GrahamCounty

Council split on leave request

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It was the first time the council had officially met since November. And if the Feb. 2 special called meeting of the Lake Santeetlah Town Council proved anything, it was that even the lengthy layoff could not conjure harmony between members.
Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

'A very special man’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
This iconic photo of Bob Colvin celebrating with the 1969 1A state championship trophy – the first in Robbinsville history – was selected as the cover of The Graham Star’s 2017 publication, Title Town.
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Weather braved to rescue hiker

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Santeetlah – Graham County Rescue Squad members Tory Lynnes and Brent Eller faced some extreme weather in the high mountains of Graham County between the late-night hours of Jan. 24-25, to reach a hiker in the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Graham County 911 received a call from a mother around 6:45 p.m.
Just two months into his service, Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit has already faced a heavy workload. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Just two months into his service, Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit has already faced a heavy workload. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘We are building teams’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
* First in a 3-part series Robbinsville – Brad Hoxit is a career law-enforcement officer, who knows the terrain as well or better than anyone in law enforcement, having patrolled Graham County’s roads as a state trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol.
An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Pipe leak floods Graham County offices

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – A construction error led to a water line break and major flooding Friday at the Graham County Community Building on Knight Street, forcing county offices to close temporarily.
For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Online threat delays school day

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – It is becoming a disturbing trend across the country: threats made either by phone or online that endanger local school systems. Sadly, the Graham County School district has recently found susceptible to the issue – twice, in a 7-week span.
This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

This map illustrates the new U.S. Forest Service management plan for a large portion of the Southern Region, as it pertains to Graham County.

Forest Service releases responses to management plans

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – The U.S. Forest Service issued a Jan. 19 response to objection issues raised for the revised Nantahala and Pisgah forest plan.

Santeetlah council has not met since mid-November

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – The Town of Lake Santeetlah Town Council is having a hard time getting together. The council has cancelled every meeting since November, either because of procedural issues, prior commitments, illness, scheduled vacations, or combinations of these.
Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Following a public hearing in November, the N.C. Department of Transportation has opted to replace this aging bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road, instead of the original plan to remove the bridge and construct two turnarounds. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Lower Mill Creek Bridge will be replaced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Tallulah – They listened. Officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation were greeted by a large turnout of opposition to a Nov.

County closing in on new urgent care contract

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners were expected to make final decisions after Wednesday’s press deadline on a contract with Dr. David Booth to take over urgent care operations in the county. The board of commissioners were scheduled to meet in closed session at 5 p.m.