RobbinsvilleNC

Karen Dawn Wagner

On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 – at 7:06 a.m. – Karen Dawn Wagner of Robbinsville, N.C. took her last breath, at only 57 years old. Karen was born to Sue Cotsirilos (Phillips) and Joseph Wagner on April Fool’s Day, 1964.
Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Ingredients for mixed drinks at the Robbinsville Ingles will soon be conjoined with beer and wine, available for purchase in the coolers at the end of the aisle. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Beer, wine sales delayed

Robbinsville – New Year’s Day came and went over the weekend, but one thing that remained the same is that beer and wine still can’t be sold in Robbinsville. “It’s hard to say a time frame,” said Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams, adding that it could take a couple of months.
Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Bobby Kays was accused of using a Graham County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to run through the front of Robbinsville Pharmacy on May 8.

Remembering 2021 in Graham County

Even as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, Graham County – as a whole – continued to experience both positives and negatives in 2021.

Rev. Donald Colvard

The Rev. Donald P. Colvard, 96 of the Franks Creek community of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. He was a native of Graham County and the son of the late Thomas Jefferson Colvard and Maude Phillips Colvard.

Robert “Jeff” Hyde

Robert “Jeff” Jeffrey Hyde, 61 of Salem, S.C. passed away Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021 at his home. A native of Graham County, he was the son of Camilla Lee Sutherland of Robbinsville, N.C. and the late Robert Hyde of Cherokee, N.C.

James K. Waldroup

James Kenneth Waldroup, 74 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bonnie Crisp Waldroup and three sisters.

Board approves premium pay

Robbinsville – More Graham County employees will now benefit from premium pay, following a vote at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 21. The board voted unanimously in favor of $1,500 in premium pay for detention officers employed between Jan. 1, 2020 and Nov.
Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Longtime Robbinsville dentist, associate to swap roles

Robbinsville – Dr. Patrick Kelley had a mission when he started his dental practice in Robbinsville in August of 1988. The rural town had been without a dentist for more than a year and Dr. Kelley saw an opportunity to provide a vital service for a community in need. “I started from scratch,” Dr.