Local

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.
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce did not have a single member business close its doors due to COVID-19 in 2020

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce did not have a single member business close its doors due to COVID-19 in 2020

Highlands businesses weathered pandemic

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Many communities may have seen bleak economic times in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as Highlands Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaye McHan pointed out on Thursday night, Highlands was not one of them.
Highlands Jeffrey Olvera (5) drives around a screen from Gig Chalker (42) during the first quarter of their game against Hiwassee Dam on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Highlands Jeffrey Olvera (5) drives around a screen from Gig Chalker (42) during the first quarter of their game against Hiwassee Dam on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Highlanders split pair with Hiwassee Dam

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Highlands kept its winning ways rolling in a 46-24 win over Little Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rival Hiwassee Dam on Wednesday, Jan. 13. The Highlanders improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in league play. Next up on the schedule is a Friday night trip to Nantahala.
Pictured with the most recent Little Free Library installation are Andy Chmar, Hudson Library of Highlands board president, Helene Siegel, Hudson Library trustee, Ricky Siegel, Little Free Library steward, Jenni Edwards, marketing manager for The Literacy and Learning Center and Bonnie Potts, executive director of The Literacy and Learning Center.

Pictured with the most recent Little Free Library installation are Andy Chmar, Hudson Library of Highlands board president, Helene Siegel, Hudson Library trustee, Ricky Siegel, Little Free Library steward, Jenni Edwards, marketing manager for The Literacy and Learning Center and Bonnie Potts, executive director of The Literacy and Learning Center.

Little Free Libraries offer books to all at three new locations

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
The joy of reading appeals to literary enthusiasts young and old. Finding the perfect reading material in Highlands got a little bit easier this month when the Hudson Library board unveiled three new Little Free Libraries.
Macon County moved into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Wednesday.

Macon County moved into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Wednesday.

Macon County moves into Phase 1B of vaccination program

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
As Macon County hit a record number of active COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive week, some good news did emerge regarding the availability of coronavirus vaccinations. Macon County Public Health officially moved into Phase 1B of its vaccination program on Wednesday.