Local

The rec center pool reopening could mean a return to practice for the Highlands Hurricanes swim team.

The rec center pool reopening could mean a return to practice for the Highlands Hurricanes swim team.

Town board to discuss reopening rec facilities

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 18, 2020
For the past three weeks, families have been able to enjoy the Macon County Rec Park swimming pool in Franklin. The public pool in Sylva officially reopened for business on Saturday.
Vehicles lined up early and stayed late as drivers made their way through the COVID-19 testing line at The Farm at Old Edwards on Thursday.

Vehicles lined up early and stayed late as drivers made their way through the COVID-19 testing line at The Farm at Old Edwards on Thursday.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing begins

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Cars began lining up just after 8 a.m. on Thursday for the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing event in Highlands. While testing wasn’t scheduled to start until 9 a.m.
Early voting has been busy during the second Republican primary for US House District NC 11.

Early voting has been busy during the second Republican primary for US House District NC 11.

Early voting numbers show strong turnout for primary

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Better than expected voter turnout has created buzz around the second Republican primary for United States House of Representatives seat covering North Carolina’s 11th District.

Ruiz gets prison time for role in fatal wreck

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2020
A man who was driving drunk and crashed his pickup truck into a Sylva woman’s car, killing her a short time after she completed her work shift at the Dollar General in Scaly Mountain, is headed to state prison.
Highlands Fire Dept improved its ISO rating during a recent state inspection.

Highlands Fire Dept improved its ISO rating during a recent state inspection.

Highlands Fire Dept improves ISO rating

Dan Brown
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Highlands Fire and Rescue has been providing quality fire and emergency services for Highlands residents for years and their efforts are now paying some dividends with lower ISO ratings.
A line of emergency vehicles nearly a mile long escorted Macon County Sheriff’s Office corporal David Head’s body to Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Department where a celebration of life service was held on Thursday.

A line of emergency vehicles nearly a mile long escorted Macon County Sheriff’s Office corporal David Head’s body to Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Department where a celebration of life service was held on Thursday.

Honoring Heads' legacy

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 4, 2020
The community turned out in droves to say goodbye to David and Dawn Head on Thursday. Dozens of emergency vehicles from law enforcement agencies, fire departments and EMS services lined up to escort the Heads to the Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.

Fireworks officially postponed

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Less than two weeks after receiving permission from the Highlands Board of Commissioners to use Sept. 5 as an alternate date for the annual July Fourth fireworks display, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce officially postponed the fireworks on Monday.
COVID-19 cases jumped from 18 to 90 in a week's time in Macon County according to the Macon County Public Health Department.

COVID-19 cases jumped from 18 to 90 in a week's time in Macon County according to the Macon County Public Health Department.

COVID-19 cases spike as clusters are identified

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Macon County Public Health officials, elected leaders and county department heads gathered on Friday at the Robert C. Carpenter Community building in Franklin to explain a recent spike in local COVID-19 coronavirus cases. As of Tuesday, there have been 90 confirmed cases in Macon County.
Hudson Library in Highlands will reopen by appointment beginning on Tuesday.

Hudson Library in Highlands will reopen by appointment beginning on Tuesday.

Library to reopen by appointment

Dan Brown
Thursday, June 4, 2020
The Hudson Library in Highlands plans to follow other libraries in the Fontana Regional Library network with plans to open on a limited by-appointment basis the week of June 9 in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties.  The Hudson Library will begin accepting appointments by phone on June 2.