News

The Town of Highlands proposed budget includes $123,000 for bear-resistant garbage toters for commercial trash collection customers.

No tax increase in proposed town budget

Highlands Town Manager Josh Ward presented a proposed budget with no change to the current property tax rate during the town commissioners’ budget work session on Thursday, April 11.

By Ryan Hanchett

Highlands Aerial Park won the 2019 Macon County Up and Coming Business Award during the BizWeek Banquet on April 11. Pictured are EDC Chair Johnny Mira-Knippel, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Richard Sneed, Highlands Aerial Park CEO Kurt Damron, his wife Lisa Damron and Highlands Aerial Park owners Karen and George Powell.

BizWeek award winners

Macon County’s biggest night for business happened on Thursday as the Economic Development Commission rolled out the red carpet for the annual BizWeek Banquet at Bloemsma Barn.

By Ryan Hanchett

Former Highlands resident charged with embezzlement

Following an investigation that took more than four years to complete, a Macon County grand jury indicted a former Highlands resident with embezzling $795,028 from three Highlands businesses.

By Ryan Hanchett

Opinion

Highlands shines during BizWeek

It may not be polite to boast, but the Highlands business community has every reason to be proud following a stellar showing at the annual Macon County BizWeek Banquet in Franklin on April 11.

Mayor on Duty

Saturday is the annual Highlands Plateau Pickup. Volunteers will be picking up litter on the Gorge Road, NC 28 and NC 106 and US 64 between Highlands and Cashiers.

Mayor on Duty

Last Friday Mayor Bob Scott of Franklin, Mayor Lynda Sossamon of Sylva and I carpooled to Black Mountain for a regional mayors roundtable.  The event was sponsored by the North Carolina League of M

Sports

Highlands’ Drew Chalker watches as his chip rolls into the cup at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on April 4.

Highlands golf team earns another first-place finish

The Highlands boys golf team is coming together at the right time.

Highlands’ Madi Drummonds (9) battles for a ball with a Franklin player during their soccer match on Monday.

Highlanders fall at Franklin

The combination of inclement weather and an inexperienced roster is far from an ideal blend. But that’s the hand Highlands’ soccer team has been dealt as the first day of spring arrives.

Head coach Brett Lamb gives instructions to his team during a fourth quarter timeout against Pine Lake Prep on Thursday.

Pine Lake knocks off Highlands 73-63 to end playoff run

The basketball season came to an end on Thursday night at Highlands as the boys lost a 73-63 decision to Pine Lake Prep in the second round of the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state play

Obituaries

Douglas Stacey Keener

Douglas Stacey Keener, 70, of Franklin, NC, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019. He was the son of Virgie Leo Keener of Highlands, NC and the late Henry Brownlow Keener. Mr.

Marguerite Lea Pierce Hooper

Marguerite Lea Pierce Hooper, 96, passed away Friday, March 29, 2019. Mrs. Hooper was born August 11, 1922 in Kingsport, Tenn. to the late William Pierce and Ida Mae Peevler Pierce.

Charles Dexter Jordan Jr.

Charles Dexter Jordan, Jr., age 79, of Columbus, GA died Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Piedmont Midtown Medical Center, Columbus, GA.  A memorial service was held Monday, April 1, 2019 at 3 pm, First P

The Highlander

Phone: 1-828-526-4114 
Main Fax: 1-828-526-3658 

Address: PO Box 249, Highlands, NC 28741
Located: 134 N. Fifth Street, Highlands, NC 28741 
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5pm