GrahamCountyNC

Shooting season begins

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Canton – A pair of standout performances highlighted Robbinsville’s first entry into the 2023 shooting season, which occurred Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Midwest Invitational in Canton. Ryan Lynn was the highest finisher for Robbinsville High School, taking 16th in the packed 121-competitor field.
The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

The Polar Plunge returned Feb. 18, the first time the frigid event had been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Graham County Schools

Quick dip

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – For the first time since February 2020, the chilly “Polar Plunge” was held. Volunteers were sponsored by area residents and businesses, and tasked with setting aside both personal ego – and all feeling in their extremities – to rush into the cold waters of Lake Santeetlah on Feb.
Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Crews acted quickly to combat a blaze that burned two acres on Stecoah Mountain on Feb. 22. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Ring of fire

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Stecoah – Nighttime travelers on N.C. 143 (Sweetwater Road) have no doubt witnessed roaring blazes on the roadside for the last few months – the remnants of brush, trees and other foliage cleared in preparation for the Corridor K expansion. First seen near the Slaybacon Road/N.C.

Town names finance officer

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – While officials are still exploring options to replace the county’s finance officer, the Town of Robbinsville is hoping it finally has a candidate for the same vacancy that will stick.

‘I want to end my career well’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Under Becky Garland’s watch, Graham County’s financial woes did a 180-degree turnaround. When Garland accepted the role as the county’s finance officer in 2009, there was $1.9 million in the bank – and just $1 million of that could be used as needed (unrestricted funds).
Koleson Dooley won his first 1A state championship Saturday, last besting Pamlico County’s Tyler Stevens 5-2 in the 220-pound finals. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Koleson Dooley won his first 1A state championship Saturday, last besting Pamlico County’s Tyler Stevens 5-2 in the 220-pound finals. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Triangle of terror

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Black Knights senior Willie Riddle hung tough with defending 145-pound state champion Lorenzo Alston (Uwharrie Charter Academy) in the finals Saturday, before incurring a majority-decision loss.

Fontana council back to full strength

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Fontana Dam – It has became a light-hearted question around the small resort town: why the constant turnover on the Fontana Dam council? The question answers itself – it’s literally a one-horse town, with Fontana Village Resort and Marina being the only business within its limits. Residents are 99.

Brush fire follows rain

Marshall McClung
Friday, February 24, 2023
Wolf Creek – In spite of recent heavy rainfall, a few days of wind and sun has dried the woods enough to burn already. The Graham County 911 dispatch received a report of a brush fire out of control around 3:15 p.m. Sunday.
Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Robbinsville Shriner Martin Oehler is joined by members of the Robbinsville Shriner’s Club, as news of his generous contribution is announced at Oasis Shriners Headquarters in Charlotte on Jan. 6. From left are Robert Britton, Treasurer; Billy Clark, Past President; Jack Long, President; Leon Allen, Secretary; Keith “Beefy” Rogers, Oehler and Jerry Gantt, former CEO of Shriners International and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. Photo courtesy of Mike Harding/Genesis Photog

Giving to those who need it most

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Charlotte – To be clear, all the money you have dropped in the bucket outside the Robbinsville Post Office each Friday is going to good use. Many have probably wondered just what the return of investment is on emptying your pockets or billfolds into the Robbinsville Shrine Club’s yellow container.