Local

Harris Lake will soon be home to 900 trout as part of a secondary stocking program carried out by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Harris Lake will soon be home to 900 trout as part of a secondary stocking program carried out by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Trout being added to Harris Lake

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Anglers looking to reel in a trout for supper may soon be giving up their familiar spots in area streams for a more urban location. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has agreed to stock 900 trout in Harris Lake in Highlands during the winter months to ease overcrowding in area hatcheries.
Highlands Motoring Festival organizer Steve Mehder did his best to fit a giant $15,000 check for three nonprofits into the mailbox.

Highlands Motoring Festival organizer Steve Mehder did his best to fit a giant $15,000 check for three nonprofits into the mailbox.

Motoring Festival makes donation

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Like so many events in 2020, the Highlands Motoring Festival had to change up its format in order to proceed. Fortunately for the nonprofit organizations that benefit from the four-day event for automotive enthusiasts, the changes didn’t stop the giving.  On Dec.
Face coverings were a requirement during the Highlands School graduation in August. The ceremony was held outside to accommodate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Face coverings were a requirement during the Highlands School graduation in August. The ceremony was held outside to accommodate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back at 2020

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 31, 2020
There has never been a year quite like 2020, and with 2021 fast approaching the time is right to look back at the biggest stories of the past 12 months.
Mission Health has limited visitation at all of its facilities due to COVID-19 rates.

Mission Health has limited visitation at all of its facilities due to COVID-19 rates.

Mission Health limits visitation as COVID-19 numbers soar

News Staff
Thursday, December 31, 2020
To protect patients and staff Mission Health elevated its visitor restrictions to Level 3 at all locations, including Angel Medical Center, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, CareParters, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Mission Hospital McDowell and Transylvania Regional Hospital as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Highlands Cashiers Hospital staff began the COVID-19 vaccination process on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Highlands Cashiers Hospital staff began the COVID-19 vaccination process on Saturday, Dec. 19.

First vaccines roll into HCH

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 24, 2020
With the approval of a second COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, many people are wondering when a dose may be made available to them.
The board of commissioners voted 4-1 to accept a settlement with TRC2 due to an error in the company's bid for services.

The board of commissioners voted 4-1 to accept a settlement with TRC2 due to an error in the company's bid for services.

Accounting error in fiber network contract benefits town

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 24, 2020
The Town of Highlands high-speed broadband network will cost slightly less than previously expected thanks to an accounting error by subcontractor TRC2.
The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation will sponsor COVID-19 testing on two dates in January.

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation will sponsor COVID-19 testing on two dates in January.

Health foundation to sponsor another round COVID-19 testing

News Staff
Thursday, December 24, 2020
The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is sponsoring local COVID-19 testing initiatives on the plateau Jan. 4 and Jan. 11.  The format will be drive-thru at the Village Green in Cashiers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Highlands Recreation Center from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Vecinos’ mobile clinic has served Spanish-speaking farm workers at area Christmas tree farms during the holiday season.

Vecinos’ mobile clinic has served Spanish-speaking farm workers at area Christmas tree farms during the holiday season.

Vecinos receives Dogwood Trust grant

News Staff
Thursday, December 24, 2020
In a year marked by setbacks, Vecinos Farmworker Health Program is continuing to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking community in Western North Carolina.
This artists rendering shows what the exterior of the Highlands Performing Arts Center will look like once a renovation and expansion project is completed at the Chestnut Street facility.

This artists rendering shows what the exterior of the Highlands Performing Arts Center will look like once a renovation and expansion project is completed at the Chestnut Street facility.

PAC and Playhouse share vision for future of performing arts partnership

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 17, 2020
The holiday season is often called the season of giving. For board members of the Highlands Performing Arts Center and the Highlands Playhouse, the 2020 holidays are being marked as a season of collaboration.