Local

The Highlands Planning Board passed a draft STR ordinance to send to the board of commissioners.

The Highlands Planning Board passed a draft STR ordinance to send to the board of commissioners.

Planning Board passes STR draft ordinance

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 11, 2022
The Highlands Planning Board took the next step in the process of regulating short term rental units on Tuesday. The board approved a draft ordinance that would require all rentals in Highlands limits to be rented for a minimum of seven consecutive days.
The new Highlands Fire and Rescue station on Franklin Road was the topic of discussion during Community Coffee with the Mayor on Friday.

The new Highlands Fire and Rescue station on Franklin Road was the topic of discussion during Community Coffee with the Mayor on Friday.

A look into the future of fire dept

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 4, 2022
A look into the future of Highlands Fire and Rescue was the topic of discussion at the monthly Community Coffee with the Mayor program at Hudson Library on Friday.
The Highlands planning board is moving forward with a revamped short term rental ordinance.

The Highlands planning board is moving forward with a revamped short term rental ordinance.

Planning board to forge own path on STRs

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 4, 2022
After having their questions answered by Highlands town attorney Jay Coward, the town planning board decided to reject the two proposed short term rental regulations sent to them by the board of commissioners and thus come up with their own recommendation.
Runners take off during the 2021 Twilight 5k

Runners take off during the 2021 Twilight 5k

Twilight 5k ready to run Aug. 13

News Staff
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Registration for the Rotary Club of Highlands’ 10th Twilight 5K fundraiser is currently open online. The race, which already has over 200 registered racers, will be held on Aug. 13 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
The Highlands Planning Board made no recommendations regarding two possible regulations related to STRs.

The Highlands Planning Board made no recommendations regarding two possible regulations related to STRs.

Planning Board hears comments on STRs

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, July 28, 2022
A packed house of concerned citizens welcomed the Highlands Planning Board on Monday night for the board’s July meeting. The lone agenda item under “new business” was public comment and discussion of two proposed options regarding the regulation of short term rental units in town limits.
The second annual Snow Fest at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park has been approved for January 2023.

The second annual Snow Fest at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park has been approved for January 2023.

Snow Fest renewed for 2023

News Staff
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its second-ever Snow Fest in January after the Highlands Board of Commissioners approved the event. Kaye McHan, Highlands Chamber director, said they are expecting to hold the event a little differently than last year.

Firefighter dies in swimming accident

News Staff
Thursday, July 28, 2022
A Clark’s Chapel volunteer firefighter died Saturday evening while swimming at Secret Falls in Highlands. A Facebook post from the fire department said Joseph Orr, 25, of Franklin, died doing what he loved – enjoying the great outdoors.
With Highlands spending large amounts of money to bring people to town, the group said they are worried about the unintended consequence of inviting people to town but making them stay outside of the city limits if there are no short-term rentals available in town.

With Highlands spending large amounts of money to bring people to town, the group said they are worried about the unintended consequence of inviting people to town but making them stay outside of the city limits if there are no short-term rentals available in town.

Save Highlands conducts impact study of STRs

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
How much of an impact do short-term rentals make on the economy of Highlands? That is the question that has been asked since the beginning of the discussion of STR’s began last August, and has yet to be answered.