Local

Commissioner Buz Dotson talks with Commissioner Eric Pierson during their meeting last Thursday night.

Commissioner Buz Dotson talks with Commissioner Eric Pierson during their meeting last Thursday night.

Town makes final decision on UDO: Approval disallows STRs in R-2, grandfathers existing STRs

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
After almost nine months of intense debate, public hearings, multiple meetings and several drafts of the Unified Development Ordinance, on Thursday, May 19, the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners approved the final UDO, putting a stamp on what is allowed and what isn’t when it comes to...
Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff Lauch “Lock” Magruder and Paul Schowalter, were two of 91 veterans to take an honor flight, organized by Blue Ridge Honor Flights in Hendersonville.

Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff Lauch “Lock” Magruder and Paul Schowalter, were two of 91 veterans to take an honor flight, organized by Blue Ridge Honor Flights in Hendersonville.

Local veterans participate in Honor Flight

News Staff
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Highlands residents, Lauch “Lock” Magruder and Paul Schowalter, were two of 91 veterans to take an honor flight, organized by Blue Ridge Honor Flights in Hendersonville, to the nation’s capital on April 23. “They were a delight to have on the flight,” Flight Coordinator JoAnn Naeger said.
Submitted Photo Children reading outside during last year’s summer camp at The Literacy and Learning Center.

Submitted Photo Children reading outside during last year’s summer camp at The Literacy and Learning Center.

TL&LC summer camp registration now open

Highlander Editor
Thursday, May 19, 2022
The Literacy and Learning Center is gearing up for its annual summer camp. Though the theme is not yet decided, senior program manager Anna Norton said they are hard at work at the center. “Typically, we base our theme on a book,” Norton said. “This year, we will have two weeks of summer camp.
Brent Holbrooks (center) celebrated with family and friends at Rathskeller on Tuesday night as election results showed him the winner in the race for Macon County Sheriff. He is pictured with his sister April Chastain and brother Eric Duvall. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

Brent Holbrooks (center) celebrated with family and friends at Rathskeller on Tuesday night as election results showed him the winner in the race for Macon County Sheriff. He is pictured with his sister April Chastain and brother Eric Duvall. Photo by Mia Overton/The Franklin Press

2022 ELECTION RESULTS: Macon County elects new sheriff

News Staff
Thursday, May 19, 2022
With the close of the May primary election on May 17, Macon County now knows who its next sheriff will be. Brent Holbrooks was the top vote-getter in the field of Republicans running to replace outgoing sheriff Robert Holland, who has served in the position since 2002.
According to county finance director Lori Carpenter, the next step will be to publish the RFQ and then have a committee that selects an architect. Once an architect is chosen, the price will be negotiated and then brought back to the board.   

According to county finance director Lori Carpenter, the next step will be to publish the RFQ and then have a committee that selects an architect. Once an architect is chosen, the price will be negotiated and then brought back to the board.   

County takes first step in making pre-K at Highlands School a reality

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Plans to create a pre-K program at Highlands School are rolling after the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a Request for Qualifications to hire an architect to look at the plans. The board of commissioners were presented the plan for a $4.
Submitted Photo Front row seated left to right, Michael Albert – First Vice-President/United States Croquet Association (Cedar Creek) Kathie Gamble – Chairman for 2022 GC National Tourn. (Trillium) Lynda Fuchs – Highlands Falls Venue Manager and Jochen Lucke – President of Silver Creek Realty, sponsor of GC National Tournament (CCSV and Cullasaja). Middle row seated left to right, Sherif Abdelwahab (Wildcat Cliffs) Don Eastman (Highlands Falls) Dawn Jupin (Chattooga) Barbara Jamison (Trillium) Ellen Nielson

Submitted Photo Front row seated left to right, Michael Albert – First Vice-President/United States Croquet Association (Cedar Creek) Kathie Gamble – Chairman for 2022 GC National Tourn. (Trillium) Lynda Fuchs – Highlands Falls Venue Manager and Jochen Lucke – President of Silver Creek Realty, sponsor of GC National Tournament (CCSV and Cullasaja). Middle row seated left to right, Sherif Abdelwahab (Wildcat Cliffs) Don Eastman (Highlands Falls) Dawn Jupin (Chattooga) Barbara Jamison (Trillium) Ellen Nielson

2022 USCA National Championships to be held on the plateau

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The United States Croquet Association will stage the 2022 National Championships at High Hampton, the Chattooga Club, Country Club of Sapphire Valley, and Highlands Falls Country Club on May 15 – 22, 2022.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff IFC executive director T.J. Smith showcased the lack of chicken in the Highlands Food Pantry freezer.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff IFC executive director T.J. Smith showcased the lack of chicken in the Highlands Food Pantry freezer.

WNC foodbanks struggling with supply chain issues

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Food pantries across the nation are struggling to fill their shelves with meat and other products and Highlands Food Pantry is in the same boat. Last Tuesday, the pantry had fully stocked shelves, but its meat freezers were bare. International Friendship Center executive director T.J.