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Conner Hyde (22) scored the lone Robbinsville Mites touchdown in Saturday’s semifinal game against Franklin. Though all four Black Knights teams qualified for the postseason, the Mites are the only Robbinsville team advancing to the Cracker Bowl. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Conner Hyde (22) scored the lone Robbinsville Mites touchdown in Saturday’s semifinal game against Franklin. Though all four Black Knights teams qualified for the postseason, the Mites are the only Robbinsville team advancing to the Cracker Bowl. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Mighty Mites heading to the ‘ship

Sylva – A monopoly on Cracker Bowl crowns is at stake this weekend. Oh and there’s that little variable called “bragging rights” to consider, as well.
Sophomore Abby Wehr ultimately was Robbinsville’s top finisher at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional cross-country meet, placing 40th in the girls race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore Abby Wehr ultimately was Robbinsville’s top finisher at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional cross-country meet, placing 40th in the girls race. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Crossing the finish line

Bryson City – The 2023 Robbinsville cross-country season will forever be looked back on as the year the reset button was pushed.

Students safe after bus accident

Robbinsville – Graham County Schools’ Bus 16 was involved in an accident Oct. 26, near the Black Knight Way/Rodney Orr Bypass (U.S. 129) intersection. A farm tractor pulling a house trailer was left-of-center while the bus was stopped and about to turn into the high school.
Knowing the outcome of the play was fully in the bag, Robbinsville senior Cuttler Adams reaches back for a high five from Tanner Hedden during his 102-yard interception return for the game-winning touchdown in the late stages of Friday’s win over Swain County. The victory solidified the Black Knights’ 27th divisional title. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Knowing the outcome of the play was fully in the bag, Robbinsville senior Cuttler Adams reaches back for a high five from Tanner Hedden during his 102-yard interception return for the game-winning touchdown in the late stages of Friday’s win over Swain County. The victory solidified the Black Knights’ 27th divisional title. Photos by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

How the SMC was won

The box score from Oct. 27, 2023's Smoky Mountain Conference title game between Swain County and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – Friday’s divisional title game was everything it was built up to be – and then some.

Lail case moved to March

Robbinsville – A new admin session has been scheduled for the second person charged with “death by distribution” in the history of the county. Zada Louise Lail – 54, of Robbinsville – is due back for the session March 1, 2024.
It did not take long for Bob Colvin Field to become heavily occupied Friday night, moments after the Robbinsville Black Knights secured their 27th Smoky Mountain Conference title by defeating Swain County under the Big Oaks. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

It did not take long for Bob Colvin Field to become heavily occupied Friday night, moments after the Robbinsville Black Knights secured their 27th Smoky Mountain Conference title by defeating Swain County under the Big Oaks. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Whatizit? It’s Robbinsville, again

Robbinsville – Friday’s divisional title game was everything it was built up to be – and then some. Two programs with a decades-old rivalry – Robbinsville and Swain County – spent 48 minutes in combat on Bob Colvin Field, vying for the premier bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference.

Early exit

Bryson City – At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple fact: Swain County had Robbinsville’s number this year. Despite the Lady Knights and Lady Devils already playing each other three times in 2023 – including the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Oct. 17 – the N.C.
Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights senior Chase Calhoun leaves Hayesville’s Isaac Chandler lying in his wake Friday, while attempting to navigate through the Jackets defense. Calhoun later reeled in a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of Robbinsville’s 26-20 triumph. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Enduring a sting

The box score from Friday's game. Robbinsville – It wasn’t pretty, but the Black Knights avoided the need for a EpiPen to prevail over Hayesville on Friday, 26-20.
Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses specializing in recognizing individuals who are Driving While Impaired. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses specializing in recognizing individuals who are Driving While Impaired. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Officer receives DWI Task Force training award

Robbinsville – Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses pertaining to Driving While Impaired Task Force training. Stewart completed three courses that took about 72 hours. He has been on patrol for the county sheriff’s office for two years.

South Carolina man injured on Appalachian Trail

Nantahala – The Graham County 911 Center received a call reporting an injured hiker on the Appalachian Trail shortly after 8 a.m., Oct. 1. John Cloran – 70, of Converse, S.C. – had left Stecoah Gap around 9 a.m., Sept. 30, en route to the Nantahala Outdoor Center with three other hikers.