COVID-19

Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Judy Nichols Memorial Field – home of the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights – was set to host a team that very well could have contended for a state championship this season. New seating was installed behind home plate and improvements were made field-wide in preparation for the year, but the cancelation of the remainder of the school year is going to leave seniors school-wide wondering, “What if?" Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Spring sports season cancelled

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Following the statewide closure of K-12 public schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 year Friday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association quickly made a difficult decision.
This electronic sign sits in the Quality Inn parking lot and greets visitors as they enter Robbinsville, providing instructions on protocol should visitors wish to stay in Graham County. The sign is 1-of-3 placed throughout the county and was approved by the Graham County Emergency Management Coordination Committee during its teleconference Wednesday, April 22. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

This electronic sign sits in the Quality Inn parking lot and greets visitors as they enter Robbinsville, providing instructions on protocol should visitors wish to stay in Graham County. The sign is 1-of-3 placed throughout the county and was approved by the Graham County Emergency Management Coordination Committee during its teleconference Wednesday, April 22. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Tally for curfew arrests reach 12

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
A dozen arrests have been made in connection with violating Graham County’s 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, Sheriff Joseph Jones said during the April 22 Emergency Management Coordination Committee teleconference.

Stay-at-home order extended

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
While surrounding states are seemingly firing back up for close to business as usual, North Carolina will have to wait a bit longer.  Gov. Roy Cooper extended his Stay-at-Home Order for eight more days, as the restriction is set to be lifted Friday, May 8. The original target date was Wednesday.

County manager clarifies FEMA questions

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Graham County Manager Becky Garland read a lengthy statement to listeners of the April 21 board of commissioners teleconference, answering several concerns citizens have raised over reimbursement of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.
Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

School's out

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Robbinsville – The worst fears of faculty and students alike were confirmed Friday, when Gov. Roy Cooper announced the statewide cancellation of the remaining 2019-20 school year. Students were originally set to return to K-12 schools Friday, May 15, which would have ended a two-month closure.

Graham gets 1st confirmed case

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2020
It’s here. Jade Teesateskie publicly identified herself as the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Graham County in a Facebook post on Monday evening.  “As I’m sure most of you already know ... there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Graham County.

Committee hunkers down

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Things are getting better, but a few issues still exist for those attempting to enforce executive orders issued by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Those wishing to travel into Graham County via U.S. 129 North in Topton on Sunday were greeted by Graham County sheriff’s Deputy Jim Hyde (left) and Graham County Land’s Quinn Carver, both of whom were manning one of four county checkpoints that hope to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Those wishing to travel into Graham County via U.S. 129 North in Topton on Sunday were greeted by Graham County sheriff’s Deputy Jim Hyde (left) and Graham County Land’s Quinn Carver, both of whom were manning one of four county checkpoints that hope to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Checkpoints in place

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 2, 2020
The spread of mandates at both the local and state levels continue to seemingly evolve at a more rapid pace than the coronavirus itself. But the newest protocols in place – including a statewide Stay at Home executive order handed down by Gov.