GrahamCountyNC

Rod Honeycutt speaks to Graham County Armed Patriots members Adam Phillips (left) and Kevin Haag during a March 1 stop in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Rod Honeycutt speaks to Graham County Armed Patriots members Adam Phillips (left) and Kevin Haag during a March 1 stop in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Candidate draws on Army experience

Robbinsville – Of all the days for Rod Honeycutt to be campaigning, Tuesday, March 1, could have been better. First, all his campaign literature stated he was running for the North Carolina 14th Congressional District, but court-ordered redistricting changed his district to the 11th.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Myley Hyde takes aim during Saturday’s archery competition at the MidWest Tournament in Cruso. Photo by Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Robbinsville Middle School’s Myley Hyde takes aim during Saturday’s archery competition at the MidWest Tournament in Cruso. Photo by Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Sights set on district tourney

Cruso – For the second straight week, Robbinsville’s shooting team hit the road for another competition; this time, the MidWest Tournament.

Giles Jeremiah Williams

Giles Jeremiah Williams, 81 of the Stecoah community of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022, at his residence. A native of Graham County, Giles was the son of the late Charles and Clota McCracken Williams.

Candidate filing draws crowd

Robbinsville – At long last, candidate filing for 2022 elections concluded at noon Friday. Locally, candidates turned out in droves for both the sheriff’s and board of commissioners races. Several filed for the Graham County Board of Education, while a pair of races will go uncontested.
“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

“I Know” – by Robbinsville band director Amber Watkins – was released on iTunes in February.

Band director releases single

Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School band and choir director Amber Watkins has released a single called “I Know” that is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and other online venues.
This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

This proposed management plan for the Nantahala National Forest – “Alternative E” – has been presented to the Graham County Board of Commissioners.

Management plan pitched to board of commissioners

The National Forest Service is developing plans to restore Graham County woodlands that were clearcut a century or more ago – which might make environmentalists happy, but is not sitting well with many Graham County residents.
James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jury acquits Smith

Robbinsville – There are serious differences between James Smith’s and Joe Shaffer’s accounts of the July 27, 2016 shootout outside Smith’s Fontana Heights house. But in the end, it came down to one thing: Joe Shaffer shot first.

Judge shows mercy on habitual offender

Robbinsville – Braxton Sawyer is a habitual offender whose latest charges were both felonies — possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing/eluding arrest. He faced years of hard time. The 31-year-old Graham County resident pleaded guilty to both charges in Superior Court in Robbinsville on Feb.
Robbinsville High’s Cyler Orr disintegrates a clay target during the trap competition at Saturday’s FarWest Tournament in Marble. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High’s Cyler Orr disintegrates a clay target during the trap competition at Saturday’s FarWest Tournament in Marble. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Target acquired

Marble – Another chapter in the long-sought quest to return to normalcy was written Saturday, as shooting teams from around the region competed in the FarWest Tournament at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range.

Danny Ray Jenkins

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Danny Ray Jenkins, age 61, passed away on Monday Feb. 7, 2022, after a 6-year battle with ALS, surrounded by his wife and three children. Danny was born in Stecoah, N.C. to the late Carroll Jenkins and Ann Edwards, on Dec. 3, 1960. On Dec.