Local

THe Highlands Porchfest brought out dancers and musicians last year. This year promises more of the same.

THe Highlands Porchfest brought out dancers and musicians last year. This year promises more of the same.

Highlands Porchfest

News Staff
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) is partnering with the Arts Council of Macon County for this year’s Highlands Porchfest Music Festival as an ARTReach Grant Recipient for the third year in a row.
Photo by Eric Haggart | Highlands is expecting a strong leaf season as tourism continues to rebound from Hurricane Helene. Dry Falls puts on a spectacular color show for visitors and residents traveling Highway 64 East

Photo by Eric Haggart | Highlands is expecting a strong leaf season as tourism continues to rebound from Hurricane Helene. Dry Falls puts on a spectacular color show for visitors and residents traveling Highway 64 East

EMBRACE THE SEASON

News Staff
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Local business and tourism advocates have been wrestling with a post-Helene narrative of a devastated Western North Carolina, with some faring better than expected and others reporting serious losses.  Hurricane Helene did not hit the counties west of Asheville as hard as it did other places in WNC.
Chemical leak discovered, resolved at Highlands School

Chemical leak discovered, resolved at Highlands School

Chemical leak discovered, resolved at Highlands School

News Staff
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
A propolyne glycol leak from a boiler system at Highlands School was resolved Thursday, Aug. 28, with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) saying the water in Lake Harris and Lake Sequoyah were safe.
A greenway flanks the Tuckasegee River.

A greenway flanks the Tuckasegee River.

Jackson County greenway poised for major expansion

News Staff
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
For years, walkers, joggers and cyclists have packed the Jackson County Greenway’s single mile of paved trail, a short stretch that extends along the Tuckaseigee River with a large footbridge crossing at Locust Creek to its intersection with Monteith Gap Road.
Highlands on the Half-Shell is a fundraiser for the Highlands Biological Foundation. | Photo by Colleen Kerrigan

Highlands on the Half-Shell is a fundraiser for the Highlands Biological Foundation. | Photo by Colleen Kerrigan

Highlands on the Half-Shell

News Staff
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Marissa Nieddu Highlands Biological Foundation  One of Highlands’ most beloved fall traditions is just around the corner. Tickets for the Highlands Biological Foundation’s signature fundraiser, Highlands on the Half-Shell, are now on sale.  The annual celebration returns Sunday, Oct.5 from 4 p.m.

Tate files for seat on Town Board

News Staff
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The Highlands Board of Commissioners discussed board vacancies in light of the July 31 resignation of commissioner Brian Stiehler during their meeting last week.
Commissioners OK new outdoor recreation policy

Commissioners OK new outdoor recreation policy

Commissioners OK new outdoor recreation policy

News Staff
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Alcohol consumption could be allowed during the town’s Fourth of July celebration next year in Kelsey-Huthinson Founders Park following a vote Aug. 21  by Highlands commissioners.
Jainara Gallardo, Evelyn Guslin, Mary Simpson and Pao Zafra spent Saturday afternoon browsing through the many booths scattered across Kelsey Hutchinson Park in Highlands.

Jainara Gallardo, Evelyn Guslin, Mary Simpson and Pao Zafra spent Saturday afternoon browsing through the many booths scattered across Kelsey Hutchinson Park in Highlands.

Saturday in the Park

News Staff
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Another successful arts and crafts show is in the books. Catherine Connolly, past president of Mountaintop Rotary and one of the show’s organizers, said the Arts & Crafts Show has grown to become the club’s largest fundraiser.