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Highlands' Brent Sleight defends an inbounds pass against Blue Ridge.

Highlands' Brent Sleight defends an inbounds pass against Blue Ridge.

Highlands ends regular season with sweep of Blue Ridge

A slow start, a furious comeback and a blowout victory in the span of little more than an hour helped Highlands end its regular season on a positive note Friday night against Blue Ridge.
The 14th annual outhouse races will be held at Sapphire Valley Resort on Saturday, Feb. 15.

The 14th annual outhouse races will be held at Sapphire Valley Resort on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Outhouse races benefit plateau

There might not be much snow on the ground now, but on Feb. 15, at 3 p.m., the 14th Annual Outraces Races at Sapphire Valley Resort will have plenty of powder.
Early voting for the 2020 primary election begins Thursday, Feb. 13.

Early voting for the 2020 primary election begins Thursday, Feb. 13.

One-stop early voting begins today

One-stop early voting gets underway for the 2020 primary election today, with a high number of races and candidates on the ballot. Early voting is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 13. The last day of one-stop early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.
Highlands Nature Center education specialist Paige Engelbrektsson gets ready for a Knee-High Naturalist class.

Highlands Nature Center education specialist Paige Engelbrektsson gets ready for a Knee-High Naturalist class.

Winter programs keep Nature Center buzzing

It’s hard to imagine snow canceling a “Snow Moon” event on Saturday, but that’s exactly what happened at the Highlands Nature Center this past weekend.
About a dozen vehicles were stranded on NC 106 between Bartram Way and Turtle Pond Road as snow fell on Highlands Friday morning.

About a dozen vehicles were stranded on NC 106 between Bartram Way and Turtle Pond Road as snow fell on Highlands Friday morning.

Small snow, big headache

A furious, albeit brief, snowstorm Friday morning dumped about three inches of snow around Highlands, temporarily paralyzing roads leading up and down the mountain.  Officially, 2.
Highlands defeated Nantahala to win the Little Smoky Mountain conference regular season.

Highlands defeated Nantahala to win the Little Smoky Mountain conference regular season.

Lady Highlanders win conference regular season title

The Highlands Lady Highlanders stood a win away from clinching the Little Smoky Mountain Conference regular season championship with a hard-fought 38-31 win over archrival Blue Ridge Early College. A pair of conference games remain, one being a rematch with the Lady Bobcats at home on Feb. 8.
Highlands Playhouse will roll out the red carpet at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Highlands Playhouse will roll out the red carpet at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Playhouse to host Oscar Night party

The Highlands Playhouse had so much fun last year with its inaugural Oscar Night party, managing director Lance Matzke decided to do it again.  “We’re going to make the Oscar Night party an annual thing,” he said by phone. “It’s fun.