Regional

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

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.

Tribal primary held

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Voters eyeing the 2025 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council race now have their finalists for the Sept. 4 general election.
Photographs used in The Graham Star's June 27, 2024 feature on a young entrepreneur opening a local kennel that provides all the comforts of home – appropriately titled "Pampered Pups" – caught the eyes of judges in this year's North Carolina Press Association contest. K's Kennels Owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Photographs used in The Graham Star's June 27, 2024 feature on a young entrepreneur opening a local kennel that provides all the comforts of home – appropriately titled "Pampered Pups" – caught the eyes of judges in this year's North Carolina Press Association contest. K's Kennels Owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham Star wins 3 N.C. Press Association awards

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Graham Star graphic designer Madison Ledford showed how much fun a snow day could really be, as she took photos submitted by The Star's Facebook followers and created this page to win second place in the North Carolina Press Association's annual editorial contest.

Man dies in motorcycle crash

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Santeetlah – A single-vehicle accident Saturday claimed the life of a Florida resident. According to a report from the N.C. Highway Patrol, John A. Friede, 78, of Port St. Lucie, was operating a 2008 Yamaha MC and traveling east on N.C.

Local teacher receives state biology award

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Ben Davis has been named the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for North Carolina by the National Association of Biology Teachers.  An instructor at Robbinsville High School, Davis joins an elite group of teachers from each of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C.

Local squad assists in park rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Fontana Dam – Tory Lynnes and Larry Crisp of Graham County Fire and Rescue assisted the Swain County Rescue Squad and National Park Service on a July 20 mission in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Graham County 911 Center received a request from Swain County around 10 p.m.

Former Swain sheriff arrested on rape charge

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Bryson City – More than three weeks after news of his arrest and subsequent retirement shocked western North Carolina, former Swain County sheriff Curtis Abraham Cochran was placed behind bars once more on a new charge last week.
Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Youth fire, rescue academy held

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The inaugural Graham County Youth Fire and Rescue Academy in Graham County was held last week.  Assistant Fire and Rescue Chief Troy Grindstaff – who is also the training instructor – was the driving force behind setting up the training.