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Right at home while sitting at the edge of the mat, George Oliver waves to spectators before the start of a Robbinsville match. The co-founder of the Black Knights’ wrestling program passed away Aug. 5. Photos by Jenny Millsaps/The Graham Star

Right at home while sitting at the edge of the mat, George Oliver waves to spectators before the start of a Robbinsville match. The co-founder of the Black Knights’ wrestling program passed away Aug. 5. Photos by Jenny Millsaps/The Graham Star

Goodbye, Papa George

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Robbinsville – Without George Oliver, who knows where the Robbinsville High School wrestling program would be today? Oliver – who, along with Gary Steppe, instituted the now-powerhouse Black Knights grappling team 45 years ago – passed away Aug. 5 at age 68.
How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

How the 2020-21 calendar will look for Robbinsville athletics, barring more changes. Graphic by Tina Sheldon/The Graham Star

Taking the good with the bad

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Que Tucker’s announcement was music to athletes’ ears. After months of speculation, the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s commissioner presented during a Aug. 12 press conference a proposed sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year.

Sports delayed ... again

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 14, 2020
High school athletes statewide had Sept. 1 circled on their calendars. That was the day the N.C. High School Athletic Association had anticipated moving forward with the 2020-21 sports season. However, Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement on Aug.

COVID cancels concerts, festivals

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 14, 2020
Organizers remained hopeful, but eventually had to err on the side of caution. Both the Graham County Festival Board and Stecoah Valley Center Board of Directors opted to cancel Music on the Square, the Graham County Arts & Crafts Festival and the Stecoah Heritage Festival last week.
After months of speculation, Fontana Village Resort reopens to the public Monday.

After months of speculation, Fontana Village Resort reopens to the public Monday.

Fontastic news!

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 14, 2020
Fontana Dam – It has been a long five months, but Fontana Village Resort is finally ready to open its doors back up to the public.

Hikers located

Marshall McClung
Friday, August 14, 2020
If the last few months have taught hikers who visit Graham County for exploration anything, it is that one wrong turn can throw you off the trail. Two separate incidents in the last week have solidified that belief.

Robbinsville recognizes athletic award winners

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 7, 2020
Robbinsville High School was unable to have its annual sports awards banquet. Instead, a recently released YouTube video appeared on the school’s Digital Media page, with athletic director Dee Walsh recognizing the 2019-20 award winners.