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Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue unload a side-by-side to aid in a rescue operation at Stecoah Gap on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Members of Graham County Fire and Rescue unload a side-by-side to aid in a rescue operation at Stecoah Gap on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Graham County Fire and Rescue

Fire, rescue, forestry, EMS kept busy

Marshall McClung
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The last week has been busy for emergency personnel.Many of the calls for Graham County Fire and Rescue personnel could have been prevented, as the calls involved people ignoring the burn ban – despite extreme fire danger and a persistent drought.
With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Attaway, Drey!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cullowhee – Just a few weeks after Western Carolina University re-named its softball complex after the program's founder, a high school team helped christen the field.The Robbinsville Lady Knights rolled onto campus April 9, playing as the away team in the annual neutral-site clash with the A.C.
Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights rout Braves – again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cherokee – At this juncture, members of the Braves have to be pointing fingers of blame and asking, "Who owes them money?"Following a 28-1 drubbing of their divisional foe April 7, Robbinsville (6-6, 6-4) made the return trip to Cherokee (1-11, 1-9) for the series finale Friday.
This vacant home at 3744 Santeetlah Road burned Friday, igniting nearby woods and burning two acres of tribal land. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

This vacant home at 3744 Santeetlah Road burned Friday, igniting nearby woods and burning two acres of tribal land. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Empty home ignites, fire spreads to woods

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Santeetlah – Local firefighters were kept busy throughout Friday, battling a house fire and brush fire at the same time.
Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Level 28: unlocked

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Robbinsville – It was almost as if the Black Knights peered at Loudon Orr Memorial Field's scoreboard prior to beginning the bottom of the fourth Tuesday and said, "We can do better."  Everything was going Robbinsville's way at that point, but the hometown crew wasn't satisfied with a 15-0 lead.
Robbinsville senior Anna Williams had two doubles in Tuesday’s win over Cherokee. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Anna Williams had two doubles in Tuesday’s win over Cherokee. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights remain perfect

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
With the season well past the midway point, it's time to pose a legitimate question: is there a team left on the road to a state championship that can derail the Robbinsville Lady Knights?

Freshman hurler carves up 18

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Ella Nelms waits to fire a pitch during Game 2 of March 20’s home doubleheader against Andrews. Robbinsville’s freshman hurler is averaging 10.1 strikeouts per game.
Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights trounce Eagles

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Robbinsville – There was only one inning that the visitors could keep the Black Knights out of the score column Tuesday.