Local

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.
Carson and Allison Tolbert, of Fort Lauderdale, FL came to Glenville and Sawyer’s Tree Farm because they wanted the Christmas experience, and left with an assortment of wreaths.

Carson and Allison Tolbert, of Fort Lauderdale, FL came to Glenville and Sawyer’s Tree Farm because they wanted the Christmas experience, and left with an assortment of wreaths.

Christmas tree farms seeing record sales

Dan Brown
Thursday, December 3, 2020
The 2020 Christmas tree “choose and cut” season got off to a wild start as Moss Tree Farms in the Norton community of Southern Jackson County sold out of its 2020 allotment of Fraser fir trees in just one week.
Despite the best efforts of multiple fire departments from two states, fire claimed a residence at 2797 Clear Creek Road in Highlands on Nov. 17.

Despite the best efforts of multiple fire departments from two states, fire claimed a residence at 2797 Clear Creek Road in Highlands on Nov. 17.

Blaze totals Clear Creek home

Ryan Hanchett
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Fire tore through a home on Clear Creek Road just outside of Highlands on Tuesday, Nov. 17. According to Macon County 911 computer aided dispatch reports, a passerby on a mobile phone dialed 911 just after 9 p.m. The called reported a structure fire at 2797 Clear Creek Road.
Local volunteer Matt Eberts, Mary Ann Cresswell with the Highlands Emergency Council and Richard Delaney with Old Edwards Hospitality Group were the three award winners honored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce last week.

Local volunteer Matt Eberts, Mary Ann Cresswell with the Highlands Emergency Council and Richard Delaney with Old Edwards Hospitality Group were the three award winners honored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce last week.

Chamber hands out hardware

Dan Brown
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce honored some of its own with their annual community service awards presented during the November Business After Hours gathering at the Highlands Mountain House.
The Town of Highlands has entered contract negotiations with Hotwire to operate the town's fiber network.

The Town of Highlands has entered contract negotiations with Hotwire to operate the town's fiber network.

Commissioners choose Hotwire as network operator

Ryan Hanchett
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
A much-anticipated decision came with little fanfare on Thursday night when the Highlands Board of Commissioners selected Hotwire to serve as the town’s broadband network operator.