Local

The Town of Highlands has received the necessary permits to mitigate a wetland at the site of the new fire station.

The Town of Highlands has received the necessary permits to mitigate a wetland at the site of the new fire station.

Fire station build temporarily delayed

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 17, 2020
A mistake in Raleigh has caused a holdup in the loan closing process for the Town of Highlands’ new fire department.

Possible COVID-19 exposure shutters Highlands pool

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 17, 2020
A potential COVID-19 exposure forced the Highlands Rec Center swimming pool to close Monday. According to Highlands Town Manager Josh Ward, one of the pool’s users informed town staff that they had tested positive for COVID-19 and had used the pool in the days leading up to their positive test.
The intersection of Main Street and 4th Street will get a new look in 2021 when both streets are repaved by the NC Department of Transportation.

The intersection of Main Street and 4th Street will get a new look in 2021 when both streets are repaved by the NC Department of Transportation.

Repaving Main Street set for 2021

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Plans to repave sections of three of Highlands’ busiest roads are beginning to come into focus. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will tackle repaving Main Street from the intersection of NC 106 to the intersection of 5th Street beginning in March of 2021.
The real estate market in Highlands and Cashiers has accounted for nearly $1 billion in sales in 2020.

The real estate market in Highlands and Cashiers has accounted for nearly $1 billion in sales in 2020.

Highlands real estate market booming in 2020

Dan Brown
Thursday, December 10, 2020
If one good thing has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic it would be, according to local Realtors, the state of the local housing market.  It’s off the charts.  Nearly a billion dollars in sales from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30.
Hilary Wilkes takes her oath of office on Monday before joining the Macon County Board of Education as the board’s Highlands representative.

Hilary Wilkes takes her oath of office on Monday before joining the Macon County Board of Education as the board’s Highlands representative.

Wilkes, Arnold join school board

News Staff
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Carol Arnold, newly elected Macon County Board of Education member Hilary Wilkes, and reelected board member Jim Breedlove took their oaths of office on Monday, Dec. 7. Arnold will fill the remaining two years of Fred Goldsmith’s term on the Macon County Board of Education.
Highlands’ next match will take place on Monday night when Nantahala pays a visit.

Highlands’ next match will take place on Monday night when Nantahala pays a visit.

Highlanders fall to Blue Ridge

Dan Brown
Thursday, December 10, 2020
The Highlands Lady Highlander volleyball team fell out of first place in the Little Smoky Mountain Conference for the first time this season, losing 3-0 to rival Blue Ridge Friday night.
The Highlands Christmas parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Highlands Christmas parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Christmas parade called off

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 3, 2020
With COVID-19 case numbers on the rise, and growing concern about the safety of group gatherings, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce made the decision to cancel the annual Christmas parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5.
Dollar General has started construction of a new store on US 64 East in Highlands.

Dollar General has started construction of a new store on US 64 East in Highlands.

Dollar General coming soon

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 3, 2020
A new value retailer will soon be opening its doors midway between Highlands and Cashiers. Officials with Dollar General Corporation confirmed Tuesday that the company is building a new store on Cashiers Road (US 64 East) near the intersection of Cherrywood Drive.
Hospital Corporation of America recently purchased a new Airbus helicopter to be used in the Mountain Area Medical Airlift program. The helicopter debuted in Highlands on Nov. 20.

Hospital Corporation of America recently purchased a new Airbus helicopter to be used in the Mountain Area Medical Airlift program. The helicopter debuted in Highlands on Nov. 20.

New MAMA chopper unveiled

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Patients in need of emergency transport to a HCA hospital now have a new and improved means of travel. On Nov. 20, Hospital Corporation of America officials unveiled a new Mountain Area Medical Airlift helicopter in Highlands.