News

More file for 2026 race

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 19, 2025
Robbinsville – While no additional sheriff candidates emerged during the latest stretch of filing for 2026 local elections, three more individuals tossed their names in the hat for the crowded commissioner race.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights address the media during Thursday's 1A state championship, post-game press conference. From left are head coach Lucas Ford, Isiac Collins, Kellen Ensley and Luke Lovin. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights address the media during Thursday's 1A state championship, post-game press conference. From left are head coach Lucas Ford, Isiac Collins, Kellen Ensley and Luke Lovin. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights fall in 1A title game

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chapel Hill — Robbinsville's quest for a 16th state championship ended in heartbreak Thursday afternoon, as the Black Knights fell 9-8 to the Wilson Preparatory Academy Tigers in the 1A title game.

Robbinsville boys win Osley B. Saunooke Tournament

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
A lot of grit led up to Robbinsville picking up its first tournament victory of the season Saturday. Boosted by five, first-place finishers, the Black Knights tallied 190 team points to clinch the Osley B. Saunooke Tournament championship at Cherokee High School.
Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Freshman point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee releases a halftime buzzer-beater attempt during Robbinsville's season opener at Copper Basin on Dec. 1. Chekelelee scored 17 in the Lady Knights' home debut Friday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights tame Bobcats in home opener

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – The home debut of the varsity basketball program Friday can only be viewed as a rousing success. Welcoming Blue Ridge School, the Lady Knights improved to 1-1 with a 51-19 victory in the opener.
Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Teammates mob Robbinsville Middle School's Mercy Nelms (center) on Dec. 4, moments after Nelms hit a three-pointer at the final buzzer to cement a 42-34 home victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle schoolers sweep opposition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Robbinsville – Things are clicking at the right time for the middle school basketball program.

Town pivots on credit policy

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Robbinsville – The first regularly-scheduled meeting of the new Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen was an eventful one. The main topic of discussion was the existing leak-credit policy.
An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

An ATV accident Sunday afternoon claimed the life of 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey. His obituary said that Carey passed away "doing what brought him joy, surrounded by nature near his home."

Man killed in ATV wreck

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Atoah – A county resident died in an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) accident Sunday afternoon. Reports indicate that 70-year-old Charles Andrew Carey departed his home at 1512 Snowbird Road on a four-wheeler around 3:30 p.m.

More file for commissioner, sheriff races

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Since press time for The Graham Star's Dec. 4 edition, four additional candidates have joined the expansive line-up for the local 2026 ballot. Incumbents Natasha Williams and Jacob Nelms filed for re-election to the Graham County Board of Commissioners on Dec.
The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for the final home, post-game chat of the 2025 season Nov. 28, moments after clinching the 1A Western Regional title on Bob Colvin Field at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights vie for 16th championship

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
* 1A state title game preview Chapel Hill – By the time many of you open your mailbox, Robbinsville's state-championship fate will have already been determined.
Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Black Knight Brayden Allison soars past a Cherokee defender Nov. 17. Allison hit a game-winning lay-up for Robbinsville on Monday at Hayesville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school boys hit winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, December 5, 2025
It took some last-second heroics, but the middle school Black Knights were able to swat the Yellow Jackets. After dropping the season opener 46-21 to Hayesville on Nov. 3, Robbinsville (6-2) found itself in a nailbiter in the return showdown Monday.