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A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

A helicopter flies over the Haoe Lead Fire, preparing to drop water from nearby Lake Santeetlah onto the widespread flames. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Fire consumes 500 acres

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Santeetlah – Around 5:30 p.m., Saturday, a hiker reported a fire near the junction of the Jenkins Meadow and Haoe Lead trails, which sit around 4,000 feet in elevation; 3 ½ miles above Maple Springs Road; and inside the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  U.S.
Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Middle school Lady Knight Lakin Orr awaits the call after tagging a Murphy baserunner during April 1’s home game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights enter break 9-1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Murphy – Thanks to the 8th grade coast trip and Spring Break, the middle school Lady Knights will have a 19-day gap in-between games. The rest of the Smoky Mountain Conference is hopeful that the interruption will cool the team off.
Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor gets lost in a sea of Lady Knight players Friday, as she was greeted at home plate following her go-ahead home run against Murphy. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor gets lost in a sea of Lady Knight players Friday, as she was greeted at home plate following her go-ahead home run against Murphy. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Counterstrike

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Tied 4-4 entering the bottom of the sixth, Friday’s Smoky Mountain Conference rematch between the Lady Knights and Murphy was in need of just one clutch hit from one clutch player. With one out, Robbinsville senior Naomi Taylor answered the call.

Black Knights hit skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
First baseman Peyton Brooks (27) awaits the toss from pitcher Easton Shuler during March 21’s home game against Andrews.
Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Bryce Adams looks for a way to evade the defense of Bradford Preparatory Academy’s Isaiah Poston during the first round of the state playoffs Feb. 25. Adams was recently named the Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Tip of the cap

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – When you get down to brass tacks, Bryce Adams was the only clear choice for the 2024-25 Smoky Mountain Conference Boys Player of the Year.
Church Mouse Ministries Program Coordinator Erin Emmons (left) and board president Dot Beasley are fully invested in serving the community through the organization’s various programs. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Church Mouse Ministries Program Coordinator Erin Emmons (left) and board president Dot Beasley are fully invested in serving the community through the organization’s various programs. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘The reward far outweighs the workload’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Church Mouse Ministries, Inc., Board President Dot Beasley, 92, shared her experience of working with the Graham County nonprofit.  “It has been my passion of over 40 years and I feel joy in doing good for people who need it,” Beasley said.

Mayor challenges key policy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – Citing a need for immediate access to the office's printer, Mayor Shaun Adams has now openly questioned why he does not have a key to the main lobby of Robbinsville Town Hall.
Local attorney Brady Cody has been hired as the new Graham County Manager.

Local attorney Brady Cody has been hired as the new Graham County Manager.

Cody named new county manager

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Robbinsville – After a 27-month search, a new Graham County Manager has been hired. Brady Cody was formally introduced as the county's next manager at Tuesday's budget meeting, filling a void that began when commissioners opted not to re-appoint project manager Jason Marino to the dual role Dec.
Allie Phillips puts on the brakes after reaching third base Friday against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Allie Phillips puts on the brakes after reaching third base Friday against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Photo by Lexie Anderson/The Graham Star

Lady Knights continue impressive run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Robbinsville – One midseason hiccup aside, the Lady Knights have slayed anyone who has dared to step into their path. Follow Tuesday's 16-1 dismantling of the Murphy Lady Bulldogs, Robbinsville (8-1) has successfully outscored all of its middle school opposition thus far 109-25.