Local

Commissioners Gary Shields, Danny Antoine, Paul Higdon and Josh Young vote for solid waste fee hikes during a special called meeting on Monday. Commissioner John Shearl, sitting next to Young, voted against the fee increases. Also pictured is Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl and Finance Director Lori Carpenter.

Commissioners Gary Shields, Danny Antoine, Paul Higdon and Josh Young vote for solid waste fee hikes during a special called meeting on Monday. Commissioner John Shearl, sitting next to Young, voted against the fee increases. Also pictured is Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl and Finance Director Lori Carpenter.

County approves solid waste fees

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Contention and confusion, specifically by one commissioner, over solid waste fee increases, led to a vote that approved those hikes after an hour-long Board of Commissioners meeting Monday morning.

Larson to cover three unique topics at CLE

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 22, 2023
What do polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, the Scopes Trial, and American Revolutionary War-era sociology have in common? Those three topics will be the focus of three separate discussions by Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Ed Larson at The Center for Life Enrichment.
Mountain Findings honored its volunteers during a recent members meeting.

Mountain Findings honored its volunteers during a recent members meeting.

Mountain Findings recognizes volunteers at annual meeting

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Volunteering isn’t just about the good feelings - it’s about action. And action is what our Mountain Findings members have taken, fueled by passion, drive, and a commitment to make a positive difference in our community.
Brookings’ Anglers, which has locations in Highlands and Cashiers is building a new facility on Cashiers Lake. The new retailer will include a beer and wine bar for post-fishing refreshments.

Brookings’ Anglers, which has locations in Highlands and Cashiers is building a new facility on Cashiers Lake. The new retailer will include a beer and wine bar for post-fishing refreshments.

Brookings' building new location

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
By early 2024, a fly-fishing outfitter in Cashiers will relocate to its new space on the shores of Cashiers Lake in the heart of town. Brookings’ Anglers, which is located off Hwy. 107 South next to Woof Gang Bakery, is gearing up for a move and construction is underway on a new store.
Highlands board of commissioners approved the 2023-24 budget on Thursday night.

Highlands board of commissioners approved the 2023-24 budget on Thursday night.

Town approves operating budget

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Without much fanfare the Town of Highlands passed its 2023-24 operating budget on Thursday night.

Thrillers from Capitol Hill

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 15, 2023
They say there is no substitute for experience. Author Stephen McGuire would certainly agree with that adage. Drawing on his decades of experience as a federal judge, McGuire has transitioned to a second career as a prolific author of Washington, D.C.-based thrillers.
The featured marque for the 2023 Highlands Motoring Festival was BMW. The brand was showcased during all four days of the festival.

The featured marque for the 2023 Highlands Motoring Festival was BMW. The brand was showcased during all four days of the festival.

Classic cars come together

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, June 15, 2023
The Highlands Motoring Festival continued to build on its reputation as one of the premier classic car events in the Southeast with a stellar four-day run over the weekend.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners is continuing to work on the proposed 2023-24 budget.

The Macon County Board of Commissioners is continuing to work on the proposed 2023-24 budget.

Higdon wants county budget number to decrease

News Staff
Thursday, June 15, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners concluded nearly 10 combined hours of talks with department heads and discussions regarding the 2023-24 budget in its second budget workshop on Thursday, June 8.
Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm in Highlands was recently recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the “World’s Top Hotels.”

Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm in Highlands was recently recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the “World’s Top Hotels.”

Old Edwards Inn a top hotel for 2023

News Staff
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Anyone who has spent time in Highlands knows the name Old Edwards Inn. And as a recent recognition by Travel and Leisure Magazine shows, the hospitality group’s reputation for top-tier service is continuing to grow.
Dr. Allen Hurlbert will deliver the first Zahner Lecture of the season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 at the Highlands Nature Center.

Dr. Allen Hurlbert will deliver the first Zahner Lecture of the season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 at the Highlands Nature Center.

Zahner Lectures kick off for 2023

News Staff
Thursday, June 8, 2023
The Highlands Biological Foundation will kick off its annual Zahner Conservation Lecture series at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15  with Dr. Allen Hurlbert’s program titled “Birds, Big Data, and Citizen Science: Understanding the Impacts of Global Change,” with a small reception to follow.