Local

The second primary for U.S. House of Representatives District 11 has been moved back to June 23.

The second primary for U.S. House of Representatives District 11 has been moved back to June 23.

Coronavirus pushes back second primary

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The second primary election for District 11 in the US House of Representatives has been pushed back six weeks due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The NC State Board of Elections made the decision on Friday to push the second primary back from Tuesday, May 12 to Tuesday, June 23.
Lydia Hitchcock with The Pizza Place in Highlands is open for business serving carryout meals to residents.

Lydia Hitchcock with The Pizza Place in Highlands is open for business serving carryout meals to residents.

Cooking up a new strategy

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 26, 2020
In Highlands, restaurants have closed their doors to dine-in business for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Some eateries have decided instead to open their doors to carry-out customers, offering “grab and go” meals as an option.
Mayor Patrick Taylor and commissioner Amy Patterson practice social distancing during their meeting on Monday.

Mayor Patrick Taylor and commissioner Amy Patterson practice social distancing during their meeting on Monday.

Commissioners close hotels, motels and rentals

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Following North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s lead, the Highlands board of commissioners put additional restrictions on what types of businesses may remain open during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on Monday afternoon.
Tiffany Carr is believed to be residing in a home in the Pinchot Community near Cashiers. Carr is under investigation in Florida for financial misconduct.

Tiffany Carr is believed to be residing in a home in the Pinchot Community near Cashiers. Carr is under investigation in Florida for financial misconduct.

Florida investigation leads to Cashiers

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Highlands and Cashiers are making the newspapers all over Florida these days as state legislators pursue a woman they have accused of receiving more than $7.7-million in state and federal funds budgeted for the protection of domestic violence victims in various Florida cities.
Larry Moss, owner of Moss Christmas Tree Farms, shows off the first post-recession crop of Fraser firs. which were planted four years ago and currently stand about five-feet high.

Larry Moss, owner of Moss Christmas Tree Farms, shows off the first post-recession crop of Fraser firs. which were planted four years ago and currently stand about five-feet high.

Tree farm business booms

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The 2019 Christmas tree shopping season was a resounding success according to local tree farmers in the area.  “We had a great year,” said Tom Sawyer, owner of Tom Sawyer Christmas Tree Farm in Glenville. “Our sales were up about 10 percent over last year.
Campgrounds on National Forest land are closed until further notice.

Campgrounds on National Forest land are closed until further notice.

Campgrounds, parks close due to virus

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The U.S. Forest Service has closed all campgrounds on National Forest land in North Carolina effective immediately. The closure, announced on Monday, will remain in place until further notice. Van Hook Glade campground near Highlands is included in the closed facilities.
Striker Caitlin Tingen scored one goal in the Lady Highlanders’ 7-1 win over Summit Charter School.

Striker Caitlin Tingen scored one goal in the Lady Highlanders’ 7-1 win over Summit Charter School.

HMS downs Summit 7-1 on soccer field

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 19, 2020
About a minute before Highlands girls middle school soccer coach Caleb Brown sent his team onto the field to face the visiting Summit Charter School Lady Bears, he went over specific team assignments for each position – defenders, midfielders and strikers.
The Town of Highlands has closed Town Hall and the Rec Center to the public until further notice.

The Town of Highlands has closed Town Hall and the Rec Center to the public until further notice.

Coronavirus hits home

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Macon County Public Health confirmed the first presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Macon County on Monday. In a written statement, MCPH officials noted that the patient has been quarantined and is doing well in isolation.
The Macon County EDC is keeping a watchful eye on the local economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Macon County EDC is keeping a watchful eye on the local economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

EDC preps for economic impact of COVID-19

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Following reports of empty store shelves for items like hand sanitizer, toilet paper and antibacterial soap, the attention of the Macon County Economic Development Commission turned to a popular topic on Thursday night – Coronavirus.