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The Robbinsville Black Knights capped a strong showing at Feb. 11's state indoor track meet by winning their third championship of the day in the 4x400 relay. From left are head coach Dale Farr, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick, Benjamin Frederick, Colton McCoy and assistant coach Jeremy Lunsford. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Indoor Track and Field

The Robbinsville Black Knights capped a strong showing at Feb. 11's state indoor track meet by winning their third championship of the day in the 4x400 relay. From left are head coach Dale Farr, Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick, Benjamin Frederick, Colton McCoy and assistant coach Jeremy Lunsford. Photos courtesy of Robbinsville Indoor Track and Field

Boys win 3 indoor track championships

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Isiac Collins won the shot-put state title at Feb. 11's meet, recording a distance of 53' 11 ½.” Winston-Salem – The Robbinsville Black Knights indoor track and field team reported to the JDL Fast Track on Feb. 11 with purpose.
The home of Jim and Lela Hyde erupted in flames Feb. 12. Firefighters were unable to save the residence. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The home of Jim and Lela Hyde erupted in flames Feb. 12. Firefighters were unable to save the residence. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Home lost to morning blaze

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Atoah – The Graham County 911 Center received a report of a structure fire at 285 Atoah Circle at 10:41 a.m., Feb. 12. Members from Graham County Fire and Rescue – as well as units from Snowbird, Santeetlah, Meadow Branch, N.C. Forest Service and EMS – all responded to the scene.

Sheriff candidates share viewpoints at GOP forum

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
* Part 1 of a 2-part report Robbinsville – The Graham Star’s Republican Primary Candidate Forum on Feb. 7 served as a vehicle to best introduce voters to the individuals who are on the March ballot for the local commissioner and sheriff races.
Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Xamuel Wachacha (1) attempts to evade the defense of Murphy's Abram Twiggs and shoot a 3-pointer during Feb. 12's Smoky Mountain Conference title game. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights upset in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Murphy – There was little doubt that Feb. 18's semifinal match-up would be a doozy. The first team to hand the Black Knights a conference loss this season was Cherokee. Even though Robbinsville split the series with a Senior Night victory Feb.
Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville senior Abby Wehr splits the defense of Murphy's Kennedy White (3) and Emma Hensley (23) for a second-half lay-up attempt Feb. 12. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights fall in tournament quarterfinals

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Bella Coats shoots a foul shot during Feb. 12's junior varsity game at Murphy. Murphy – The Lady Knights entered the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament with vindication in mind. Sadly, the chance for redemption slipped away in the waning seconds of Feb. 17's quarterfinal clash with Andrews (No.
Brayden Lane manhandles Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Achilles Ochoa during the second round of the dual-team postseason Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brayden Lane manhandles Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Achilles Ochoa during the second round of the dual-team postseason Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Tarred and feathered

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Robbinsville – It took less than 10 minutes of total bout time for the Black Knights to advance to the third round of the dual-team postseason. Showing that they were not being paid by the hour – or even the half-hour – Robbinsville (No.
Commission candidate Dale Wiggins (left) delivers his closing statement at Saturday’s forum. Sitting alongside Wiggins are candidates Brian “Taco” Johnson (center) and Carolyn Stewart. Stills courtesy of The Graham Star's YouTube

Commission candidate Dale Wiggins (left) delivers his closing statement at Saturday’s forum. Sitting alongside Wiggins are candidates Brian “Taco” Johnson (center) and Carolyn Stewart. Stills courtesy of The Graham Star's YouTube

Primary candidates share views at forum

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Sheriff candidate Mitch Millsaps answers a question during Saturday's forum. Candidate Terry Grey is seated next to Millsaps, waiting to answer the same question.

Heid pleads guilty

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Robbinsville – A repeat offender pleaded guilty to several charges in Graham County Superior Court on Friday, receiving a sentence of 9-20 months in prison as a result. Superior Court Judge J.