RobbinsvilleNC

Betty Cooper Phillips

Betty Cooper Phillips, 89 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be her heavenly home on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at Life Care Center of Blount County, Tenn., after losing a lengthy, courageous battle with leukemia. She was the daughter of the late James Pate Cooper and Essie Collins Cooper.

Wilma Royal

Wilma Royal, 83 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Whiteville, N.C. She was a native of Graham County, and the daughter of the late Nathan and Ada Cable Garland.

Voyce Crisp Lovin

Voyce Crisp Lovin, 86 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at Graham Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. She was the daughter of the late Dave and Estella Turpin Crisp.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight (right) received the Advanced Service Award from the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. With Knight is Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp.

Detective receives Advanced Service Award

Robbinsville – A local detective has received a distinguished award from a state-level entity. The N.C. Department of Justice Sheriffs’ Standards Division afforded Graham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Knight with the Advanced Service Award on June 17.
An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified firefighter analyzes a small fire that spread into a wooded area off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Firefighters quickly contain brush fire

Robbinsville – A small brush fire that threatened two structures was reported off Eller Branch Road on Nov. 21. Firefighters with the Graham County Fire Department, N.C. Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service responded to the fire on Carey Drive, which was reported shortly after 4 p.m.

Dinschel wins recount

Robbinsville – There’s still one step left before the second Graham County Board of Education seat from the Nov. 8 ballot is set in stone. Clark “Chip” Carringer convincingly won the public’s opinion over three weeks ago, as his re-election bid garnered 2,368 votes.
Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Becky Garland – standing at the podium during a Board of Health meeting on Nov. 21 – is a Cherokee County resident and Graham County Government finance director. She clocked out from her job so that she could argue on behalf of family planning services. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

County combating controversy

Robbinsville – For Bible Belt county commissioners, few issues weigh more heavily than birth control.
This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This newly-rebuilt section allowed the full Lower Loop Trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to reopen Saturday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Repair allows Joyce Kilmer trail to reopen

Santeetlah – Volunteers formally reopened a section of trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest on Saturday, which had been closed several years because of storm damage.

Bright spots seen in economic future

Robbinsville – Graham County is looking at 93 new jobs created in the area by existing and newly-arrived businesses, according to a report from Mountain West Partnership, a firm contracted to handle economic development for the county.
Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Family members pose with the new street sign for Wayne Carringer Boulevard, during a dedication ceremony at Robbinsville High School on Friday. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

‘Freedom is not free’

Robbinsville – In February, the N.C. Board of Transportation unanimously passed a resolution dedicating the new access road between N.C. 129 and Robbinsville High School as Wayne Carringer Boulevard.