Local

County commissioner John Shearl speaks during a public forum Thursday.

County commissioner John Shearl speaks during a public forum Thursday.

Shearl hosts forum about school expansion project

News Staff
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Macon County commissioner John Shearl hosted a community forum Thursday night for residents to ask questions about the Highlands School expansion project.
The Bear Shadow festival will take place April 28-30 at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain.

The Bear Shadow festival will take place April 28-30 at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain.

Bear Shadow returns to Scaly Mountain for third year

News Staff
Thursday, April 27, 2023
The third annual Bear Shadow festival kicks off this weekend, featuring nine bands and a host of local food and beverage trucks. The festival is produced by Highlands Festival, Inc., and Eleven Events, the same duo behind the annual Highlands Food and Wine Festival every November.

Pair of "Code Red" messages issued Thursday

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Emergencies significant enough to trigger a “Code Red” alert for Highlands residents are incredibly uncommon. Two “Code Red” alerts in the same day is unheard of. But that is exactly what happened on Thursday when residents received two alert messages in less than 12 hours.
A potential Highlands School expansion project is still the number two ranked project on the school board's list.

A potential Highlands School expansion project is still the number two ranked project on the school board's list.

School board: Highlands project still on priority list

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Macon County Board of Education Chair Jim Breedlove took the bull by the horns on Monday night during the board’s April meeting in an attempt to clear the air about the Highlands School expansion project and where it stands on the school board’s priority list.
A month after cancelling an expansion project at Highlands School, the county board spent $1.35 million to purchase the Higdon estate in Franklin.

A month after cancelling an expansion project at Highlands School, the county board spent $1.35 million to purchase the Higdon estate in Franklin.

County pays $1.35 million for Higdon property

News Staff
Thursday, April 20, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 11 to allocate $1.35 million for the potential purchase of 10+ acres of property, known as the Higdon property, located across the street from Franklin High School. The action includes the 2.54-acre tract at 195 Wayah St.
A near-record number of volunteers gathered at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for the Plateau Pickup on Saturday morning.

A near-record number of volunteers gathered at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for the Plateau Pickup on Saturday morning.

Plateau Pickup produces results

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A near-record number of community volunteers turned out for the 2023 Plateau Pickup on Saturday and the result was a massive amount of litter being pulled from area roadsides.
Highlands’ Caroline Woods (15) and Addie Westendorf celebrate after they connected on a corner kick for Highlands third goal of the first half against Murphy on Tuesday night. Highlands went on to win the game 6-2.

Highlands’ Caroline Woods (15) and Addie Westendorf celebrate after they connected on a corner kick for Highlands third goal of the first half against Murphy on Tuesday night. Highlands went on to win the game 6-2.

Highlanders knock off rival Bulldogs

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Highlands got off to its best start of the season and cruised past Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rival Murphy 6-2 on Tuesday night. The win was pivotal in the conference standings, as it put Highlands alone in second place behind Swain – the league’s only unbeaten team.
Don Leon (left) has opened his latest restaurant on Dillard Road in Highlands.

Don Leon (left) has opened his latest restaurant on Dillard Road in Highlands.

Don Leon's opens new location on Dillard Road

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Don Leon is back on the Highlands food scene. With the opening of his new restaurant on Dillard Road, in the former Magnolia Republic location, Leon has restarted his mission of serving quality food at a palatable price point.
Children donned their Easter best and raced through the Highlands Rec Center gym as part of the “Easter Egg Scramble” on Saturday. Cold temperatures and steady rain forced the annual town Easter Egg Hunt indoors.

Children donned their Easter best and raced through the Highlands Rec Center gym as part of the “Easter Egg Scramble” on Saturday. Cold temperatures and steady rain forced the annual town Easter Egg Hunt indoors.

Rain doesn't stop Easter fun

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Easter ceremonies and events got no favors from Mother Nature on Saturday. Temperatures in the 40’s and cold rain forced adjustments to holiday events. First was the annual Highlands Easter Egg Hunt, originally scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Rec Park lawn.