GrahamCountyNC

School bus, truck involved in collision

Snowbird – An inbound Graham County school bus and a pickup collided on Snowbird Road just west of I.U. Gap Road on Jan. 27. There were no injuries, but it delayed the start of the school day for the approximately 20 students riding the bus.
Peanut – a mixed miniature Doberman and deer head Chihuahua – was always present when The Graham Star was out for delivery. The beloved dog passed away Jan. 11.

Peanut – a mixed miniature Doberman and deer head Chihuahua – was always present when The Graham Star was out for delivery. The beloved dog passed away Jan. 11.

‘We spoiled that dog’

Marble – A coyote took Peanut on Jan. 11, and shopkeepers throughout Graham County are heartbroken — but not as much as Neal Wachob.
This graph shows COVID-19 trends from the outset of the pandemic. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This graph shows COVID-19 trends from the outset of the pandemic. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Schools shift mask policy

Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Education on Tuesday warily voted to return to voluntary masks on school properties (except on buses, where masks are still mandatory), but is prepared to return to the table later in February if any school has a COVID-19 positive test rate of 10 percent or...

Child care staffing shortage leaves centers struggling

North Carolina child care providers are finding it difficult to hire and retain qualified staff, as the state continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey. As a result, 32 percent of child care providers have abruptly closed classrooms, with little notice to parents.

Paul Newton Riddle

Paul Newton Riddle, 94 and a native of Graham County, went peacefully to be with our Lord on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2022 at his residence. He served in the U.S. Army for two years stationed in Italy during World War II. He was formerly employed at AC Lawrence Leather Co.

John Alvin McRae

John Alvin McRae, 67 of the Atoah Community in Robbinsville, N.C., passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, after a short illness. John was born Dec. 31, 1954, at the Parrette Clinic. He was the son of Leoah Icenhower McRae and the late Huel McRae.
Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Junior point guard Desta Trammell scored her 1,000th career point Tuesday night against Swain County. Robbinsville head coach Lucas Ford presented Trammell with a commemorative ball after the game. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Trammell hits 1,000

Robbinsville – With 2:30 left in the first quarter of Tuesday’s home game against Swain County, Lady Knights junior point guard Desta Trammell dished the ball to classmate and lifelong friend/teammate Kensley Phillips in the corner.
From left, host Rob Mason, exchange students Seoyun Choi and Giorgia Magnani, and host Robin Mason gather for a picture beside West Buffalo Creek. The dog’s name is Tucker. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

From left, host Rob Mason, exchange students Seoyun Choi and Giorgia Magnani, and host Robin Mason gather for a picture beside West Buffalo Creek. The dog’s name is Tucker. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Culture shock

Snowbird – Considering they are both teenage girls, Giorgia Magnani and Seoyun Choi could hardly be more different. Giorgia is a 17-year-old from Cervia, Italy, a coastal tourist town of about 28,000 people on the Adriatic Sea.