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With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

With Smoky Mountain’s Ben Brown (21) looking on, Luke Lovin puts up an inside floater in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game with the Mustangs. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Saddled with struggles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Sylva – At every turn and circumstance, the Knights were thwarted in their quest to start 2025 off in the win column. A 4-game tilt at Smoky Mountain on Tuesday ended with Robbinsville exiting 0-4 on the evening, with only the varsity Black Knights posing a serious threat to the 3A Mustangs.
Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Black Knight Lleyton Hooper secured his 100th career win at Saturday’s Enka Duals. With Hooper is assistant coach David Haney (left) and head coach Travis Hooper. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Another Hooper wins 100

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Candler – In resounding fashion, Lleyton Hooper joined an esteemed chapter of Robbinsville’s storied wrestling tradition. During the opening match of Saturday’s Enka Duals, the junior grappler dominated Union (Va.) High School’s Dylan Brugger.
Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Friendly faces greet those who visit the Reigniting Hope Foundation, which launched last year with an initiative to help those who are homeless or have fallen into the struggles of addiction. From left are Tracey Jones, Shelby Jones, Jessica Jones and Raylon Jones. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

New foundation offers ‘hope’ for those in need

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Robbinsville – As the cold winds of winter usher in snow and bitter cold, many residents of Graham County need a safe, warm place to sleep and a nutritious meal to help them survive the cold.  The Reigniting Hope Foundation provides just that.
Kase Brooks passed away from injuries sustained in a side-by-side crash Monday.

Kase Brooks passed away from injuries sustained in a side-by-side crash Monday.

Local man killed in UTV accident

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
West Buffalo – A county resident passed away Monday morning after crashing a UTV (utility terrain vehicle) off Huffman Creek Road. First responders were dispatched to the scene at 9:32 a.m, following the report of an accident involving a “side-by-side.
McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

McKynlee Adams launches a long-range jumper Dec. 19 at Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights tame Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Andrews – The middle school hoopsters touched the court for the final time in 2024 on Dec. 19, traveling to Andrews and emerging with a mixed bag of results. The Lady Knights (7-5) won the afternoon’s opener 45-33, while the Black Knights (5-7) dropped a 58-41 contest.
Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville heavyweight Jonah Teesateskie jostles with Cherokee’s Chanttin Tramper on Dec. 18. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Home for a holiday

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – Anytime the Black Knights are fortunate enough to host a wrestling match, it’s the hottest ticket in town. Known for its willingness to make long journeys just to face the best competition out there, Robbinsville (10-6) grappled on its home mats for the first time since Nov.
Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kenyon Swimmer returned to action Friday at North Buncombe. Here, Swimmer keeps a watchful eye on Blackhawk Trent Clark; midway through the second, Swimmer dropped a 3-pointer that gave the Black Knights their only lead of the game in an eventual loss. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blackhawks joust Black Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Weaverville – The final varsity basketball action of 2024 proved to be a tough assignment.

Fire, rescue combine forces

Marshall McClung
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The Graham County Rescue Squad and Graham County Fire Department will soon become a single unit.  Commander Jeff Millsaps announced plans for the merger at the squad’s December meeting.

New bus lift ordered

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After 24 years and an innumerable amount of repair work, Graham County Schools has taken steps to replace the transportation department’s bus lift. At Dec. 3’s board of education meeting, transportation director Adam Harkins spoke of a Sept.