News

After Tuesday’s games against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger, Robbinsville Middle School recognized its eighth-grade baseball and softball athletes. For the Lady Knights: Anna Williams (left) and Ryn Hooper. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights looking to finish strong

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Robbinsville – Graham County’s middle school baseball and softball programs ended the home portion of their season in strong fashion.

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.

With Halee Anderson backing her up, senior Aynsley Fink fires in a throw from right-center field Monday at Hiwassee Dam. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Championship monopoly

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Hiwassee Dam – If you are keeping track at home, that’s one goal down and two to go. The Robbinsville Lady Knights confirmed their dominance over the Smoky Mountain Conference on Monday, adding the program’s fifth-straight divisional title with a 7-3 win at Hiwassee Dam.

Graham County Schools to ask for bigger contribution

Randy Foster

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Robbinsville – Earlier this year, an auditor advised that Graham County School District has been operating “paycheck to paycheck” and needed an additional $100,000 a year contribution from the county to maintain basic operations. It turns out that estimate was optimistic.

Lake Santeetlah town council tweaks spending plan

Randy Foster

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Lake Santeetlah – Councilwoman Tina Emerson, who is the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s finance officer, filled in some blanks on April 28, which were left following the first budget workshop a week earlier. The town has many needs and must haves in the upcoming budget.

The seven Republican primary candidates for Graham County Sheriff – Kevin Guffey, Louanne McMahan, Jerry Crisp, Dennis Crisp, Chase Lancaster, Leon Allen, Jr. and Russell Moody (from left) during their forum April 23. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Sheriff candidates discuss goals at forum

Randy Foster

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Robbinsville – About 75 people showed up to watch a candidate forum on April 23, featuring Republican candidates for Graham County Sheriff, Graham County Board of Commissioners and Graham County Board of Education.

Ben Wachacha (seated, center) signed to wrestle for the University of Mount Olive on Friday. Seated with Wachacha are (from left) grandmother Debbie Bird, mother Monaka Wachacha, sister Amara Wachacha, father Randy Wachacha and grandmother Carolyn Wachacha. Standing in back are grandfather John Bird (left) and sister Aubrie Wachacha. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ready for Trojan War

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Robbinsville – A two-time state champion has decided to take the next huge step in life.

As Cole Patterson hoists Christian Phillips in the air Monday, Graylen Orr (right) walks by to congratulate Phillips on his extra-inning, walk-off single against Andrews on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dancin’ in the streets

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Robbinsville – It was a wild win, but a victory nonetheless. Returning home to host Andrews in a pivotal Smoky Mountain Conference game Monday, Robbinsville blew a seventh-inning lead, but rallied to keep its playoff hopes alive by defeating the Wildcats 6-5 in eight innings.

Zoie Shuler (left) and Ivy Odom show off their trophies on April 20 after the duo launched a combined three home runs at Cherokee. As of Monday, Shuler has hit six long balls this season, while Odom has five. Photos courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Going, going, gone!

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Cherokee – No matter the opposition, there seems to be no cure for Robbinsville’s hot bats. Despite not playing a conference game in 13 days, the Lady Knights picked right up where they left off in divisional action April 20, walloping Cherokee in a road game, 10-1.

New Fontana ORC appointed

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Fontana Dam – A local municipality hopes to finally put the kibosh on heavy overturn at its water plant. The Town of Fontana Dam appointed Carrie Stewart as its new ORC (operator-in-responsible charge) in an unanimous council vote at its April 20 meeting.