch (clockwise, from left) address a question raised by Stecoah resident Jamie Lail at Tuesday’s Corridor K public hearing. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

N.C. Department of Transportation, Division 14 representatives Wanda Austin, Dirk Cody and Brian Burch (clockwise, from left) address a question raised by Stecoah resident Jamie Lail at Tuesday’s Corridor K public hearing. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

'What we need is comments'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stecoah – It was not so much met with opposition; rather, it was met with questions. N.C. Department of Transportation, Division 14 representatives met with Stecoah residents for a 40-minute public hearing over the Corridor K project Tuesday evening.

One year later, still no answers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Big Santeetlah – Even though a year has passed, there are still few answers available on the drowning death of a Federal Bureau of Investigation forensic photographer in Graham County.

Cluster leads to spike in cases

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 1, 2020
A Graham County church has been cited as the latest connection to a COVID-19 outbreak. The Graham County Department of Health & Human Services issued a press release about the latest cluster Monday, reporting that 18 cases have been tied to the congregation since Friday.

AT hiker rescued

Marshall McClung
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Graham County Rescue Squad and Stecoah Rescue Squad members were called out on yet another mission involving a hiker, one of several such missions in recent weeks. Graham County 911 dispatchers received a message from a call center near 8:30 p.m. on Sept.