GrahamCounty

Karen Dawn Wagner

On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 – at 7:06 a.m. – Karen Dawn Wagner of Robbinsville, N.C. took her last breath, at only 57 years old. Karen was born to Sue Cotsirilos (Phillips) and Joseph Wagner on April Fool’s Day, 1964.

Darrell Keith Solesbee

Darrell Keith Solesbee, 65 of Kissimmee, Fla., passed away at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at Orchid Cove Nursing and Rehabilitation of Kissimmee, Fla. Darrell was a native of Graham County, N.C. He was the son of the late Leroy Solesbee and Pauline Beasley Solesbee of Robbinsville, N.C.
An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

An avid dog lover, Kortne Waginger lost her longtime battle with cancer on Friday.

‘Tough as a pine knot’

Tampa – “She certainly left her mark on this Earth; as she not only showed us how to live, but how to die.” That was just a snippet of the announcement made by mother – Robbinsville Middle School principal Tonia Walsh – Friday morning. But just that one sentence encompassed Kortne Waginger.
Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer, wine sales delayed

Robbinsville – New Year’s Day came and went over the weekend, but one thing that remained the same is that beer and wine still can’t be sold in Robbinsville. “It’s hard to say a time frame,” said Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams, adding that it could take a couple of months.

Masks mandatory once more at schools

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools resumed mandatory masks on Wednesday, in an effort to avoid widespread quarantines from rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. Students, faculty and staff are required to wear masks for the rest of January.
Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Coolers have been installed in the former greeting cards section at Ingles in Robbinsville in preparation for beer and wine sales. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer and wine sales in Robbinsville expected; just not as soon as you thought

Robbinsville — Starting tomorrow, for the first time since the 1940s, it will be legal to buy beer and wine in Robbinsville.  The local Ingles, the only supermarket in the county, geared up for it: Staff trained? Check Greeting cards section moved? Check Coolers installed?
Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Remembering 2021 in Graham County

Even as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, Graham County – as a whole – continued to experience both positives and negatives in 2021.

Rev. Donald Colvard

The Rev. Donald P. Colvard, 96 of the Franks Creek community of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. He was a native of Graham County and the son of the late Thomas Jefferson Colvard and Maude Phillips Colvard.