Local

The Highlands Police Department will replace a wrecked 2015 Ford cruiser with a new 2020 Ford Explorer SUV.

The Highlands Police Department will replace a wrecked 2015 Ford cruiser with a new 2020 Ford Explorer SUV.

Town replaces totaled police cruiser

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 6, 2020
The Highlands board of commissioners held a specially called meeting on Wednesday to make a pair of budget amendments related to a police department vehicle that was totaled in an accident in July.
Dave Cashion and Mary Green were recently recognized for their contributions to Highlands School.

Dave Cashion and Mary Green were recently recognized for their contributions to Highlands School.

Teacher, support person of the year honored by MCS

Dan Brown
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Highlands School vocation and industrial technology teacher Dave Cashion and longtime custodian Mary Greene were honored by Macon County Schools as the Teacher of the Year and  Support Person of the Year for Highlands.
The new bear-resistant garbage cans can be dumped using a lift arm on the trash truck itself, which eliminates the manual lifting of non-compliant cans.

The new bear-resistant garbage cans can be dumped using a lift arm on the trash truck itself, which eliminates the manual lifting of non-compliant cans.

Town delays bear-resistant toter enforcement

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 30, 2020
The Town of Highlands is asking all residents to make the transition to a bear-resistant garbage can by Aug. 1, but after discussion by the town board of commissioners that deadline is no longer definite.

Ham-Ye family reunited

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 30, 2020
A lot has happened in the nearly six months Melanie Ham-Ye and her family have been living atop Cowee Ridge outside Highlands, high above US 64 and a stone’s throw from Whiteside Mountain.  Ham-Ye’s husband Michael, who stayed behind in Shanghai on Feb.
Art lovers, potters and ceramics collectors made their way to The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts on Friday and Saturday for the ninth annual Dave Drake Studio Barn Pottery Show.

Art lovers, potters and ceramics collectors made their way to The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts on Friday and Saturday for the ninth annual Dave Drake Studio Barn Pottery Show.

Pottery show goes on

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 30, 2020
After nearly five months of calm and quiet, the Dave Drake Studio Barn and the terrace at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts were abuzz on Friday and Saturday.
The last event held at Highlands School was a drive-thru awards ceremony in May. Macon County Public School officials are curently working on a plan to put students and teachers back in their classrooms on Aug. 17.

The last event held at Highlands School was a drive-thru awards ceremony in May. Macon County Public School officials are curently working on a plan to put students and teachers back in their classrooms on Aug. 17.

Parents, teachers asked to fill out survey regarding school reopening plan

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Macon County Public Schools is gathering as much information as possible regarding the potential reopening of public schools on Aug. 17.
Signs reminding visitors that masks are now mandatory on commercial sidewalks have been placed along Main Street and 4th Street.

Signs reminding visitors that masks are now mandatory on commercial sidewalks have been placed along Main Street and 4th Street.

Town board makes masks mandatory in business district

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Facial coverings are now mandatory in Highlands’ business district, both inside businesses and outside along streets and sidewalks, following a motion by the Highlands Board of Commissioners during their meeting on Thursday.
MCPH has recorded its second COVID-19 death in Macon County.

MCPH has recorded its second COVID-19 death in Macon County.

MCPH records second COVID-19 death

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 23, 2020
A second person has died from COVID-19 in Macon County, according to information provided by officials with Macon County Public Health on Tuesday. According to MCPH Director Kathy McGaha, the person who died was over the age of 65 and had an underlying health condition.
American Legion Post 370 commander Ed McCloskey presents Kenneth Knight with the 2020 Legionnaire of the Year award at Highlands Veteran’s Plaza on Saturday.

American Legion Post 370 commander Ed McCloskey presents Kenneth Knight with the 2020 Legionnaire of the Year award at Highlands Veteran’s Plaza on Saturday.

Post 370 awards honor service

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Under normal circumstances, the July meeting of American Legion Post 370 is when post commander Ed McCloskey hands out the annual hardware recognizing the efforts of Post 370 members. To this point, 2020 has been anything but normal.
Highlands volleyball players India Clark, Tessa Wisniewski and Jordan Carrier won a three-on-three volleyball tournament on July 11 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Highlands volleyball players India Clark, Tessa Wisniewski and Jordan Carrier won a three-on-three volleyball tournament on July 11 in Greenville, South Carolina.

HHS volleyball players claim tourney title in SC

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Some members of the Highlands volleyball team aren’t going to let a pandemic stand in the way of getting their summer work in while schools are closed.