Local

Primary election features close races

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Macon County turned out to the polls for the 2020 primary election on Tuesday to decide multiple local, state and federal races. Election results rolled in to the Macon County Board of Elections office just after 8 p.m. following a slight delay in the reporting process.
Highlands’ Jordan Carrier looks to inbound the ball to Kedra McCall as Langtree Charter’s Taylor Hall (11) defends during their NC High School Athetic Association 1-A state playoff game.

Highlands’ Jordan Carrier looks to inbound the ball to Kedra McCall as Langtree Charter’s Taylor Hall (11) defends during their NC High School Athetic Association 1-A state playoff game.

Highlands' state playoff run ends

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Basketball can be a funny game. No matter what style of defense a team plays, and no matter how adept that team is at guarding their opposition, there are times when an opponent is just red-hot from the field.
Highlands’ Hayley Borino (12) comes over a Kedra McCall (40) screen and makes an entry pass to the post while Bessemer City’s Kiayzia Degree (10) defends during their NCHSAA 1-A State Playoff game on Tuesday night.

Highlands’ Hayley Borino (12) comes over a Kedra McCall (40) screen and makes an entry pass to the post while Bessemer City’s Kiayzia Degree (10) defends during their NCHSAA 1-A State Playoff game on Tuesday night.

Highlands cruises past Bessemer City to open state playoffs

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 27, 2020
It’s hard to imagine any team got off to a hotter start in the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs than Highlands varsity girls.
Sandra Valero, housekeeping supervisor with Old Edwards Inn separates single-use plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles for recycling.

Sandra Valero, housekeeping supervisor with Old Edwards Inn separates single-use plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles for recycling.

OEI setting new recycling standard

Dan Brown
Thursday, February 27, 2020
The management, staff and even the guests of Old Edwards Inn each want to do their part in the war against plastic, with the hotel opting to buckle down on its recycling efforts. Old Edwards Hospitality Group President Richard Delany said the movement was initiated by the hotel’s guests.
Early voting ends Saturday ahead of the Tuesday, March 3 primary election.

Early voting ends Saturday ahead of the Tuesday, March 3 primary election.

Early voting ends Saturday, primary Tuesday

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Despite national attention ahead of the Super Tuesday primary elections on Tuesday, March 3, one-stop early voting numbers in Macon County are lagging slightly behind 2016 totals.
Highlands claimed the Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament title.

Highlands claimed the Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament title.

Highlands wins both basketball conference tournament titles

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Highlands’ coaches Jacob Page and Brett Lamb were at work a little late on Friday. Making room in the school’s trophy case is considered an extracurricular activity. Both Highlands varsity teams claimed Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championships on Feb. 19.
Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, an 80-bed assisted living center, has earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Staff members include Carolyn Vitale, Robin Leitch, Laura Zoellner, Brooke Stewart, Brittney Herbert, Brandi Field, Myrna Green, Rachel Smith, Kristy BIllingsley, Natasha Williamson, Ariadna Mendoza, Jenya Wolf and Alison George.

Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, an 80-bed assisted living center, has earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Staff members include Carolyn Vitale, Robin Leitch, Laura Zoellner, Brooke Stewart, Brittney Herbert, Brandi Field, Myrna Green, Rachel Smith, Kristy BIllingsley, Natasha Williamson, Ariadna Mendoza, Jenya Wolf and Alison George.

Eckerd Living Center earns five star rating

Dan Brown
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Eckerd Living Center at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital recently earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Architectural drawings of the new fire station to be built on Franklin Road.

Architectural drawings of the new fire station to be built on Franklin Road.

Firm chosen to build new fire station

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Town of Highlands public safety committee unanimously approved D.R. Reynolds Company Inc. to serve as the construction manager for the town’s new fire station.
The USFS is seeking public comment on prescribed burning and tree clearing proposals.

The USFS is seeking public comment on prescribed burning and tree clearing proposals.

Comments sought regarding prescribed burns

Dan Brown
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Nantahala Ranger District is reaching out to the public seeking comments on a pair of forest management proposals.  The first proposal seeks to conduct prescribed burning on 28 permanent wildlife openings totaling approximately 47 acres located in Macon and Jackson counties.