News

Students returned for the first day of the school year at Robbinsville Elementary on Aug. 16, under the district’s “optional” mask policy. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Students returned for the first day of the school year at Robbinsville Elementary on Aug. 16, under the district’s “optional” mask policy. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Masks to remain optional at Graham County Schools

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Robbinsville – After much discussion and thought, the Graham County Board of Education voted to keep wearing masks within the district as “optional.” The board did add one caveat to the policy at a specially called Aug.
Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Collins named Division II Male Athlete of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Asheville – Select members of the Robbinsville athletic program left Sunday’s Mountain Athletic Amateur Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet with some extra hardware.
Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights undergo early test

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Robbinsville – In their first outing of the season, the Robbinsville Lady Knights were pushed to their limit. And yet, they prevailed. It took five sets, but Robbinsville (1-0) bested the 3A Franklin Lady Panthers (0-1) to the tune of 14-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-16, 10-15 on Monday night.

County EMS director resigns

Charlie Benton
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Graham County will soon be without an EMS director, as the Delta Variant continues to take its toll.  County Manager Jason Marino and County Clerk Kim Crisp confirmed that Graham County EMS Director Larry Hembree had tendered his resignation letter last week, and will step down Sept. 30.
Taylor Hicks – who won Season 5 of “American Idol” will perform at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium in Robbinsville on May 7, 2022.

Taylor Hicks – who won Season 5 of “American Idol” will perform at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium in Robbinsville on May 7, 2022.

“American Idol” winner coming to Graham County

Koda Moody
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Robbinsville – It was announced last week that an “American Idol” winner will be performing locally next year.  Taylor Hicks won Season 5 of the vastly-popular talent show, launching his career as a famous musician.
The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eye return to prominence

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Coming off a Smoky Mountain Conference title and the program’s first Elite 8 appearance since the 1980s, the Lady Knights understandably entered the 2020 season with a lot of swagger.