GrahamCountySheriffsOfficeNC

New allegations in Hoxit case

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Robbinsville – It has been an eventful week in the civil case against suspended Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit. District Attorney Ashley Welch filed a 53-page petition for removal and motion to immediately suspend Hoxit from office Jan.

Heid pleads guilty

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Robbinsville – A repeat offender pleaded guilty to several charges in Graham County Superior Court on Friday, receiving a sentence of 9-20 months in prison as a result. Superior Court Judge J.

Suit alleges extortion, intimidation

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 12, 2026
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Robbinsville – District Attorney Ashley Welch filed a 53-page petition for removal and motion to immediately suspend Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit from office Jan. 29.

Sheriff suspended from office

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The news of Brad Hoxit’s suspension as sheriff of Graham County spread rapidly Jan. 29. A 53-page, verified petition for removal and motion to immediately suspend Hoxit from office was filed in the Graham County Clerk of Court’s office at 4:04 p.m., Jan.
Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland (from left) stand inside the $80,000 search and rescue boat that was obtained under the federal Community Project Funding Grant on Aug. 15. The purchase of the boat and the recent acquisition of a $36,000 have both been questioned by the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland (from left) stand inside the $80,000 search and rescue boat that was obtained under the federal Community Project Funding Grant on Aug. 15. The purchase of the boat and the recent acquisition of a $36,000 have both been questioned by the community. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sheriff's office spending addressed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Robbinsville – Graham County commission candidate Chase Lancaster had already traded barbs with a pair of his potential fellow board members at the Jan. 20 meeting when the topic of a search-and-rescue boat acquired by the sheriff's office last year was broached.

Candidate questions budget cuts

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Robbinsville – "Some of the things I may say may upset some of y'all; some of them, you might agree with; but frankly, I don't care." With that opening statement, Chase Lancaster opened a proverbial can of worms at Tuesday's Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Jail, EMS budgets analyzed

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Robbinsville – Graham County Manager Brady Cody said that Tuesday's special-called commissioner meeting was part of a "budget check-up."  Cody said he has recently been meeting with department heads to chat about any lingering problems. "If there's an issue, we want to catch it early," Cody said.
A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rescue boat revealed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lemmons Branch – Three months of speculation regarding the purchase of a new search and rescue boat was cleared up at a quick convergence of local and regional officials Aug. 14.  Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.