GrahamCountyNC

Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Confetti and Silly String filled the upper reaches of the Robbinsville High School gymnasium Friday, as the Class of 2023 celebrated their graduation. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

87 afforded diplomas

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – Tears were shed, fond memories recalled and – more importantly – 87 girls and boys transformed into women and men before the collective eyes of those gathered inside the Robbinsville High School gymnasium on Friday.
As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

As evident from the bottom row of bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium, support for the seating area has caused a significant shift in the alignment of the arrangement, which has Graham County Schools exploring other venues to play “home” football games this fall. Note the large gap between the two bottom sections and the off-center meeting points of the row above.

Big Oaks football unlikely this fall

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Robbinsville – ‘This should be good,’ quipped Graham County Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson.
The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mission: keep Fontana Lake beautiful

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Fontana Dam – Nestled in-between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest of Western North Carolina, Lake Fontana forms the southern border of the Great Smokies.
Haylee Crisp (left) and Erica Daniels have been best friends since kindergarten, so it is fitting that both sit atop the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Haylee Crisp (left) and Erica Daniels have been best friends since kindergarten, so it is fitting that both sit atop the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

1 valedictorian ... 2 salutatorians?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Robbinsville – The road to academic excellence is often filled with a myriad of stops and starts. Think about the journey: 12 years. A lot can happen in 12 years.
The Cody Family Scholarship was afforded to 19 different Robbinsville students at May 16's Academic and Scholarships program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Delaney Hooper, Lindsay Brittain, Emma Harrison, Erica Daniels, Michael Yan, Dirk Cody, Dana Adams, Destanee Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Montana Adams, William Cable and Caleb Turpin. Back row: Elizabeth Boyle, Alex Knight, Logan Hooper, Mackenzie Brooks, William Carpenter, Abigayle Lancaster, Lorin Hogsed, David Lovingood and Brock Adams.

The Cody Family Scholarship was afforded to 19 different Robbinsville students at May 16's Academic and Scholarships program. All names are listed from left. Front row: Delaney Hooper, Lindsay Brittain, Emma Harrison, Erica Daniels, Michael Yan, Dirk Cody, Dana Adams, Destanee Trammell, Kensley Phillips, Montana Adams, William Cable and Caleb Turpin. Back row: Elizabeth Boyle, Alex Knight, Logan Hooper, Mackenzie Brooks, William Carpenter, Abigayle Lancaster, Lorin Hogsed, David Lovingood and Brock Adams.

Over $1.3 million awarded to seniors

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Robbinsville – Less than two weeks before their days in high school come to an emotional close, the Robbinsville High School Class of 2023 learned how much aid they will receive to further their education. Over $1.
Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Newly-appointed Graham County Department of Health Director Donna Stephens announced that plans are being explored to renovate the former Green’s Foodway into a new fitness center. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Local fitness center discussed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Tallulah – One universal consensus between residents is that a fitness center in Graham County is desperately needed. Donna Stephens agrees – and is looking to make the dream a reality.
The home bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium are crumbling underneath, forcing the Graham County Board of Education to act swiftly and announce a temporary closure Monday afternoon. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The home bleachers at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium are crumbling underneath, forcing the Graham County Board of Education to act swiftly and announce a temporary closure Monday afternoon. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Structural integrity of stadium bleachers forces temporary closure

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Robbinsville – With just nine days remaining before the first of two year-end events set to be held at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium for Robbinsville High School, the Graham County Board of Education received some unsettling news.

2nd ‘death by distribution’ charges filed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
West Buffalo – For just the second time in history, charges of “death by distribution” have been filed in Graham County, after a local man overdosed on a lethal combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine last year.

Woman rescued from woods

Marshall McClung
Monday, May 15, 2023
Snowbird – Graham County Sheriff’s Deputy David Moore and Graham County Rescue Squad members were involved in rescuing a young woman from the woods in the Snowbird area Sunday night.  The woman was reportedly first heard calling for help at the Snowbird Picnic Area on Snowbird Road around 8:30 p.m.