Local

Visitors flocked to local trails and attractions, including Dry Falls, over the weekend following a relaxing of regulations related to COVID-19.

Visitors flocked to local trails and attractions, including Dry Falls, over the weekend following a relaxing of regulations related to COVID-19.

Reopening underway

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 14, 2020
As businesses in Highlands begin to reopen under phase one of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to jumpstart the economy, one major employer is already seeing strong response from the public.
The ambulance carrying fallen Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad member Eldon Jamison rolled slowly through the Cashiers crossroads on its way to the Glenville station.

The ambulance carrying fallen Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad member Eldon Jamison rolled slowly through the Cashiers crossroads on its way to the Glenville station.

GCRS member dies during rescue attempt

Dan Brown
Thursday, May 14, 2020
It rained the day they brought Eldon Jamison home.  Heaven’s crying, they said.  Traffic stopped when the ambulance carrying Jamison’s body passed through the crossroads.

Harrell leaving Highlands for Franklin PD

Dan Brown
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Highlands Chief of Police Bill Harrell is going home.  Town Manager Josh Ward announced on Wednesday, May 6 that Harrell submitted his resignation effective June 1 as he had accepted an offer to become the next Chief of Police in Franklin.
The proposed Town of Highlands budget for 2020-21 features no tax increase.

The proposed Town of Highlands budget for 2020-21 features no tax increase.

No tax increase in proposed budget

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Town of Highlands employees will not be getting a cost of living raise during the 2020-21 fiscal year following a vote by the board of commissioners on Thursday, May 7.
Highlands Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal helped the the Mountain Garden Club assemble vases with fresh cut flowers for the HCH nursing staff.

Highlands Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal helped the the Mountain Garden Club assemble vases with fresh cut flowers for the HCH nursing staff.

Mountain Garden Club brightens spirits for nurses during COVID-19

Dan Brown
Thursday, May 14, 2020
The ladies of the Mountain Garden Club didn’t let a little thing called a coronavirus stand in the way showing their appreciation for nurses at the Highlands Cashiers Hospital.
Work was underway at several businesses in Highlands on Wednesday morning. Retail shops will be allowed to reopen as of 5 p.m. on May 8.

Work was underway at several businesses in Highlands on Wednesday morning. Retail shops will be allowed to reopen as of 5 p.m. on May 8.

Preparing for phase one

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 7, 2020
In a move to begin restarting the local economy, the Highlands Board of Commissioners made several changes to the town’s state of emergency declaration related to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic on Friday, May 1.
HHS girls basketball coach Jacob Page talks to his team during the first round of the NCSHAA 1-A playoffs in March.

HHS girls basketball coach Jacob Page talks to his team during the first round of the NCSHAA 1-A playoffs in March.

Page steps down as HHS girls coach

Dan Brown
Thursday, May 7, 2020
The Highlands girls basketball team is searching for a new coach. Two years into his stint leading the Lady Highlanders basketball program, coach Jacob Page has resigned to accept a coaching position in Georgia.
Highlands Hurricanes swimming is on hold until the Rec Center pool reopens.

Highlands Hurricanes swimming is on hold until the Rec Center pool reopens.

Parks and Rec summer programs still up in the air

Dan Brown
Thursday, May 7, 2020
There is nothing the Highlands Park and Recreation Department can do about its summer programming right now except wait and see.  “It all depends on what the governor decides to do on May 8,” said Highlands Park and Recreation Director Lester Norris on Monday.
The 2020 Highlands Motoring Festival has been cancelled, but a new “Mountain Motoring” event has been scheduled for Sept. 11-13.

The 2020 Highlands Motoring Festival has been cancelled, but a new “Mountain Motoring” event has been scheduled for Sept. 11-13.

Motoring Festival cancelled

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Highlands residents will have to wait a little longer to hear the roar of classic car engines in 2020. The Highlands Motoring Festival, originally scheduled for June 11-14, has been canceled. An alternate format has been scheduled for Sept. 11-13.
Residents and staff members of the Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital lined up outside the facility on Tuesday for a parade of well-wishers, many of whom waved and offered personal messages from their vehicles in order to maintain social distance.

Residents and staff members of the Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital lined up outside the facility on Tuesday for a parade of well-wishers, many of whom waved and offered personal messages from their vehicles in order to maintain social distance.

Hospital officials remove tent, unveil policy changes

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The COVID-19 triage tent that was erected in front of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital on April 2 was taken down on Monday having not housed any patients.