The Graham Star

El Dorado Hills, Calif. – By the time Ella Nelms reaches her senior year, she will have enough awards on-paper to overwhelm a reader. The vaunted Robbinsville pitcher has already loaded down her toolbelt with a wide array of success, including the distinctions of Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year; MVP of the 1A state championship series; and 1A All-State Pitcher of the Year. Her talents are being noticed at the national level, as well.

Following the completion of a countywide survey, hours have once again been modified for anyone wishing to haul off refuse to local sanitation centers. The county declared plans to roll out a new schedule July 1 – which would have trimmed availability at two sites down to four days a week – but canceled the launch after receiving the results of an online poll. The 336 responses led to officials pivoting on its originally-announced schedule.

Robbinsville – The Graham County Sheriff's Office issued a statement July 9, regarding investigations launched by the agency into crimes against children.

Asheville – A Robbinsville resident who has been linked to a pair of past death by distribution cases was arrested in Buncombe County on Saturday, after initially eluding authorities in a neighboring county. Bobby Huel Pastell, 33 of the Tallulah community was located along with 29-year-old Marble resident Viviane Shae Cheeks at a residence in east Asheville, just hours after the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office attempted to arrest the pair at an Airbnb off U.S. 74 West.

The following is a list of arrests made and/or filed by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the N.C. Highway Patrol, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the Cherokee Indian Police Department. The information was obtained from arrest records on file at the Graham County Jail and/or Clerk of Court’s office. Persons listed below are innocent until proven guilty. * July 8: Aaron Keith Orr, 41, Robbinsville. Assault on a female; felony assault by strangulation.

I am always grateful for my third grade teacher, Mrs. Edwards – who read to us before school started each morning. At times, it was a morality tale; and sometimes, it was a story from the Bible. I remember her reading the story of David and Goliath. She used the door frame to describe Goliath’s height. Under a new Texas law, elementary school students will be required to read the story of David and Goliath. The Bible and our nation’s public schools have made the news again.

Robbinsville – Over 2,500 attendees passed through the annual Graham County Heritage Festival, which was held Friday-Saturday. Dodging a torrential downpour just before opening Friday – as well as heavy winds Saturday morning – the festival was deemed a huge success. Food vendors joined forces with artisans to create a one-stop destination for both county residents and visitors from across the United States; while the festival also provided nearly-continuous entertainment.

El Dorado Hills, Calif. – Even though the season ended six weeks ago, the Robbinsville Lady Knights continue to receive accolades that fully demonstrate their dominance this season. The 1A state champions were named to MaxPreps' Small Town Top 25, which is open to schools across the United States that have under 1,000 students. Robbinsville was ranked 21st, ahead of Grandview (Texas); Jackson County Central (Jackson, Minn.); Vale (Ore.); and Saluda (S.C.).

The pioneers that entered what is Graham County today found themselves in an area covered by dense forests; streams full of fish; plenty of wild game; and Cherokee Indians who had arrived long before the first white person.