News

A new justice center – which would eliminate the need for occupancy in the aging Graham County Courthouse (pictured) – is just one of several projects in the works for Graham County. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

A new justice center – which would eliminate the need for occupancy in the aging Graham County Courthouse (pictured) – is just one of several projects in the works for Graham County. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Big projects on the horizon

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
Robbinsville – As Graham County gears up for tourist season, a number of major projects and potential projects are on the horizon. Here are some things to watch over the next couple of years.
Rod Honeycutt speaks to Graham County Armed Patriots members Adam Phillips (left) and Kevin Haag during a March 1 stop in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Rod Honeycutt speaks to Graham County Armed Patriots members Adam Phillips (left) and Kevin Haag during a March 1 stop in Robbinsville. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Candidate draws on Army experience

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Of all the days for Rod Honeycutt to be campaigning, Tuesday, March 1, could have been better. First, all his campaign literature stated he was running for the North Carolina 14th Congressional District, but court-ordered redistricting changed his district to the 11th.
Members of “The ‘Ville” were selected for the N.C./S.C. All-Star Classic, which was held Friday in Myrtle Beach. From left are Jayden Nowell, Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom, Carlos Wesley and Kyle Fink. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of “The ‘Ville” were selected for the N.C./S.C. All-Star Classic, which was held Friday in Myrtle Beach. From left are Jayden Nowell, Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom, Carlos Wesley and Kyle Fink. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

3 amigos

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – To be selected from a crop of talented wrestlers across all classifications is quite the honor. The fact that three Robbinsville seniors made the cut speaks volumes to the respect the program has crafted.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Myley Hyde takes aim during Saturday’s archery competition at the MidWest Tournament in Cruso. Photo by Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Robbinsville Middle School’s Myley Hyde takes aim during Saturday’s archery competition at the MidWest Tournament in Cruso. Photo by Cheri Lynn/Robbinsville Shooting Team

Sights set on district tourney

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Cruso – For the second straight week, Robbinsville’s shooting team hit the road for another competition; this time, the MidWest Tournament.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights wait to greet Ivy Odom at home plate, after the senior first baseman slugged one of her two home runs over the fence in Friday’s victory against T.C. Roberson. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

The Robbinsville Lady Knights wait to greet Ivy Odom at home plate, after the senior first baseman slugged one of her two home runs over the fence in Friday’s victory against T.C. Roberson. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Poison Ivy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – Ivy Odom put everybody on notice Friday. One of the Lady Knights’ eight seniors, Odom homered in consecutive innings during the home opener, collecting five RBIs in the process and helping lift Robbinsville (1-1) to a 10-3 triumph against T.C. Roberson (0-2).
James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

James Jay Smith, (center) is flanked by his wife Brenda and defense lawyer Rich Cassady during a courtroom break in Robbinsville on March 3. Smith was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury the following day. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Jury acquits Smith

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Robbinsville – There are serious differences between James Smith’s and Joe Shaffer’s accounts of the July 27, 2016 shootout outside Smith’s Fontana Heights house. But in the end, it came down to one thing: Joe Shaffer shot first.

Judge shows mercy on habitual offender

Randy Foster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Robbinsville – Braxton Sawyer is a habitual offender whose latest charges were both felonies — possession of a firearm by a felon and fleeing/eluding arrest. He faced years of hard time. The 31-year-old Graham County resident pleaded guilty to both charges in Superior Court in Robbinsville on Feb.
Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom reaches for the catch during the first round of the state playoffs against South Stokes on May 5. Odom is one of eight Lady Knights returning for their senior season.

Robbinsville’s Ivy Odom reaches for the catch during the first round of the state playoffs against South Stokes on May 5. Odom is one of eight Lady Knights returning for their senior season.

Lady Knights putting early loss in rearview mirror

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 3, 2022
* Robbinsville softball season preview Loaded. What else can you say about a Robbinsville softball team that will fill out a lineup card with eight seniors at its disposal?
Black Knights’ second baseman Cole Patterson prepares to fire to first during June 1’s trip to Rosman. Patterson is one of three seniors returning for Robbinsville this season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights’ second baseman Cole Patterson prepares to fire to first during June 1’s trip to Rosman. Patterson is one of three seniors returning for Robbinsville this season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights set to build off monumental victory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 3, 2022
* Robbinsville baseball season preview Coming off a season where the program had arguably its best showing in recent memory, Robbinsville’s varsity baseball team returns three experienced seniors for the 2022 slate.