News

Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Dr. Patrick Kelley is selling his Robbinsville dental practice to Dr. Kelsey Cody. Dr. Kelley began his practice in Graham County in 1988. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Longtime Robbinsville dentist, associate to swap roles

Randy Foster
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Robbinsville – Dr. Patrick Kelley had a mission when he started his dental practice in Robbinsville in August of 1988. The rural town had been without a dentist for more than a year and Dr. Kelley saw an opportunity to provide a vital service for a community in need. “I started from scratch,” Dr.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Peak performance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Asheville – Whether it be in a dual format or a team tournament, Robbinsville is dangerous. The Knights continued to decorate their 2021-22 season Friday and Saturday, competing in the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Kings of the hill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Bryson City – It has been a most-interesting season for the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling team.
Lady Knights senior Halee Anderson makes a hard cut past the defense of Murphy’s Lailee Holloway during Tuesday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Halee Anderson makes a hard cut past the defense of Murphy’s Lailee Holloway during Tuesday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Second-half woes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Murphy – It certainly wasn’t the outcome the Lady Knights were hoping for.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration at the final buzzer Tuesday, which cemented a 68-64 Robbinsville victory at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration at the final buzzer Tuesday, which cemented a 68-64 Robbinsville victory at Murphy. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights win dogfight

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Murphy – In a game that literally came right down to the wire, Robbinsville came out on top. In the final 30 seconds of Tuesday’s varsity-boys clash at Murphy, Donovan Carpenter, Xander Wachacha and Brock Adams each hit key baskets that helped hold off the Bulldogs in a thrilling 68-64 victory.
The Town of Fontana Dam council was sworn in during its Dec. 15 meeting. From left are mayor Rob Hardy, councilwoman Tiffany Duke, councilwoman Lacie McBee, councilman Jon Hodgson, councilman Brandon Jones; and at right is Town Clerk Zelerie Rogers. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

The Town of Fontana Dam council was sworn in during its Dec. 15 meeting. From left are mayor Rob Hardy, councilwoman Tiffany Duke, councilwoman Lacie McBee, councilman Jon Hodgson, councilman Brandon Jones; and at right is Town Clerk Zelerie Rogers. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

New members appointed to Fontana Dam council

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Fontana Dam – Graham County’s smallest municipality is once again being governed by a full council. Two new members were appointed and sworn in at the Town of Fontana Dam council meeting, bringing the council up to five seats once again, including Mayor Rob Hardy.

Insurance to cover new elementary bleachers

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Robbinsville – As the emergency repairs to the Robbinsville Elementary School Gymnasium near completion, it has been found that new bleachers will also be needed, on top of the work done on the structure’s floor and walls.

Brush fire damages equipment

Marshall McClung
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Santeetlah – A Dec. 15 brush fire spread quickly up a hillside and into an area where some equipment and construction items were stored near the Castlewood area on U.S. 129. A box trailer was damaged, and several vehicle tires and traffic cones were destroyed. The fire was reported around 3:30 p.
Graham Star personnel show off their “Best of CNI, Division B” award for 2020. Front row (from left) are Kevin Hensley, publisher/editor; Art Miller, staff photographer; and Charlie Benton, staff writer. Standing in back are Diane West, office manager (left) and Debbie Dills, advertising. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

Graham Star personnel show off their “Best of CNI, Division B” award for 2020. Front row (from left) are Kevin Hensley, publisher/editor; Art Miller, staff photographer; and Charlie Benton, staff writer. Standing in back are Diane West, office manager (left) and Debbie Dills, advertising. Photo by Randy Foster/The Graham Star

Star named Best of CNI

News Staff
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Tallulah – The Graham Star – Graham County’s hometown newspaper since 1955 – was recently awarded the “Best of CNI, Division B” distinction by its owner, Community Newspapers Inc. The Star was one of just two recipients of the award. with the other being the Cherokee Scout for Division A in Murphy.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office transport officer Chase Hughes looks on as one of the Shop with a Cop participants gleefully examines a potential gift. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Sheriff’s Office transport officer Chase Hughes looks on as one of the Shop with a Cop participants gleefully examines a potential gift. Photo by Charlie Benton/news@grahamstar.com

Spreading cheer

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Murphy – Some local children in difficult positions were able to have their dreams come true this Christmas, with a little help from Graham County’s finest.