Local

Pickleball players have been showing up early, and in high numbers, to get matches played before the summer sun raises the on-court temperature.

Pickleball players have been showing up early, and in high numbers, to get matches played before the summer sun raises the on-court temperature.

Highlands rec facilities draw big crowds as temperatures rise

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 16, 2020
The dog days of summer officially reached Highlands this week as temperatures climbed into the 80s under a hot sun. Nowhere was the warm weather more apparent than at the Highlands Rec Center swimming pool. Crowds flocked to the cool, clear water of the rec center to beat the heat.

HCH plans new clinic for Highlands

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 16, 2020
A new health clinic is coming soon to Highlands.  Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal announced the opening of the health clinic during a recent teleforum. The new health clinic is expected to open on the HCH campus sometime in 2021.
School buildings will be open at a limited capacity when school starts on Aug. 17.

School buildings will be open at a limited capacity when school starts on Aug. 17.

Cooper picks "Plan B" for schools

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Students in Macon County will be able to return to school in a limited capacity following an announcement made by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday.
After years of taking photos in and around the Cullasaja River, photographer Peter Ray decided to turn his collection of images into a book.

After years of taking photos in and around the Cullasaja River, photographer Peter Ray decided to turn his collection of images into a book.

Ray turns love of Highlands waterway into photography book

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Peter Ray found his calling, and his home, in Highlands and the surrounding beauty of the plateau. He found his muse in the Cullasaja River which has its headwaters here and follows a meandering path down the mountain to Franklin and onward before emptying into the Little Tennessee River.
A temporary recycling and convenience center has been set up on Hale Ridge Road in Scaly Mountain while work is done to redesign and remodel the full time convenience center. The work is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete.

A temporary recycling and convenience center has been set up on Hale Ridge Road in Scaly Mountain while work is done to redesign and remodel the full time convenience center. The work is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete.

Convenience center revamp begins

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Visitors to the Scaly Mountain convenience center are stopping a little short these days.
Macon County had 296 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.

Macon County had 296 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.

HCH officials discuss COVID-19 during teleforum

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Highlands Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal provided an update to the community on COVID-19 and the hospital’s plans to resume services during a recent tele-forum.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper extended phase two of his “Safer at Home” executive order on June 25 and made face coverings mandatory in businesses and public places where social distancing isn’t possible until July 17.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper extended phase two of his “Safer at Home” executive order on June 25 and made face coverings mandatory in businesses and public places where social distancing isn’t possible until July 17.

Masks made mandatory

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 2, 2020
While the number of COVID-19 active cases and recoveries continue to increase in Macon County, a new mandate from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has made face coverings mandatory in all businesses and public places where social distancing is not possible until July 17.
There will not be any fireworks in Highlands on Independence Day, but there will be a full slate of socially-distanced community events.

There will not be any fireworks in Highlands on Independence Day, but there will be a full slate of socially-distanced community events.

Fourth of July celebration evolves

Dan Brown
Thursday, July 2, 2020
The social distancing restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 coronavirus have forced the cancellation of many traditional Fourth of July events.
The Town of Highlands started a new budget year on Wednesday.

The Town of Highlands started a new budget year on Wednesday.

Town approves scaled back budget

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 2, 2020
During the Highlands Board of Commissioners’ June meeting, the board approved an operating budget of $20,159,080 for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The budget comes with no ad valorem property tax increase over year prior.