GrahamCounty

Raymond Norton fell in love with farming at an early age. Retirement has only given him more time to work at the hobby he loves. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Raymond Norton fell in love with farming at an early age. Retirement has only given him more time to work at the hobby he loves. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Life on the farm

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 24, 2025
* 4th in a 5-part series Mill Creek – If you are a farmer in Graham County, there is a good chance Raymond Norton is a familiar name.  Norton has been farming and helping farmers of Graham County for 55 years, with 30 years spent working for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office.

Municipal races finalized

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 24, 2025
A total of 20 local residents threw their names in the hat for the 2025 municipal elections.  The filing period closed at noon Friday, with the following candidates emerging as contenders for the Nov. 4 ballot.
Gardening has been a lifelong love for Bear Creek resident Jean Taylor. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Gardening has been a lifelong love for Bear Creek resident Jean Taylor. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Big garden, big heart

Latresa Phillips
Monday, July 21, 2025
Bear Creek – Jean Taylor can be described as an experienced gardener, an entrepreneur and someone who preserves history.  “I’ve experienced gardening since before I started school,” Taylor said.
Hugh Orr has a full-time job, tending five gardens in the East Buffalo community. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Hugh Orr has a full-time job, tending five gardens in the East Buffalo community. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

1 man, 5 gardens

Latresa Phillips
Friday, July 11, 2025
East Buffalo – What started out as a hobby for Hugh Darold Orr has turned into a full-time job.  For the past 25 years of retirement, Orr has enjoyed planting a garden or two and watching it grow. He shares with neighbors and friends.

Stewart sentenced for sex crimes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, July 11, 2025
Robbinsville – An Alabama man will spend at least the next 30 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to committing statutory sex crimes over three years ago. Roderick Christopher Stewart, 34 of Luverne, Ala.
Even at the age of 87, James Crisp works with his wife Sara to raise a garden each year that catches the eye of anyone who turns onto Mill Creek Circle. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Even at the age of 87, James Crisp works with his wife Sara to raise a garden each year that catches the eye of anyone who turns onto Mill Creek Circle. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Bountiful blessings

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Mill Creek – Just off Tallulah Road, you will find the home of James and Sara Crisp.  You don’t have to see their name on the mailbox to know you have arrived at their residence.

Settlement reached on town sanitation bill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Robbinsville – A settlement regarding a sanitation bill in excess of $23,000 has been finalized. At June 17's Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting, county manager Brady Cody presented a May invoice for Robbinsville's past-due amount of $23,914.80.

Soaring above the NEST

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Snowbird NEST Executive Director Erik Oswalt was recently announced as a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Award. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star Tallulah – The Marquis Who’s Who Award has recognized Erik Oswalt as a recipient honoring his dedication to nonprofit and law enforcement.
The Dragon Pit might have a new identity, but the location and menu remain familiar. Former T Dubbs owner Tracy Williams (left) sold the popular barbecue stand to Aaron Bradley in February. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Dragon Pit might have a new identity, but the location and menu remain familiar. Former T Dubbs owner Tracy Williams (left) sold the popular barbecue stand to Aaron Bradley in February. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Different name, same menu

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Robbinsville – Aaron Bradley had no idea what he was getting into when he spotted something on the side of the road and turned his vehicle around some eight years ago. "God works in different ways," Bradley said. "He's got a path for everybody." Bradley was traveling with his family on U.S.