Local

Sheriff Brent Holbrooks takes his oath surrounded by his family.

Sheriff Brent Holbrooks takes his oath surrounded by his family.

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...
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the stars of the show during the Highlands Christmas Parade, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the stars of the show during the Highlands Christmas Parade, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Parade to bring Christmas cheer

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Santa Claus is coming to the Town of Highlands and bringing with him the annual Christmas parade, hosted by Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC, on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m.
The Highlands board of commissioners banned the practice of burning debris for land-clearing purposes.

The Highlands board of commissioners banned the practice of burning debris for land-clearing purposes.

Town board bans "grubbing" by ordinance amendment

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 1, 2022
The term “grubbing” doesn’t have a particularly appealing ring to it. During the November meeting of the Highlands Board of Commissioners, the board voted to keep grubbing out of town.
Silly Ridge filled Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park with music during the annual Highlands Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday night.

Silly Ridge filled Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park with music during the annual Highlands Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday night.

Tree lighting makes spirits bright

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Nobody wants to be the person who has to stop a band mid-song. But Saturday night, master of ceremonies Chris Duffy did what he had to do. You make exceptions when the big man himself arrives on scene.
Highlands Fire and Rescue Chief Ryan Gearhart gave a tour of the new fire station to members of the town board and town staff on Thursday night.

Highlands Fire and Rescue Chief Ryan Gearhart gave a tour of the new fire station to members of the town board and town staff on Thursday night.

Commissioners get first look at new fire station

Ryan Hanchett
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The Highlands Board of Commissioners got its first look at the town’s newest addition on Thursday night when Highlands Fire Chief Ryan Gearhart threw open the doors at the new fire station on Franklin Road.
Unmarked curb ramps and a lack of truncated domes at intersections were two items mentioned in the Highlands ADA Transition Plan.

Unmarked curb ramps and a lack of truncated domes at intersections were two items mentioned in the Highlands ADA Transition Plan.

Town reviewing ADA Transition Plan

Ryan Hanchett
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Highlands has come a long way in terms of handicapped accessibility over the past several years, but as the board of commissioners learned on Thursday, there is still a ways to go.
Santa Claus’ holiday digs are all set for his arrival during the “Light up the Park and Main” even on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Santa Claus’ holiday digs are all set for his arrival during the “Light up the Park and Main” even on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Highlands Chamber prepares to Light up the Park

News Staff
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC will hold their annual “Light up the Park and Main” Christmas lighting on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in preparation for the Christmas season.
Allison Tate joined her husband commissioner Jim Tate to adjourn the board’s November meeting, his last.

Allison Tate joined her husband commissioner Jim Tate to adjourn the board’s November meeting, his last.

Tate presides over final meeting

News Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Jim Tate, chairman of Macon County Board Commissioners, said goodbye during the regular board meeting on Nov. 8. Tate has served as chairman of the board for the past eight years of his 11-year tenure. He opted not to run for re-election.
Despite being hampered by wet weather on Thursday and Friday, the 2022 Highlands Food and Wine Festival drew huge crowds.

Despite being hampered by wet weather on Thursday and Friday, the 2022 Highlands Food and Wine Festival drew huge crowds.

Food and Wine shines

News Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2022
The 2022 Highlands Food and Wine Festival proved yet again to be a huge success despite Hurricane Nicole bringing several inches of rain to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau throughout the weekend.
A project to add Pre-K classrooms at Highlands School moved forward following a 3-2 vote by Macon County Commissioners.

A project to add Pre-K classrooms at Highlands School moved forward following a 3-2 vote by Macon County Commissioners.

School project takes step forward

News Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Following a 3-2 vote, Macon County Board of Commissioners approved funding for the architectural services contract with LS3P Associates for the Highlands School project during their Nov. 8 meeting. On Oct.