SnowbirdNC

This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

This Aug. 25 photo shows waters gently flowing through the now-defunct Hunting Boy Trout Farm. More than five years ago, the business found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – one that has not been fully resolved to this day. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Hunting Boy settlement at stalemate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Snowbird – A local trout farm and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are struggling to come to an agreement over allegations that the latter destroyed the business with nearby grading. Shortly after The Graham Star published an Oct.
An exhausted Jacob Teesateskie glances at his raucous teammates Tuesday, as Madison’s Mason Clubb lays despondent on the mat. Teesateskie had just scored a takedown to prevail 7-5 in overtime against Clubb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

An exhausted Jacob Teesateskie glances at his raucous teammates Tuesday, as Madison’s Mason Clubb lays despondent on the mat. Teesateskie had just scored a takedown to prevail 7-5 in overtime against Clubb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights handle business in opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Snowbird – The one advantage Robbinsville usually has against opponents is its ability to fill out all 14 weight classes. It doesn’t hurt that finesse and talent are found across the roster, either.

Gladys Jenkins

News Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Gladys Jenkins, 92 of the Stecoah community, passed peacefully Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. She was born in the Snowbird community on June 3, 1930, to Clara and Sam Adams. Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Dale Jenkins; a sister, Leona Smith; and a brother, Herman Adams.
Duane Wilkey looks at the silt-filled raceway at his trout farm on Hunting Boy Branch on Aug. 25. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Duane Wilkey looks at the silt-filled raceway at his trout farm on Hunting Boy Branch on Aug. 25. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Out of business

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Snowbird – For more than 30 years, Duane and Linda Wilkey operated a trout farm in western Graham County on Hunting Boy Branch, a stream that feeds into Little Snowbird Creek. In June 2017, they noticed the creek was unusually muddy following a light rain. The problem grew worse.
Bo Taylor (center) leads a friendship dance following the ribbon cutting at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community on Friday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Bo Taylor (center) leads a friendship dance following the ribbon cutting at the Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community on Friday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Snowbird community complex dedicated

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Snowbird – Members of the Snowbird community of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have long considered themselves an afterthought among the tribe, receiving just scraps and crumbs – compared to money and effort in Cherokee and elsewhere in western North Carolina.
A ribbon cutting is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center, which is located in the Snowbird community. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A ribbon cutting is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center, which is located in the Snowbird community. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Ribbon cutting planned for new community center

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Snowbird  – Workers in Graham County on Tuesday were putting the finishing touches on the new Jacob Cornsilk Community Center in the Snowbird community, preparing for a ribbon cutting that is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.
Matthew Tooni, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, performs at Saturday’s Fading Voices demonstration on the banks of Little Snowbird Creek in Graham County. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Matthew Tooni, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, performs at Saturday’s Fading Voices demonstration on the banks of Little Snowbird Creek in Graham County. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Snowbird Cherokee share customs, traditions during annual event

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Snowbird – During the Trail of Tears – when many Snowbird Cherokee in Graham County were forcibly evicted from their land to make way for European settlers, starting in the 1830s – some escaped into the wilds.

School bus, truck involved in collision

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Snowbird – An inbound Graham County school bus and a pickup collided on Snowbird Road just west of I.U. Gap Road on Jan. 27. There were no injuries, but it delayed the start of the school day for the approximately 20 students riding the bus.

Iva Rowena Rattler

News Staff
Friday, January 7, 2022
Iva Rowena Rattler, 91 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at Graham Health Care and Rehabilitation in Robbinsville, N.C. She was a native of Graham County and the daughter of the late George and Hattie Smoker Rattler.

Rachel Smoker

News Staff
Friday, January 7, 2022
Rachel Smoker, 72 of the Little Snowbird community in Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday Dec. 28, 2021. Rachel was a fluent Cherokee speaker who was preceded in death by her daughters, Sally Anderson and Angela Teesateskie; and granddaughter, Tosha McCarter.