News

Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rylen Orr was named the Opening Day starter for the Robbinsville Black Knights in Feb. 27’s season debut at Towns County, Ga. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights begin season with tough losses

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Benton Gibby fires the ball from the warning track during Monday’s home opener against Towns County. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star Hiawassee, Ga.
Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s season opener against Polk County. The senior hurler finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights zing Wolverines in season debut

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – Strong hitting combined with strong pitching to create a resounding season opener for Robbinsville softball Tuesday. Hosting the previously-undefeated Polk County Lady Wolverines, the Lady Knights delivered a quick dose of reality to the visitors with a four-run first inning.
A U.S. Forest Service helicopter drops water on a brush fire off Gunter Gap Road on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/U.S. Forest Service

A U.S. Forest Service helicopter drops water on a brush fire off Gunter Gap Road on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jade Teasdale/U.S. Forest Service

Fires pop up across county

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Despite dry, windy conditions and burn bans across the region, debris fires were set in Graham County during the last week – resulting in crews staying more than active.

SROs shift to sheriff’s office

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Robbinsville – In a complete 180-degree turn from events that transpired just one year ago, Graham County Schools will shift the oversight of its resource officers to the sheriff’s office.
Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights freshman Zaelyn Phillips evades Murphy’s Cayla Geer for a lay-up attempt during Feb. 15’s conference-tournament quarterfinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eliminated by Union Academy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Monroe – After three quarters of tightly-knit basketball, Robbinsville’s varsity girls were unable to suppress Union Academy’s main weapon any longer. Only trailing 40-36 at the dawn of the fourth, senior guard Ranon Suttle scored 11 of the Lady Cardinals’ 22 points in the final segment.
Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Roman Jones tries to shirk a Bradford Prep defender while charging toward the basket during Tuesday’s first-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights fall to Bradford Prep Bears

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Bryce Adams pushes a shot over the defense of Andrews’ Ty Clark and Kegan Ellis in the second half of Saturday’s conference-tournament finale. Adams ended his basketball tenure with the Knights as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.
Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Moments after the final buzzer sounded Saturday, JV Black Knights Xamuel Wachacha (3), Tucker Jones (5), Bam Nelms (1) and Eli Lambert (2) begin to celebrate Robbinsville’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament-title victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

How sweet it is!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Hayesville – A first-quarter lead slipped away and by the beginning of the fourth quarter, seemed out-of-reach. The JV Black Knights were not going to let their season end on such a sour note. Instead, Robbinsville (No.

Fire weather returns

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Tallulah – After days of on- and off-again snowfall combined with bitter cold, fire weather returned again to Graham County. Fire and Rescue personnel responded around noon Saturday to a small brush fire on Anthony Branch Road in the Tallulah area.

Town’s internet switch reimbursed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Lake Santeetlah – As Western North Carolina continues to pursue its quest for widespread, high-speed internet coverage, one local municipality recently changed providers – and even received a reimbursement for its efforts.