News

Kadey Phillips Jones was recently announced as Graham County Schools' 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.

Kadey Phillips Jones was recently announced as Graham County Schools' 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.

Jones named Graham County Schools’ Teacher of the Year

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools has announced third-grade instructor Kadey Phillips Jones as the 2024-25 District Teacher of the Year.  Jones began her 10th year as an educator this week.
Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Luke Lovin evades the pursuit of Tuscola defenders while gaining positive yardage in Friday's season opener. Lovin will be Robbinsville's quarterback for the 2025 season. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

SMC football: Not for the weak of heart

There's a reason a mention of Smoky Mountain Conference football sends shivers down the spines of opponents far and wide – the reputation of the division speaks for itself.

Crews battle two fires

Even though it is weeks until the usual start of the autumn fire season – and rain has fallen steadily – local crews were dispatched to a pair of separate outbreaks during the last week. Graham County Fire and Rescue – including a Meadow Branch unit – responded to a small brush fire around 1:20 p.
Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville handles Dogs in league opener

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' initial sampling of what the Smoky Mountain Conference has to offer this season was quite the thriller. Tuesday's divisional opener brought Murphy (2-1, 1-1) to town, in a match that stayed close throughout the duration.
A pair of East Henderson players suffer the consequences of running into  Robbinsville's Kyzik Teesateskie (5), Isiac Collins (7) and Kellen Ensley (54) during Friday's scrimmage with the Eagles. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

A pair of East Henderson players suffer the consequences of running into Robbinsville's Kyzik Teesateskie (5), Isiac Collins (7) and Kellen Ensley (54) during Friday's scrimmage with the Eagles. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Knights dominate in preseason scrimmage

East Flat Rock – From the opening whistle of Friday's rain-shortened scrimmage, Robbinsville showed why it will be a viable threat in the race for a 1A championship this season.
Outside hitter Chloe Adams delivers a spike between the outstretched defense of Tuscola’s Julia Wells (5) and Ivy Jones (3) during Monday’s season opener. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Outside hitter Chloe Adams delivers a spike between the outstretched defense of Tuscola’s Julia Wells (5) and Ivy Jones (3) during Monday’s season opener. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights sweep season openers

JV Lady Knight Myah Winfrey leaps for a block attempt Monday at Tuscola. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Despite having a short amount of prep time, the high school volleyball season is here.
The Graham County Farmers Market has successfully launched a youth entrepreneurship program, which has given local teenagers the opportunity to learn all the steps involved in running a business. Visitors to the weekly market can find booths such as Joshy Kamps' "Wunder Kinds." Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The Graham County Farmers Market has successfully launched a youth entrepreneurship program, which has given local teenagers the opportunity to learn all the steps involved in running a business. Visitors to the weekly market can find booths such as Joshy Kamps' "Wunder Kinds." Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Teenagers turn a vision into a successful creation

Robbinsville – Each Saturday, locals from the county and surrounding area set up to market their baked goods, produce and crafts to members of the community.

Speed humps to be re-installed

Robbinsville – Safety was at the forefront of a 2-0 vote by the Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen at its Aug. 6 meeting, as recently-detached speed humps will be placed back on Atoah, Circle and Ford streets.
Johnny Harrison Holloway (seated, center) bravely served his country in the Vietnam War. On July 18, medals and honors lost throughout the years were re-issued during a ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church. Standing next to Holloway is his wife Kathy. Across the back are veterans Gerard Ball, Adam Wachacha, Warren Dupree and Josh Holloway.

Johnny Harrison Holloway (seated, center) bravely served his country in the Vietnam War. On July 18, medals and honors lost throughout the years were re-issued during a ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church. Standing next to Holloway is his wife Kathy. Across the back are veterans Gerard Ball, Adam Wachacha, Warren Dupree and Josh Holloway.

With honors

Snowbird – Over 55 years after entering the service, Johnny Harrison Holloway was re-decorated with the honors and medals he received during the Vietnam War.
Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract  Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Board of Education Chair Rodney Nelson (left) and Commission Chair Meggan Smith were all smiles while signing a contract Tuesday, which allows the county to purchase school-owned land to build a justice center. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

County, schools reach land deal for justice center

Robbinsville – If it feels like deja vu, that’s because it is.