Local

Highlands boys defeated Blue Ridge by a 61-43 final score on Tuesday.

Highlands boys defeated Blue Ridge by a 61-43 final score on Tuesday.

Highlanders take down Bobcats

Highlands School hosted the Blue Ridge Bobcats on Tuesday in a basketball doubleheader. Highlands took both games in the match up. The girls took the court first and  Highlands grabbed the first two points of the game, but the score remained neck and neck for the first period.
Photo by Patrick Taylor US64 reopened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday night following nearly a month of repairs to fix a section of road that was compromised by a landslide on Jan. 9. According to NCDOT officials, the repairs cost approximately $270,000.

Photo by Patrick Taylor US64 reopened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday night following nearly a month of repairs to fix a section of road that was compromised by a landslide on Jan. 9. According to NCDOT officials, the repairs cost approximately $270,000.

Gorge Road reopens

Following the completion of more than $275,000 worth of repairs, US64 was once again opened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday night. NC Department of Transportation crews reopened the road at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday and signaled the end to a nearly month-long closure.
Submitted photo - Crews work to fix the washed out section of Highlands Road on Monday, Jan. 29.

Submitted photo - Crews work to fix the washed out section of Highlands Road on Monday, Jan. 29.

NCDOT: Highlands Road to re-open next week

By Thomas Sherrill - The Franklin Press  Less than a month after closure, U.S. 64/Highlands Road going through the Cullasaja Gorge could be open to the public early next week.

Mayor on Duty

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, will be a day Maconians will remember for years to come. On that day, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt, came to Franklin to present a state check of 62 million dollars to build a new Franklin High School.
Cashiers Marketplace hearing delayed

Cashiers Marketplace hearing delayed

Cashiers Marketplace hearing delayed

By Michael O’Hearn - The Crossroads Chronicle The Cashiers Marketplace hearing resumed Monday night after a two-month hiatus with a brief update on where the project proposal stands and a discussion about what comes next.
Photo by Nick Childs/staff - Volunteers with the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust worked to upgrade the trail at Brushy Face Preserve in Highlands.

Photo by Nick Childs/staff - Volunteers with the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust worked to upgrade the trail at Brushy Face Preserve in Highlands.

Hiking trail rerouted at Brushy Face Preserve

Hikers at Brushy Face Preserve may be in for a refreshing reroute thanks to volunteer trail work with Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.
Submitted photo - Carmen Waite, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, stands beside Caroline Cox, Programs Director of The Literacy & Learning Council, after both spoke about early childhood care at a Highlands Chamber chat.

Submitted photo - Carmen Waite, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, stands beside Caroline Cox, Programs Director of The Literacy & Learning Council, after both spoke about early childhood care at a Highlands Chamber chat.

Chamber discusses child care needs

By Nick Childs - reporter@highlandsnews.com The Highlands Chamber of Commerce hosted speakers from the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau and The Literacy & Learning Center last week to discuss the ongoing childcare needs in Highlands.
The January meeting of the Highlands Board of Commissioners covered a wide variety of topics.

The January meeting of the Highlands Board of Commissioners covered a wide variety of topics.

Commissioners discuss water plant upgrades

Highlands commissioners held their first meeting of the year last week. As has been tradition for the past few months, it was preceded by a workshop. Most notable at the workshop was discussion on the water treatment plant.
SnowFest, presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, will take over Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday and Sunday.

SnowFest, presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, will take over Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday and Sunday.

SnowFest brings winter wonder

While frigid temperatures brought winter fears, Highlanders and visitors can look forward to some frosty fun this weekend. SnowFest will fall in Highlands Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kelsey Hutchinson Park. The best part? The event is free, and ice skating is $5.
Jim Paul Hogg, of Glenville, was killed in a head-on collision near the intersection of NC107 and Three Ponds Road in Cashiers.

Jim Paul Hogg, of Glenville, was killed in a head-on collision near the intersection of NC107 and Three Ponds Road in Cashiers.

Glenville man killed in wreck

A head-on collision resulting in one death occurred just after 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. Jim Hogg Paul, 78, of Glenville was in the left passing lane heading south on NC 107 when he was struck and killed by Aubrey Eugene Holley III, 21, of Sylva. Holley illegally passed another north-bound vehicle.