GrahamCountyNC

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.

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.

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.
Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi Language Program graduates stand in recognition at the end of Tuesday’s ceremony. From left are Jazlyn “Wadulisi” McEntire, Cailon “Uwodsdi” Garland, Kirstie “Tsayga” Frady and Gina “Amage” Myers. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Dadiwonisi

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Snowbird – The first graduating class of the Dadiwonisi Adult Language Program embodied the meaning of the program’s name – “We are all going to speak” – as they spoke in Cherokee, thanking their community and accepted their certificates in a moving ceremony Tuesday.

Budget ushers in new county investments

Ruby Annas
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Raleigh – On Friday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the biennium state budget. The budget provides raises for state employees and teachers, substantial infrastructure funding and more.
Thanks to a grant, the Graham County Sanitation Department has received two new Kenworth’s to haul garbage to the current dump site in Ball Ground, Ga. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Thanks to a grant, the Graham County Sanitation Department has received two new Kenworth’s to haul garbage to the current dump site in Ball Ground, Ga. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Cleanin’ in style

Ruby Annas
Friday, September 22, 2023
Milltown – The Graham County Sanitation Department received a pair of new Kenworth trucks, in a much-needed upgrade to the current method of hauling refuse to Ball Ground, Ga.
Sue and Bill Clark became one Sept. 1, 1961. Just over 62 years later, the couple has carved out a life based around carnivals – and still relish every moment together. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Sue and Bill Clark became one Sept. 1, 1961. Just over 62 years later, the couple has carved out a life based around carnivals – and still relish every moment together. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Step right up, for the Ride of a Lifetime

Latresa Phillips
Friday, September 22, 2023
Tallulah – When 12-year-old Sue Sherrill met a friend of her older brother, 14-year-old Billy Clark, the two had no idea where fate would take them. On Sept. 1, 2023, Sue and Billy celebrated 62 years of marriage at their home in Graham County.
Graham County Transit has once again received a safety award from the state level. From left are Michael Collins, NEMT coordinator; Donna Hill, dispatch schedule operator; Tracy Jenkins, assistant director; and drivers Angie Jenkins, Micheal Badalucca, Tommy Holland and Terry Crawford. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Transit has once again received a safety award from the state level. From left are Michael Collins, NEMT coordinator; Donna Hill, dispatch schedule operator; Tracy Jenkins, assistant director; and drivers Angie Jenkins, Micheal Badalucca, Tommy Holland and Terry Crawford. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Transit receives reward … again

Ruby Annas
Friday, September 22, 2023
West Fort Hill – The results speak for themselves: if you want a safe trip, Graham County Transit has you covered. For the fifth time in a six-year span (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), the department was awarded a safety award from the N.C. Public Transportation Association.

New plan includes return of manned trash sites

Ruby Annas
Friday, September 22, 2023
Robbinsville – After voting last month to explore a reduction in the number of available trash sites across Graham County, the board of commissioners heard a proposal from sanitation director Gavin Colvard at Tuesday’s pre-meeting workshop.
Winners of the second annual “Graham County’s Got Talent” were (from left): Megan Brooks, gospel; Ariana Roberts, dance; Aidan Holder and Ryan Lynn, instrumental; Gracie Anderson and Will Phillips, pop/rock; and Mandy Millsaps, Keith Rogers and Anderson, country/bluegrass. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Winners of the second annual “Graham County’s Got Talent” were (from left): Megan Brooks, gospel; Ariana Roberts, dance; Aidan Holder and Ryan Lynn, instrumental; Gracie Anderson and Will Phillips, pop/rock; and Mandy Millsaps, Keith Rogers and Anderson, country/bluegrass. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

$8.8K raised for cancer group

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Robbinsville – The back of Saturday’s program for the second installment of Graham County’s Got Talent featured two selections from the New Testament.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member Bo Taylor leads a friendship dance around the mound at the Little Snowbird campground on Sept. 14. The “Earth Keepers” ceremony drew spectators from various countries across society. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mound visit

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Eastern Band Elder Alfred Welch began Sept. 14’s “Earth Keepers” mound dance with a traditional Cherokee prayer. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star Snowbird – Imagine a world of beauty, nature and wellness – a world of peace.