Local

Lady Knights sophomore point guard Desta Trammell sprints toward the basket on a fast break during the Feb. 9 triple-overtime victory against Cherokee. Trammell was just named the 2020-21 Big Smoky Mountain Conference Girls Player of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Pursuing her Destanee

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Robbinsville – Take one look at Desta Trammell and it would be easy to dismiss her talent. Basketball is in her blood, but the Robbinsville Lady Knights’ 5-foot-2 sophomore point guard is hardly someone to look past when scanning the roster.

Linemen Candler Edwards (50) and Carlos Wesley (56) create an opening for running back Lex Hooper during Friday’s home game against Erwin. Hooper had three touchdowns in the first half. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Ground and pound

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Robbinsville – The Black Knights carried the ball 52 times Friday night. Erwin passed it 39. In the end, Robbinsville’s run game proved to be the difference maker, as the Knights (3-0, 2-0) held off a second-half push from the visiting Warriors (1-2) to pick up a 35-28 win on homecoming night.

Graham County to receive American Rescue Plan funds

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

More COVID-19 relief funds will soon be on their way to Graham County, thanks to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11. Graham County Manager Becky Garland said the county would be receiving just over $1.6 million in American Rescue plan funds.

Marino to serve as interim county manager

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Robbinsville – As outgoing Graham County Manger Becky Garland steps down, a capable hand will remain at the helm for the time being.

More progress made toward condominium groundbreaking

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Lake Santeetlah – A long-awaited development in the Town of Lake Santeetlah may be closer to being realized. Developer Jose Rosado gave an update on the Santeetlah Lakeside Condominium project at the monthly council meeting on March 11.

Man arrested after alleged assault, robbery

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

A Robbinsville man remains behind bars at the Graham County Jail, after allegedly assaulting a woman and taking her $20 cell phone. Court documents show that on March 11, 30-year-old Kevin Edward Mashburn took the victim’s cell phone by means of an assault on her.

Creating a Ripple Effect

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Fontana Dam – The Fontana Village Marina has been honored among its peers in the Southeast for its commitment to the environment. The marina has won the 2021 Ripple Effect award for its annual cleanup of the lake, held annually on the first weekend in November.

Miss Gabrielle Celeste Hooper was named Miss Lady Knight 2020-21 during Friday’s homecoming festivities. With Hooper is her escort, Mr. Dalson Jordan. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Queen of enchantment

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Robbinsville – With a “Fairytale” theme lingering in the air, Gabby Hooper was named the 2020-21 Robbinsville High School Homecoming Queen during halftime of Friday’s football game against Erwin. As reality sunk in, Hooper was overwhelmed with excitement.

Local resident returning to state foundation board

Charlie Benton

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Snowbird – A familiar face to many in Graham County will be rejoining the Cherokee Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. On March 5, the office of Gov. Roy Cooper announced that Janell Rattler would be reappointed as a member-at-large of the board.

The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

All is right for the Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Robbinsville – The 2019 1A Western Regional runner-up started its next season with a 13-4 road victory at Copper Basin, Tenn., on March 9, 2020. Five days later, a global pandemic squashed the Robbinsville Lady Knights’ hopes of another lengthy playoff run.