News

Structural issues has given Robbinsville First Baptist Church reason to remove “The Hut” from the property. However, the announcement drew a bevy of criticism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Structural issues has given Robbinsville First Baptist Church reason to remove “The Hut” from the property. However, the announcement drew a bevy of criticism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

First Baptist Church seeks to remove ‘The Hut’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 17, 2023
* Elders explain decision in public letter, page 4 Robbinsville – While the renovations at Big Oaks Stadium this summer led to a spirited debate about where priorities should lie, another location not a ½-mile away has been subjected to the same division.
The 2023 Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team is comprised of (from left): assistant coach Kensley Phillips, Ryn Hooper, Liz Carpenter, Claire Barlow, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Tia Hall, Anna Williams, Olivia Lewis, Suri Watty and head coach Kadey Phillips. Not pictured is assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2023 Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team is comprised of (from left): assistant coach Kensley Phillips, Ryn Hooper, Liz Carpenter, Claire Barlow, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Tia Hall, Anna Williams, Olivia Lewis, Suri Watty and head coach Kadey Phillips. Not pictured is assistant coach Dede Brooms. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights embark on conference-title defense

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 10, 2023
* Robbinsville volleyball season preview Robbinsville – For just the second time in program history, the Lady Knights ended a season atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings.
Though it may appear from this photo that plenty of food is in stock for free distribution at the Five Points Center, there can never be enough for those in need. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Though it may appear from this photo that plenty of food is in stock for free distribution at the Five Points Center, there can never be enough for those in need. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Help is a one-stop shop

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, August 10, 2023
West Fort Hill – Life in a small town is – to many of us – a blessing. But at times, it can be a challenge financially, physically and emotionally. Some of us are blessed with family, neighbors and our local church, or maybe all three.

Beasley resigns as tourism director, chair

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Robbinsville – Citing what she felt was a lack of support from the board of aldermen, Debbie Beasley tendered her resignation from the Robbinsville Tourism Authority during Aug. 2’s town meeting. Beasley was serving the tourism board in a dual capacity: as both the chair and interim director.
Completion of the new agricultural barn at Robbinsville High School will be undertaken by students once the fall 2023 semester gets underway. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Completion of the new agricultural barn at Robbinsville High School will be undertaken by students once the fall 2023 semester gets underway. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Moooove over; there’s a new building in town

Latresa Phillips
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Fall 2023 promises to be an exciting new school year at Robbinsville High School.
Blue lights pierced the nighttime sky late Friday, as members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office executed a pair of search warrants in Robbinsville. All told, seven individuals were arrested from two different homes off Ford Street. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Blue lights pierced the nighttime sky late Friday, as members of the Graham County Sheriff’s Office executed a pair of search warrants in Robbinsville. All told, seven individuals were arrested from two different homes off Ford Street. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Under a cover of darkness

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
* Editor’s note: Last week, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office invited The Graham Star on a pair of missions: one staged, one very real. This is a firsthand account.
A group stands in-between two of the three massive generators that power Fontana Dam’s efforts Friday. The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded a limited number of the public and media access to the facility for the first time since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A group stands in-between two of the three massive generators that power Fontana Dam’s efforts Friday. The Tennessee Valley Authority awarded a limited number of the public and media access to the facility for the first time since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Open the dam gates!

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Fontana Dam – As the chosen few clamored inside the visitors entrance to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s greatest architectural achievement Friday, a then-unidentified man stepped forward with a tool most today would not recognize, cupped in his right hand. “Anybody know what this is?
The Graham County Board of Elections met for the first time since its unanimous reappointment Monday. From left are Teresa Eller, secretary; Lowell Crisp, member; Billy Ditmore, member; Juanita Colvard, chair; and Keith Rogers, vice chair. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

The Graham County Board of Elections met for the first time since its unanimous reappointment Monday. From left are Teresa Eller, secretary; Lowell Crisp, member; Billy Ditmore, member; Juanita Colvard, chair; and Keith Rogers, vice chair. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Municipal races cemented

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – It has been a very productive stretch recently for the Graham County Board of Elections. Finally cozy in its offices at the Graham County Community Building (196 Knight St.
Led by the assurance of fellow classmate Kage Williams (33), Cuttler Adams takes off in the open during the first round of the state playoffs Nov. 3 against Cherryville. Adams has barely pumped the brakes this summer – and the fruits of his labor are already showing. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Led by the assurance of fellow classmate Kage Williams (33), Cuttler Adams takes off in the open during the first round of the state playoffs Nov. 3 against Cherryville. Adams has barely pumped the brakes this summer – and the fruits of his labor are already showing. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cut to the chase

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – For now, Cuttler Adams is back within the friendly borders of home. For now.
Stacy Carpenter is the successor to Becky Garland as the Graham County Finance Officer. Carpenter even describes her first 90 days in the role with a Garland-ism: “You’re drinking from a fire hose.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Stacy Carpenter is the successor to Becky Garland as the Graham County Finance Officer. Carpenter even describes her first 90 days in the role with a Garland-ism: “You’re drinking from a fire hose.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s about the people’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Robbinsville – Becky Garland’s successor has dove in with both feet, accepting the role of Graham County Finance Officer just as budget season kicked off.