MaconCounty

Travelers on U.S. 74 East have undoubtedly noticed this construction site in the Topton community, but the story behind the spot points to a legal mess that led to a Robbinsville man being arrested. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Travelers on U.S. 74 East have undoubtedly noticed this construction site in the Topton community, but the story behind the spot points to a legal mess that led to a Robbinsville man being arrested. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

When a dream becomes a nightmare

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Topton – All David Pakalski wanted to do was build a home on what he calls his "dream property."While visiting friends during the summer of 2024, Pakalski spotted a location just off U.S. 74 East in the Topton community.

Crews battle 100-acre blaze

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Franklin – U.S. Forest Service firefighters from the Nantahala and Tusquitee Ranger districts are assigned to a forest fire near Winding Stairs Gap in Macon County. The fire was first reported near the U.S.
The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently activated a warning light to alert drivers approaching the busy U.S. 19/74/129 intersection in Topton. Photo by Kelsey Krizsan/The Graham Star

Topton warning lights activated

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Topton – It is a meeting point for frequent carpoolers, three counties and all four cardinal directions of travel. It is also in a location with no cell-phone reception, so when an accident occurs, help can often be delayed until a third party can go somewhere to call for emergency assistance.
Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Wreckage of Life Force 6 blocks Middle Burningtown Road in Macon County on Friday on the morning following a crash. All four aboard survived. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Andrews-based air ambulance crashes in Macon County

News Staff
Friday, March 10, 2023
Franklin – Four people survived when an air ambulance en route from Murphy to Asheville crashed in Macon County about 7 p.m. Thursday. Investigators were on scene Friday following the crash of Life Force 6, a medical helicopter based at Western Carolina Regional Airport near Andrews.

David "Sid" Haney

News Staff
Friday, June 11, 2021
David “Sid” Haney, 73 of the Aquone community, passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021, at Mountain View Manor in Bryson City, N.C. A native of Macon County, he was the son of the late Willa Mae Haney.
Jake Shamblin was joined with daughter Thea, wife Mallory and daughter Phoebe (back row); plus sons Levi and Noah during his introduction as the new regional Guardian ad Litem supervisor on Friday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Jake Shamblin was joined with daughter Thea, wife Mallory and daughter Phoebe (back row); plus sons Levi and Noah during his introduction as the new regional Guardian ad Litem supervisor on Friday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Championing for children

Charlie Benton
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Robbinsville – Children that find themselves in some very difficult situations in both Graham and Macon counties can now turn to Jake Shamblin, as he takes the helm of the Guardian Ad Litem program in both.  Shamblin officially started as the program’s director on Dec.

County to receive funds for reopening schools

Charlie Benton
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Graham County has netted some money to help its public schools reopen safely in the wake of COVID-19.  According to a press release from State Rep. Karl Gillespie, R-Franklin, Graham County Schools will receive $1,252,350 from the $1.6 billion allotted by Senate Bill 36.