Robbinsville

Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Junior fullback Isiac Collins (7) decisively denies Thomasville’s Elijah McNeair with a stiff-arm during Friday’s first-round playoff win over the Bulldogs. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

No bones about it

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The box score from Nov. 15, 2024's game between Thomasville and Robbinsville. Robbinsville – It took until the third quarter, but the Black Knights showed a familiar playoff swagger Friday night.
The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

The teams formed for Nov. 14’s inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” flexed their creative muscle, both over a stove and when selecting a name for their ensemble. Pictured are the “Gangster Grinches,” which are comprised of (from left): Alexis Miller, Zeyli Williams, Alyssa Bohn, Dreydon Conley and Bella Coats. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

1, 2, 3, 4: it’s a cupcake war!

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – Nov. 14 marked the inaugural “Smalltown Cupcake Showdown” at Robbinsville High School.  It was a sweet competition between Ms. Lorie Waldroup’s culinary classes and the foods 2 and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Club from Hayesville High School.
Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms (left) shakes hands with departing commissioner Keith Eller on Tuesday. Eller did not seek re-election, which made Tuesday his final meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jacob Nelms (left) shakes hands with departing commissioner Keith Eller on Tuesday. Eller did not seek re-election, which made Tuesday his final meeting. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Remodel back to bid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Robbinsville – In the first two attempts by Graham County to find a contractor willing to made several necessary upgrades to the antiquated detention center, just one bid has been received. The sole bid came in from an unidentified party Oct.

Push for animal officer grows

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 21, 2024
A local animal advocate has launched an online petition, which hopes to bring a full-time animal control officer to Graham County. Brittney Holder owns and operates B’s Pet Grooming out of her home.
Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jenni Junaluska and Cecilia Arrowood lay the ceremonial wreath on Chief Junaluska’s grave to help memorialize the famed Native American on Nov. 13. Jenni is a sixth-generation descendant of the chief. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Wrapped in tradition

Latresa Phillips
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Vice Chief Alan B. Ensley delivers some remarks during Nov. 13’s Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony. Robbinsville – He was an unsung hero in one of the greatest Native American battles in the history of the United States.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Robbinsville Middle School’s Carsan Snider cuts toward the paint during Nov. 4’s season opener against Swain.

Smoky Mountain rain

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sylva – For the first time in recent memory, Robbinsville met Smoky Mountain for middle school basketball action.
Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights Band pose with the hardware collected at Nov. 2’s Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival, which was held at Enka High School. All names are listed from left in each row. Front row: Rosie Orr, Myley Hyde and Sarai Cervantes. Second row: Jaden Boyle, Sharea Kirkman, Melissa Drouin and Emily Boyle. Back row: J.T. Hyde, Evan Hood, Dreydon Conley, Murphy Shanahan and Wade Rogers. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

Members of the Robbinsville Black Knights Band pose with the hardware collected at Nov. 2’s Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival, which was held at Enka High School. All names are listed from left in each row. Front row: Rosie Orr, Myley Hyde and Sarai Cervantes. Second row: Jaden Boyle, Sharea Kirkman, Melissa Drouin and Emily Boyle. Back row: J.T. Hyde, Evan Hood, Dreydon Conley, Murphy Shanahan and Wade Rogers. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville High School Band

Wanted: trophies

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
The success of the Robbinsville Marching Band is well-noted. A journey through the program’s room at the high school reveals a seemingly-limitless collection of trophies, adorning the walls of the massive musical space.
Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Kasen Buchanan (55), John Dominguez (74) and Tytan Teesateskie (72) crunch Swain County’s Zeke Glaspie for a loss in the first half of Friday’s shutout over the Maroon Devils. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Devils advocates

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
The box score from Nov. 8, 2024's game between Robbinsville and Swain County. Bryson City – Mixed into last year’s run was two different home games against a Smoky Mountain Conference foe: the Swain County Maroon Devils.
This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

This dilapidated motel near the southern outskirts of Robbinsville has received a grant for renovation into a boutique. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

‘Graham Motel’ set to receive facelift

Kevin Hensley
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – The intersection of Five Points Road and U.S. 129 North will soon have a fresh coat of paint. An Oct. 17 announced from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority revealed that 22 grant requests had been approved, statewide.
Amanda Gyongyos and Jim Huffman (front row), plus David Crowe and Sharon Crowe (back) stand to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday’s Robbinsville High School Veterans’ Day program. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Amanda Gyongyos and Jim Huffman (front row), plus David Crowe and Sharon Crowe (back) stand to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Friday’s Robbinsville High School Veterans’ Day program. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Students thank veterans

Latresa Phillips
Monday, November 18, 2024
Robbinsville – Football wasn’t the only thing on the minds of students at Robbinsville High School on Friday, as the institution hosted its annual “Salute to Our Veterans” program.