Local

Lamont Landers plays during Porchfest at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Lamont Landers plays during Porchfest at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Porchfest packs local venues

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Nervous eyes to the sky gave way to the sights and sounds of one of Highlands largest fall festivals on Sunday.
Bull rider Gus Teeter has worked his way up through junior rodeo and recently placed in the top 10 at the Junior National Finals.

Bull rider Gus Teeter has worked his way up through junior rodeo and recently placed in the top 10 at the Junior National Finals.

Teeter taking no bull

News Staff
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Gus Teeter, a regional youth bull rider, is taking steps to help secure his dreams of competing as a professional bull rider. Teeter has become increasingly accomplished as a young rider. Teeter recently placed 12th in the Wrangler Youth Bull Rider Finals in Abilene, Texas.
Bowls provided by The Bascom will be filled with soup in support of the Highlands Food Pantry.

Bowls provided by The Bascom will be filled with soup in support of the Highlands Food Pantry.

Empty Bowls fundraiser set for Sept. 24

News Staff
Thursday, September 14, 2023
The Highlands Food Pantry will hold their 12th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 24. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and it will be at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at internationalfriendshipcenter.
Representatives from Highlands Festivals Inc. and Sky Valley-Scaly Mountain Fire and Rescue gathered to exchange a $20,000 donation check that will help the department buy a new truck.

Representatives from Highlands Festivals Inc. and Sky Valley-Scaly Mountain Fire and Rescue gathered to exchange a $20,000 donation check that will help the department buy a new truck.

Highlands Festivals Inc donates to SVSM Fire and Rescue

News Staff
Thursday, September 14, 2023
On Sept. 5, Sky Valley-Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue received a donation of $20,000 thanks to Highlands Festivals, Inc. The donation is a significant portion of proceeds from the 2023 Bear Shadow Festival, which occurred in April. It represents “Highlands Festivals Inc.
Harry McDonald, President of the Highlands Historical Society, and Dazzling Dahlia Festival organizers handed out ribbons in multiple categories during a break in the action at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday.

Harry McDonald, President of the Highlands Historical Society, and Dazzling Dahlia Festival organizers handed out ribbons in multiple categories during a break in the action at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday.

Dahlias dazzle spectators

News Staff
Thursday, September 14, 2023
The 13th Annual Dazzling Dahlia Festival was a success over the weekend. The Bascom Center for Visual Arts kicked things off with a poster party that featured signature dahlia cocktails and the poster artist Megan Gaillour on Thursday night.
The Higdon Property near Franklin High School is now under MCS control.

The Higdon Property near Franklin High School is now under MCS control.

School board approves Higdon Property lease

News Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023
The Macon County Schools’ Board of Education unanimously approved a new version of the Higdon property lease that would mandate the county cover all maintenance and land upkeep costs. Board Attorney John Henning presented the new version of the 40-year lease to the board during its August meeting.
The housing market in Highlands and Cashiers is still experiencing high demand and low availability following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The housing market in Highlands and Cashiers is still experiencing high demand and low availability following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing still in high demand

News Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors has provided data on the housing market trends as of Aug. 28. The market appears strong, but is being impacted by affordability, availability, and interest rates. From the information provided, home sales appear healthy following the pandemic.
The Highlands Planning Board approved the final plat for Sanctuary on First during a recent meeting.

The Highlands Planning Board approved the final plat for Sanctuary on First during a recent meeting.

Planning Board approves final plat for subdivision

News Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023
At a planning board meeting Aug. 29, the Highlands Planning Board approved the final plat of the future subdivision, Sanctuary on First, which will sit on 1st and Oak Streets. The approval, though, was not without some objections.
The Dazzling Dahlia Festival will take place Sept. 7 and Sept. 9 at locations around town including the Highlands Historical Village.

The Dazzling Dahlia Festival will take place Sept. 7 and Sept. 9 at locations around town including the Highlands Historical Village.

Dahlia Festival prep underway

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Highlands Historical Society’s Dazzling Dahlia Festival will be held Thursday Sept. 7, and Saturday, Sept. 9, and visitors should prepare to be dazzled. Festivities begin with a poster party on Thursday, Sept. 7 at The Bascom.
Submitted photo Brian Aulisio was named the 2023 teacher of the year, and April Getz was named the 2023 support person of the year, at Highlands School.

Submitted photo Brian Aulisio was named the 2023 teacher of the year, and April Getz was named the 2023 support person of the year, at Highlands School.

Award winning educators

News Staff
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Macon County Schools recently announced the teachers and support staff of the year. The county’s teacher of the year goes to Katy Huscusson, a middle school teacher at Mountain View Intermediate, while the county’s support staff of the year is Sunshine Windsor, a counselor at Union Academy.