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Students from Blue Ridge School were recognized during a scholarship dinner on May 8.

Students from Blue Ridge School were recognized during a scholarship dinner on May 8.

Blue Ridge scholars honored

Blue Ridge School and Early College celebrated graduating seniors awarded scholarships and recognized other Bobcats for academic success at their May 8 scholarship dinner.
The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed two days of picture perfect weather as music lovers flocked to Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain. The event featured eight bands, including Grammy award nominees Black Pumas on Sunday.

The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed two days of picture perfect weather as music lovers flocked to Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain. The event featured eight bands, including Grammy award nominees Black Pumas on Sunday.

Bear Shadow draws large crowds

The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed quite possibly its best weather ever, and likely not coincidentally, it’s biggest crowds ever over the weekend at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain.
David Hyder, traffic engineer with J.M. Teague Engineering PLLC, has worked with Marketplace and the approved East Village, and he anticipates working with Cashiers Lake.

David Hyder, traffic engineer with J.M. Teague Engineering PLLC, has worked with Marketplace and the approved East Village, and he anticipates working with Cashiers Lake.

Traffic engineer testifies during Marketplace hearing

The Cashiers Area Community Planning Council resumed the ongoing special use hearings for the proposed Marketplace development May 7. Marketplace attorney Brian Gulden called traffic engineer David Hyder to present his expert testimony.
The Highlands town board is considering raising water connection rates in the upcoming budget.

The Highlands town board is considering raising water connection rates in the upcoming budget.

Budget session covers water rate increase

At a budget workshop on Thursday afternoon, May 2, the town board and the heads of various departments hashed out some details on water plans, police training and more. The proposed budget this year is $44.681 million, increased from last year’s budget of $31.086 million.
Author Diane Kelly will speak at both Hudson Library and Albert-Carlton Library on Friday.

Author Diane Kelly will speak at both Hudson Library and Albert-Carlton Library on Friday.

Author Diane Kelly coming to Highlands, Cashiers

Fontana Regional Library is welcoming Diane Kelly to the Cashiers and Highlands libraries Friday. In Cashiers, Kelly will speak about the latest book in her house flipper mysteries series “Four Alarm Homicide.” In Highlands, her talk will cover the appeal of Appalachia.
Louise Royal had a knee replacement in February, the first surgery since 2013 at Highlands Cashiers Hospital. Royal came back to the hospital last week to show off her progress and thank the staff for their work on her new knee.

Louise Royal had a knee replacement in February, the first surgery since 2013 at Highlands Cashiers Hospital. Royal came back to the hospital last week to show off her progress and thank the staff for their work on her new knee.

Hospital restarts surgeries

Earlier this year, local resident Louise Royal became the first successful knee surgery patient at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Her knee had started to swell painfully months earlier, but Royal said she put off going to a doctor longer than she should’ve.
The Country Club of Sapphire Valley partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, and area schools, for a career conference on Thursday.

The Country Club of Sapphire Valley partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, and area schools, for a career conference on Thursday.

Learning about careers

Seventh and Eighth graders from Blue Ridge School, Highlands School, and Summit Charter School joined the Boys & Girls Club at Country Club of Sapphire Valley for the annual career conference. Students were mixed together and seated at tables.
Sherry Sims hung up several receipts she’s gotten from insurance companies, which she said shows the poor reimbursement rates on prescriptions that might force her to close her business if she keeps losing money.

Sherry Sims hung up several receipts she’s gotten from insurance companies, which she said shows the poor reimbursement rates on prescriptions that might force her to close her business if she keeps losing money.

Highlands Pharmacy facing reimbursement crunch

Highlands Pharmacy owner Sherry Sims told a customer the truth: she couldn’t fill their prescription because the insurance company wouldn’t reimburse the pharmacy enough to make it worthwhile.
At the home game Thursday, April 18, Senior Mackenzie Woods runs to intercept the ball before an opponent.

At the home game Thursday, April 18, Senior Mackenzie Woods runs to intercept the ball before an opponent.

Highlands soccer defeats Summit

A rematch between the Lady Highlanders soccer team and the Summit Charter Lady Bears on Thursday night, April 18, netted a 2-1 win for the Lady Highlanders – a triumph after their 3-1 loss in March. The entire field was in play and the teams were closely matched.
After months of no bid interest for the Horsepasture water treatment facility, Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority received two bids at their April 11 opening.

After months of no bid interest for the Horsepasture water treatment facility, Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority received two bids at their April 11 opening.

TWSA bids come back higher than expected

After months of no bid interest for the Horsepasture water treatment facility, Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority received two bids at their April 11 opening. The lowest bidder was T.P. Howard, who estimated $30.5 million for the facility, a range much higher than TWSA originally expected.