Robbinsville

A group of county residents offer feedback at Friday's sanitation budget public hearing. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

A group of county residents offer feedback at Friday's sanitation budget public hearing. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Residents offer up ideas for sanitation grant

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robbinsville – Following the announcement of a $1.4 million sanitation grant that will benefit Graham County, the board of commissioners welcomed input during a public hearing Friday.
Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights begin playoff run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – The Black Knights hosted their first playoff game since moving onto Loudon Orr Memorial Field on Tuesday, fanning the North Stokes Vikings 8-0.In just its second postseason appearance since 2011, Robbinsville (No. 6 seed, 10-9) dominated.
Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights clinch No. 1 seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is only fitting that after such a successful season, the Lady Knights have once again been afforded the No. 1 seed in the 1A Western postseason bracket.
As Connor Hyde (22) looks on, Robbinsville's Kamden Driver (2) looks to turn the second leg of a double play during April 23's JV victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

As Connor Hyde (22) looks on, Robbinsville's Kamden Driver (2) looks to turn the second leg of a double play during April 23's JV victory over Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

JV Knights wrap up season

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Bryson City – The final record might not indicate much success, but the junior varsity Black Knights made great strides during the 2026 season.Perhaps the highlight of the year was downing Smoky Mountain Conference rival Swain County in back-to-back road games.
Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Nathan Frederick (left) and Colton McCoy were named the respective MVPs of track and field events at April 29's Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Black Knights win 1st divisional title since 2011

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Cherokee – The last time Robbinsville's boys track and field program won a conference title, some of the athletes on the roster had yet to be born.

Interim sheriff files for election

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is a move that has drawn mixed reviews since its announcement Monday: interim Graham County Sheriff Russell Moody will be a voting option when the general-election cycle begins later this year.
Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights tame Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Simply put, the Knights had a field day when Copper Basin came to town April 23.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Can't rain on her parade

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Ella Nelms seemingly had this season by the horns.She started 16 games. She won 16 of them. She surrendered two runs (one unearned) and coughed up just 17 hits while logging 81 innings of work inside the circle. Her ERA is an almost-unfathomable 0.