NorthCarolinaStateHighwayPatrol

With members of both the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation in attendance, the nieces of Thomas B. Whatley – Gwen Kinard, Terry Peacock and Pamela Puglisi (center, from left) stand proudly behind a sign dedicating the bridge over the Cheoah River on Old U.S. 129 in Robbinsville in the fallen patrolman's memory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

With members of both the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation in attendance, the nieces of Thomas B. Whatley – Gwen Kinard, Terry Peacock and Pamela Puglisi (center, from left) stand proudly behind a sign dedicating the bridge over the Cheoah River on Old U.S. 129 in Robbinsville in the fallen patrolman's memory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Bridge named in trooper's honor

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Robbinsville – Almost 78 years after a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was killed in the line of duty, he has received a localized memorial that will remind daily commuters of his sacrifice.

Driver airlifted after crash

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Fontana Dam – At 9:22 p.m. Monday, state troopers Ty Gibbs and Johnathan Jones responded to a crash in the 1500 block of Fontana Dam, on Hwy. 28. The crash involved a 73-year old female, driving a Ford Fiat, who collided into a guardrail, slid across the embankment and overturned.