GrahamCounty

Time to step up to the podium

Charlie Benton
Thursday, June 3, 2021
The beat will go on, with the arrival of a new band and choir director for the 2021-22 school year. Amber Watkins will serve as Graham County Schools’ new music educator, following the departure of Michele Filip after one year in the role.
Matthew Tooni performs during a Cherokee flute demonstration at Saturday’s 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day in Snowbird. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Matthew Tooni performs during a Cherokee flute demonstration at Saturday’s 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day in Snowbird. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Window to the past

Charlie Benton
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Snowbird – The community had an opportunity to learn more about Graham County’s first inhabitants Saturday at the 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day.  The event was held at the Little Snowbird Baptist Church and featured traditional Cherokee crafts, food, games and music.

Glenda Millsaps

News Staff
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Glenda Meyers Millsaps, 63 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C.  She was the daughter of the late Joseph Leroy and Peggy June Pennington Meyers.

Fire, rescue squads have busy weekend

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Last weekend proved to be a busy time for local fire and rescue personnel. Graham County Rescue Squad members responded to the Appalachian Trail in Graham County on Saturday, to help locate a hiker around 1:15 p.m. Saturday.
A crack monitor measures the expansion around the foundation of Robbinsville Elementary School’s gymnasium. The facility has been closed since late February, when Graham County School officials began to notice the floor was beginning to shift. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A crack monitor measures the expansion around the foundation of Robbinsville Elementary School’s gymnasium. The facility has been closed since late February, when Graham County School officials began to notice the floor was beginning to shift. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Gym foundation source of major concern

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – Some three months after the discovery of a potentially hazardous situation, Graham County School officials remain baffled.
Robbinsville High School graduates begin celebrating their achievement at the end of Sunday’s commencement. For more photos from the evening, see page 3. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School graduates begin celebrating their achievement at the end of Sunday’s commencement. For more photos from the evening, see page 3. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Starting a new chapter

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – The Robbinsville High School Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement on Sunday, inside Big Oaks Stadium.  The Class of 2021 included 88 graduates and was led by Valedictorian Dalson Jordan and Salutatorian Kolby Brooks.
Jason Duke (left) takes the oath of office from Town of Fontana Dam Administrator Zelerie Rogers at the May 19 council meeting. With the addition of Duke, the town council is back at its full, five-member complement. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Jason Duke (left) takes the oath of office from Town of Fontana Dam Administrator Zelerie Rogers at the May 19 council meeting. With the addition of Duke, the town council is back at its full, five-member complement. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Fontana council fills vacancy

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Fontana Dam – One county township is once again operating with a complete board.  The Town of Fontana Dam Council is back at full strength, following the swearing-in of Jason Duke at its May 19 regular meeting.

Budget process underway

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – As budget season begins, Graham County has heard some good news on its potential 2021-22 budget.  County finance officer Becky Garland told the Graham County Board of Commissioners that the county would likely have a surplus for the first time in a dozen years.
More than 120 citizens joined N.C. Senate Representative Kevin Corbin, District Attorney Ashley Welch and N.C. House Representative Karl Gillespie (seated, front) Friday, for a town hall concerning Graham County’s rampant drug issue. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

More than 120 citizens joined N.C. Senate Representative Kevin Corbin, District Attorney Ashley Welch and N.C. House Representative Karl Gillespie (seated, front) Friday, for a town hall concerning Graham County’s rampant drug issue. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

'We need a miracle'

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – A coalition hoping to shed light on the worsening substance problem in Graham County held its first official meeting in the Robbinsville High School gymansium on Friday.