News

School bus, truck involved in collision

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Snowbird – An inbound Graham County school bus and a pickup collided on Snowbird Road just west of I.U. Gap Road on Jan. 27. There were no injuries, but it delayed the start of the school day for the approximately 20 students riding the bus.
Peanut – a mixed miniature Doberman and deer head Chihuahua – was always present when The Graham Star was out for delivery. The beloved dog passed away Jan. 11.

Peanut – a mixed miniature Doberman and deer head Chihuahua – was always present when The Graham Star was out for delivery. The beloved dog passed away Jan. 11.

‘We spoiled that dog’

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Marble – A coyote took Peanut on Jan. 11, and shopkeepers throughout Graham County are heartbroken — but not as much as Neal Wachob.

Post-holiday spike worse than last year

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The usual post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases was more than three times worse in Graham County this year than in 2021, according to testing data. Between Dec. 22 and Jan.
This graph shows COVID-19 trends from the outset of the pandemic. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

This graph shows COVID-19 trends from the outset of the pandemic. Graphic by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Schools shift mask policy

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – The Graham County Board of Education on Tuesday warily voted to return to voluntary masks on school properties (except on buses, where masks are still mandatory), but is prepared to return to the table later in February if any school has a COVID-19 positive test rate of 10 percent or...
Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights march toward state crown

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Bryson City – It was not the way things had hoped to go. Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 22-2) knocked off Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County (No. 5 seed, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C.
Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips (24) and Halee Anderson apply heavy pressure to Highlands’ Julia Schmitt during Jan. 20’s road victory. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights on 5-game tear

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Set ‘em up; the Lady Knights will knock them down. Robbinsville (11-4, 5-1) has won five in a row, most recently toppling Highlands (8-8) in a Jan. 20 road game 59-29, before thrashing Swain County (6-12, 2-4) at home Tuesday, 61-44.
Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Donovan Carpenter rises above Highlands’ Brandon Moss for a potential basket Jan. 20. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils purged

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Robbinsville – Never, ever count out the Black Knights. With just seven players dressed out, Robbinsville (7-9, 2-4) upended the Swain County Maroon Devils (13-6, 4-2) – who sit in second place in the Smoky Mountain Conference standings – Tuesday night, in a 56-55 thriller.
For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.