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A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rescue boat revealed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lemmons Branch – Three months of speculation regarding the purchase of a new search and rescue boat was cleared up at a quick convergence of local and regional officials Aug. 14.  Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.
Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County, schools reach land deal for justice center

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Robbinsville – If it feels like deja vu, that’s because it is.
County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County officials voted Friday to temporarily close the booking office at the Graham County Detention Center, in order to eradicate lead-based paint inside the facility. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Portion of jail to close for repair

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Robbinsville – Though it remains unclear exactly when efforts will begin, the Graham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Friday to move those employed inside the detention center to a different location inside the courthouse while crews work to remediate lead-based paint in the...

Stewart sentenced for sex crimes

Kevin Hensley
Friday, July 11, 2025
Robbinsville – An Alabama man will spend at least the next 30 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to committing statutory sex crimes over three years ago. Roderick Christopher Stewart, 34 of Luverne, Ala.
Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

To protect and serve

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – When summoned to the witness stand, it is crucial that an officer of the law can confidently state why a particular use of force was deployed in the apprehension a suspect. There is nothing like first-hand experience to back up what is said while the officer is under oath.

SROs shift to sheriff’s office

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – In a complete 180-degree turn from events that transpired just one year ago, Graham County Schools will shift the oversight of its resource officers to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Local woman’s death still under investigation

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 21, 2025
Robbinsville – It has been more than two years since the lifeless body of 27-year-old Carley Dunn Walls was discovered around 9 a.m. Feb. 5, 2023.  While no arrests have been made in connection with her death, that does not mean the Graham County Sheriff’s Office has given up.

Pastell charged with death by distribution – again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 17, 2025
Mountain Creek – There have been four charges of death by distribution assessed in Graham County since former governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law six years ago. Locally, Bobby Huel Pastell has been on the docket for the charge 50 percent of the time.