GrahamCountyNC

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘God is protecting me’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – Hank Dinschel has been a thorn in the side of the Graham County Board of Education for several years, so it probably should have surprised nobody that she would run for a seat on the board.
Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent-care services reopened for residents Tuesday. Until more staff comes aboard, the crew will be limited to just three on-site personnel: Dedie Barker, Meggan Smith and Emily McKeehan – all Graham County natives. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Urgent care returns

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Robbinsville – For some, news of urgent care services rebooting in Graham County might have been the greatest Valentine’s Day gift they could have received.
The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights (competing as the Peak Wrestling Club) concluded their debut season by winning the 7th Annual Women’s K-8 State Championship Tournament on Saturday in Advance. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe

The Robbinsville Middle School Lady Knights (competing as the Peak Wrestling Club) concluded their debut season by winning the 7th Annual Women’s K-8 State Championship Tournament on Saturday in Advance. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe

Debut season ends with state title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Latesha Orr, 7th-8th Grade 101-105 pound champion. Advance – For two days, thousands of aspiring varsity wrestlers sampled the competition that will stand in front of them for years to come. But when the RISE Indoor Sports Complex in Advance began to finally clear at 9:30 p.m.

Interim finance director discussed by town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – The revolving door of personnel inside Town Hall continues to spin. Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson resigned last month, releasing a statement that noted the need for several upcoming medical procedures that would leave him unable to fulfill his role.

Local woman found dead; investigation ongoing

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Robbinsville – An unusual chain of events over the weekend led to officers linking together a burning car and a deceased resident, at two different locations. Late Saturday night, a call was received that a car was burning on Tatham Gap Road.
Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

Natasha Williams began her first stint as an elected official in December. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

‘We hit the ground running’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 9, 2023
• Second in a 3-part series Robbinsville – Natasha Williams said during a candidate forum in 2022 that having new blood on the Graham County Board of Commissioners wouldn’t be a bad thing. In the May 2022 primary, voters seemed to agree.

Council split on leave request

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It was the first time the council had officially met since November. And if the Feb. 2 special called meeting of the Lake Santeetlah Town Council proved anything, it was that even the lengthy layoff could not conjure harmony between members.
Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

'A very special man’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
This iconic photo of Bob Colvin celebrating with the 1969 1A state championship trophy – the first in Robbinsville history – was selected as the cover of The Graham Star’s 2017 publication, Title Town.
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Weather braved to rescue hiker

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Santeetlah – Graham County Rescue Squad members Tory Lynnes and Brent Eller faced some extreme weather in the high mountains of Graham County between the late-night hours of Jan. 24-25, to reach a hiker in the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Graham County 911 received a call from a mother around 6:45 p.m.
Just two months into his service, Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit has already faced a heavy workload. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Just two months into his service, Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit has already faced a heavy workload. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘We are building teams’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
* First in a 3-part series Robbinsville – Brad Hoxit is a career law-enforcement officer, who knows the terrain as well or better than anyone in law enforcement, having patrolled Graham County’s roads as a state trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol.