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Smiles broke out all around Nov. 8, moments after Lady Knights senior Zoie Shuler signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Tennessee. Shuler was surrounded by her father Michael (seated, left) and mother Kylie. Standing in back are her siblings: Trace, Taylor (holding Zoie’s niece Ayla) and Jeb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Smiles broke out all around Nov. 8, moments after Lady Knights senior Zoie Shuler signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Tennessee. Shuler was surrounded by her father Michael (seated, left) and mother Kylie. Standing in back are her siblings: Trace, Taylor (holding Zoie’s niece Ayla) and Jeb. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Rocky Top bound

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 16, 2023
University of Tennessee-signee Zoie Shuler began  seeing the positive impact she could have on the next generation of softball stars during her junior season. When she signed with the Vols on Nov.

Dooleys plead guilty

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Robbinsville – Shanda and Todd Dooley pled guilty Nov. 6 to their respective crimes stemming from the July 25, 2020 fight on a one-lane road. The Dooleys were sentenced to unsupervised probation for 12 months; and ordered to pay court costs.
A sign outside a residence on Atoah Street has renewed interest in a dog-barking controversy between a pair of adjacent properties, which has spanned almost two years.

A sign outside a residence on Atoah Street has renewed interest in a dog-barking controversy between a pair of adjacent properties, which has spanned almost two years.

New sign, new layer: old dispute

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Robbinsville – A neighborhood feud originating with a barking dog has resurfaced – with the sounds of honking car horns. On Oct. 25, a sign was created from a pallet and black-and-white paint at the Eddings’ residence on Atoah Street.
Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Cecilia Arrowwood (left) and Jenni Junaluska place the ceremonial wreath on Junaluska’s grave Friday. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

‘Very brave, not afraid’

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 16, 2023
A new marker was unveiled at Friday’s annual Junaluksa Wreath Laying Ceremony in Robbinsville, recognizing the famed chief for his service in the United States military. Robbinsville – He is considered by many the unsung hero of the greatest Native American battle in United States history.
Members of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8635 and American Legion Post No. 192 begin the retiring of colors to wrap up Nov. 10’s Veterans Day recognition at Robbinsville High School. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Members of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8635 and American Legion Post No. 192 begin the retiring of colors to wrap up Nov. 10’s Veterans Day recognition at Robbinsville High School. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Paying respect

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School and Robbinsville Middle School presented a Veteran’s Day Program on Nov. 9 in the high school gym. A podium was set in the middle of the room in front or the guest veterans.
Quinn Jumper is shown rushing for one of his two touchdowns last week against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Jumper did not find the end zone Thursday against Mountain Island Charter – but his defense kept the Raptors rocked throughout Robbinsville's 40-7 triumph in the second round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School

Quinn Jumper is shown rushing for one of his two touchdowns last week against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Jumper did not find the end zone Thursday against Mountain Island Charter – but his defense kept the Raptors rocked throughout Robbinsville's 40-7 triumph in the second round of the state playoffs. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School

Raptors prey for relief

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – Through the first two games of the postseason, the Black Knights have outscored visitors 95-14. Thursday’s second-round playoff appointment with the Mountain Island Charter Raptors played out much like the round-one showdown with Thomas Jefferson on Nov.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights erupt in celebration of Peyton Brooks’ late-game bucket in Monday’s season opener against Murphy. From left are Peyton Weaver (24), Bam Nelms (11), Landen Eddings, Eli Lambert, Carsan Snider (22) and Xamuel Wachacha (15). Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Welcome to our house

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – There are times words are briskly typed onto a keyboard as a way to gently inform the public how a particular game turned out for either the home team or the visitors.
Cuttler Adams (4) takes the handoff from Robbinsville quarterback Donovan Carpenter during the 2023 playoff opener Friday against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Adams broke both the all-time rushing record for the Black Knights and the Smoky Mountain Conference early in the game. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School

Cuttler Adams (4) takes the handoff from Robbinsville quarterback Donovan Carpenter during the 2023 playoff opener Friday against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Adams broke both the all-time rushing record for the Black Knights and the Smoky Mountain Conference early in the game. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School

Record keeper

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The box score from Friday's game. Robbinsville – When Rylee Anderson hung up his jersey for the final time in 2019, he did it on perhaps the biggest high possible for a running back: fresh off a state title and fully cemented as the school (and Smoky Mountain Conference) all-time rushing leader.
The Robbinsville Mites make it official Saturday, gathering around the 2023 Cracker Bowl Championship trophy to soak up the moment after winning their fourth title in a row. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Mites make it official Saturday, gathering around the 2023 Cracker Bowl Championship trophy to soak up the moment after winning their fourth title in a row. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Making a bowl statement

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The box score from the Mites' 2023 Cracker Bowl championship game. Murphy – Saturday’s Mites championship game proved that the deeply chronicled rivalry between Swain County and Robbinsville shows no signs of slowing down.

Town water-meter cap damages tire, wheel

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – During the Nov. 1 Town of Robbinsville meeting, aldermen voted to resolve damages caused by a water-meter cap, and opened the floor for an update on Graham County Schools’ remodel of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars building. On Oct.