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Joshua Kamps (left) and Calista Holder – both 9 – refine their mandolin craft as part of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center’s Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program on Feb. 17. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Joshua Kamps (left) and Calista Holder – both 9 – refine their mandolin craft as part of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center’s Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program on Feb. 17. Photos by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Time to JAM

Charlie Benton
Friday, February 26, 2021
Stecoah – As parts of the Graham County community slowly come back to life, 11 young students are back to learning how to play the music endemic to this region.  The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center’s Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program resumed on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The N.C.
Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Kensley Phillips (24) and Gabby Hooper (3) kick off the victory celebration as the official signals the end of the Lady Knights' 72-60 comeback win at East Surry on Thursday night. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hit the road for playoffs

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights held all the cards: home-court advantage, two wins over their opponent earlier this year and a wave of momentum, coming off a huge road victory Feb. 25. But it was not meant to be. Robbinsville (No. 8 seed, 15-2) fell 49-37 to the visiting Murphy Lady Bulldogs (No.
Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Lady Knight players and staff gather to celebrate the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2010, clinched tonight with a 67-50 win at Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Mission accomplished

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Murphy – For the first time since 2012, the Robbinsville Lady Knights can add "Smoky Mountain Conference Champions" to their resume.
Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Jeb Shuler puts up a first-half jumper against Swain County on Friday. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knights fall victim to near-miss in home finale

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – It was the shot every basketball player dreams of making: the game-winning 3, at the final buzzer.
Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Gabby Hooper (center, seated) signed her letter of intent to play college softball with Brevard on Monday. Sitting with Hooper are parents Gabe and Crystal Hooper. Standing in back (from left) are brother Loxston Hooper, grandparents Clayton and Lana Hooper, sister Delaney Hooper, grandparents Patricia and Donald Cable, and brother Lleyton Hooper. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Putting a new spin on her career

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – Make that two Lady Knights in three months that have opted to take their softball talents to the next level. Senior Gabby Hooper put her name on the dotted line with Brevard College on Monday, joining Maggie Knight (Chattanooga State) as Robbinsville’s two signees this school year.
Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Amid heavy pressure from Swain County, Quinn Jumper eyes the bucket during a loss to the Maroon Devils on Feb. 11. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Dreams dashed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Robbinsville – Hopes of another conference title for Robbinsville’s middle school boys basketball squad were swiftly erased on Feb. 11. The Black Knights (9-2) fell behind early against Swain and were unable to rally, dropping a 46-43 game to the Maroon Devils.

Senate weighs occupancy tax

Charlie Benton
Thursday, February 18, 2021
A bill in the North Carolina General Assembly might lead to occupancy taxes being equalized between Graham County’s municipalities and the unincorporated area of the county.

County to receive funds for reopening schools

Charlie Benton
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Graham County has netted some money to help its public schools reopen safely in the wake of COVID-19.  According to a press release from State Rep. Karl Gillespie, R-Franklin, Graham County Schools will receive $1,252,350 from the $1.6 billion allotted by Senate Bill 36.