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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.
An attempted robbery took place at the Wells Fargo bank in Cashiers on Tuesday morning. The suspect fled on foot following the incident and remains at large.

An attempted robbery took place at the Wells Fargo bank in Cashiers on Tuesday morning. The suspect fled on foot following the incident and remains at large.

Suspect attempts to rob Wells Fargo in Cashiers

News Staff
Thursday, December 15, 2022
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an attempted robbery at the Wells Fargo bank in Cashiers, located at 68 State Rte 107, Tuesday morning by an unknown suspect.
Representatives of the Highlands Motoring Festival presented a check to three area nonprofit on Thursday.

Representatives of the Highlands Motoring Festival presented a check to three area nonprofit on Thursday.

Motoring Festival gives back to nonprofits

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Organizers of the Highlands Motoring Festival celebrated another successful series of events in 2022 on Thursday with a check presentation to the three Macon County nonprofits the festival supports.
The ABC Board is interested in moving the ABC Store to the current fire department property on Oak Street.

The ABC Board is interested in moving the ABC Store to the current fire department property on Oak Street.

Board pitches ABC Store relocation

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 15, 2022
As Highlands Fire and Rescue makes its move into the new fire station on Franklin Road, eyes are turning to the future of the current fire station on Oak Street.

The Bascom to unveil "Listening to the Land" project

News Staff
Thursday, December 15, 2022
The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts will be kicking off its upcoming nine-month community program with a reception celebrating its newest exhibition, “With Rapture and Astonishment” on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.
CHHS assistant manager Jodi Henkel plays with one of the shelter’s resident pups in front of the “Stuff the Stockings” donation table. Donations will ensure that the animals at CHHS have a merry Christmas.

CHHS assistant manager Jodi Henkel plays with one of the shelter’s resident pups in front of the “Stuff the Stockings” donation table. Donations will ensure that the animals at CHHS have a merry Christmas.

CHHS working to stuff pet stockings

News Staff
Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Cashiers Highlands Humane Society is currently holding their sixth annual “Stuff the Stockings” drive to benefit the more than 120 animals in the shelter’s care and provide them with personalized stockings full of toys and goodies on Christmas morning.
County commissioner John Shearl took his oath of office on Monday night.

County commissioner John Shearl took his oath of office on Monday night.

Newly elected officials take oath

News Staff
Thursday, December 8, 2022
As Macon County Commissioner Ronnie Beale said his farewell in a fairly empty commissioner’s board room of the Macon County Courthouse, an upstairs courtroom was standing room only as family and friends waited to observe the swearing in of newly elected commissioners, the register of deeds and the...