GrahamCountyBoardofCommissioners

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Beat the clock

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Robbinsville – Friday Night Lights might get to create a familiar glow in Robbinsville after all.
Stacy Carpenter was officially appointed as the new Graham County Finance Manager on April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stacy Carpenter was officially appointed as the new Graham County Finance Manager on April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

New finance officer introduced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Robbinsville – The individual who spent just a moment under the learning tree has been officially appointed to become the next finance officer for Graham County.
David Artiss, owner of Mountain Manor Hotel in Robbinsville, discussed an alternative location for the long-discussed Graham County Justice Center at the the board of commissioners meeting April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

David Artiss, owner of Mountain Manor Hotel in Robbinsville, discussed an alternative location for the long-discussed Graham County Justice Center at the the board of commissioners meeting April 18. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Owner pitches new site for justice center

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Robbinsville – After a public hearing about a planned justice center drew scattered attendance, one local business owner is claiming his concept was “misconstrued” by the county. David Artiss owns Mountain Manor Hotel on Ford Street.

‘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).
Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s a win-win’

Kevin Hensley
Friday, February 24, 2023
Robbinsville – With a quick snip, Graham County Urgent Care was deemed officially ready to receive patients. County dignitaries joined staff at the front entrance to the former location of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care (21 S. Main St., Robbinsville) on Feb.
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.
An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Pipe leak floods Graham County offices

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – A construction error led to a water line break and major flooding Friday at the Graham County Community Building on Knight Street, forcing county offices to close temporarily.