Local

The Macon County commissioners will ask the state legislature to approve a new election process following a vote in November.

The Macon County commissioners will ask the state legislature to approve a new election process following a vote in November.

County commissioners change election process

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Two election related resolutions resulted in a heated back and forth between commissioners during the five-plus hour Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 14.   At-large commissioners approved Board Chair Paul Higdon championed a resolution to change commissioner representation.
County commissioner John Shearl called for county manager Derek Roland's resignation during an open meeting in November, to no avail.

County commissioner John Shearl called for county manager Derek Roland's resignation during an open meeting in November, to no avail.

Shearl calls for county manager's resignation

News Staff
Monday, November 27, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, lasted more than five hours and included multiple quarrels between commissioners, the crowd, and a call from one commissioner for the county manager to resign.
Photo by Ryan Hanchett Members of the Rotary Club of Highlands donated 25 turkeys for families in need prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Photo by Ryan Hanchett Members of the Rotary Club of Highlands donated 25 turkeys for families in need prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Season of giving underway for Rotary Clubs

Ryan Hanchett
Monday, November 27, 2023
The season of giving is underway and both of the Rotary Clubs that call Highlands home got into the act on Friday by partnering with the Highlands Emergency Council. Representatives from the Rotary Club of Highlands dropped off 25 turkeys for families in need ahead of Thanksgiving.
The Macon County EDC held their November meeting just as the Highlands Food and Wine Festival kicked off.

The Macon County EDC held their November meeting just as the Highlands Food and Wine Festival kicked off.

EDC gets update on Highlands tourism

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 16, 2023
On the opening night of Highlands’ biggest event of the year, the Macon County Economic Development Commission got a firsthand look at tourism in town.
The Town of Highlands has posted signs along Main Street letting people know about water restrictions and the ongoing burning ban.

The Town of Highlands has posted signs along Main Street letting people know about water restrictions and the ongoing burning ban.

Town puts Level II water restrictions in place

News Staff
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Highlands has stepped up its efforts to conserve water in the face of severe drought conditions. This week Mayor Pat Taylor enacted Levell II water restrictions, which means all citizens are asked to reduce their water use by at least 10 percent.
Guests of the Highlands Food and Wine Festival visit the Blade and Bow drink station on Friday afternoon.

Guests of the Highlands Food and Wine Festival visit the Blade and Bow drink station on Friday afternoon.

Food and Wine Festival shines

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 16, 2023
The 2023 Highlands Food and Wine Festival continued the event’s tradition of showcasing the best and brightest of the Southeast’s culinary scene.
Ron Winters with Gibbons Advisors speaks during a forum in Cashiers.

Ron Winters with Gibbons Advisors speaks during a forum in Cashiers.

HCA monitor hosts Cashiers forum

News Staff
Thursday, November 9, 2023
An independent firm tasked with ensuring HCA Healthcare complies with the 15 commitments it made when it purchased Mission Health, the parent company of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, returned to Cashiers last week for a public forum.
Crews from multiple departments and the NC Forest Service are battling wildfires in three counties across Western North Carolina as of Wednesday.

Crews from multiple departments and the NC Forest Service are battling wildfires in three counties across Western North Carolina as of Wednesday.

Burning ban takes effect

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 9, 2023
As drought conditions continue to worsen across the region, the North Carolina Forest Service, Macon County, and the Town of Highlands have taken steps to stop citizens from burning outdoors.

Town incumbents, one challenger claim town board seats

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The results are in, and Highlands will have one new town board member following the 2023 municipal election. Three seats were contested on the board of commissioners and decided among five candidates. Incumbents Brian Stiehler and John ‘Buz’ Dotson each retained their post.