News

Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Naomi Taylor – shown preparing for contact April 2 against Andrews – was keyed in during Robbinsville’s April 10 appointment at Western Carolina University, blistering three home runs in the Knights’ win over A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

We have liftoff

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Cullowhee – Entering April 10’s neutral-site game against A.C. Reynolds, Naomi Taylor had exactly one home run on her resume.

Date announced for input concerning sanitation sites

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Those who have eagerly anticipated the opportunity to weigh in on recent changes to the county’s eight sanitation centers can now circle a date on their calendar. Amid a flurry of budget sessions that week, the Graham County Board of Commissioners will block off a 5 p.m.
Andy Lynn (left) takes the oath of office from Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway on Tuesday, moments after the board of education accepted Lynn as the GOP’s nominee for filling a vacant seat. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Andy Lynn (left) takes the oath of office from Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway on Tuesday, moments after the board of education accepted Lynn as the GOP’s nominee for filling a vacant seat. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Thumbs up for GOP nominee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Short, sweet and to the point, Tuesday’s special-called Graham County Board of Education meeting served as more of a formality.
Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior southpaw Ethan Orr tossed a complete game Friday, striking out 10 Wildcats to give Robbinsville its fifth conference win of the year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Playoffs?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Chase Calhoun celebrates after roping the go-ahead RBI single Friday at Andrews. Andrews – Entering spring break, the Robbinsville baseball program is in fine shape to not only break a 13-year playoff drought, but contend for a conference title.
Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Suri Watty connects for one of her three hits Friday. The sophomore second baseman totaled five hits, four RBI and two doubles in last week’s series with Andrews. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Hits just keep comin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
An ecstatic Sophie Roberts signals toward the dugout after reaching second on a wild pitch Friday at Andrews. The Lady Knights were fired up from the word go last week, pouring a combined 32 runs in two games against the Lady Wildcats.

Trail hiker falls ill, rescued

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 11, 2024
A hiker who had fallen ill was rescued from the Appalachian Trail on Saturday. The Graham County 911 center received a call from a woman around 10:45 a.m., saying her father was sick and might need some assistance in getting out of the woods.

Water loss astounds town

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Fontana Dam – Until the aging water lines are replaced, it seems the Town of Fontana Dam will have to make due with its multiple water leaks.
A fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in the Santeetlah area required the use of helicopters to help fight the flames overhead. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

A fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in the Santeetlah area required the use of helicopters to help fight the flames overhead. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes/U.S. Forest Service

Separate debris fires wreak havoc

Marshall McClung
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Sunday was anything but a day of rest for local firefighters, as they were busy with two brush fires. The largest fire began shortly after 4 p.m., near Maggie Wachacha Road, in the Santeetlah area. It was started from a debris burn on tribal land.
The passing of beloved Robbinsville Elementary School custodian Mike Hyde ushered in a bevy of tributes. Here, a wall on the 4th/5th grade hallway surrounding his work closet is filled with cards from students who will always remember “Mr. Mike.” Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The passing of beloved Robbinsville Elementary School custodian Mike Hyde ushered in a bevy of tributes. Here, a wall on the 4th/5th grade hallway surrounding his work closet is filled with cards from students who will always remember “Mr. Mike.” Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Be like Mike

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Known as a friend to all, it was not uncommon to see Mike Hyde conversing with a student in the halls of the elementary school. Here, Hyde strikes up a conversation with Strider Graves. * Editor’s note: The writer was a classmate of Mike Hyde.

GOP nominates Lynn to fill vacancy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Robbinsville – The Graham County Republican Party acted swiftly to fill the void left by Debra “Hank” Dinschel’s sudden resignation from the board of education, publicly announcing a nominee for the seat Saturday. Andy Lynn will appear before the school board at 2 p.m.