Local

Miss North Carolina Sophia Kellstrom visits with Andy Eidson and Teresa Speed at the Highlands Emergency Council.

Miss North Carolina visits Emergency Council

News Staff

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Miss North Carolina Sophia Kellstrom paid a special visit to the Highlands Emergency Council this week, highlighting her commitment to fighting food insecurity locally and globally.

Serenity Richards ended her position as head librarian at Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library on Jan. 22.

Serenity Richards steps down as Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library head librarian

News Staff

Friday, January 23, 2026

After 15 years of service, Serenity Richards, head librarian at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, announced her resignation on Tuesday, Jan. 13. She stepped down from the role effective Jan. 22.

Blue Ridge Early College music teacher Eddie Garner, center, rehearses for Shelton Laurel: An Appalachian Opera. | Photo courtesy of WCU

BRINGING LOCAL HISTORY & MUSIC TO LIFE

News Staff

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Opera may not be the first thing that comes to mind in the mountains of Western North Carolina, but that’s about to change with the premiere of “Shelton Laurel: An Appalachian Opera.

Chief Holland and Captain Forrester provided an overview of safety and infrastructure issues at the 2025 Food and Wine Festival during the Jan. 15 Highlands Town Board of Commissioners workshop.

Board discusses commissioner selection, festival challenges

News Staff

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

The Highlands Town Board of Commissioners met Thursday, Jan. 15, for a workshop on the Highlands Food & Wine Festival and its regular monthly meeting. The board discussed the process for selecting a new commissioner, the Duke Energy contract, and the nonprofit emergency support plan.

2026 Leadership Highlands class selected

News Staff

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Members of the 2026 Leadership Highlands class have been selected. According to the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, 14 individuals were selected from a very strong applicant pool to participate in the community leadership development program.

Highlands swatting part of national trend

News Staff

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

The Highlands Police Department responded to a swatting hoax on the evening of Jan. 7 after Macon County Dispatch received multiple calls reporting threats at several locations throughout the town. Authorities said the calls, which came in around 7 p.m.

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.

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.

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

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.