Local

The Highlands Town Board is considering changes to weekend work hours and board appointments.

The Highlands Town Board is considering changes to weekend work hours and board appointments.

Weekend work hours, board appointment changes mulled

How advisory board members are appointed, and for how long they serve, may change following a discussion about the continuity of the Highlands planning board and the zoning board on Thursday night.
Pictured is the newly amended site plan for the Cashiers East Village project.

Pictured is the newly amended site plan for the Cashiers East Village project.

East Village amendments proposed

You know what they say about the best laid plans. After having a special use permit approved in 2022, and undertaking more than a year of engineering work, representatives from the Kessler Collection decided to pivot.
Members of the Mountaintop Rotary Club and staff from the Highlands Emergency Council gathered on Thursday to collect the final coats for the 2024 coat drive. This year’s drive brought in nearly 3,000 cold weather clothing items.

Members of the Mountaintop Rotary Club and staff from the Highlands Emergency Council gathered on Thursday to collect the final coats for the 2024 coat drive. This year’s drive brought in nearly 3,000 cold weather clothing items.

Coat drive sets new record

The Mountaintop Rotary Club’s annual coat drive continued its record-setting tradition in 2024. The event brought in 2,976 individual clothing items, which marked a new record according to coat drive organizer Duncan Greenlee.
Brookings Anglers has added a new location on Cashiers Lake.

Brookings Anglers has added a new location on Cashiers Lake.

Brookings opens new location

Brookings Anglers has had a few weeks in their new location nestled on Cashiers Lake behind Cornucopia. The fly tying outdoor shop officially opened their Blue Line Bar last week. Blue Line Bar is a small wine and beer corner of the store with a handful of local taps and other domestic choices.
Highlands Festivals Inc. presented an economic impact study focused on Bear Shadow and Highlands Food and Wine to the town board on Thursday.

Highlands Festivals Inc. presented an economic impact study focused on Bear Shadow and Highlands Food and Wine to the town board on Thursday.

Turning festivals into funds

Highlands’ two largest festivals generated more than $5 million in economic impact in 2023 according to a study conducted by Western Carolina University. Jack Austin, with Highlands Festivals Inc.
Highlands overcame a strong early defensive showing by Blue Ridge to claim a 4-0 victory on Monday night.

Highlands overcame a strong early defensive showing by Blue Ridge to claim a 4-0 victory on Monday night.

Highlands shuts out Blue Ridge

On a day that could only be described as brutally cold, Highlands got its offense warmed up enough to take down Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rival Blue Ridge on Monday night.
Students and volunteers from Summit Charter School delivered more than 3,000 food items to Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers following a food drive at the school. The middle school student council organized the food drive.

Students and volunteers from Summit Charter School delivered more than 3,000 food items to Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers following a food drive at the school. The middle school student council organized the food drive.

Summit Charter delivers with food drive

A flatbed truck backed up to Fishes & Loaves temporary shelter Monday, delivering around 3,000 items, or an estimated ton and a half, of supplies from Summit Charter School.
The Macon County School board is preparing to request a $2.5 million budget increase in 2024.

The Macon County School board is preparing to request a $2.5 million budget increase in 2024.

Macon County Schools seeking $2.5 million budget bump

Local art, music and STEAM teachers, mental health professionals, an athletic coaching supplement and employee raises would account for a requested $2.5 million jump in local funding for the coming school year.
Students from Blue Ridge and Summit Charter School got a lesson in effective communication during a program at the Boys and Girls Club.

Students from Blue Ridge and Summit Charter School got a lesson in effective communication during a program at the Boys and Girls Club.

BGCP hosts high school seniors

The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau and Vision Cashiers hosted seniors from Blue Ridge Early College and Summit Charter School for a day-long seminar to help equip soon-to-be graduates for life after high school.
Members of Team Rubicon clear branches and brush away from buildings at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center during a coordinated volunteer effort that spanned eight days from March 10-17.

Members of Team Rubicon clear branches and brush away from buildings at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center during a coordinated volunteer effort that spanned eight days from March 10-17.

Team Rubicon descends on The Mountain

With the sound of chainsaws echoing through the valley below, volunteers with Team Rubicon pushed their way through heavy brush encircling The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center.