Local

Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Halloween festivities cancelled

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Wearing a mask may be popular on Oct. 31, but not for the traditional reason. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel Halloween festivities in Highlands.
A proposed 16-unit employee housing complex at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is under review by a town board subcommittee following a request for water and sewer service.

A proposed 16-unit employee housing complex at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is under review by a town board subcommittee following a request for water and sewer service.

Town board pauses HCH housing plan

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
The Highlands Board of Commissioners hit the collective pause button on a potential employee housing development adjacent to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital on Thursday night.
The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

Board approves funding for new fire department

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A new Highlands Fire Department moved one step closer to fruition on Thursday when the town board approved a rezoning request for the property and accepted a not-to-exceed bid price from contractor DR Reynolds Company.
The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

Empty Bowls scheduled for Oct. 4 with new format

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
This year’s Empty Bowls luncheon is on and thus not a victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  But, the event will not be an in-person luncheon as in years past according to organizers.
Eckerd Living Center resident Sherman Runion, 75, meets with Mary Jo, his wife of 52 years, during a visit in the living center’s garden last week.

Eckerd Living Center resident Sherman Runion, 75, meets with Mary Jo, his wife of 52 years, during a visit in the living center’s garden last week.

Reconnecting during COVID-19

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
There was some good news coming out of Highlands Cashiers Hospital’s Eckerd Living Center this week. Officials with the assisted living center loosened its visitation strings a bit with the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed residents and their families to visit face-to-face.
Highlands School students are back to in-person classes following a week of online instruction.

Highlands School students are back to in-person classes following a week of online instruction.

Schools restart following virtual week

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Macon County Schools resumed “Plan B” on Monday with students returning to in-person instruction at each school. In Highlands, the continuation of Plan B means that students will be in class, wearing face coverings and socially distancing, Monday through Thursday.
The Macon County EDC discussed developing a comprehensive plan during their Sept. meeting.

The Macon County EDC discussed developing a comprehensive plan during their Sept. meeting.

EDC discusses planning, Highlands housing market

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Economic development is a broad concept. So broad, that many counties are looking at better ways to target their economic development efforts in ways that are most likely to produce job growth, business creation and expansion, and workforce development.
Pickleball is among the fastest growing sports in America and the pastime has a healthy following in Highlands.

Pickleball is among the fastest growing sports in America and the pastime has a healthy following in Highlands.

A court of their own

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 10, 2020
One of the fastest growing recreation activities in America may soon have a permanent home in Highlands. Pickleball is riding a wave of momentum, and according to local players, it’s time the sport has dedicated courts at the Highlands Rec Center.