RobbinsvilleNC

The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The intersection of Rodney Orr Bypass and Laura Street will be busier than ever next year, thanks to the addition of a 32,000 square-foot retail store that will occupy the space on the left. The upgraded buildings on the right will serve as an annex of the effort. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Changes ahead at 'Conley's Corner'

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Robbinsville – Passers-by have no doubt see the upgraded aesthetics to buildings along the southbound lane of Rodney Orr Bypass, near Laura Street. There's more on the horizon than just a fresh paint job, as local business Lovin Contracting is expanding its footprint.

Meth found during stop

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 2, 2025
Fires Creek – A pair of Robbinsville men were recently pulled over for a set of vehicle violations, but what authorities discovered proved to be a much-larger set of charges. At 6:59 p.m., April 21, a pair of Clay County deputies stopped a red Chevrolet truck at the intersection of U.S.
Gamecocks senior Abigail Knight takes off on the basepath during March 21’s home game against Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of University of South Carolina Athletics

Gamecocks senior Abigail Knight takes off on the basepath during March 21’s home game against Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of University of South Carolina Athletics

Home-grown talent

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Of the 16 Smoky Mountain Conference titles that adorn the program's outfield scoreboard at Judy Nichols Memorial Field, Robbinsville has won the last seven in a row.

Schools facing budget woes

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – A combination of untimely windfalls has put Graham County Schools into dire financial straits. The federally-backed Secure Rural Schools program was not authorized by Congress before the December 2024 adjournment, even after the U.S.
Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Robbinsville High School students Melissa Drouin (left) and Myley Hyde launched a project last fall that recently was afforded the Rho Pharmaceuticals Innovator Award at the state science and engineering fair.

Like peas in a pod

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robbinsville – The spring planting season began early for two students at Robbinsville High School.
Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Rescuers descend off the Appalachian Trail with an injured hiker at Yellow Creek Gap on Friday.

Injured hiker rescued off Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Yellow Creek – For the second time in a span of 2 1/2 weeks, a hiker had to be rescued from the Appalachian Trail in Graham County. Personnel from Graham County Fire and Rescue, Stecoah Fire and Rescue, and U.S. Forest Service responded to a report of an injured hiker around 5:45 p.m., Friday.
Carrier recognized Stiles Heating and Cooling for 15 years of loyal association at February’s dealer meeting in Greenville, S.C. Pictured are husband and wife owners Eddie and Hannah Stiles.

Carrier recognized Stiles Heating and Cooling for 15 years of loyal association at February’s dealer meeting in Greenville, S.C. Pictured are husband and wife owners Eddie and Hannah Stiles.

Hard work pays off

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Eddie and Hannah Stiles show off their Diamond Sales Award from American Standard, which the owners of Stiles  Heating and Cooling received at a March conference in Wilmington. Tallulah – There is pride in being a part of something great. There is a sense of satisfaction in a job well done.
A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Fire consumes 500 acres

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Santeetlah – Around 5:30 p.m., Saturday, a hiker reported a fire near the junction of the Jenkins Meadow and Haoe Lead trails, which sit around 4,000 feet in elevation; 3 ½ miles above Maple Springs Road; and inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  U.S.