Local

Runners take off during the 2021 Twilight 5k

Runners take off during the 2021 Twilight 5k

Twilight 5k ready to run Aug. 13

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

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

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

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

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.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Commissioner Marc Hehn combs through the two UDO draft options.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Commissioner Marc Hehn combs through the two UDO draft options.

New drafts of UDO presented to Town

Last Thursday, the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners were presented with two options of a Unified Development Ordinance draft proposed by their new attorney Bob Hagemann with Poyner Spruill.
Submitted Photo The show features a 12-person cast, including Highlands resident Emanuel Carrero as Frankie Valli, Gianni Palmarini as Tommy Devito, Sam Johnson as Nick Massi and John Mezzina Hannigan as Bob Gaudio.

Submitted Photo The show features a 12-person cast, including Highlands resident Emanuel Carrero as Frankie Valli, Gianni Palmarini as Tommy Devito, Sam Johnson as Nick Massi and John Mezzina Hannigan as Bob Gaudio.

‘Oh What a Night’: Mountain Theatre Company opens Jersey Boys

The Highlands Playhouse celebrated their seasonal opening on Friday, July 1, with a showing of the award-winning musical, Jersey Boys. Jersey Boys, which was written in 2004, has a run time of just over two hours and details the formation, success and the break-up of 60s rock band The Four Seasons.