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This overhead rendering shows the future location of the long-planned Graham County Justice Center, which commissioners selected Tuesday night.

This overhead rendering shows the future location of the long-planned Graham County Justice Center, which commissioners selected Tuesday night.

Knight Street picked for justice center

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Members of the public examine the county’s preferred final options for the new justice center at Monday’s hearing. Robbinsville – Less than 24 hours after gauging public opinion, the Graham County Board of Commissioners rendered a vote that was almost eight years in the making.
Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Braylon Blevins (17) watches for Eli Lambert (11) to catch a two-point conversion pass in JV action Monday against Hayesville. Lambert completed the exchange, to round out the Black Knights’ 30-12 win. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Knights miss out on repeat title bid

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
Robbinsville – The junior varsity Black Knights’ defense of the Smoky Mountain Conference title went right down to the wire. Scoreless after the first quarter of the Oct.
The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Knights fighting for postseason spot

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Tuesday was one of the most important matches for Lady Knights volleyball in quite some time. Attempting to stay in the playoff conversation, Robbinsville held its annual “Pink Night” – a fundraiser for the Graham Cancer Support Group – by hosting Swain County.
The 2009 Robbinsville Lady Knights cross country team remain the only female program in school history to win a state championship. From left are head coach Rance Shuler, Tacey Trammell, Kristi Burchfield, Madison Williams, Chantal Collins, Lynsey Crisp, Faith Trammell (kneeling in front), Lauren Griggs, Lindy Cronk, Kelsey Knight and assistant coach Joanne Knight. Not pictured are Dixie Hedrick and Tianna Williams.

The 2009 Robbinsville Lady Knights cross country team remain the only female program in school history to win a state championship. From left are head coach Rance Shuler, Tacey Trammell, Kristi Burchfield, Madison Williams, Chantal Collins, Lynsey Crisp, Faith Trammell (kneeling in front), Lauren Griggs, Lindy Cronk, Kelsey Knight and assistant coach Joanne Knight. Not pictured are Dixie Hedrick and Tianna Williams.

Stepping toward immortality

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
This year's Graham County Athletics Hall of Fame inductees both made history and left an indelible mark on the local sports scene.
Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Senior Roman Jones prepares to lower the boom on Cherokee’s Kingston Welch en route to one of his five trips into the end zone Friday. Photos by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Roman Empire

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
The box score from Oct. 4, 2024's game between Cherokee and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – One game removed from a breakout performance, Roman Jones tied a record set by his father some 32 years ago.
Amy Rogers (left) said the support of her family helped pull her through a breast cancer diagnosis. She is pictured with her daughter Macy. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Amy Rogers (left) said the support of her family helped pull her through a breast cancer diagnosis. She is pictured with her daughter Macy. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Survivors: Amy Rogers

Latresa Phillips
Friday, October 11, 2024
* 1st in a 4-part series Tallulah – On Aug. 9, 2023, Amy and Randy Rogers began a path of twists and turns that rocked their world in such a way that they could only turn to the Lord. Rogers remembers getting the call that Randy had wrecked his truck.
For the first time in school history, a pair of students will share the title of homecoming queen: Claire Barlow (left) and Jozlyn Garland finished in a tie for the coveted distinction. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

For the first time in school history, a pair of students will share the title of homecoming queen: Claire Barlow (left) and Jozlyn Garland finished in a tie for the coveted distinction. Photo by Royce Worbington/The Graham Star

Queens so nice, they were named twice

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Public address announcer Noah Crowe held the most-guarded secret at Big Oaks Stadium on Friday: who would be crowned the 2024-25 homecoming queen.

Lawsuit against Swain sheriff dismissed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 3, 2024
A lawsuit filed nearly three years ago against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran and former Deputy Charles Robinson has been dismissed with prejudice – meaning it can never be brought back before a court. The Sept. 20 declaration by U.S. Magistrate Judge W.
Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Landon Pollard attempts to shirk an Andrews defender Sept. 19. Elijah Kirkland (12) offers a helping hand for the cause. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

JV Black Knights collect second win of week

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Robbinsville – After an emotionally-charged road win over Murphy on Sept. 16, one could easily understand how the JV Black Knights might have dreaded throwing pads back on for another game just three days later. But really, Robbinsville needed just 10 minutes or so to get back into its groove.