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The Highlands ice skating rink at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is in the midst of what may be its busiest season ever.

The Highlands ice skating rink at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is in the midst of what may be its busiest season ever.

Perfect winter conditions create demand for recreational activities

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Highlands has its fair share of recreational resources for a small town. One item that has become a critical part of the winter in Highlands is the outdoor ice rink at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Now in its eighth season, the rink’s humble beginnings are a thing of the past.
Members of the Mountaintop Rotary Club dropped off coats to the Highlands Emergency Council as part of the club’s ongoing coat and toy drive. Since the coat drive began in November, more than 700 coats have been collected, cleaned, and distributed to those in need.

Members of the Mountaintop Rotary Club dropped off coats to the Highlands Emergency Council as part of the club’s ongoing coat and toy drive. Since the coat drive began in November, more than 700 coats have been collected, cleaned, and distributed to those in need.

Coat drive seeing record demand

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
The Highlands Emergency Council and the Mountaintop Rotary Club held their annual toy and coat drives to ensure that everyone in the Highlands community stays warm throughout the winter season.
The Macon County Sheriff's Office is investigating a death on Walnut Creek Road on Jan. 1.

The Macon County Sheriff's Office is investigating a death on Walnut Creek Road on Jan. 1.

Ongoing dispute leads to New Year's Day death

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Franklin man on Jan. 1. Deputies were dispatched at about 12 p.m. to a residence in the Walnut Creek area following a 911 call that had been placed in reference to a dispute that was ongoing, according to the MCSO.
Bridal Veil Falls provided a frozen souvenir for a young visitor on Saturday. Temperatures in the single digits and wind chills below zero hit Highlands during the holiday weekend.

Bridal Veil Falls provided a frozen souvenir for a young visitor on Saturday. Temperatures in the single digits and wind chills below zero hit Highlands during the holiday weekend.

Feeling the Christmas freeze

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 29, 2022
It took a while for winter to come to Highlands, but near record low temperatures ushered in the Christmas holiday. Many residents found themselves stuck at home on Friday morning following a period of freezing rain late Thursday that was covered by a dusting of snow.
The future of several capital projects in Macon County Schools is in question following a meeting between the board of education and county commissioners.

The future of several capital projects in Macon County Schools is in question following a meeting between the board of education and county commissioners.

Leaders question school projects

News Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Strong public comments in favor, including from a mother of a special needs child who struggles to get around Franklin High School, buoyed a sense of moving forward with the new Franklin High School project during a joint meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education on...
The Highlands Fourth of July celebration was back bigger and better than ever in 2022 following two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Many of the areas big events drew record crowds this year as life slowly returned to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The Highlands Fourth of July celebration was back bigger and better than ever in 2022 following two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Many of the areas big events drew record crowds this year as life slowly returned to pre-pandemic normalcy.

Highlands top stories of 2022

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 29, 2022
It was a year full of activity in Highlands as 2022 saw a resolution to the short term rental debate, the construction of multiple major capital projects, and the return of many popular events following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the hiring of LS3P architecture to complete renovations at Highlands Middle School.

The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the hiring of LS3P architecture to complete renovations at Highlands Middle School.

HMS renovation moves forward

News Staff
Thursday, December 22, 2022
The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved LS3P as the architect for Highlands Middle School renovations during the Dec. 13 board meeting. They also gave County Manager Derek Roland the OK to begin negotiations for the planning and design services.
The Chattooga Conservancy and High Hampton have settled a lawsuit related to run-off and erosion on the High Hampton property.

The Chattooga Conservancy and High Hampton have settled a lawsuit related to run-off and erosion on the High Hampton property.

High Hampton run-off lawsuit settled

News Staff
Thursday, December 22, 2022
The Chattooga Conservancy and High Hampton Resort have officially reached a settlement in their ongoing lawsuit regarding the alleged run-off of erosion and sedimentation into the Chattooga River and Fowler Creek due to development work on the High Hampton property.
Highlands may have to adjust its budget if transfers between enterprise funds are no longer allowed.

Highlands may have to adjust its budget if transfers between enterprise funds are no longer allowed.

Town audit leads to enterprise fund discussion

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 22, 2022
The annual town audit report is not traditionally a very exciting event for the Highlands Board of Commissioners, but thanks to some chatter in the North Carolina General Assembly, the audit review in December came with more pointed discussion than usual.