JimHager

Meet your Lake Santeetlah candidates

Lake Santeetlah – The 2023 election cycle features two municipal races within Graham County: Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah. Seven candidates are vying for five seats on the Santeetlah council, which has been the center of disputes and controversy for several years.

No meeting? Let’s talk about fiber!

Lake Santeetlah – One local municipality’s council had intentions to hold an official town meeting Oct. 12 – but for the second time in recent memory, the whole council was not present.

Medical-leave request withdrawn

Lake Santeetlah – One of the more uniquely disputed agenda items in recent memory will vanish without a solution. Believed to be the oldest-serving council member in North Carolina, 93-year-old Ralph Mitchell submitted a medical leave request to the Town of Lake Santeetlah on Jan. 18.

Council split on leave request

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.
John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Voter challenge dismissed

• Editor's note: This story appeared as a 3-part report in our print edition. Below is the full, uninterrupted report.