Local

A rendition of the sidewalk project on Third Street Submitted Photo

A rendition of the sidewalk project on Third Street Submitted Photo

Public Works Committee discusses sidewalk project

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
A new option for the paving project on Third Street will be brought to the Town Board of Commissioners. In the new option, the town will remove the elevated sidewalks, construct drainage for downspouts, construct a support wall for a rear elevated walkway and build a loading ramp.
Submitted Photo A pick up truck tries to squeeze past a tractor trailer in the Cullasaja Gorge in December.

Submitted Photo A pick up truck tries to squeeze past a tractor trailer in the Cullasaja Gorge in December.

WARNING: NO TRAILERS OVER 30 FEET

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
What will it take to stop tractor trailers traveling down a dangerous stretch of Macon County highway? That’s a question Highlands residents, community leaders, the N.C. Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation have yet to find an answer.

‘Funniest Man in America’ coming to Highlands PAC

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 10, 2022
What started out as a dare to stand up and perform comedy at an open mic night in 1982, led to traveling to 38 states in the nation and overseas for “The Funniest Man in America,” James Gregory. Before 1982, Gregory said there were no live standup comedy venues anywhere in the country.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Closed for several years, the property was purchased by Indigo Road - an Atlanta-based restaurant group - and opened to the public in July of last year.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Closed for several years, the property was purchased by Indigo Road - an Atlanta-based restaurant group - and opened to the public in July of last year.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Skyline Lodge

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 10, 2022
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, director of rooms at Skyline Lodge, Lauren Skidmore, said their hotel and restaurant is the perfect romantic getaway for couples.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff With increased interest in summer programs at the Highlands Nature Center, the Highlands BIological Foundation hired Holly Theobald as the second full-time education specialist.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff With increased interest in summer programs at the Highlands Nature Center, the Highlands BIological Foundation hired Holly Theobald as the second full-time education specialist.

Nature Center hires second full-time education specialist

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 10, 2022
For the first time ever, the Highlands Biological Foundation will have two full-time education specialists running public programs and camps at the Highlands Nature Center.
Along with a new name for the resident organization, Mountain Theatre Company (MTC) at The Highlands Playhouse announces their 2022 season.

Along with a new name for the resident organization, Mountain Theatre Company (MTC) at The Highlands Playhouse announces their 2022 season.

Highlands Playhouse announces production company name, 2022 season

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Theater or Theatre? Simply put, A theater is a venue you visit to enjoy entertainment. The theatre is the performance-driven art form. Highlands Community Theatre Inc., the resident theatre company at The Highlands Playhouse, has gone through many phases in its 83-year history.
The boar approved to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 24, at 5 p.m.

The boar approved to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 24, at 5 p.m.

Highlands Town Board of Commissioners meet to discuss planning board recommendations on STRs, schedule public hearing

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Following the planning board sending a document of recommendations about short-term rentals to the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners, the board held a special called meeting to go over the recommendations, ending with the town’s attorney suggesting to schedule a public hearing before going any...
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff The Nantahala National Forest sign coming into Highlands from Scaly Mountain.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff The Nantahala National Forest sign coming into Highlands from Scaly Mountain.

Final revision of Nantahala, Pisgah Forest Management Plan released

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series covering the final revision plan. Next week’s article will feature an interview with the Southern Environmental Law Center.   After years of the assessment phase of its land management plan, The U.S.