Robbinsville

New finance officer resigns in first week

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Robbinsville – It’s back to the drawing board for the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen to fill the top staff position at Town Hall. Robbinsville Mayor Shaun Adams said Annette Carver – who the board hired to be the town’s finance officer – has already stepped down from the position.
Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Blue Ridge School, the Robbinsville Lady Knights took a moment to recognize head coach Lucas Ford, who recorded his 100th win while guiding the program Jan. 3 at Hayesville. From left are Suri Watty, Anna Williams, Anna York, Desta Trammell, Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Abby Wehr, Ford, Aubrie Wachacha, Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis and Fala Welch. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s home game against Blue Ridge School, the Robbinsville Lady Knights took a moment to recognize head coach Lucas Ford, who recorded his 100th win while guiding the program Jan. 3 at Hayesville. From left are Suri Watty, Anna Williams, Anna York, Desta Trammell, Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Abby Wehr, Ford, Aubrie Wachacha, Liz Carpenter, Olivia Lewis and Fala Welch. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

‘Not too shabby for a football coach’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Robbinsville – A lot of factors have to be in the mix to create the right formula for a coach to record 100 wins.

‘Taco’ resigns as alderman

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Robbinsville – Just a year into his second term, Alderman Brian “Taco” Johnson resigned Monday from the Town of Robbinsville Board of Aldermen, citing personal issues.
Graham County acting manager Kim Crisp, commissioners Natasha Williams, Jacob Nelms, Connie Orr (seated), Lynn Cody and Keith Eller (from left) appear with Dr. David Booth and his wife Cora Booth (right), following contract negotiations Monday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County acting manager Kim Crisp, commissioners Natasha Williams, Jacob Nelms, Connie Orr (seated), Lynn Cody and Keith Eller (from left) appear with Dr. David Booth and his wife Cora Booth (right), following contract negotiations Monday. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Plans for new provider underway

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County commissioners are in final negotiations with a physician to take over urgent-care services, after Bryson City-based Smoky Mountain Urgent Care closes its Robbinsville practice at the end of this month.
Black Knights junior Donovan Carpenter (11) was more than willing to pull away from Brevard’s Baker Buchanan (on the floor), Tre Crite (3) and Jaylen Brown (24) on Dec. 29, after Carpenter escaped with the game-clinching steal at the buzzer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights junior Donovan Carpenter (11) was more than willing to pull away from Brevard’s Baker Buchanan (on the floor), Tre Crite (3) and Jaylen Brown (24) on Dec. 29, after Carpenter escaped with the game-clinching steal at the buzzer. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Gifting season’s beatings

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Sylva – One of the fun variables with a Christmas tournament is that you often play teams you are unfamiliar with. Both Veritas Christian Academy and Brevard had to learn a lesson many programs in Western North Carolina have already fell victim to: Robbinsville simply does not quit.
Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips (right) drives past Brevard’s Shaniya Cook during Dec. 29’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational appointment with the Lady Devils. The Lady Knights’ shooting guard was all over the floor in the lopsided victory, picking up her first career triple-double in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Kensley Phillips (right) drives past Brevard’s Shaniya Cook during Dec. 29’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational appointment with the Lady Devils. The Lady Knights’ shooting guard was all over the floor in the lopsided victory, picking up her first career triple-double in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Repetition is key

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 5, 2023
  Sylva – It takes a lot of chips falling into place for any basketball player to record a triple-double. For such a polished, versatile athlete like Kensley Phillips, everything clicked from the opening tip of Dec. 29’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Invitational finale for Robbinsville.

Wendell Waldroup

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Wendell Waldroup, 91 of the Eller Branch community of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at his residence. He was a native of Graham County, and the son of the late Posey and Mertie Phillips Waldroup.
John Colwell has served as executive director of REVVED UP since August 2020, but recently announced his intent to step down from the post. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

John Colwell has served as executive director of REVVED UP since August 2020, but recently announced his intent to step down from the post. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

REVVED UP starts year surrounded by questions

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Robbinsville – John Colwell, chairman of the board of REVVED UP, did more than plan the organization’s annual Christmas dinner in December; he was planning his future.
Shari Birchfield is set to retire this month, after spending over 20 years serving residents at Robbinsville Town Hall. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Shari Birchfield is set to retire this month, after spending over 20 years serving residents at Robbinsville Town Hall. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Retirement triggers new generation

Randy Foster
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Robbinsville – Shari Birchfield began the last month of a 20-year career with the Town of Robbinsville by training her two replacements. On Jan. 27, Birchfield will step down as the town’s long-time water clerk – as well as interim finance director, a position she has held since July.
Robbinsville junior Kage Williams picked up his 100th career win on Dec. 29 during the Holy Angels Invitational in Greensboro.

Robbinsville junior Kage Williams picked up his 100th career win on Dec. 29 during the Holy Angels Invitational in Greensboro.

182-pound champion; 100-win resume

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Greensboro – Two days. One hundred and 15 teams. No classifications: it really is every man for himself. So to stand out from the pack, you have to be an elite wrestler. Dominant. Quick thinking. Tough enough to persevere when a challenge does present itself.