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U.S. Forest Service firefighters Heath Emmons, Ben Limes and Forrest Koontz examine the remnants of a brush fire that started Sunday in Lake Santeetlah. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Forest Service firefighters Heath Emmons, Ben Limes and Forrest Koontz examine the remnants of a brush fire that started Sunday in Lake Santeetlah. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Arson suspected in house fire

Marshall McClung
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Snowbird – A house fire in the Little Snowbird section of Graham County appears to have been started by an arsonist.The fire was reported to Graham County 911 around 7:30 p.m., Monday.

Interim sheriff files for election

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is a move that has drawn mixed reviews since its announcement Monday: interim Graham County Sheriff Russell Moody will be a voting option when the general-election cycle begins later this year.
Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights tame Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Simply put, the Knights had a field day when Copper Basin came to town April 23.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Can't rain on her parade

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Ella Nelms seemingly had this season by the horns.She started 16 games. She won 16 of them. She surrendered two runs (one unearned) and coughed up just 17 hits while logging 81 innings of work inside the circle. Her ERA is an almost-unfathomable 0.

Local man sentenced for animal neglect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – A Stecoah resident has been sentenced on a Class 2 misdemeanor charge of abandonment of an animal.Kevin Allen Dyer, 37 of 136 Locust Cove Road, was found guilty in Graham County District Court on April 20 and ordered to serve 45 days in jail.
Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights reel in success

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Asheville – For the first time since the debut series of the season, the Robbinsville Black Knights have a winning record.
Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights stunned

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights posted a graphic on their Facebook page shortly after incurring their first loss of the year April 15.The final score of 12-2 was emblazoned across the screen, along with the words, "Remember this one. We will.
Hatchery-raised trout are released into Wake County's Simpkins Pond on Dec. 18, 2024. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began a weekly stocking schedule in Graham County this month, which will continue through June. Photo courtesy of Jonathon Gruenke/N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Hatchery-raised trout are released into Wake County's Simpkins Pond on Dec. 18, 2024. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began a weekly stocking schedule in Graham County this month, which will continue through June. Photo courtesy of Jonathon Gruenke/N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Trout stocking underway

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Officials with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have began the process of visiting popular fishing spots across Graham County, stocking locations full of hatchery-developed trout for the 2026 season.