TownofLakeSanteetlah

No approval, no meeting

Ruby Annas

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – It is apropos that the final Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting before the newly-elected members are sworn in next month was was unable to take place Nov. 9.

Meet your Lake Santeetlah candidates

News Staff

Thursday, November 2, 2023

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!

Ruby Annas

Friday, October 20, 2023

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.

Town of Lake Santeetlah Council Member Ralph Mitchell could not contain his excitement while on Zoom for the Sept. 14 meeting after being presented with a certificate recognizing Mitchell, 94, as the oldest public servant in North Carolina.

Mitchell recognized for service

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – Still sharp as a tack, Ralph Mitchell had one inquisitive comment when asked to speak on his special recognition at the Sept. 14 Lake Santeetlah Town Council meeting. “That I’m old?” Mitchell asked dryly, before laughing.

This screenshot from a recording shows the moment Lake Santeetlah Council Woman Diana Simon slapped Mayor Connie Connie Gross during the town’s June 8 meeting. Simon was attempting to nominate a candidate for a substitute member on Lake Santeetlah’s planning board, moments after Mayor Gross’ husband, Jack, was voted 3-2 to be the first of two alternates on the planning board.

Things get physical

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – It was only a matter of time before the countless accusations, passive-aggressive comments and overall tension in the room led to the proceedings spiraling out of control.

Zoning enforcement in township questioned

Kevin Hensley

Monday, May 1, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – It’s only an issue in one of Graham County’s three incorporated areas, but it’s a biggie for residents of Lake Santeetlah: zoning ordinances. In fact, the town is the only one in the county with zoning. Neither Fontana Dam nor Robbinsville have it on the books.

Another vote, another stalemate

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – The agenda for a local municipality’s March 9 council meeting included several items of interest. One in particular expressed optimism: No. 7, under “Old Business,” which said, “Acceptance of Ralph Mitchell’s request for medical leave of absence.

Updated fees coming to Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – It might not be the most popular decision, but sometimes adding more fees to a utility can help recoup lost costs. As part of a cordial and productive Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting Feb.

Santeetlah council has not met since mid-November

Randy Foster

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – The Town of Lake Santeetlah Town Council is having a hard time getting together. The council has cancelled every meeting since November, either because of procedural issues, prior commitments, illness, scheduled vacations, or combinations of these.

An SUV was pulled from Lake Santeetlah around 5 p.m. today, after crashing into the water overnight. The N.C. Highway Patrol confirmed to The Graham Star on Thursday evening that 23-year-old Robbinsville resident Jose Alfredo Moreno-Romero passed away in the accident. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Local man passes away, two survive wreck into Lake Santeetlah

Randy Foster

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – A Robbinsville man was killed – but two others survived – when an SUV crashed into Lake Santeetlah off Thunderbird Mountain Road early Thursday morning.