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Highlands Literacy Council students and staff work on Christmas cards to pass out to residents at the Eckerd Assisted Living Center.

Highlands Literacy Council students and staff work on Christmas cards to pass out to residents at the Eckerd Assisted Living Center.

Spreading Christmas cheer

Dan Brown
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Just because the kids will be out of school over the last couple weeks of 2019, doesn’t mean the Highlands Literacy Council won’t be busy. The HLC, neatly ensconced in their new digs in Highlands Plaza, has several ongoing programs continuing through Christmas break.
NC Attorney General Josh Stein gives mayor Patrick Taylor the 2019 Dogwood Award.

NC Attorney General Josh Stein gives mayor Patrick Taylor the 2019 Dogwood Award.

Taylor honored by NCAG

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 5, 2019
    North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein recognized the work of two Macon County mayors, including Highlands’ Patrick Taylor, on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Local News

Local News

Economic status unchaged for Macon

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 5, 2019
The North Carolina Department of Commerce unveiled its 2020 economic development tier designations on Monday and for the second consecutive year the news was positive for Macon County and Western North Carolina as a region.
Highlands Chamber of Commerce board chair Hillary Wilkes presented the Robert B. Dupree Community Service Award to representatives of the Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation during the 2019 Chamber Awards Banquet.

Highlands Chamber of Commerce board chair Hillary Wilkes presented the Robert B. Dupree Community Service Award to representatives of the Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation during the 2019 Chamber Awards Banquet.

Chamber hands out yearly hardware

News Staff
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Every November, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce celebrates the successes of the business community with the annual Autumn Ovation. This year’s event was hosted by Old Edwards at the new Woodfire Bistro and Bar, Four65.
The Loafer’s Bench outside of the former Stone Lantern property still serves as a popular resting place for visitors to Highlands, even after the business closed its doors earlier this year. Ralph deVille, Jim Bud Rogers (left) and Mike Thompson (right) built the bench more than 40 years ago.

The Loafer’s Bench outside of the former Stone Lantern property still serves as a popular resting place for visitors to Highlands, even after the business closed its doors earlier this year. Ralph deVille, Jim Bud Rogers (left) and Mike Thompson (right) built the bench more than 40 years ago.

Loafer’s Bench lives on

Dan Brown
Thursday, December 5, 2019
The Loafer’s Bench is as enduring a landmark in Highlands as Sunset Rock, and will probably be a fixture along Main Street for as long as the mountain overlooking town. “Until the Apocalypse,” said Jim-Bud Rogers, who helped build it.
Highlands Cable Group network engineer Rick Yinger connects fiber lines to a port system in the Holt Knob neighborhood.

Highlands Cable Group network engineer Rick Yinger connects fiber lines to a port system in the Holt Knob neighborhood.

Highlands Cable Group rolls out new service to Holt Knob

Dan Brown
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Fast and reliable internet service options can be hard to come by on the periphery of Highlands. While the Town of Highlands fiber network buildout continues, Highlands Cable Group is introducing a new technology to areas that were previously underserved.
Anne Koenig hosts a grief support group during the holiday season at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. The next session will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Anne Koenig hosts a grief support group during the holiday season at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. The next session will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Support group offers help during the holidays

Dan Brown
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
There is no way to sugar coat it. Losing someone you love is horrific. A parent. A child. A spouse. The love of your life. The death of a loved one and the subsequent grief which accompanies it, can make a person question their faith, sanity, everything they knew or once believed to be true.
The Highlands Board of Commissioners approved preliminary design plans for the new fire station, which will be built on Franklin Road.

The Highlands Board of Commissioners approved preliminary design plans for the new fire station, which will be built on Franklin Road.

Board approves fire dept plans

Dan Brown
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
The Highlands Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the concept design of Highlands Fire and Rescue’s new fire station to be located just north of downtown on US 64. And yes, the new fire station has a fire pole.
The Highlands Board of Commissioners election was finalized on Nov. 15

The Highlands Board of Commissioners election was finalized on Nov. 15

Election results finalized by canvass

Ryan Hanchett
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
The final vote totals are in, and the Highlands Board of Commissioners officially has one new member. On Friday, the Macon County Board of Elections conducted the vote canvass for the 2019 municipal elections held on Nov. 5.
Fifth grade students at Highlands School got a lesson in the proper way to fly, lower and fold the American flag on Friday, Nov. 8.

Fifth grade students at Highlands School got a lesson in the proper way to fly, lower and fold the American flag on Friday, Nov. 8.

Local veterans give students a lesson in flag folding

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Members of the Highlands American Legion Post 370 visited fifth grade students at Highlands School Friday morning to teach a little flag etiquette and what is deemed proper respect and treatment of the United States flag.