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Dr. David Booth (center) officially cuts the ribbon outside the re-opened urgent-care facility in Robbinsville on Feb. 16. With Booth are (from left) Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms, nurse Dedie Barker, commissioner Connie Orr, receptionist Brianna Elkins, interim county health director and nurse practitioner Meggan Smith, urgent-care advocate Juanita Colvard, commissioner Natasha Williams and interim county manager Kim Crisp. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘It’s a win-win’

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 24, 2023

Robbinsville – With a quick snip, Graham County Urgent Care was deemed officially ready to receive patients. County dignitaries joined staff at the front entrance to the former location of Smoky Mountain Urgent Care (21 S. Main St., Robbinsville) on Feb.

Brock Adams prepares to shoot a foul shot during Feb. 16's Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights maintain home-court advantage

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Robbinsville -- The "Heart Attack Knights" were up to their old tricks Thursday night. A 14-point lead in the fourth quarter slipped away from Robbinsville (No. 6, 23-5) in the second round of the 1A state playoffs and Swain County (No.

Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips pulls away on a fast break during overtime of Feb. 16's Smoky Mountain Conference finals against Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hit the road for playoffs

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Albemarle -- Playing the role of underdog Thursday, the Robbinsville Lady Knights went on the road for the second round of the playoffs. And for the second time in three seasons, Robbinsville (No. 13, 19-8) knocked off a higher-seeded team.

Sophomore small forward Liz Carpenter had 17 points for Robbinsville in the Lady Knights' tournament-semifinal win over Murphy on Tuesday. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights’ forwards make life hectic

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 17, 2023

Anna Williams eyes a breakaway basket during the closing seconds of Tuesday’s lopsided JV tournament win over Hayesville. Andrews – Admittedly, it took Robbinsville’s inside game over half the season to become confident.

Robbinsville juniors Xander Wachacha (left) and Donovan Carpenter erupt in celebration after Wachacha drew the and-one after completing a transition basket Monday. Wachacha and Carpenter accounted for 30 of the Black Knights’ 47 points in the Smoky Mountain Conference semifinals against Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights’ next goal is one win away

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 17, 2023

Logan Callaway shoots a free throw during the second half of Robbinsville’s tournament exit against Murphy. Callaway’s presence off the bench gave the Knights a huge shot in the arm. Andrews – It was a nail biter, but the Black Knights got the job done.

The Robbinsville Black Knights take a moment to soak in their 1A Western Regional Championship victory, after prevailing over the rest of the field at Mitchell High School last weekend.

Best in the West

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 17, 2023

Nothing could erase the smile off Robbinsville head coach David Haney's face, after the Black Knights captured the 1A Western Championship on Saturday. It was the storied coach's first-ever regional title.

Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler leapt to a pair of 1A indoor-track state titles Saturday, collecting gold in both the long and triple jumps. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

By leaps and bounds

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 17, 2023

Winston-Salem – In the last 15 months, Zoie Shuler has won five individual state championships. Titles eluded her freshman season, but Shuler finally broke through the barrier with an indoor, long-jump crown attained in February 2022 and a pair of outdoor titles (long and triple jump) in May 2022.

Graham County Schools releases 2023-24 calendar

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 17, 2023

Robbinsville – Students reporting to Graham County Schools for the 2023-24 year will enjoy 171 days of instruction. The board of education discussed the upcoming calendar at its Feb. 7 meeting, with Superintendent Angie Knight noting that public input was welcomed – but very little was received.

Updated fees coming to Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Lake Santeetlah – It might not be the most popular decision, but sometimes adding more fees to a utility can help recoup lost costs. As part of a cordial and productive Town of Lake Santeetlah council meeting Feb.

Debra “Hank” Dinschel was once an outspoken critic of the Graham County Board of Education, but won a seat on the council in November, following a narrow run-off. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘God is protecting me’

Randy Foster

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Robbinsville – Hank Dinschel has been a thorn in the side of the Graham County Board of Education for several years, so it probably should have surprised nobody that she would run for a seat on the board.