Local

NC Department of Transportation crews assess 80-feet of washed out shoulder along US 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge.

NC Department of Transportation crews assess 80-feet of washed out shoulder along US 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge.

Gorge Road repairs expected to last until end of January

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Eighty feet of embankment damage to U.S. 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge has ripple effects through Macon County as a major artery from Franklin to Highlands is closed for the rest of the month. The washout under a section of U.S. 64/Highlands Road near Cullasaja Falls occurred midday on Tuesday, Jan.
Amythyst Kiah performed during the 2023 Bear Shadow Festival at Winfield Farm. The 2024 music lineup was announced on Tuesday.

Amythyst Kiah performed during the 2023 Bear Shadow Festival at Winfield Farm. The 2024 music lineup was announced on Tuesday.

Bear Shadow unveils 2024 lineup

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Highlands Festivals, Inc. has made public the music lineup for the 4th annual Bear Shadow spring music festival, set to be held May 11-12, 2024 in Scaly Mountain. The two-day festival will feature headlining performances by seven-time Grammy-nominated duo Black Pumas and JJ Grey & Mofro.
Highlands PD saw a decrease in nearly all categories of crime in 2023.

Highlands PD saw a decrease in nearly all categories of crime in 2023.

Statistics show crime decrease in 2023, fire call increase

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Highlands’ first responders shared statistics from 2023. While overall crime was lower on the police front, the fire department responded to more calls than in 2022. Highlanders may be reassured to know overall crime statistics were down in 2023.
The water over Lake Sequoyah Dam, which was barely a trickle in November during severe drought conditions, was raging following more than four inches of rain in less than 12 hours on Tuesday.

The water over Lake Sequoyah Dam, which was barely a trickle in November during severe drought conditions, was raging following more than four inches of rain in less than 12 hours on Tuesday.

Wet, wild, winter weather

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Weather extremes brought a full spectrum of conditions to Highlands over a three-day stretch from Monday through Wednesday. After a mild weekend, heavy rains rolled into the area in the late hours of Monday night. In a 12-hour span, Highlands saw more than 4 inches of rainfall.
A pair of Highlands students work on a hallway mural as part of art class.

A pair of Highlands students work on a hallway mural as part of art class.

Highlands students paint mural

News Staff
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Jessica Moschouris, art teacher at Highlands School, is supporting and encouraging students as they paint a mural in the middle school wing. Principal Holbrooks and Moschouris began talking about projects at the end of last school year.
The Highlands Motoring Festival drew record crowds during its four-day run in June. The festival continues to grow and has become one of Highlands’ premiere events of the summer.

The Highlands Motoring Festival drew record crowds during its four-day run in June. The festival continues to grow and has become one of Highlands’ premiere events of the summer.

Looking back at 2023

News Staff
Thursday, January 4, 2024
January Revamped SnowFest draws big crowd Snow Fest was blessed with near perfect conditions in 2023. Saturday, Jan. 28 featured temperatures in the 50’s and sunny skies.
Mountain Theatre Company will open the 2024 performance season with Grease. The production will host an opening night on May 31.

Mountain Theatre Company will open the 2024 performance season with Grease. The production will host an opening night on May 31.

MTC unveils 2024 season slate

News Staff
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Mountain Theatre Company has announced its 2024 Mainstage Season. In what will mark the theatre company’s 86th season, an exciting lineup of shows has been released that will have something for everyone. The Mainstage Season will kick off May 31 with Grease as the first production of the summer.
Representatives from Highlands Cashiers Hospital made donations of $17,500 to the food pantries in Highlands and Cashiers on Thursday.

Representatives from Highlands Cashiers Hospital made donations of $17,500 to the food pantries in Highlands and Cashiers on Thursday.

HCH donates to local food banks

News Staff
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Thanks to a competition, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital received $35,000 to donate to local charities. This reward, plus nearly 435 pounds of canned goods, will be split between Fishes & Loaves food pantry in Cashiers and Highlands Food Pantry.
North Carolina Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) and Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Macon) delivered a pair of checks for $5 million each to the Town of Highlands last week. The state funds will cover a new clarifier tank at the water treatment plant, and the dredging of Mirror Lake.

North Carolina Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) and Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Macon) delivered a pair of checks for $5 million each to the Town of Highlands last week. The state funds will cover a new clarifier tank at the water treatment plant, and the dredging of Mirror Lake.

State steps up to fund projects

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 28, 2023
North Carolina Sen. Kevin Corbin and Rep. Karl Gillespie took time out of their Christmas legislative break to stop in Highlands on Wednesday. And they brought along a couple of very important ceremonial checks.
The Highlands Food and Wine Festival drew big crowds to town during a four-day run in November. The event has produced more than $176,000 in charitable donations since 2016.

The Highlands Food and Wine Festival drew big crowds to town during a four-day run in November. The event has produced more than $176,000 in charitable donations since 2016.

Food and Wine festival makes giving impact

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 21, 2023
The Highlands Food and Wine Festival will pass a major milestone in its charitable giving following a successful four-day run in 2023. According to event organizers, the festival will likely surpass the $200,000 mark when it comes to giving back to the community.