News

Town unanimously approves Robbinsville budget

Robbinsville – One local Board of Aldermen unanimously approved its 2021-22 budget last week. The budget was approved after a public hearing during the Town of Robbinsville’s regular meeting June 2, after first being presented in draft form on May 19.
Jayden Nowell maintains top control over West Henderson’s Cody Eplee during Saturday’s home dual with the Falcons. Nowell would go on to cinch career win No. 101 in the bout. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Jayden Nowell maintains top control over West Henderson’s Cody Eplee during Saturday’s home dual with the Falcons. Nowell would go on to cinch career win No. 101 in the bout. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Hard-earned reward

Robbinsville – Henry Portela is a name that Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell will never forget.
Kevin Seagle leads those gathered at Saturday’s Community Outreach Cookout in prayer. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kevin Seagle leads those gathered at Saturday’s Community Outreach Cookout in prayer. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Helping hands

Robbinsville – A Graham County group hoping to do its part to curtail the area’s growing drug problem held an community-wide cookout on Saturday.
Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell cinches in a hammerlock on Enka’s Damien Maxwell during a 132-pound bout May 15. The Knights will host the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament next week. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell cinches in a hammerlock on Enka’s Damien Maxwell during a 132-pound bout May 15. The Knights will host the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament next week. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights shutout Braves

Cherokee – The only opposition that stood in the way of Robbinsville last week was swiftly toppled. The Black Knights (13-3) traveled to Cherokee for a conference dual May 26 and between a litany of forfeits and four pinfall victories, thwarted the Braves’ hopes in an 84-0 win.
Despite the pleas of Rosman’s Andrew Stamey, Robbinsville’s Hunter Jones swipes up after applying the tag on a 2-5 caught stealing Tuesday, which ended the bottom of the first. The Knights went on to drop the game to the Tigers, 6-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Despite the pleas of Rosman’s Andrew Stamey, Robbinsville’s Hunter Jones swipes up after applying the tag on a 2-5 caught stealing Tuesday, which ended the bottom of the first. The Knights went on to drop the game to the Tigers, 6-1. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Game suspended due to rain

Robbinsville – The Knights were well on their way to their fifth win of the season. Mother Nature seemingly had other plans. With Robbinsville (4-6, 4-6) ahead 11-3 in the bottom of the third Friday against Swain County (4-5, 4-5), another pop-up shower began to fall at Loudon Orr Memorial Field.

Time to step up to the podium

The beat will go on, with the arrival of a new band and choir director for the 2021-22 school year. Amber Watkins will serve as Graham County Schools’ new music educator, following the departure of Michele Filip after one year in the role.
Matthew Tooni performs during a Cherokee flute demonstration at Saturday’s 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day in Snowbird. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Matthew Tooni performs during a Cherokee flute demonstration at Saturday’s 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day in Snowbird. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Window to the past

Snowbird – The community had an opportunity to learn more about Graham County’s first inhabitants Saturday at the 35th Annual Fading Voices Demonstration Day.  The event was held at the Little Snowbird Baptist Church and featured traditional Cherokee crafts, food, games and music.
Robbinsville’s Greylon Orr (left) looks to turn the second leg of a double play Friday against Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Greylon Orr (left) looks to turn the second leg of a double play Friday against Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Knights split home slate

Robbinsville – Entering Tuesday’s game against Murphy, the Black Knights had lofty expectations. And why not? Robbinsville (4-5, 4-5) was coming off a redeeming, 7-1 victory over Hiwassee Dam (1-7, 1-7) on Friday and had won four of its last five.