Local

The annual Friends of Founders Park Shrimp Boil will bring a sold-out crowd to the park on Saturday for a gourmet low country dinner and live music.

The annual Friends of Founders Park Shrimp Boil will bring a sold-out crowd to the park on Saturday for a gourmet low country dinner and live music.

Shrimp boil set for Saturday

News Staff
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Highlands is preparing to welcome the annual shrimp boil fundraiser for Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday, July 15. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the dinner will start around 6 p.m.
Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor discusses the recent property revaluation in Macon County during his “Coffee with the Mayor” program.

Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor discusses the recent property revaluation in Macon County during his “Coffee with the Mayor” program.

Mayor discusses budget, taxes

Ryan Hanchett
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor gave the crowd at his most recent “Coffee with the Mayor” program an inside look at the town’s 2023-24 operating budget and offered his thoughts on the most recent Macon County property tax revaluation.
The cast of the musical “Jersey Boys” plays a Frankie Valli classic during a recent Mountain Theatre Company performance.

The cast of the musical “Jersey Boys” plays a Frankie Valli classic during a recent Mountain Theatre Company performance.

MTC unveils rush ticket policy

News Staff
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Mountain Theatre Company has introduced a new Rush Ticket policy. On the day of each performance, a select number of seats will open one hour before the show for $30 each. Rush Tickets must be purchased in person at the Box Office within one hour of a performance start time.
Elizabeth Byrum with NC Child gave a presentation on ways to improve childcare in Highlands.

Elizabeth Byrum with NC Child gave a presentation on ways to improve childcare in Highlands.

NC Child representative discusses childcare in Highlands

News Staff
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Elizabeth Byrum, senior policy analyst of early childhood education with NC Child, addressed a crowd at the  Highlands Community Building with concerns about early childcare. Byrum spoke about the state of childcare in North Carolina but also in Macon County and across Western North Carolina.
The arrival of the Mountain Area Medical Airlift helicopter was a crowd pleaser during the Highlands Fourth of July Celebration on Tuesday.

The arrival of the Mountain Area Medical Airlift helicopter was a crowd pleaser during the Highlands Fourth of July Celebration on Tuesday.

Highlands celebrates Independence Day

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 6, 2023
There is no official attendance number for Highlands’ Fourth of July celebration. But unofficially, the 2023 festivities were quite possibly the best attended ever. The flood of people to the Highlands baseball field started bright and early at 9 a.m.
Highlands continued its early undefeated run during the summer swim season with a 743-307 win over Cherokee County Aquatics Club on Thursday.

Highlands continued its early undefeated run during the summer swim season with a 743-307 win over Cherokee County Aquatics Club on Thursday.

Hurricanes cruise past Cherokee County

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
On Thursday, 44 Highlands Hurricanes Swim Team hosted Cherokee County Aquatics Club for a home meet. The Hurricanes won 743 - 307. The Hurricanes were led by Anton Halldin who won three events and finished second in another. Emilina Hernandez and Jr.
The Mountaintop Rotary Arts and Crafts show brought large crowds to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for a two-day showcase over the weekend.

The Mountaintop Rotary Arts and Crafts show brought large crowds to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for a two-day showcase over the weekend.

Annual arts and crafts show highlights local artisans

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 29, 2023
For the 18th time the Mountaintop Rotary Arts and Crafts Show brought throngs of art enthusiasts to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for a two-day run over the weekend. The show seems to get a little bigger and a little more diverse in terms of the media and the artisans who present it each summer.
Highlands' six new firefighters will begin their assignments on June 29.

Highlands' six new firefighters will begin their assignments on June 29.

Full time firefighters begin their tenure

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
After years of relying strictly on volunteers, the Highlands Fire Department is bringing on six new, full-time staff members. These new members will help fire chief Ryan Gearhart and assistant Robbie Forrester provide 24/7 fire coverage to Highlands property owners.
Highlands’ Fourth of July events will kick off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning with the annual water rocket launch sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America at the baseball field on 4th Street.

Highlands’ Fourth of July events will kick off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning with the annual water rocket launch sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America at the baseball field on 4th Street.

Independence Day events on tap

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Highlands has a lot of “big” days on the calendar each year. But there is no day bigger than July 4.