GrahamCounty

Child care shutdown sends shockwaves

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Commissioners was surprised to learn that all Southwestern Child Development Centers are closing by the end of the month, which will affect several counties in Region A.
The 24th Annual Stecoah Harvest Festival was busy from the word “go,” with an estimated 2,500 visitors passing through the 1-½ day event. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The 24th Annual Stecoah Harvest Festival was busy from the word “go,” with an estimated 2,500 visitors passing through the 1-½ day event. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Festival beckons a simpler time

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Stecoah – Anywhere you looked, you could find reminders of a bygone era. The 24th Annual Stecoah Harvest Festival was enjoyed by an estimated 2,500 visitors, who had plenty of options to choose from once they entered the grounds at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.
The 1982 Robbinsville Black Knights state-championship football team.

The 1982 Robbinsville Black Knights state-championship football team.

3 athletes, 2 teams set to be enshrined

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – A pair of hard-nosed gridiron stars; a coach that dared to break down traditional barriers; and teams that rounded out perhaps the dominant run in state history are all set to be recognized for their athletic endeavors.
A genetic mutation discovered years prior kept Janie Haney mentally preparing for the inevitable. But her breast-cancer diagnosis in 2010 failed to weaken her faith; rather, the battle made her stronger.

A genetic mutation discovered years prior kept Janie Haney mentally preparing for the inevitable. But her breast-cancer diagnosis in 2010 failed to weaken her faith; rather, the battle made her stronger.

Survivors: Janie Haney

Latresa Phillips
Friday, October 20, 2023
Sweetgum – Janie Haney was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45. Even though she had experienced no symptoms, she wasn’t completely surprised with the finding that showed up on her annual mammogram: Haney’s sister Becky had been diagnosed with the same cancer in her 30’s.
Robbinsville High School senior Taelyr Ann Jackson was revealed as this year’s Miss Black Knight at halftime of Friday’s homecoming game. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Robbinsville High School senior Taelyr Ann Jackson was revealed as this year’s Miss Black Knight at halftime of Friday’s homecoming game. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Walkin’ on Sunshine

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – The nickname “Sunshine” was afforded to Taelyr Ann Jackson while she was a member of the Lady Knights softball team her sophomore year.

No meeting? Let’s talk about fiber!

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 20, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – One local municipality’s council had intentions to hold an official town meeting Oct. 12 – but for the second time in recent memory, the whole council was not present.
Participants of the Snowbird Breast Cancer 3K Walk create a ribbon shape inside the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on Monday, as an ode to breast-cancer survivors and fighters. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Participants of the Snowbird Breast Cancer 3K Walk create a ribbon shape inside the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on Monday, as an ode to breast-cancer survivors and fighters. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Uniting to raise awareness

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 20, 2023
Snowbird – Among the cloudy and cold Monday morning, raindrops fell on pink signs along the road where 100 people walked a mile and a half to shine a light on breast cancer awareness. “I didn’t realize at the time how important support from friends, family, people in the community was.

Water projects flow forward

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 20, 2023
Robbinsville – The Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen held special meetings on Oct. 4 and Oct. 10, with one goal in mind: moving ahead on lingering water-system improvements. The board opened three bids on repairs for Junaluska water tank, with the lowest bid at $88,250 on Oct. 4.
Robbinsville Black emerged as champions of the 2023 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference Volleyball Tournament, which was held Saturday at Cherokee. Robbinsville Black swept another Graham County program – Snowbird – to capture the gold. From left are assistant coach Allison Rogers, Mercy Nelms, McKynlee Adams, Natalie Swimmer, Kamry Rogers, Amiyah Collins, head coach Holly Jackson and Lexi Crisp. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Black emerged as champions of the 2023 Smokey Mountain Youth Conference Volleyball Tournament, which was held Saturday at Cherokee. Robbinsville Black swept another Graham County program – Snowbird – to capture the gold. From left are assistant coach Allison Rogers, Mercy Nelms, McKynlee Adams, Natalie Swimmer, Kamry Rogers, Amiyah Collins, head coach Holly Jackson and Lexi Crisp. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights; Lady Warriors; oh my!

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 13, 2023
Cherokee – All told, three different teams from Graham County suited up for Smokey Mountain Youth Conference volleyball action this season: two from Robbinsville and one representing Snowbird.

Four Square receives grant for housing aid

Ruby Annas
Friday, October 13, 2023
Sylva – Four Square Community Action is a 2022 recipient of a combined $120,000 from the Southwestern HOME Consortium. The Home Investment Partnerships Programs consortium awarded a total of $850,000 to four projects in the region that will construct, enhance or assist in housing citizens.