GrahamCounty

An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Firefighters quickly contain brush fire

Marshall McClung
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – A small brush fire that threatened two structures was reported off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Firefighters with the Graham County Fire Department, N.C. Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire on Carey Drive, which was reported shortly after 4 p.m.
AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth was recently selected to build a 67-bed hospital in the Candler area. Graham was pinpointed as 1-of-4 counties that would be included in the hospital’s coverage area.

AdventHealth awarded certificate for 67-bed hospital

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Candler – AdventHealth was chosen over two contenders to build a 67-acute care bed hospital just west of Asheville in Buncombe County, for a hospital service area that includes Graham, Buncombe, Yancey and Madison counties.
This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This bridge on Lower Mill Creek Road was scheduled for removal, until a Nov. 15 public hearing proved that residents wanted to keep the structure intact. The bridge was constructed in 1964 and has reached its “end-of-service,” according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Heavy opposition may lead to new bridge plan

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
West Fort Hill – The idea seemed pretty cut and dry: remove an old bridge and replace it with two dead-end turnarounds. Residents of Lower Mill Creek Road had other ideas. Amid a myriad of theories – which included the fear of increased drug activity – N.C.
Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Each December, volunteers visit Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., to wreaths on gravestones. The annual tradition started in 1992 and one local family started participating in the memorial a few years ago.

Honoring those who paid the ultimate price

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
As president of Townson-Smith Funeral Home in Robbinsville and the third-generation of the Smith family to work in the funeral-service industry, April Smith Gladden has dedicated her professional life to the thoughtful care of the departed.

Dinschel wins recount

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – There’s still one step left before the second Graham County Board of Education seat from the Nov. 8 ballot is set in stone. Clark “Chip” Carringer convincingly won the public’s opinion over three weeks ago, as his re-election bid garnered 2,368 votes.
Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County combating controversy

Randy Foster
Friday, December 2, 2022
Robbinsville – For Bible Belt county commissioners, few issues weigh more heavily than birth control.

Home destroyed by fire

Marshall McClung
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Yellow Creek – A home on George Turpin Road was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. Several local fire departments and the N.C. Forest Service responded to the call, which came in to the Graham County 911 Center at 5:26 p.m.
This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Repair allows Joyce Kilmer trail to reopen

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Volunteers formally reopened a section of trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on Saturday, which had been closed several years because of storm damage.

Charles Edgar “Sonny Boy” McMonigle, Jr.

News Staff
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Charles Edgar “Sonny Boy” McMonigle, Jr., 91, formerly of Maryland passed away, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Punta Gorda, Fla. A native of Graham County, he was the son of the late Charles Edgar McMonigle, Sr., and Bessie Hill McMonigle.
Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Three waterfalls located short distances from this point on Upper Santeetlah Road have had names proposed for them. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names assigned names to two of the waterfalls, but delayed action on the third. All three are close to the road, but are difficult to see from there. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Two local waterfalls formally named

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Santeetlah – Two waterfalls in the Santeetlah Creek watershed have been formally named, with a decision delayed in naming a third. All three waterfalls are within a short distance of each other, just off of Upper Santeetlah Road.