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Photo by Ryan Hanchett/Staff American Legion Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey (left) and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan (right) honored Keith Hall (center) for his service in Vietnam and his continued support of Post 370. Hall was a pilot shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a prisoner of war.

Photo by Ryan Hanchett/Staff American Legion Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey (left) and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan (right) honored Keith Hall (center) for his service in Vietnam and his continued support of Post 370. Hall was a pilot shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a prisoner of war.

Post 370 recognizes 50 years since the end of Vietnam War

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Five decades after the end of the United States’ longest military conflict, dozens of veterans, their families and friends gathered to remember those who never made it home from Vietnam.
Macon County is in desperate need of more school bus drivers.

Macon County is in desperate need of more school bus drivers.

Bus driver shortage an ongoing problem

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
About once a week a bus route for Macon County Schools is missed due to a lack of available drivers. “We’ve hit a critical point,” MCS Personnel Director Todd Gibbs said. “We’ve been dwindling over the last five to eight years.
Highlands’ Addie Westendorf (3) controls the ball while being pressured by the Franklin defense during their game at Macon Middle School.

Highlands’ Addie Westendorf (3) controls the ball while being pressured by the Franklin defense during their game at Macon Middle School.

Highlands takes down Franklin

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Highlands controlled the pace, capitalized on a pair of breakaway scoring chances, and held on in the final minutes for a 2-1 win over Franklin on Thursday night. Both teams started slowly as the first 20 minutes served as a feeling-out period.
The Highlands ABC store will be relocating from Highlands Plaza to the site of the former Highlands Fire and Rescue station on Oak Street following approval from the town board on Thursday night.

The Highlands ABC store will be relocating from Highlands Plaza to the site of the former Highlands Fire and Rescue station on Oak Street following approval from the town board on Thursday night.

ABC Store on the Move

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 23, 2023
The Highlands ABC store will soon find a new home thanks to a vote by the town board of commissioners on Thursday night.
Community members, elected officials and hospital staff members gathered Wednesday to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in its current location.

Community members, elected officials and hospital staff members gathered Wednesday to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in its current location.

Hospital leaders look back on 30 years

News Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Not even the storm of the century in 1993 could have prevented the arrival of a new hospital on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. That hospital, which has endured for the past 30 years, celebrated its anniversary on Wednesday.
The Life Force 6 medical ambulance helicopter that crashed along Middle Burningtown Road on Thursday night.

The Life Force 6 medical ambulance helicopter that crashed along Middle Burningtown Road on Thursday night.

Four survive medical helicopter crash

News Staff
Thursday, March 16, 2023
The first of multiple calls reporting a possible helicopter crash started coming into the Macon County 911 Center shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday. At 7:02 p.m. a woman called 911 and said her children had been outside and came running inside saying “Mama a helicopter just crashed.
The newly opened Highlands Fire and Rescue Station on Franklin Road will soon be staffed 24/7 by full-time firefighters.

The newly opened Highlands Fire and Rescue Station on Franklin Road will soon be staffed 24/7 by full-time firefighters.

Full-time fire coverage advances

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Highlands took another step toward 24/7 fire department coverage on Thursday when the town board of commissioners approved the hiring of six new paid firefighter positions during the board’s annual budget retreat.
A large crowd assembled for public comment at the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

A large crowd assembled for public comment at the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

Highlanders speak out in support of school project

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 16, 2023
A large crowd of Highlands residents made their way to Franklin to voice their displeasure regarding a recent joint decision between the Macon County Board of Education and Macon County Board of Commissioners to cancel an expansion project at Highlands School.
Members of the public got their first look at plans for the Blue Ridge Community Connector during a presentation at the Highlands Rec Center.

Members of the public got their first look at plans for the Blue Ridge Community Connector during a presentation at the Highlands Rec Center.

Blue Ridge Community Connector moves froward with public input

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Dozens of representatives from outdoor recreation organizations, government agencies, businesses and member of the general public converged at Highlands Rec Center on Wednesday to get a look at plans for a proposed outdoor feature.