Local

The Highlands Board of Commissioners debated whether workshops or committee meetings would be more effective during their Feb. 19 meeting.

The Highlands Board of Commissioners debated whether workshops or committee meetings would be more effective during their Feb. 19 meeting.

Town Board reviews appointment procedure, workshops

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Highlands Town Board of Commissioners convened on Thursday, Feb. 19 for its monthly meeting, where it reviewed appointment procedures, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s lease, workshops, outdoor recreation policy amendments and Mayor and Town Manager reports.
MC Planning Board reduced to five members

MC Planning Board reduced to five members

MC Planning Board reduced to five members

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to cut the county planning board from 11 to five members in an effort to make conducting business easier.
WNCAP Development Director Bellamy Crawford partnered with La Rumba Restaurant Latino in Asheville to host Dining Out For Life in 2025.

WNCAP Development Director Bellamy Crawford partnered with La Rumba Restaurant Latino in Asheville to host Dining Out For Life in 2025.

Dining Out For Life looks to expand

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Western North Carolina AIDS Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is working to expand Dining Out For Life — a nationwide fundraiser for HIV prevention and care — into the Highlands and Cashiers areas.
Mary Adair Trumbley and Dr. John Baumrucker were named 2026 Mardi Gras King and Queen at R.E.A.C.H.’s Mardi Gras fundraiser on Feb. 17.

Mary Adair Trumbley and Dr. John Baumrucker were named 2026 Mardi Gras King and Queen at R.E.A.C.H.’s Mardi Gras fundraiser on Feb. 17.

Mardi Gras, Mountain Style

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
R.E.A.C.H. of Macon County raised more than $48,000 at its annual Mardi Gras fundraiser, held to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Volunteering at The Literacy & Learning Center is easy and makes a vital impact on the community. | Photo by The Literacy and Learning Center

Volunteering at The Literacy & Learning Center is easy and makes a vital impact on the community. | Photo by The Literacy and Learning Center

Help a young child learn to read: no special skills required

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
You don’t need a teaching degree or a professional background to change a child’s life; if you can read, you can help a student succeed. Volunteering at The Literacy & Learning Center is easy.
Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad used thermal imaging to locate the two climbers, which can be seen as the bright figures positioned on the dark, cold strip of ice. | Photo by Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad

Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad used thermal imaging to locate the two climbers, which can be seen as the bright figures positioned on the dark, cold strip of ice. | Photo by Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad

RESCUE ON WHITESIDE MOUNTAIN

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
At approximately 2:03 p.m. on Feb. 14, the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad responded to a call involving a report of an injured ice climber that had fallen 80 feet. The reported area of the incident was the “Starshine” ice flow on the flank of Devils Court House and Whiteside Mountain.
Five candidates apply for town board seat

Five candidates apply for town board seat

Five candidates apply for town board seat

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Town of Highlands has received five applications from local residents seeking to fill the Board of Commissioners seat left vacant by the retirement of longtime Councilman John Dotson at the end of 2025.
Community speaks out on redistricting

Community speaks out on redistricting

Community speaks out on redistricting

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Thirteen speakers showed up for the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 10 to voice opposition to a proposed new election structure for the board.  Commissioners have been discussing redistricting since their Dec. 9 meeting, reigniting an effort from 2023 to restructure the board.
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry officers and directors review the proposed budget during their board meeting on Feb. 10 in Cashiers.

Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry officers and directors review the proposed budget during their board meeting on Feb. 10 in Cashiers.

Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry holds annual meeting

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, Inc., in Jackson County, held its annual meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Officers and the Board of Directors discussed the budget, reports, amendment of bylaws and the appointment of new officers.
The 19th Annual Great Outhouse Races attracted thousands to Sapphire Valley Resort to witness neck-and-neck racing in borderline freezing temperatures.

The 19th Annual Great Outhouse Races attracted thousands to Sapphire Valley Resort to witness neck-and-neck racing in borderline freezing temperatures.

OUT (HOUSE) IN FRONT

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The 19th edition of the Great Outhouse Races at Sapphire Valley Resort was held on Saturday, Feb. 7. The unique competition featured custom-built outhouses racing over approximately 40 yards down a two-lane track of packed snow.