Local

Budget process underway

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – As budget season begins, Graham County has heard some good news on its potential 2021-22 budget.  County finance officer Becky Garland told the Graham County Board of Commissioners that the county would likely have a surplus for the first time in a dozen years.
More than 120 citizens joined N.C. Senate Representative Kevin Corbin, District Attorney Ashley Welch and N.C. House Representative Karl Gillespie (seated, front) Friday, for a town hall concerning Graham County’s rampant drug issue. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

More than 120 citizens joined N.C. Senate Representative Kevin Corbin, District Attorney Ashley Welch and N.C. House Representative Karl Gillespie (seated, front) Friday, for a town hall concerning Graham County’s rampant drug issue. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

'We need a miracle'

Charlie Benton
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Robbinsville – A coalition hoping to shed light on the worsening substance problem in Graham County held its first official meeting in the Robbinsville High School gymansium on Friday.

Baseline results look good for local town

Charlie Benton
Friday, May 21, 2021
Lake Santeetlah – A baseline has been established for a new water quality testing program, and the results look good. At its meeting on May 13, the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s council heard an update on the program from Councilman Roger Carlton, who is spearheading it.  “We’re clean,” Carlton said.
Debbie Buchanan and her one-year-old niece, Sadie Buchanan, check out a hot rod on display at Saturday’s Drag-on Car Show. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Debbie Buchanan and her one-year-old niece, Sadie Buchanan, check out a hot rod on display at Saturday’s Drag-on Car Show. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Get your motor runnin’

Charlie Benton
Friday, May 21, 2021
Robbinsville – Gearheads from across the region had a chance to come together and show off their rides Saturday at the Drag-On Car Show, hosted by the Robbinsville Tourism Authority.
Robbinsville High School Valedictorian Dalson Jordan (left) and Salutatorian Kolby Brooks have been close friends throughout their entire school careers. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School Valedictorian Dalson Jordan (left) and Salutatorian Kolby Brooks have been close friends throughout their entire school careers. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Good students; better friends

Charlie Benton
Friday, May 21, 2021
Robbinsville – When the Class of 2021 walks across the stage on Sunday, it will be led by two longtime best friends.  Carrying with them a list of impressive accolades, Robbinsville High School’s Dalson Jordan and Kolby Brooks will serve as respective valedictorian and salutatorian of the class.

Friends, colleagues remember former commissioner, manager

Charlie Benton
Friday, May 21, 2021
West Fort Hill – An iconic presence in Graham County recently passed away. Former County Manager and longtime County Commissioner Raymond Williams died on May 7. Williams was heavily involved in the community and was known to many as “Big Bird.” In addition to his civic responsibilities.
The Rev. Patrick O’Dell addresses Graham County Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting. O’Dell was joined by around 50 concerned citizens, who gathered to show solidarity against the rampant issue with illegal substances in the county. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

The Rev. Patrick O’Dell addresses Graham County Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting. O’Dell was joined by around 50 concerned citizens, who gathered to show solidarity against the rampant issue with illegal substances in the county. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

‘We want a better, safer community

Charlie Benton
Friday, May 21, 2021
Robbinsville – A group of citizens concerned about growing substance problems in Graham County have banded together to appeal the county government for help in the fight.
Simon Cody remained in the zone after scoring his first career pin May 4 in Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Simon Cody remained in the zone after scoring his first career pin May 4 in Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Mat attack

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Rosman – Robbinsville wrestling is widely known for its motto: “Representing The ‘Ville.” And no matter what segment of North Carolina the Black Knights travel to, they live up to the credo.
Carlos Wesley (56) and Candler Edwards (50) make sure that Lex Hooper has room to run during an April 2 game in Andrews. The trio were three of 15 Robbinsville players recently named All-Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Carlos Wesley (56) and Candler Edwards (50) make sure that Lex Hooper has room to run during an April 2 game in Andrews. The trio were three of 15 Robbinsville players recently named All-Smoky Mountain Conference. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

15 Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 13, 2021
With the 2020-21 high school football season in the rearview mirror, the Smoky Mountain Conference has officially released its All-Conference list. Littered across the lineup of accolades are 17 athletes from the Robbinsville Black Knights, all who made an impact across the shortened slate.

Middle school baseball underway

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Robbinsville – The middle school Knights baseball program has already squeezed in seven games in this short season. The Black Knights (1-6) downed Cherokee 14-2 in an April 22 road affair, but dropped home games to Swain County (20-8, April 19) and Rosman (14-2, April 27).