GrahamCounty

Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County, schools reach land deal for justice center

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Robbinsville – If it feels like deja vu, that’s because it is.
Photographs used in The Graham Star's June 27, 2024 feature on a young entrepreneur opening a local kennel that provides all the comforts of home – appropriately titled "Pampered Pups" – caught the eyes of judges in this year's North Carolina Press Association contest. K's Kennels Owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Photographs used in The Graham Star's June 27, 2024 feature on a young entrepreneur opening a local kennel that provides all the comforts of home – appropriately titled "Pampered Pups" – caught the eyes of judges in this year's North Carolina Press Association contest. K's Kennels Owner Kensley Phillips looks on as Willow expresses her excitement with the stay. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham Star wins 3 N.C. Press Association awards

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Graham Star graphic designer Madison Ledford showed how much fun a snow day could really be, as she took photos submitted by The Star's Facebook followers and created this page to win second place in the North Carolina Press Association's annual editorial contest.

Man dies in motorcycle crash

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Santeetlah – A single-vehicle accident Saturday claimed the life of a Florida resident. According to a report from the N.C. Highway Patrol, John A. Friede, 78, of Port St. Lucie, was operating a 2008 Yamaha MC and traveling east on N.C.

Local teacher receives state biology award

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Ben Davis has been named the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for North Carolina by the National Association of Biology Teachers.  An instructor at Robbinsville High School, Davis joins an elite group of teachers from each of the 50 states, plus Washington D.C.

Local squad assists in park rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Fontana Dam – Tory Lynnes and Larry Crisp of Graham County Fire and Rescue assisted the Swain County Rescue Squad and National Park Service on a July 20 mission in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Graham County 911 Center received a request from Swain County around 10 p.m.
Scott Roper has a long-standing tradition of involving his grandchildren in helping with his garden. Five years ago, he proudly brought along Lennox Burke for a ride on his tractor.

Scott Roper has a long-standing tradition of involving his grandchildren in helping with his garden. Five years ago, he proudly brought along Lennox Burke for a ride on his tractor.

Bountiful harvest

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Scott Roper's garden: a product of hard work and what Roper attributes to help from God. East Buffalo – Sundays and Wednesdays are not the only busy days of the week for Scott Roper, pastor of Lone Oak Baptist Church.
County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Portion of jail to close for repair

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Though it remains unclear exactly when efforts will begin, the Graham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Friday to move those employed inside the detention center to a different location inside the courthouse while crews work to remediate lead-based paint in the...
Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Justin Waldroup assists Kensie Belk, Bella Eddings and Ella Dockery (from left) with a fire hose demonstration during last week's youth fire and rescue academy. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Youth fire, rescue academy held

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The inaugural Graham County Youth Fire and Rescue Academy in Graham County was held last week.  Assistant Fire and Rescue Chief Troy Grindstaff – who is also the training instructor – was the driving force behind setting up the training.

Raleigh hiker rescued on waterfall trip

Marshall McClung
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Tapoco – The heat and humidity may have been too much for 72-year-old Raleigh resident William Barnes, on a hike to Bear Creek Falls on July 14.  Barnes and his wife had left on the hike near Tapoco Lodge sometime before 1 p.m.