GrahamCountyNC

Andrew (Andy) Leslie McLucas

News Staff
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Andrew (Andy) Leslie McLucas, 67 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 24, 2022, at his home. Andy was born in Ocala, Fla. to Bob and Jerry McLucas on Oct. 10, 1954. He attended Lake Weir High School, graduating with the class of 1972.

Frank D. James, Jr.

News Staff
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Frank D. James, Jr., 86 of the Eller Branch community of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away, Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Park Ridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was the son of the late Rev. Frank James Sr. and Hollis “Sis” Dockery James.
Then-Cherokee Indian Police Chief Josh Taylor delivers comments to an audience during the dedication of the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on June 3. Taylor announced his resignation to spend more time with family on June 10, effective Monday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Then-Cherokee Indian Police Chief Josh Taylor delivers comments to an audience during the dedication of the Jacob Cornsilk Community Complex on June 3. Taylor announced his resignation to spend more time with family on June 10, effective Monday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Cherokee Indian police chief resigns, replacement named

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Cherokee – Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief of Police Josh Taylor stepped down on Monday, just 11 months after taking the job. Captain of Corrections Carla Neadeau was named interim police chief. Neadeau has been with the department since 2009 and is the first woman to lead the department.

Gunshot to head killed suspect in 2021 chase

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Tallulah – A gunshot wound to the head proved fatal for a Dickson, Tenn., resident after a high-speed 2021 chase, according to the autopsy. The Graham Star just received the results from a June 21, 2021 autopsy conducted on 31-year-old Mickey Ray Rice last week.
Valerie Frapp was recently named the new GM of the historic Tapoco Lodge, ending a 4-month vacancy for the role. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Valerie Frapp was recently named the new GM of the historic Tapoco Lodge, ending a 4-month vacancy for the role. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘This will always be home’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Tapoco – If you spend any time with Valerie Frapp, you will quickly learn just how much she loves Tapoco Lodge.

Schools funding shortage escalates

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools are in the red by over $620,000, as costs continue to mount. With school out for the summer, the Graham County Board of Education had an unusual late-month, special-called meeting to tie up loose ends, one of which won’t be resolved any time soon – funding.
Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Station 3 Fire Chief Brian Johnson is planning construction of a three-bay metal building to supplement the existing structure off Tapoco Road. Station 3 volunteers have been saving up for years for the project, which will cost an estimated $80,000. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An aging fleet

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Graham County emergency services have come a long way. A handmade two-wheel cart with fire hose served in lieu of a fire engine in the late 1940s, and a hearse served as the county’s only ambulance until the early 1960s.

County approves $22.8 million budget

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners approved a $22.8 million budget that keeps property taxes unchanged yet also comes to terms with rising costs for nearly everything. The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on June 21 during which there was no public comment.

Alton Prather

News Staff
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Alton Prather, 79 of the Atoah community, no longer resides at 979 I U Gap Road in Robbinsville, N.C. He had a change of address Sunday, June 12, 2022. He is now residing in a mansion on the Streets of Gold by the banks of the River Jordan. Alton was born April 2, 1943, in Monticello, Miss.