Fontana

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Infant drowns in Fontana Lake

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Cable Cove – A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. Around 5 p.m., the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was notified of a distressed vessel near the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake in Graham County.

Man dies in vehicle wreck

Marshall McClung
Monday, July 24, 2023
Fontana – There was a fatal traffic accident on N.C. 28, as a vehicle spun out of control, left the roadway, went down a steep embankment and plunged into Cheoah Lake on Saturday.
James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jury acquits Smith

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – There are serious differences between James Smith’s and Joe Shaffer’s accounts of the July 27, 2016 shootout outside Smith’s Fontana Heights house. But in the end, it came down to one thing: Joe Shaffer shot first.
An information kiosk is where campers would have paid the fee to use Cable Cove Campground near Lake Fontana, but the N.C. Forest Service confirmed Friday that the location would not open for the 2022 season. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An information kiosk is where campers would have paid the fee to use Cable Cove Campground near Lake Fontana, but the N.C. Forest Service confirmed Friday that the location would not open for the 2022 season. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Cable Cove Campground shuttered

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Fontana — Cable Cove Campground, one of three National Forest campgrounds in Graham County that feature lakeside boat ramps, will not reopen in 2022, and at least half of the campground will likely never reopen. The Cable Cove boat ramp will remain open for year-round access to Fontana Lake.

Beginning a new chapter

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stecoah – A local resident has released a continuation to a book published 19 years ago. The Nantahala River, A History and Guide is the latest work from Stecoah resident Lance Holland.

Good cast, great catch

Matthew Miller
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Fontana – As fishing season ramps up, Fontana Marina – in conjunction with the Boy Scouts – held the sixth annual bass fishing tournament last weekend.  Fontana Lake is a known fishing destination for locals and tourists alike.

Bond denied for Smith

Robbi Pounds
Friday, December 13, 2019
Robbinsville – Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis denied the bond reduction request of James Jay Smith on Monday. Smith, 79, is being charged for two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Fontana welcomes new chef

News Staff
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Fontana Dam – Alex Henry recently joined the team at Fontana Village Resort as the Executive Chef/Food and Beverage Director. He brings with him a passion for fresh food and a creative flair that makes even the most common food seem new and exciting.
Brian Cable, Greg Davidson and Carl Ferguson (from left) unload just a small portion of trash collected during last weekend’s Fontana Lakes’ Clean-Up. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Brian Cable, Greg Davidson and Carl Ferguson (from left) unload just a small portion of trash collected during last weekend’s Fontana Lakes’ Clean-Up. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

3 days of cleaning

Robbi Pounds
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Fontana – “It’s not my trash, but it is my planet,” said Brandon Jones, manager of the Fontana Village Resort and Marina and co-organizer of the the Fontana Lakes’ 2nd Annual Lake-Shore Cleanup.  The clean-up spanned three clear but very crisp days, with volunteers collecting trash from 9 a.m.