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Vision Cashiers updates Jackson County commissioners

Vision Cashiers updates Jackson County commissioners

Vision Cashiers updates Jackson County commissioners

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Vision Cashiers President Paul Robshaw addressed the Jackson County Board of Commissioners at their Jan. 6 meeting, providing updates on recent initiatives while outlining long-term goals.
Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook.

Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook.

Sheriff candidates in Macon County speak at GOP forum

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Incumbent Sheriff Brent Holbrooks and primary challenger Bob Cook participated in a forum Saturday, answering questions from each other and from members of the public on law enforcement, leadership style and public relations.  The forum was organized by the Macon County GOP and held at 3 p.m.
Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

PRESERVING THE PAST

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
After 200 years, the Noquisiyi Mound is being returned to the Cherokee people. In what was referred to as a historic, meaningful moment, the Franklin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan.
Joshua Crawford, accompanied by his golden retrievers, shows off his skid steer and crawler excavator firewood designs at the 2025 Cashiers Festival of Trees. | Photo courtesy of Chelsea Cronkite

Joshua Crawford, accompanied by his golden retrievers, shows off his skid steer and crawler excavator firewood designs at the 2025 Cashiers Festival of Trees. | Photo courtesy of Chelsea Cronkite

The Art of Firewood

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Hailing from Jamestown, Pennsylvania, Joshua Crawford has turned firewood into both a business and an art form with Cashiers Firewood, established around 2010.
Highlands Police and Fire & Rescue blocked Main Street on Dec. 23 after a bomb threat. Emergency crews secured the area and searched for explosives, but no device was found.

Highlands Police and Fire & Rescue blocked Main Street on Dec. 23 after a bomb threat. Emergency crews secured the area and searched for explosives, but no device was found.

Second bomb threat closes downtown Highlands

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
For the second time in two weeks, a bomb threat prompted a lockdown that closed businesses in downtown Highlands. Around 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, Macon County Dispatch received a bomb threat initially reported to involve the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
Members of a quarter-cent sales tax planning team meet to discuss strategy for promoting the 2026 ballot initiative to residents.

Members of a quarter-cent sales tax planning team meet to discuss strategy for promoting the 2026 ballot initiative to residents.

Macon County sales tax committee holds first meeting

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
After getting a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot for the third time as a county commissioner, Gary Shields is now working with community members to market the change and raise more than $2 million per year for the county.  The first “quarter-cent planning team” met Tuesday, Dec.
Regions Bank branch manager Jessica Farrell stands amongst donated gifts for the Macon County Elves toy donation program at the Highlands Regions Bank location.

Regions Bank branch manager Jessica Farrell stands amongst donated gifts for the Macon County Elves toy donation program at the Highlands Regions Bank location.

Macon Elves collect toys for children in need

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
In previous years, Macon County volunteers worked with Toys for Tots, a U.S. Marine Corps Christmas toy donation program, but transitioned to the newly formed Macon County Elves this holiday season.
The ‘Let No One Be a Stranger Here’ exhibit will remain permanently open at the Cashiers Historical Society, welcoming both residents and visitors of the Plateau. | Photo courtesy of Cashiers Historical Society

The ‘Let No One Be a Stranger Here’ exhibit will remain permanently open at the Cashiers Historical Society, welcoming both residents and visitors of the Plateau. | Photo courtesy of Cashiers Historical Society

"LET NO ONE BE A STRANGER HERE"

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
The Cashiers Historical Society’s exhibit, “Let No One Be a Stranger Here”: High Hampton Inn & the Making of Modern Cashiers, was announced as a winner of the 62nd Annual GDUSA Design Awards on Dec. 18, marking the second Graphic Design USA accolade received by the CHS this year.
Lead volunteer Marie Johnson poses with donated gifts from the Angel Trees gift-giving program at the Highlands Emergency Council on Dec. 17.

Lead volunteer Marie Johnson poses with donated gifts from the Angel Trees gift-giving program at the Highlands Emergency Council on Dec. 17.

Emergency Council’s Angel Trees bring gifts to children in need

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Since 1985, the Highlands Emergency Council has hosted its annual Angel Trees gift-giving program for children in need each December. This year’s program featured ornaments for 73 low-income children, with every child matched to a sponsor.
Ballot set for 2026 primary election

Ballot set for 2026 primary election

Ballot set for Macon County’s 2026 primary election

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Fifty-six candidates will be on the ballot for Macon County’s 2026 primary election, running for 18 local, state and national seats.  On Thursday and Friday there was an influx of candidates filing before the deadline of noon Friday, Dec. 19.