Robbinsville

Paul Longbrake

Paul Longbrake, 83 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Valley View Rehabilitation and Care Center in Andrews, N.C. Paul was a loving and devoted husband to the late Anne Prator Longbrake.
Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Collins named Division II Male Athlete of the Year

Asheville – Select members of the Robbinsville athletic program left Sunday’s Mountain Athletic Amateur Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet with some extra hardware.
Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights undergo early test

Robbinsville – In their first outing of the season, the Robbinsville Lady Knights were pushed to their limit. And yet, they prevailed. It took five sets, but Robbinsville (1-0) bested the 3A Franklin Lady Panthers (0-1) to the tune of 14-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-16, 10-15 on Monday night.

Jeremiah Williams

Jeremiah Williams, 36 of the Farley Branch Community of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He was a native of Graham County and the son of the late Oliver Joe and Connie Farley Williams.

Richard Dale Eller

Richard Dale Eller, Sr., 64 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. A native of Graham County, he was the son of the late David Hugh and Irene Sawyer Eller.
Taylor Hicks – who won Season 5 of “American Idol” will perform at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium in  Robbinsville on May 7, 2022.

Taylor Hicks – who won Season 5 of “American Idol” will perform at Modeal Walsh Memorial Stadium in Robbinsville on May 7, 2022.

“American Idol” winner coming to Graham County

Robbinsville – It was announced last week that an “American Idol” winner will be performing locally next year.  Taylor Hicks won Season 5 of the vastly-popular talent show, launching his career as a famous musician.
The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eye return to prominence

Robbinsville – Coming off a Smoky Mountain Conference title and the program’s first Elite 8 appearance since the 1980s, the Lady Knights understandably entered the 2020 season with a lot of swagger.

Douglas McArthur Day

Douglas McArthur Day, 76 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late William and Ora Mae Morgan Day.

John Thomas Rogers

John Thomas Rogers, 96 of the Pinhook Community in Robbinsville, N.C., passed away early Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation. A native of Graham County, he was the son of the late J. Arthur and Mary Holloway Rogers, and the youngest of nine children.