GrahamCounty

Robert “Jeff” Hyde

News Staff

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Robert “Jeff” Jeffrey Hyde, 61 of Salem, S.C. passed away Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021 at his home. A native of Graham County, he was the son of Camilla Lee Sutherland of Robbinsville, N.C. and the late Robert Hyde of Cherokee, N.C.

James K. Waldroup

News Staff

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

James Kenneth Waldroup, 74 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bonnie Crisp Waldroup and three sisters.

Board approves premium pay

Charlie Benton

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Robbinsville – More Graham County employees will now benefit from premium pay, following a vote at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 21. The board voted unanimously in favor of $1,500 in premium pay for detention officers employed between Jan. 1, 2020 and Nov.

Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Longtime Robbinsville dentist, associate to swap roles

Randy Foster

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Robbinsville – Dr. Patrick Kelley had a mission when he started his dental practice in Robbinsville in August of 1988. The rural town had been without a dentist for more than a year and Dr. Kelley saw an opportunity to provide a vital service for a community in need. “I started from scratch,” Dr.

Michelle Shiplet, left, helped her husband Matt during his almost four-month struggle to survive COVID-19. He missed Thanksgiving, but was home in time for Christmas at their Sweetwater home. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beating the odds

Randy Foster

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Sweetwater – Matt Shiplet, a federal highway engineer, was getting ready to shift between road projects back in August when he and his wife Michelle escorted a relative to be tested for COVID-19. Within days, both were sickened by the dangerous virus.

The Town of Fontana Dam council was sworn in during its Dec. 15 meeting. From left are mayor Rob Hardy, councilwoman Tiffany Duke, councilwoman Lacie McBee, councilman Jon Hodgson, councilman Brandon Jones; and at right is Town Clerk Zelerie Rogers. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

New members appointed to Fontana Dam council

Charlie Benton

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Fontana Dam – Graham County’s smallest municipality is once again being governed by a full council. Two new members were appointed and sworn in at the Town of Fontana Dam council meeting, bringing the council up to five seats once again, including Mayor Rob Hardy.

Ronald "Ronnie" Thomas Teesateskie

News Staff

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Ronald Thomas Teesateskie “Ronnie” went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, with his loving family by his side. A native of Graham County and from the Snowbird community, he was the son of the late Tom Teesateskie and Jeanette Sue Rattler Teesateskie.

Roy Thomas Williams

News Staff

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Roy Thomas Williams, 79 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Friday Dec. 17, 2021, at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Roy was the son of the late Weaver and Elda Grindstaff Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughter, Wendy M.

Diane Adams

News Staff

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Diane Adams, 73 of the Long Creek community of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Lyle Grindstaff (Doris) and Opal Hice Moose (Earl).

Olen “Tucker” Long

News Staff

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Olen “Tucker” Long, 77 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, at Angel Medical Center in Franklin, N.C. He was a native of Graham County and the son of the late Johnny Luther and Lille Mae Campbell Long.