Regional

Schools facing budget woes

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – A combination of untimely windfalls has put Graham County Schools into dire financial straits. The federally-backed Secure Rural Schools program was not authorized by Congress before the December 2024 adjournment, even after the U.S.
Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Like peas in a pod

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – The spring planting season began early for two students at Robbinsville High School.
Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.
Carrier recognized Stiles Heating and Cooling for 15 years of loyal association at February’s dealer meeting in Greenville, S.C. Pictured are husband and wife owners Eddie and Hannah Stiles.

Carrier recognized Stiles Heating and Cooling for 15 years of loyal association at February’s dealer meeting in Greenville, S.C. Pictured are husband and wife owners Eddie and Hannah Stiles.

Hard work pays off

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Eddie and Hannah Stiles show off their Diamond Sales Award from American Standard, which the owners of Stiles  Heating and Cooling received at a March conference in Wilmington. Tallulah – There is pride in being a part of something great. There is a sense of satisfaction in a job well done.

'Who says you can't go home?'

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Robbinsville – At the age of 10, Slade Trammell played his first concert in Robbinsville.  He knew then that piano was his calling.  “I don’t remember a period in my life when I wasn’t banging on the piano,” said Trammell.  He was enrolled at The Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn.
Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens (left) and Graham County Fire and Rescue Commander Jeff Millsaps show off the Starlink routers donated through a fundraiser jumpstarted by local resident Judy Carpenter.

Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens (left) and Graham County Fire and Rescue Commander Jeff Millsaps show off the Starlink routers donated through a fundraiser jumpstarted by local resident Judy Carpenter.

Providing essential links

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Panther Creek – The only reason Judy Carpenter is going public with her fundraising efforts now is that her work the initial go-around was actually too successful.
Robbinsville High School freshman Nick Wilson has been selected to participate in the Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program. He is pictured alongside Robbinsville High agricultural teacher Adrienne Watts. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Robbinsville High School freshman Nick Wilson has been selected to participate in the Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program. He is pictured alongside Robbinsville High agricultural teacher Adrienne Watts. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Young cattleman

Latresa Phillips
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Robbinsville – Nick Wilson has been chosen from among 45 applicants to participate in the 2025 Western North Carolina Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program.
Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Dr. Jaime Hooper’s dissertation was recently selected for publication in a national journal.

Published educator

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 6, 2025
As Jaime Hooper entered the last 10-year mark as an educator at Graham County Schools, she challenged herself to finish well. She didn’t want to find herself with regrets. “I didn’t want to leave anything on the table left undone. I didn’t want to grow stagnant,” Hooper explained.
Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Only one lane of traffic will be the standard pattern for a 12-mile segment of Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee, as the road was back open for travelers Saturday following a five-month closure. Photos courtesy of Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pigeon River Gorge re-opens to travelers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Jonathan Creek – It may seem bizarre to navigate a two-lane interstate with the typical speed limit cut in half, but it beats the detour that has become the norm. Closed since Hurricane Helene literally destroyed portions of roadway when passing through the region Sept.