GREAT

Though still in the planning stages, this is an early overview of the Robbinsville Greenway – which would connect Robbinsville Middle/High School off Sweetwater Road with the Stanley Ball Field off Snowbird Road.

Though still in the planning stages, this is an early overview of the Robbinsville Greenway – which would connect Robbinsville Middle/High School off Sweetwater Road with the Stanley Ball Field off Snowbird Road.

Greenway plans begins to emerge

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Robbinsville – After years of discussion and planning, it appears that a tranquil, outdoor connection between Robbinsville Middle/High School and the Stanley Ball Field may finally come to life.
Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens (left) and Graham County Fire and Rescue Commander Jeff Millsaps show off the Starlink routers donated through a fundraiser jumpstarted by local resident Judy Carpenter.

Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens (left) and Graham County Fire and Rescue Commander Jeff Millsaps show off the Starlink routers donated through a fundraiser jumpstarted by local resident Judy Carpenter.

Providing essential links

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Panther Creek – The only reason Judy Carpenter is going public with her fundraising efforts now is that her work the initial go-around was actually too successful.

Free WiFi can be found downtown

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Robbinsville – For years, it has dangled like a carrot. In an effort to connect to a source of internet in downtown Robbinsville, one could easily navigate to their WiFi settings while in the vicinity and see a network deemed “Robbinsville WiFi” readily available.
Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Director Michelle Shiplet addresses participants in Nov. 17’s meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT). Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

GREAT draws leaders with visions for county

Randy Foster
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Tapoco – Several dozen community leaders were at Tapoco Lodge for a quarterly, general-membership meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) on Nov. 17.
Graham County Commissioner Dale Wiggins (left) cuts the ribbon at a re-dedication ceremony of the Santeetlah Lake Trail South on Sept. 27. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Commissioner Dale Wiggins (left) cuts the ribbon at a re-dedication ceremony of the Santeetlah Lake Trail South on Sept. 27. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Nature at its best, everywhere’

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – County Commissioner Dale Wiggins cut the ribbon for a trail re-dedication that he has been working on since 2000. The Santeetlah Lake Trail South is 8.5 miles long, with Carver Cemetery at one end and the intersection of Snowbird and Santeetlah roads at the other.

Reach opens Graham County office

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Robbinsville – More help for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault is now available in Graham County. The Cherokee County-based Reach organization has opened an office in Robbinsville, inside the Liberty Missionary Church (300 Five Points Road, Suite 2).
Michelle Shiplet addresses a group of about 30 local and state leaders at a May 19 “Think Tank,” hoping to identify and solve some of Graham County’s more pressing problems. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Michelle Shiplet addresses a group of about 30 local and state leaders at a May 19 “Think Tank,” hoping to identify and solve some of Graham County’s more pressing problems. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Demo the Silos’ aimed at bridging gaps

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Robbinsville – When Michelle Shiplet became executive director of Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) in 2019, she found a shelf filled with community improvement plans for Graham County and Robbinsville that – at best – were only partially accomplished.

REVVED UP struggling to find funding, volunteers

Randy Foster
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Robbinsville – REVVED UP is a non-profit dedicated to Robbinsville economic development, but is experiencing cash flow and volunteer shortage problems of its own. REVVED UP is an acronym for “Robbinsville Envisioning Vital Vibrant Economic Development and Urban Prosperity.
The Great Smokies Health Foundation awarded six county non-profits with grants Friday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

The Great Smokies Health Foundation awarded six county non-profits with grants Friday. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Six county non-profits awarded grants

Koda Moody
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Fort Hill – The Great Smokies Health Foundation held a grant awards ceremony last Friday at Robbinsville United Methodist Church.  The following organizations attended at received their grant funds:  * Blue Ridge Bartram Trail was awarded a grant to help with their outdoor youth employment.