News

Children and adults alike gather to decorate cookies Saturday at Stecoah’s Christmas in the Mountains. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Breakfast, crafts, Santa, vendors – oh my!

Latresa Phillips

Monday, December 16, 2024

Mr. and Mrs. Claus greeted everyone on the stage inside the Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.

Alexis Miller slams teammate Julia Vazquez during Nov. 7’s scrimmage. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Invitational appetizers

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 6, 2024

Hendersonville – While others were thawing out a feast – or traveling to spend the holiday with family – Robbinsville’s wrestling program was squeezing in one final set of tournaments just 24 hours before Thanksgiving.

Lady Knights point guard Zayleigh Chekelelee scans the floor for passing options Monday against Hayesville. Chekelelee recorded 22 points against the Lady Jackets in Robbinsville’s victory. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Stung on the Chek

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 6, 2024

Robbinsville – The middle school Lady Knights quickly reversed what looked to be a post-Thanksgiving lull Monday, drubbing Hayesville 51-36 at Robbinsville Elementary School. Competing for the first time since Nov.

Amidst a first-quarter scrum, Robbinsville’s Kasen Buchanan (88) wraps up Murphy’s Cameron Clem during Friday’s third-round playoff game. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Friday

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 6, 2024

Murphy – The Black Knights and the Bulldogs meeting for postseason supremacy is almost a rite of passage at this point. In fact, both the 2018 and 2020 Western Regional title games were contested between the two Smoky Mountain Conference foes; in 2021, they met in the Elite 8.

Graham County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jarod Lovelace encounters one of the individuals authorities were searching for around 1 p.m., Tuesday, as part of "Operation Dirty Laundry: Phase 2." The suspect was apprehended just outside the Robbinsville city limits, after being spotted on foot walking north off U.S. Highway 129 (Tapoco Road). Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

More 'Dirty Laundry;' more arrests

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Three full days removed from launching "Operation Dirty Laundry," the Graham County Sheriff's Office again combined forces with regional agencies Tuesday to conclude Phase 2 of the 11-month investigation.

Loxston Hooper recorded career win No. 100 during Saturday’s Trojan Duals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Hooper wins 100th

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Loxston Hooper’s joined Robbinsville’s growing lineage of 100-win grapplers Saturday.

Robbinsville’s Lakin Orr (14) puts up an inside shot during Nov. 21’s home game against Andrews. Photo courtesy of Kyla Garland/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knights back to .500

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Robbinsville – The first quarter of Nov. 21’s home game was shaky, but the Lady Knights led 8-6 nonetheless. The second period? An 18-3 drubbing – advantage, Robbinsville.

Knights to remain 1A

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Chapel Hill – After a lengthy period of conjecture, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has finally revealed its plans for the upcoming 2025-29 re-alignment. Confirmed Nov.

Senior quarterback Bryce Adams finds an opening during Nov. 15’s first-round playoff game against Thomasville. Adams rushed for three touchdowns in the second round Friday, leading the Black Knights past Bessemer City. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Suffocating swarm

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Bessemer City – All the buzz around Robbinsville’s football season reaching its conclusion suddenly quietened when news emerged from suburban Charlotte of Friday’s outcome. After pulling back above .

Fontana Dam in financial trouble

Kevin Hensley

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Fontana Dam – Almost five years ago to the date, Fontana Village Resort & Marina owed the Town of Fontana Dam $95,000 in unpaid user fees. Fast forward to Nov.