GrahamCounty

Nothing was going to erase the smile off Destanee Shay Trammell’s face Friday, after the Robbinsville High School senior was announced as the 2022-23 Homecoming Queen. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Nothing was going to erase the smile off Destanee Shay Trammell’s face Friday, after the Robbinsville High School senior was announced as the 2022-23 Homecoming Queen. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Destined to be Queen

Robbinsville – Ten members of the senior class experienced a whirlwind Friday. Hair. Nails. Make-up. A parade. Pause for five seconds, then don a dress for photos. Before you know it, halftime arrives and it is time to await the outcome of a vote from your peers.

Second Corridor K contracts opened

Raleigh – Six companies were in the mix when the first round of Corridor K letting took place Aug. 16. Just two pitches were received for the second segment – and for good reason: it is the most daunting task in the process. At an estimate of $83,824,722.
One of two dumpsters sits full on the shores of Lake Santeetlah, following an unload of garbage collected during a community clean-up Saturday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

One of two dumpsters sits full on the shores of Lake Santeetlah, following an unload of garbage collected during a community clean-up Saturday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Trash by the boatload

Lake Santeetlah – More than 70 people combed the shores of Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, collecting enough garbage, debris and discards to fill two large industrial garbage containers.

Mary Ellen Mehaffey

Mary Ellen Mehaffey, 91 of the Mill Creek Circle community of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She was a native of Cherokee County, and the daughter of the late Hill and Mae Jones Dockery.

Ronald Daniels

Ronald Daniels, 69 of the Dry Creek community in Stecoah, passed away, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at his residence. He was a native of Graham County, and the son of the late Floyd and Juanita McCracken Daniels.

More Santeetlah roads to be repaired

Lake Santeetlah – With falling asphalt prices, a road crew already set to do another job and enough time left in the paving season, the Town of Lake Santeetlah added several streets for repairs during a special called Town Council meeting on Monday.
These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

These are among the over-150 hammerhead worms that Kenneth Brooms has found in his garden off Sweetwater Road. Brooms said he started noticing the worms about four months ago. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Invasive worm shows up in Graham County

Sweetwater – The first sighting of hammerhead worms – an invasive flatworm from Southeast Asia that preys on beneficial earthworms and could be called the kudzu of insects – has been identified in Graham County.
Robbinsville Elementary School Principal Dr. Jaime Hooper address parents and family members of students at the Sept. 13 “Breakfast of Champions,” a one-hour Q&A session with school officials. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Elementary School Principal Dr. Jaime Hooper address parents and family members of students at the Sept. 13 “Breakfast of Champions,” a one-hour Q&A session with school officials. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Champions’ meal yields fruitful insight from faculty, parents

Robbinsville – Officials with Robbinsville Elementary School made one thing abundantly clear Sept. 13: the facility is working every day toward the betterment of each and every pupil.
This photo, edited to omit the remains of dogs that died there around Sept. 10, shows the sludge-filled pit at the old Oak Valley Hardwoods plant off Snowbird Road. Photo courtesy of Donnie Burchfield

This photo, edited to omit the remains of dogs that died there around Sept. 10, shows the sludge-filled pit at the old Oak Valley Hardwoods plant off Snowbird Road. Photo courtesy of Donnie Burchfield

Sludge-filled pit claims two dogs

Robbinsville – Two dogs fell into a sludge-filled pit and drowned this month, and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has issued a notice of violation to the property owner demanding action be taken.
Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight will be the grand marshal of Friday’s homecoming parade. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight will be the grand marshal of Friday’s homecoming parade. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

School superintendent named grand marshal

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight – recognized by her peers as Superintendent of the Year in the western region earlier this year – has had another honor bestowed upon her.