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Workers finish extracting a 2016 Toyota Highlander that plunged into Lake Santeetlah on Jan. 19, 2023. Freddy Romero, 23, perished in the accident. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

Workers finish extracting a 2016 Toyota Highlander that plunged into Lake Santeetlah on Jan. 19, 2023. Freddy Romero, 23, perished in the accident. Photo by Randy Foster/Community Newspapers, Inc.

Top 10 of 2023: the Year in Review

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
It was another year chocked full of news around Graham County. Though it would be impossible to recap every newsworthy event of 2023, The Graham Star looks back at 10 of the most significant moments.

Need for speed

Ruby Annas
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Zito Media Internet speeds are not living up to what Graham County citizens paid for. “I am confident in the design of the network and that it is providing the speed advertised,” said Zito Media president Jim Rigas. “If there are any ongoing issues, we want to investigate and resolve them.
Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away in Robbinsville. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Authorities found Carley Walls’ vehicle burning on Tatham Gap Road roughly 12 hours before her body was discovered some 15 miles away in Robbinsville. Photo courtesy of Graham County Sheriff's Office

Autopsy shifts case to homicide

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Robbinsville – Almost 11 months after a local woman was found deceased, autopsy findings have finally be unveiled. Blunt-force trauma, methamphetamine toxicity and environmental hypothermia were cited as the causes of Carley Dunn Walls’ death on Feb. 5, 2023.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights beam with pride after winning their third consecutive Smoky Mountain Conference title Dec. 21. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights beam with pride after winning their third consecutive Smoky Mountain Conference title Dec. 21. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Middle school Knights seize conference title

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Bryson City – There’s no need for adjustment: the system is working just fine. While their varsity counterparts are busy with success, Robbinsville Middle School’s Black Knights have pieced together a run of three-straight Smoky Mountain Conference titles.
Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Forward Bryce Adams fights through the interior defense of Smoky Mountain’s Cameron Fowler (5) and Ace Pregner (14) on Dec. 27. Although the junior’s efforts in the game resulted in a double-double, the Black Knights suffered their first loss of the year. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Unplanned re-run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Kenyon Swimmer unloads a jumper during Robbinsville’s win over Veritas Christian Academy on Dec. 28. Sylva – The Black Knights were adamant about what they hoped to accomplish in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational: win and win out.
The Black Knights gather around the inaugural “Mill vs. The ‘Ville” trophy, which was brought back to Robbinsville on Dec. 28 in the wake of a huge dual victory at Pisgah. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Black Knights gather around the inaugural “Mill vs. The ‘Ville” trophy, which was brought back to Robbinsville on Dec. 28 in the wake of a huge dual victory at Pisgah. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Long Black (Knight) Train

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Canton – Duals seem to go one of two ways: either it’s clear from the outset who’s in control, or the competition is so fierce that it turns into a race to the finish. The Dec.
Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Suri Watty was lights out from beyond the arc in Dec. 27’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational opener, posting six in Robbinsville’s victory over the Lady Mustangs. Photos by Fala Welch/The Graham Star

Back on track

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Junior guard Claire Barlow works out of the corner and around the defense of Brevard’s Ella Scott on Dec. 29. Barlow finished with a team-best 19 points in the Christmas tournament finale.

Christmas Eve fire burns 1 acre

Marshall McClung
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Atoah – Holidays are often a busy time for emergency personnel – including firefighters. This was the case on Christmas Eve, when a brush fire was reported on Atoah Road around 2 p.m.

More digging unveils more town errors

Ruby Annas
Thursday, January 4, 2024
* Conclusion of a 2-part report Raleigh – The Graham Star’s second part of an examination on the recently-released North Carolina Office of the State Auditor’s 2023 investigation report of the Town of Robbinsville includes comments from local officials about the non-issued W-2 corrected statements...