Regional

Robbinsville wins first conference title since 2015

Murphy – In a high-stakes situation, Robbinsville hit the jackpot. The Black Knights (11-0) rallied from a halftime deficit Friday night at Murphy (9-2) to stun the Bulldogs 17-14, clinching the program's first Smoky Mountain Conference title since 2015.
Gov. Roy Cooper signs a package of reforms to North Carolina sexual assault laws Thursday afternoon, during a visit to a domestic violence shelter in Greensboro, as supporters of the legislation look on. Photo by Kate Martin/Carolina Public Press

Gov. Roy Cooper signs a package of reforms to North Carolina sexual assault laws Thursday afternoon, during a visit to a domestic violence shelter in Greensboro, as supporters of the legislation look on. Photo by Kate Martin/Carolina Public Press

Governor signs sexual assault reforms into law

By Kate Martin Carolina Public Press Greensboro — Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation Thursday that reforms North Carolina’s sexual assault laws, extends the statute of limitations for civil suits against perpetrators of child abuse and includes a number of other safety protections for children.

Gillespie to run for N.C. House

By Jake Browning The Franklin Press Franklin – Macon County commissioner Karl Gillespie will officially announce his bid for the N.C. House of Representatives District 120 seat at Macon County GOP headquarters on Saturday. Gillespie, a Republican, will seek to fill the seat being vacated by Rep.

Treasurer says governor should manage transportation department

By Julie Havlak Carolina Journal News Service Raleigh — The N.C. Department of Transportation shouldn’t manage its own finances, N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell says. The transportation department overspent by about $2 billion, and Folwell is calling for a shakeup in department management.
Robbinsville sophomore Kennedy Cable leaps for a kill attempt during the Lady Knights’ third-round victory over Murphy on Oct. 31. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville sophomore Kennedy Cable leaps for a kill attempt during the Lady Knights’ third-round victory over Murphy on Oct. 31. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights ousted in 4th round

Robbinsville – There’s never a good time to have a bad night.

Cross-country season ends at regionals

Newton – Robbinsville’s cross-country team capped off another successful season during the 1A Western Regional meet Saturday at Southside Park. Sophomore Aynsley Fink was the top finisher for Robbinsville, as her time of 21:58.34 was good for 16th overall in the girls race.
The Robbinsville PeeWees were all smiles after winning the Cracker Bowl championship Saturday in Franklin. Photo by Jenny Millsaps/Contributing Photographer

The Robbinsville PeeWees were all smiles after winning the Cracker Bowl championship Saturday in Franklin. Photo by Jenny Millsaps/Contributing Photographer

Cracker Bowl Champs!

Franklin – It was a nailbiter, but Robbinsville got the job done.
Trees surrounding Lake Santeetlah display some late-blooming fall colors. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Trees surrounding Lake Santeetlah display some late-blooming fall colors. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Fall color comes late

As any resident of western North Carolina is aware, fall color has come late to the mountains this year.  The combination of record-setting high temperatures in September – along with the drought that followed – both slowed and muted the changing of the leaves.