Local

Highlands battled Blue Ridge in defeat on Wednesday and easily overmatched Hiwassee Dam on Friday.

Highlands battled Blue Ridge in defeat on Wednesday and easily overmatched Hiwassee Dam on Friday.

Highlanders split two volleyball matches to open season

With mandatory masks, about two dozen fans in the stands and social distancing protocols enforced, high school sports ushered in a new era of competition during the week before Thanksgiving.
The Highlands Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 via Facebook live. The annual Christmas parade is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 featuring a drive-thru format.

The Highlands Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 via Facebook live. The annual Christmas parade is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 featuring a drive-thru format.

New-look Christmas events on tap

Highlands’ Christmas events will go on in 2020, albeit with a very different format than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Festivities begin on Saturday, Nov.
The 2020 Highlands School varsity volleyball team opened its season on Wednesday night.

The 2020 Highlands School varsity volleyball team opened its season on Wednesday night.

Highlanders prep for first serve

It is only fitting that the Highlands Lady Highlanders volleyball team serve up the 2020-21 season against their most fierce rivals. Highlands’ defense of the Little Smoky Mountain Conference championship started Wednesday night against Blue Ridge Early College.
Macon County had 65 active COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday.

Macon County had 65 active COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday.

COVID-19 cases continue to increase

Macon County’s COVID-19 numbers continue to increase, according to the most recent data reported by the public health department. As of Tuesday, Macon County had 65 active positive COVID-19 cases, up from 40 active cases one week prior.
Local author Angela Lewis Jenkins is working on a book about what it was like to grow up in Highlands, as told by folks who experienced it.

Local author Angela Lewis Jenkins is working on a book about what it was like to grow up in Highlands, as told by folks who experienced it.

Hearing Highlands stories

There is a new book coming out next spring, penned by a local author that will tell the story of what it was like growing up in Highlands by those who lived it.
The Macon County School Board bid farewell to Stephanie McCall and Fred Goldsmith on Monday night.

The Macon County School Board bid farewell to Stephanie McCall and Fred Goldsmith on Monday night.

School board says goodbye to two members

The Macon County Board of Education knew it would be saying goodbye to one current member on Monday night. It turned out that the board had to bid adieu to two. Highlands representative Stephanie McCall chose not to run for a third term on the board, thus when Hillary Wilkes won election on Nov.
The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation recently began a renovation and expansion that will add seating to the sanctuary.

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation recently began a renovation and expansion that will add seating to the sanctuary.

Heaven and Earth united

Preserving the past, while looking toward the future. That is the task of Rev. Bentley Manning and the staff of The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation during an expansion project that kicked off at the beginning of November.
Macon County reported its eighth COVID-19 death of 2020 on Tuesday.

Macon County reported its eighth COVID-19 death of 2020 on Tuesday.

MCPH records another COVID-19 death

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Macon County, and across the state of North Carolina, appears to be trending in the wrong direction. On Tuesday, the Macon County Public Health Department confirmed an additional COVID-19 death, bringing the county’s total to eight.
Highlands commissioners are considering their options before picking a broadband network operator.

Highlands commissioners are considering their options before picking a broadband network operator.

Commissioners continue weighing broadband proposals

The Highlands Board of Commissioners entertained three new RFP proposals for the opportunity to operate the town’s broadband network during a specially called Nov. 3 meeting.