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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.
STR settlement reached, amortization voided

STR settlement reached, amortization voided

STR settlement reached, amortization voided

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Town of Highlands has settled a legal dispute concerning its regulation of short-term rentals and the use of amortization, according to a consent judgment from the North Carolina Superior Court signed on Dec. 18, 2025. The agreement concludes the lawsuit known as Huff v.
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital created a life-size CT scanner for the fifth annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrow Food and Nutrition Drive. Pictured here are Marie Johnson, Highlands Emergency Council; Larry Morris, Fishes and Loaves; Tom Neal, CEO/CNO Highlands-Cashiers Hospital; construction volunteers Robin Neal & Betsy Carson; Bonnie Dayton, Highlands Food Pantry; designer Cath Connolly Hudson; and Andy Eidson, Highlands Emergency Council. | Photo courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital created a life-size CT scanner for the fifth annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrow Food and Nutrition Drive. Pictured here are Marie Johnson, Highlands Emergency Council; Larry Morris, Fishes and Loaves; Tom Neal, CEO/CNO Highlands-Cashiers Hospital; construction volunteers Robin Neal & Betsy Carson; Bonnie Dayton, Highlands Food Pantry; designer Cath Connolly Hudson; and Andy Eidson, Highlands Emergency Council. | Photo courtesy of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital collected 2,312 pounds of canned food during its fifth annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrow Food and Nutrition Drive as part of the HCA Healthcare food sculpture competition.
Jim Tate, Amy Patterson and Eric Pierson are sworn in at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Jim Tate, Amy Patterson and Eric Pierson are sworn in at the Dec. 11 meeting.

Board of Commissioners swear in Jim Tate, honor John Dotson

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners swore in new member Jim Tate and returning members Eric Pierson and Amy Patterson at its Dec. 11 meeting, marking a new chapter for the board ahead of 2026.
What is swatting?

What is swatting?

What is swatting?

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
In recent years, a dangerous trend known as “swatting” has emerged as an alarming issue across the United States, endangering innocent lives and overburdening law enforcement resources.