Local

Newly-elected commissioner Bill Grubb is sworn in by Town Clerk Gibby Shaheen during the April 9 budget workshop.

Newly-elected commissioner Bill Grubb is sworn in by Town Clerk Gibby Shaheen during the April 9 budget workshop.

Grubb sworn in, fire tax increase approved

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners approved a fire tax increase and reached a consensus on several requests and proposals during its first budget workshop of the month on April 9.
“Realism Succumbing to Abstraction, or Is It the Other Way Around?” by photography resident Dean Kessmann opens this Saturday.

“Realism Succumbing to Abstraction, or Is It the Other Way Around?” by photography resident Dean Kessmann opens this Saturday.

Real or abstract?

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts will open a new exhibition by photography resident Dean Kessmann on Saturday, April 18, in the Joel Gallery. A free public artist talk is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Terra String Quartet will be featured in the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s 2026 Spring Residency. | Photo courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

The Terra String Quartet will be featured in the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival’s 2026 Spring Residency. | Photo courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

Strings Echo on the Plateau

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
For more than four decades, the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival has transformed a small mountain community into a place where world-class musicians regularly arrive, unpack their instruments and perform as if Carnegie Hall were just down the road.
From left: Caitlyn Muniz, Lota Womack, Andrea Hamilton, Susan Sapienza and Heather Dalton enjoy food, drinks and live music at Happ’s Place during the 2025 Cashiers Burger Week Wrap Up Party. | Photo by Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce

From left: Caitlyn Muniz, Lota Womack, Andrea Hamilton, Susan Sapienza and Heather Dalton enjoy food, drinks and live music at Happ’s Place during the 2025 Cashiers Burger Week Wrap Up Party. | Photo by Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce

GET YOUR BURGER ON

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Cashiers Burger Week, “The Extended Cut”, has expanded to two weeks and 13 restaurants this year, growing from a one-week event that previously featured 10. The event, scheduled for April 24 through May 9, was created to support local businesses and the economy during the spring shoulder season.
Chief Ryan Gearhart introduces the proposed fire tax to town commissioners, current and retired firefighters, and other residents at Highlands Community Building.

Chief Ryan Gearhart introduces the proposed fire tax to town commissioners, current and retired firefighters, and other residents at Highlands Community Building.

Chief Gearhart presents proposed fire tax increase at info session

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Highlands Fire and Rescue’s Chief Ryan Gearhart presented a proposed fire tax increase for the Highlands Fire district at a public information session on Tuesday, March 31.  The fire department’s current budget is $1,915,500, and the current fire tax rate, which generates $1,155,073 at 99.
Commissioner Josh Young, superintendent Josh Lynch and MCS finance officer Laney Ledford speak after a liaison meeting. | Photo courtesy of Shelby Powell/The Franklin Press

Commissioner Josh Young, superintendent Josh Lynch and MCS finance officer Laney Ledford speak after a liaison meeting. | Photo courtesy of Shelby Powell/The Franklin Press

Plans restarting for Highlands soccer field

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Though sidelined in the last budget cycle, the Highlands soccer field project is gaining renewed attention as Macon County school board members and commissioners discussed the project in a liaison meeting on April 7.
Anglers fish for trout along the riverbank of a hatchery-supported stream in Western North Carolina. | Photo by C2 Photography/VisitNC.com

Anglers fish for trout along the riverbank of a hatchery-supported stream in Western North Carolina. | Photo by C2 Photography/VisitNC.com

Angling for a Good Time

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Following a month-long closure, hatchery-supported trout waters reopened across Western North Carolina at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, drawing anglers back to locations like the Nantahala River in Macon County and Greens Creek and Savannah Creek in Jackson County.
Mick Mayer poses with a full dumpster following the conclusion of the 2025 Plateau Pickup. | Photo courtesy of Highlands Chamber

Mick Mayer poses with a full dumpster following the conclusion of the 2025 Plateau Pickup. | Photo courtesy of Highlands Chamber

KEEPING THE PLATEAU CLEAN

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
As the Plateau population continues to grow, so does the amount of litter across the region. The Highlands Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Plateau Pickup on Saturday, April 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to combat this issue.