News

Fontana Dam mayor, others resign

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Fontana Dam – Business rolled along as usual for the first 15 minutes of Friday's Town of Fontana Dam council meeting, the first since Feb. 26's gathering turned into a heated exchange between mayor Rob Hardy and Robin Turner with Fontana Ventures, LLC.
Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout Feb. 15, in the quarterfinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Murphy. Ford stepped down as the Lady Knights head coach at the conclusion of the season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lucas Ford draws up a play during a timeout Feb. 15, in the quarterfinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament against Murphy. Ford stepped down as the Lady Knights head coach at the conclusion of the season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ford resigns as varsity girls basketball coach

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – What was supposed to be a temporary gig turned into one of the longest coaching tenures in Lady Knights basketball history. Announced as the new Robbinsville High School athletic director and head football coach Feb.
Shortstop Myah Winfrey looks to make the out at first during March 18’s home game against Andrews. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Shortstop Myah Winfrey looks to make the out at first during March 18’s home game against Andrews. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights back on track

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Looking to avenge their first loss of the season, the middle school Lady Knights entered Friday's road game on the wrong end of a 6-4 ballgame. Unfazed by the elements, Robbinsville put together back-to-back innings of three-run softball to stun the hosting Andrews Lady Wildcats 10-6.
Naomi Taylor struck out seven Andrews batters en route to delivering a perfect game against the Lady Wildcats on Friday. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor struck out seven Andrews batters en route to delivering a perfect game against the Lady Wildcats on Friday. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Taylor-made performance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – There were 15 runs poured onto the Lady Wildcats in Friday's shortened affair – and yet, one player still managed to stand out from the pack.
Freshman Easton Shuler (2) stomps onto home plate while being greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run homer Friday against Andrews. The long ball was part of a successful comeback bid for the Black Knights against the Wildcats. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Freshman Easton Shuler (2) stomps onto home plate while being greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run homer Friday against Andrews. The long ball was part of a successful comeback bid for the Black Knights against the Wildcats. Photo by Kyla Garland/The Graham Star

Save the best for last

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – The Black Knights made the most out of their last six outs.

Busy day for fire and rescue

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Saturday turned out to be a busy day for Graham County Fire and Rescue – and included personnel from the Snowbird unit, the North Carolina Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

Reality sets in for Taylor Rennoldson as a Taser makes contact at Friday’s certification course. Holding Rennoldson are deputies Logan Howarth (left) and Justin Stewart; chief detective Travis Brooks is in back, moments after deploying the Taser.

To protect and serve

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Robbinsville – When summoned to the witness stand, it is crucial that an officer of the law can confidently state why a particular use of force was deployed in the apprehension a suspect. There is nothing like first-hand experience to back up what is said while the officer is under oath.

Pastell indicted for death by distribution

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Mountain Creek – Just 2 ½ weeks after the second charge of death by distribution against a local man was dropped, a grand jury indicted the suspect on the same offense. Bobby Huel Pastell, 32, was handed another death by distribution charge Jan. 14, following the Dec.