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This outdoor kennel at the Valley River Humane Society was just one of many items that state officials said the 25-year-old facility would have to replace during an inspection last year. With finances in a crunch for both the shelter and Graham County, neither side could come to an agreement to continue its long-time working relationship, which ended Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

This outdoor kennel at the Valley River Humane Society was just one of many items that state officials said the 25-year-old facility would have to replace during an inspection last year. With finances in a crunch for both the shelter and Graham County, neither side could come to an agreement to continue its long-time working relationship, which ended Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/Cherokee Scout

Humane society ends agreement with county

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Marble – Saturday’s deadline for Graham County and the Valley River Humane Society to reach a new agreement passed with no action taken, leaving anyone from the county wishing to surrender an animal with even fewer area options.

More snowfall, more … brush fires?

Marshall McClung
Friday, January 31, 2025
Santeetlah – Apparently, the saying “history repeats itself” is true: the last two snowfalls in Graham County have both been followed by brush fires in the same weeks.  Maybe the next time it snows, firefighters will be tempted to grab fire rakes instead of snow shovels. Shortly after 3 p.m.
Robbinsville High School senior Shalimar Daniels soaks in the adulation of fans across Big Oaks Stadium on Oct. 4, after being introduced as an honorary attendant during homecoming. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Robbinsville High School senior Shalimar Daniels soaks in the adulation of fans across Big Oaks Stadium on Oct. 4, after being introduced as an honorary attendant during homecoming. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

'Forever our sunshine’

Latresa Phillips
Friday, January 31, 2025
Shortly after being informed of Shalimar Daniels’ passing Jan. 23, students at Robbinsville High School got to work  creating this tribute near the front entrance to the facility.

Town could close by May

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 31, 2025
Fontana Dam – It may seem to many that the Town of Fontana Dam is relatively new. That’s because – relatively speaking – it is: its first council was sworn in May 8, 2011. But only 13 ½ years after its formation, the final months of Fontana Dam as a municipality could very well lie ahead.

Brush fire follows snowfall

Marshall McClung
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Tuskeegee – As an example of how quickly mountain weather can change, locals experienced snowfall and a brush fire in the same week. Graham County 911 was notified of a brush fire near Whiteside Gap Road in the Lower Sawyers Creek area around 1:20 p.m., Jan. 15.
Three months after opening, AdventHealth Medical Group Multispeciality at Graham County has responded to perceived issues regarding its hours of operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Three months after opening, AdventHealth Medical Group Multispeciality at Graham County has responded to perceived issues regarding its hours of operation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

AdventHealth addresses misleading operating hours

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Robbinsville – Amid questions brought on by social media and Google searches alike, Graham County’s urgent care provider issued an exclusive statement last week to The Graham Star regarding its hours of operation. Since opening its doors to see patients on Oct.

Animal officer tabled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Robbinsville – Despite plans to appoint a new animal control officer at Tuesday’s meeting, the Graham County Board of Commissioners opted to table the discussions until more negotiations could be hammered out.
Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School opened to students in January 1993 and has maintained a standard of academic excellence in the 32 years that have followed. The institution is the only one that did not drop a letter grade in the yearly assessment from the state department of public instruction. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

High school holds steady; still seeking improvement

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The only institution in the district that has maintained the status quo, Robbinsville High’s new administrators insist that the facility is not going to get complacent.

Pastell charged with death by distribution – again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 17, 2025
Mountain Creek – There have been four charges of death by distribution assessed in Graham County since former governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law six years ago. Locally, Bobby Huel Pastell has been on the docket for the charge 50 percent of the time.
Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New foundation offers ‘hope’ for those in need

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Robbinsville – As the cold winds of winter usher in snow and bitter cold, many residents of Graham County need a safe, warm place to sleep and a nutritious meal to help them survive the cold.  The Reigniting Hope Foundation provides just that.