GrahamCounty

Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s a win-win’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Robbinsville – With a quick snip, Graham County Urgent Care was deemed officially ready to receive patients. County dignitaries joined staff at the front entrance to the former location of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care (21 S. Main St., Robbinsville) on Feb.

Graham County Schools releases 2023-24 calendar

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 17, 2023
Robbinsville – Students reporting to Graham County Schools for the 2023-24 year will enjoy 171 days of instruction. The board of education discussed the upcoming calendar at its Feb. 7 meeting, with Superintendent Angie Knight noting that public input was welcomed – but very little was received.

Updated fees coming to Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It might not be the most popular decision, but sometimes adding more fees to a utility can help recoup lost costs. As part of a cordial and productive Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting Feb.
Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘God is protecting me’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – Hank Dinschel has been a thorn in the side of the Graham County Board of Education for several years, so it probably should have surprised nobody that she would run for a seat on the board.
Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care returns

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – For some, news of urgent care services rebooting in Graham County might have been the greatest Valentine’s Day gift they could have received.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights (competing as the Peak Wrestling Club) concluded their debut season by winning the 7th Annual Women’s K-8 State Championship Tournament on Saturday in Advance. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights (competing as the Peak Wrestling Club) concluded their debut season by winning the 7th Annual Women’s K-8 State Championship Tournament on Saturday in Advance. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe

Debut season ends with state title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Latesha Orr, 7th-8th Grade 101-105 pound champion. Advance – For two days, thousands of aspiring varsity wrestlers sampled the competition that will stand in front of them for years to come. But when the RISE Indoor Sports Complex in Advance began to finally clear at 9:30 p.m.

Interim finance director discussed by town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – The revolving door of personnel inside Town Hall continues to spin. Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson resigned last month, releasing a statement that noted the need for several upcoming medical procedures that would leave him unable to fulfill his role.

Local woman found dead; investigation ongoing

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – An unusual chain of events over the weekend led to officers linking together a burning car and a deceased resident, at two different locations. Late Saturday night, a call was received that a car was burning on Tatham Gap Road.
Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

‘We hit the ground running’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 9, 2023
• Second in a 3-part series Robbinsville – Natasha Williams said during a candidate forum in 2022 that having new blood on the Graham County Board of Commissioners wouldn’t be a bad thing. In the May 2022 primary, voters seemed to agree.