News

Civility went out the window late in the March 21 public forum to discuss a potential change of jurisdiction for school resource officers. Robbinsville Elementary School SRO Josh Reap (left) and Graham County Sheriff’s Office attorney David Wijewickrama (right, in suit) got into a heated argument. Standing between the two are Robbinsville Middle/High School SRO Jeff Knight; Sheriff Brad Hoxit is at far right, and the chief of detectives, Travis Brooks, is walking behind Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley

Civility went out the window late in the March 21 public forum to discuss a potential change of jurisdiction for school resource officers. Robbinsville Elementary School SRO Josh Reap (left) and Graham County Sheriff’s Office attorney David Wijewickrama (right, in suit) got into a heated argument. Standing between the two are Robbinsville Middle/High School SRO Jeff Knight; Sheriff Brad Hoxit is at far right, and the chief of detectives, Travis Brooks, is walking behind Knight. Photo by Kevin Hensley

Chaos at forum

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Robbinsville – For almost two hours March 21, the Graham County Board of Education, sheriff’s office and members of the public discussed the change of jurisdiction for school resource officers in a mostly civil matter.

Brush fire quickly controlled

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Mill Creek – A resident of the Tallulah community was burning a large brush pile around 5:30 p.m., March 14, when the fire ignited nearby dry material and began to spread.

Who’s next?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Robbinsville – They score early and often; they pepper the field with offense. “They” are Robbinsville Middle’s baseball and softball teams, which are through nine games with a combined 9-0 record.
Senior shortstop Zoie Shuler puts a charge into one of Robbinsville’s 11 hits Tuesday at Cherokee. The University of Tennessee-commit entered this season as the program’s all-time home run leader (21 to date) and is a serious contender to break the Lady Knights’ stolen base and RBI record before all is said and done. Photo by Brooklyn Brown/Cherokee One Feather

Senior shortstop Zoie Shuler puts a charge into one of Robbinsville’s 11 hits Tuesday at Cherokee. The University of Tennessee-commit entered this season as the program’s all-time home run leader (21 to date) and is a serious contender to break the Lady Knights’ stolen base and RBI record before all is said and done. Photo by Brooklyn Brown/Cherokee One Feather

Explosive innings propel Lady Knights to victory

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Until the bottom of the third, it was anybody’s ballgame. Dissatisfied with the outlook, the Lady Knights brought their bats to life. The end result? A 12-run segment, aided immensely by Dreylee Webster mashing a grand slam and a 2-run dinger from Sophie Roberts.
Tytan Teesateskie continued his hot start at the varsity level last week, with the junior first baseman driving in four of Robbinsville’s runs amid a 13-3 rout of the visiting Copper Basin Cougars. To help compliment Graylen Orr’s dominant starts this year, Teesateskie has drove in seven runs during Robbinsville’s first two wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Tytan Teesateskie continued his hot start at the varsity level last week, with the junior first baseman driving in four of Robbinsville’s runs amid a 13-3 rout of the visiting Copper Basin Cougars. To help compliment Graylen Orr’s dominant starts this year, Teesateskie has drove in seven runs during Robbinsville’s first two wins. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Batters provide few answers for senior deliveryman

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Through his first three starts of the season, Graylen Orr has left hitters mystified — more often than not, returning to the dugout in short order.
Still sharp as a tack, Vera Stratton will celebrate her 100th birthday on April 10.

Still sharp as a tack, Vera Stratton will celebrate her 100th birthday on April 10.

Century of wisdom

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Milltown – In April of 1924, Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Company merged to form Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM); Simon & Shuster published their first crossword puzzle; J.
A downed powerline lit a fire that burned more than an acre of land Monday evening. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes

A downed powerline lit a fire that burned more than an acre of land Monday evening. Photo courtesy of Tory Lynnes

Downed power line sparks fire

Marshall McClung
Thursday, March 21, 2024
A resident from the upper section of Mountain Creek called the Graham County 911 Center to report a brush fire visible from his home around 7:15 p.m. Monday. Firefighters with the Graham County Fire Department, N.C. Forest Service, and U.S.
Since reverting back to the former 24-hour convenience of several Graham County sanitation centers, early-morning sights like this one March 11 at the Bear Creek location have become more commonplace.

Since reverting back to the former 24-hour convenience of several Graham County sanitation centers, early-morning sights like this one March 11 at the Bear Creek location have become more commonplace.

State warns county about sanitation

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Eyebrows were recently raised at the state level regarding the pivot on how sanitation centers are operated in Graham County.
Graylen Orr fires a ball to first during Monday’s conference opener against Swain. Orr manned the hill in Robbinsville’s first win of the season last week. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Graylen Orr fires a ball to first during Monday’s conference opener against Swain. Orr manned the hill in Robbinsville’s first win of the season last week. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

No Gray area

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Rosman – Over the course of 101 pitches, Graylen Orr dazzled, danced and hoodwinked the Rosman Tigers (0-4). The hosts ultimately mustered just three hits in response to the Black Knights senior, who fanned 10 in a complete-game effort.