Local

Macon County schools remain in Plan B, but superintendent Chris Baldwin believes a move to Plan A may come soon.

Macon County schools remain in Plan B, but superintendent Chris Baldwin believes a move to Plan A may come soon.

Schools sticking with Plan B until state regulations change

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Macon County Public Schools are bracing for potential changes to the in-person classroom structure following a directive by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper that would mandate all districts statewide open for in-person instruction.
The Bear Shadow music festival is pulling its "Base Camp" from Horse Cove.

The Bear Shadow music festival is pulling its "Base Camp" from Horse Cove.

Bear Shadow changing venues

News Staff
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Following opposition from property owners in Horse Cove, the Bear Shadow Music Festival is once again on the move.
Macon County has reported 26 total COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.

Macon County has reported 26 total COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.

Macon County records four additional COVID-19 deaths

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Macon County Public Health reported two additional deaths related to COVID-19 on Monday and Tuesday respectively. According to MCPH records, the COVID-19 death toll stands at 26 in Macon County.
American Legion Post 370 commander Ed McCloskey and Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor present a declaration designating Feb. 3 as “Four Chaplains Memorial Day” in Highlands.

American Legion Post 370 commander Ed McCloskey and Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor present a declaration designating Feb. 3 as “Four Chaplains Memorial Day” in Highlands.

Four chaplains remembered

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Members of Highlands American Legion Post 370 gathered at the Veteran’s Plaza on Wednesday morning to remember four heroic men who gave their lives to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Mayor Patrick Taylor opened the ceremony by reading a declaration designating Feb.
Information shared in a closed session of the Highlands Board of Commissioners made its way to an unapproved bidder in the town's fiber network project.

Information shared in a closed session of the Highlands Board of Commissioners made its way to an unapproved bidder in the town's fiber network project.

Commissioners closed session info leak causes a stir

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Information from a closed session of the Highlands Board of Commissioners has created a stir after an attorney representing a company that submitted a proposal to become the town’s fiber network administrator issued a letter asking the board of commissioners to throw out the project bids.
Macon County is only receiving 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine each week from NCDHHS.

Macon County is only receiving 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine each week from NCDHHS.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments pushed back

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 4, 2021
While COVID-19 vaccinations have been flowing into Highlands via a community vaccination initiative created by Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, the Macon County Public Health Department and multiple civic organizations, the same can not be said for Macon County as a whole.
The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society identified 56 species of birds in December.

The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society identified 56 species of birds in December.

Audubon Society conducts annual bird count

News Staff
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Highlands Plateau Audubon Society members completed their twenty-fourth annual Christmas Bird Count in the Highlands area on Dec. 18, 2020.   Twenty birders divided into small groups and searched the countryside within a seven-and-a-half-mile radius of Highlands.
Tickets for the Bear Shadow music festival are on sale now.

Tickets for the Bear Shadow music festival are on sale now.

Bear Shadow tickets go on sale

News Staff
Thursday, February 4, 2021
An Earth Day evening with keyboardist Chuck Leavell, whose music has been part of songs by The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and more, has been added as a kickoff to the weekend of the Bear Shadow spring music festival.
Highlands Rec Center served as the host site for the first round of public COVID-19 vaccinations in Highlands on Wednesday. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal and vaccination clinic volunteer Robin Neal greeted the clinic’s first patients.

Highlands Rec Center served as the host site for the first round of public COVID-19 vaccinations in Highlands on Wednesday. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal and vaccination clinic volunteer Robin Neal greeted the clinic’s first patients.

Vaccine program revamped

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
After experiencing technical issues surrounding the phone system at the Macon County Public Health Department, county leaders pivoted and quickly revamped the COVID-19 vaccination registration process this week. The new system features an online option as well as call-in registration.
The Bear Shadow music festival is scheduled for April 23-25 in Highlands.

The Bear Shadow music festival is scheduled for April 23-25 in Highlands.

Bear Shadow changes venues

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
With social distancing still at the forefront of people’s daily lives, the organizers of the first ever Bear Shadow spring music festival are making changes to ensure the event can happen safely in 2021.