TownofLakeSanteetlahNC

Meet your Lake Santeetlah candidates

News Staff
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – The 2023 election cycle features two municipal races within Graham County: Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah. Seven candidates are vying for five seats on the Santeetlah council, which has been the center of disputes and controversy for several years.
Town of Lake Santeetlah Council Member Ralph Mitchell could not contain his excitement while on Zoom for the Sept. 14 meeting after being presented with a certificate recognizing Mitchell, 94, as the oldest public servant in North Carolina.

Town of Lake Santeetlah Council Member Ralph Mitchell could not contain his excitement while on Zoom for the Sept. 14 meeting after being presented with a certificate recognizing Mitchell, 94, as the oldest public servant in North Carolina.

Mitchell recognized for service

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – Still sharp as a tack, Ralph Mitchell had one inquisitive comment when asked to speak on his special recognition at the Sept. 14 Lake Santeetlah Town Council meeting. “That I’m old?” Mitchell asked dryly, before laughing.
This screenshot from a recording shows the moment Lake Santeetlah Council Woman Diana Simon slapped Mayor Connie Connie Gross during the town’s June 8 meeting. Simon was attempting to nominate a candidate for a substitute member on Lake Santeetlah’s planning board, moments after Mayor Gross’ husband, Jack, was voted 3-2 to be the first of two alternates on the planning board.

This screenshot from a recording shows the moment Lake Santeetlah Council Woman Diana Simon slapped Mayor Connie Connie Gross during the town’s June 8 meeting. Simon was attempting to nominate a candidate for a substitute member on Lake Santeetlah’s planning board, moments after Mayor Gross’ husband, Jack, was voted 3-2 to be the first of two alternates on the planning board.

Things get physical

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It was only a matter of time before the countless accusations, passive-aggressive comments and overall tension in the room led to the proceedings spiraling out of control.

Zoning enforcement in township questioned

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It’s only an issue in one of Graham County’s three incorporated areas, but it’s a biggie for residents of Lake Santeetlah: zoning ordinances. In fact, the town is the only one in the county with zoning. Neither Fontana Dam nor Robbinsville have it on the books.

Santeetlah council has not met since mid-November

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – The Town of Lake Santeetlah Town Council is having a hard time getting together. The council has cancelled every meeting since November, either because of procedural issues, prior commitments, illness, scheduled vacations, or combinations of these.
An SUV was pulled from Lake Santeetlah around 5 p.m. today, after crashing into the water overnight. The N.C. Highway Patrol confirmed to The Graham Star on Thursday evening that 23-year-old Robbinsville resident Jose Alfredo Moreno-Romero passed away in the accident. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An SUV was pulled from Lake Santeetlah around 5 p.m. today, after crashing into the water overnight. The N.C. Highway Patrol confirmed to The Graham Star on Thursday evening that 23-year-old Robbinsville resident Jose Alfredo Moreno-Romero passed away in the accident. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Local man passes away, two survive wreck into Lake Santeetlah

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – A Robbinsville man was killed – but two others survived – when an SUV crashed into Lake Santeetlah off Thunderbird Mountain Road early Thursday morning.

Water leak a teachable moment for Santeetlah

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – The town experienced a water line break along Nantahala Terrace over the past month, during which town officials learned about the need to issue “boil water” notifications to water customers affected by the break.
John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Voter challenge dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Editor's note: This story appeared as a 3-part report in our print edition. Below is the full, uninterrupted report.