News

Council split on leave request

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – It was the first time the council had officially met since November. And if the Feb. 2 special called meeting of the Lake Santeetlah Town Council proved anything, it was that even the lengthy layoff could not conjure harmony between members.
Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

Robert “Bob” Parette Colvin left an indelible mark on the Robbinsville football program, leading the Black Knights to nearly 80 percent of their 1A state championships. The beloved coach passed away Jan. 25.

'A very special man’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
This iconic photo of Bob Colvin celebrating with the 1969 1A state championship trophy – the first in Robbinsville history – was selected as the cover of The Graham Star’s 2017 publication, Title Town.
Desta Trammell unloads one of her 8 long-range shots Monday at Hiwassee Dam. In as many weeks, Robbinsville’s senior point guard has twice broken the 40-point threshold. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Desta Trammell unloads one of her 8 long-range shots Monday at Hiwassee Dam. In as many weeks, Robbinsville’s senior point guard has twice broken the 40-point threshold. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

44 for No. 4

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Hiwassee Dam – At the end of the first half Monday, Desta Trammell had 21 of Robbinsville’s 33 points. The Lady Knights went on to prevail in a 74-65 road battle against the Hiwassee Dam Lady Eagles – with Trammell accounting for the lion’s share of the load: 44 points.
Senior Caleb Draper (1) slides past Hiwassee Dam’s Kyle Taylor during Monday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Senior Caleb Draper (1) slides past Hiwassee Dam’s Kyle Taylor during Monday’s road game. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Target: acquired

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Showing complete disregard for the defense of Hiwassee Dam’s Leo Dickson, Robbinsville’s Brock Adams stretches for a second-half push into the net Monday.
Loxston Hooper pins Murphy’s Dalton Farmer to win the 120-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round, dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. The Black Knights went on to steamroll the Bulldogs 81-0, before downing Alleghany 58-15 to advance to the Elite 8. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Loxston Hooper pins Murphy’s Dalton Farmer to win the 120-pound bout of Saturday’s first-round, dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. The Black Knights went on to steamroll the Bulldogs 81-0, before downing Alleghany 58-15 to advance to the Elite 8. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights takedown 2; advance to Elite 8

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – The Bulldogs and Trojans had a tough row to hoe Saturday: the buzzsaw that is “The ‘Ville.
Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Tory Lynnes (left) and Brent Eller faced hazardous weather conditions to rescue a young woman from the Joyce Kilmer Forest last week. Photo courtesy of Kim Hainge

Weather braved to rescue hiker

Marshall McClung
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Santeetlah – Graham County Rescue Squad members Tory Lynnes and Brent Eller faced some extreme weather in the high mountains of Graham County between the late-night hours of Jan. 24-25, to reach a hiker in the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Graham County 911 received a call from a mother around 6:45 p.m.
An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

An unidentified worker looks over the floor of a bathroom that has been closed for remodeling at the Graham County Community Building. A pipe burst around the remodel overnight Friday, causing the county offices to close. As of Tuesday, the offices have not reopened. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Pipe leak floods Graham County offices

Randy Foster
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – A construction error led to a water line break and major flooding Friday at the Graham County Community Building on Knight Street, forcing county offices to close temporarily.
For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

For the second time in a 7-week span, a threat from the student body at Robbinsville High School forced Graham County Schools to alter its schedule. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Online threat delays school day

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Robbinsville – It is becoming a disturbing trend across the country: threats made either by phone or online that endanger local school systems. Sadly, the Graham County School district has recently found susceptible to the issue – twice, in a 7-week span.
Black Knights senior Turner Jackson stares down Alleghany's Isaac Stokes at the outset of Jan. 28's, second-round state dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Turner Jackson stares down Alleghany's Isaac Stokes at the outset of Jan. 28's, second-round state dual-team tournament match in Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights continue quest for state dual title

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Bryson City – Robbinsville's pursuit of the program's second dual-team state wrestling championship came to a heartbreaking conclusion Wednesday at Swain County High School. Entering the postseason with the No. 1 seed, Robbinsville (29-4) faced a fired-up Swain County (No.
The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered on the court with their runner-up plaque after the conference-tournament finale Jan. 19 at Murphy.

The Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights gathered on the court with their runner-up plaque after the conference-tournament finale Jan. 19 at Murphy.

Middle school Knights drop tournament finals to Braves

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Murphy – The Black Knights pushed their season to its latest possible game: the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals. But Robbinsville’s dance partner in the Jan. 19 title showdown was Cherokee, a team that had its number during the regular season.