News

Rebecca Morris was chosen as the winner of The Graham Star's 2021 Fall Foliage Contest, after capturing this colorful moment at Stewart Cabin on Oct. 23.

Rebecca Morris was chosen as the winner of The Graham Star's 2021 Fall Foliage Contest, after capturing this colorful moment at Stewart Cabin on Oct. 23.

Foliage contest returns

News Staff
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tallulah – The Graham Star wants to encourage you to spend the month of October traveling around the county, taking in the stunning views produced by the changing seasons. And if you see a backdrop that simply takes your breath away, snap a photo – we want to see it.
The Black Knights Marching Band performs its 2022 show, “Valhalla,” at A.C. Reynolds’ Cedar Cliff Classic on Oct. 8 in Asheville. The regiment has been turning heads all year with its spirited performances and a wave of enthusiasm – and the hard work has paid off with numerous accolades collected at two competitions. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

The Black Knights Marching Band performs its 2022 show, “Valhalla,” at A.C. Reynolds’ Cedar Cliff Classic on Oct. 8 in Asheville. The regiment has been turning heads all year with its spirited performances and a wave of enthusiasm – and the hard work has paid off with numerous accolades collected at two competitions. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

Marching to the beat of their own drum

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
It had been a while since Robbinsville High School fielded a marching band in state competitions. But judging from how the team performed in two competitions this year, the Black Knights Marching Band is a force to be reckoned with.
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams (6) finds some open room to advance during Friday’s loss to Murphy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Sophomore quarterback Bryce Adams (6) finds some open room to advance during Friday’s loss to Murphy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Spoil sports

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – What began as a highly-anticipated clash turned into a lopsided victory – for the visitors.
Visitors get a look at some of the many quilts on display Saturday at the Stecoah Harvest Festival. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Visitors get a look at some of the many quilts on display Saturday at the Stecoah Harvest Festival. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Glimpse into yesteryear

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Stecoah – An estimated 2,140 people attended the 2022 Stecoah Harvest Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15. The event opened on Friday with a campfire and marshmallow roast, as John Toineeta of Cherokee played his lyrical flute and told about Cherokee history and folklore from 6-8 p.m.

Water leak a teachable moment for Santeetlah

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – The town experienced a water line break along Nantahala Terrace over the past month, during which town officials learned about the need to issue “boil water” notifications to water customers affected by the break.
John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

John Emerson briefly applauded after the Graham County Board of Elections dismissed the voter challenge against his wife Tina on Sept. 28. Tina displayed a smile in the moments after the decision. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Voter challenge dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Editor's note: This story appeared as a 3-part report in our print edition. Below is the full, uninterrupted report.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Step 1: Complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – Entering the 2022 season, they heard the whispers. The doubts. The naysayers. Then the Robbinsville Lady Knights assessed the circumstances and posted a 15-win campaign, which culminated Oct. 13 with a 14-25, 14-25, 20-25 sweep of Swain County (12-11) on senior night.
In what is being touted as the biggest drug bust in Graham County’s history, officers seized 900 grams of liquid methamphetamine during a raid late-Friday. Also recovered was a plethora of cash, drug paraphernalia and firearms. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

In what is being touted as the biggest drug bust in Graham County’s history, officers seized 900 grams of liquid methamphetamine during a raid late-Friday. Also recovered was a plethora of cash, drug paraphernalia and firearms. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

900 grams of meth

Randy Foster
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Mountain Creek – Months of investigations – followed by a traffic stop – resulted in one of Graham County’s largest methamphetamine seizures: over 900 grams of suspected liquid and solid methamphetamine, plus the arrest of what Sheriff Jerry Crisp called one of the county’s biggest drug dealers.
A residence off Beech Creek Road was completely destroyed by an Oct. 16 fire. One of the occupants passed away inside the home. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A residence off Beech Creek Road was completely destroyed by an Oct. 16 fire. One of the occupants passed away inside the home. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Fire claims life

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Sweetwater – A residential fire off N.C. 143 early Sunday morning killed a local resident.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

Can you dig it?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Just two days after her older sister hit a coaching milestone, Kensley Phillips found her own way into the annals of Lady Knights volleyball history. Kadey Phillips recorded her 100th career win as head coach of the Lady Knights at Swain County on Sept. 27. Skip ahead to Sept.