News

The bodies of two men were found deceased inside a second-floor apartment attached to this business Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The bodies of two men were found deceased inside a second-floor apartment attached to this business Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

2 dead, 2 transported after discovery

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Robbinsville – The Graham County Sheriff's Office has called in the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation after a startling find Monday morning. Authorities were dispatched to 44 Tapoco Road around 8:30 a.m., where they found two men dead in a second-floor apartment.
Daphne Barlow, Claire Barlow and Ryn Hooper (clockwise, from top left) celebrate after a block Oct. 10 against Cherokee. Photos by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Daphne Barlow, Claire Barlow and Ryn Hooper (clockwise, from top left) celebrate after a block Oct. 10 against Cherokee. Photos by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Lady Knights reach tourney semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Zaelyn Phillips takes flight for a push during Oct. 10’s JV clash against the Lady Braves. Cherokee – At Wednesday’s press deadline, the Lady Knights were still in the hunt for significant bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Under heavy pursuit from Ryelon Waldroup (42) and Isiac Collins (7), Murphy’s Cameron Clem sees his progress slowed drastically after Robbinsville senior Caden Lail (8) opts for a low tackle. Photos by Alex Parton/The Graham Star

Under heavy pursuit from Ryelon Waldroup (42) and Isiac Collins (7), Murphy’s Cameron Clem sees his progress slowed drastically after Robbinsville senior Caden Lail (8) opts for a low tackle. Photos by Alex Parton/The Graham Star

Victory: intercepted

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
The box score from Oct. 11, 2024's game between Murphy and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – One errant pass. With 7:57 left in Friday’s home game against Murphy, Robbinsville held firm to a 7-6 advantage.
Aaron and Abbi Phillips lost their home on Upper Tuskeegee Road to a fire Saturday night. The couple also has a two-month-old son, Colter.

Aaron and Abbi Phillips lost their home on Upper Tuskeegee Road to a fire Saturday night. The couple also has a two-month-old son, Colter.

GoFundMe set up for young couple

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Tuskeegee – Firefighters were unable to salvage a home in the Tuskeegee community, after a blaze quickly engulfed the residence Saturday. Crews were first dispatched to 754 Upper Tuskeegee Road around 9 p.m.
Incumbent commissioner Lynn Cody answers a question during Saturday's candidate forum at Robbinsville High School. Seated with Cody (from left) are incumbent commissioner Connie Orr, Thomas Menard and Meggan Smith. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Incumbent commissioner Lynn Cody answers a question during Saturday's candidate forum at Robbinsville High School. Seated with Cody (from left) are incumbent commissioner Connie Orr, Thomas Menard and Meggan Smith. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Candidates make pitch for vote

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Robbinsville – The Graham Star hosted a candidate forum for the upcoming commissioner race Saturday, inside the Robbinsville High School Auditorium.  Even though the turnout was low, the candidates were passionate about the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with public attendees.
Joy Stewart successfully battled two cases of breast cancer over a decade ago. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Joy Stewart successfully battled two cases of breast cancer over a decade ago. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Survivors: Joy Stewart

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, October 17, 2024
* 2nd in a 4-part series West Buffalo – While each cancer is as unique as the person it affects – and the majority of breast cancer diagnoses come from families with no history of breast cancer – if your mother, sister, daughter, or other relatives were ever diagnosed with either breast cancer or...
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.