This Day in Star History

This Day in Star History: Dec. 5, 2024

The Star's front page from 55 years ago: Dec. 5, 1969. Dec. 5, 1985 * Crisp Hughes Company announced the results of Graham County’s 1984-85 audit. Of note, only 12-of-36 departments stayed within budget.

This Day in Star Sports History: Nov. 28, 2024

Nov. 28, 1985 * Robbinsville warmed up for the 1985-86 basketball season by traveling to Andrews to scrimmage the Wildcats. For the Black Knights, Allen Rattler had a team-high eight points. Darrin Self posted seven, while Darby Snider added six.

This Day in Star History: Nov. 28, 2024

Nov. 28, 1985 * The names of those killed in a plane crash discovered near the Cherokee/Graham County line were finally released to the public. Marty Black, 38 and Charles A. Wagner, 35, were the only two aboard when the flight took off from Onley, Ill., some eight months prior.

This Day in Star History: Nov. 21, 2024

Nov. 21, 1991 * Fontana Village was selected as a shooting location for a 76-page Sears catalog. Photos were taken around Cheoah Lake, the Little Tennessee River, Fontana Dam, the Gunter Cabin and the area surrounding the Tuskeegee Motel.
Steve Phillips captured this photo of Clay Lovelace sprinting away on a 40-yard touchdown run during Nov. 7, 1975’s regular-season finale between Robbinsville and Cherokee.

Steve Phillips captured this photo of Clay Lovelace sprinting away on a 40-yard touchdown run during Nov. 7, 1975’s regular-season finale between Robbinsville and Cherokee.

This Day in Star Sports History: Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 1991 * The Black Knights ran amuck in their regular-season finale, downing Andrews 47-0. The pounding began with a 16-yard touchdown throw from Michael Shuler to Travis McCracken.

This Day in Star History: Nov. 14, 2024

Nov. 14, 1991 * The search for a missing Texas man was said to be at a “standstill.” Gilbert Andy Vasquez, 31, went missing Oct. 31 in the mountains near the North Carolina/Tennessee border of Graham County.

This Day in Star Sports History: Nov. 7, 2024

Nov. 7, 1985 * In what proved to be Bob Colvin’s final game as the Robbinsville Black Knights’ head coach, the Murphy Bulldogs won a see-saw battle 20-19. Murphy (6-3, 5-0) went ahead 12-0 on a passing touchdown from Stacey Cornwell to Buck Shope just before halftime, as well as a 22-yard D.J.

This Day in Star History: Nov. 7, 2024

Nov. 7, 1985 * Support was overwhelming for Graham County Schools Superintendent Lowell Crisp, as the public and board of education alike both questioned the origin of rumors that the board wanted to fire Crisp at a meeting.
In this photo from the Halloween 2002 edition of The Graham Star, Zach “Bear” Chekeleelee (44) charges at a Hayesville runner.

In this photo from the Halloween 2002 edition of The Graham Star, Zach “Bear” Chekeleelee (44) charges at a Hayesville runner.

This Day in Star Sports History: Oct. 31, 2024

Oct. 31, 2002 * Hayesville edged the Black Knights on the gridiron, 23-22. The Knights’ rally bid was cut off late in the game, following a touchdown pass from Dusty Anderson to Clive Wall and two-point conversion run by Jake Beasley – who scooped up a blocked PAT and sprinted across the goal line.