Local

Road crews are still at work plowing snow out of the streets. Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff

Road crews are still at work plowing snow out of the streets. Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff

Board discusses plowing, power issues during snow storm Izzy

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 27, 2022
With snowstorm Izzy in the rearview mirror, Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor updated the board of commissioners about the work during the storm and asked for comments on how to better prepare for the aftermath of storms like Izzy in the future.
Federal lawmakers crafted ARPA, signed into law March 11, 2021, with the goal of pulling the nation out of economic distress wrought by the pandemic by improving the country’s infrastructure and offering direct financial relief to families.

Federal lawmakers crafted ARPA, signed into law March 11, 2021, with the goal of pulling the nation out of economic distress wrought by the pandemic by improving the country’s infrastructure and offering direct financial relief to families.

Town to use ARPA funds on waterline project

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 27, 2022
The Town of Highlands has decided to put its portion of the American Rescue Plan Act funds towards the Moore Wood Waterline Replacement Project. Town manager Josh Ward updated the town board of commissioners on the project during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff WCU graduate student Colin Dawson explores topography of the southern mountains in this year’s W.R.A.P. at The Bascom.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff WCU graduate student Colin Dawson explores topography of the southern mountains in this year’s W.R.A.P. at The Bascom.

“What lies beneath?”

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 27, 2022
With this year’s theme at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts being “place,” Western Carolina University graduate student and current Winter Resident Artist Program participant Colin Dawson decided to take chunks out of the place he would be presenting, as well as other places in Western North...
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff A couple looks into the windows of Scudder’s Gallery on Main Street last week.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff A couple looks into the windows of Scudder’s Gallery on Main Street last week.

Scudder’s Gallery closes on building

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Though Scudder’s Gallery closed its doors four years ago, in late December, the gallery recently sold its building where the business was located for more than 40 years. Owner Frank Scudder said his father came up to Highlands in 1975 to buy out another auction gallery.
Ben Vines taking on a hill.

Ben Vines taking on a hill.

Fun on Monkey Hill

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff With Highlands School students out for a snow day, several went to Hickory Street, a.k.a. Monkey Hill to go sledding. Pictures above is Ben Vines taking on a hill.     Blake Kenter sledding.    This Highlands School student was geared up for the hill.
This is the first year that the club has done an expanded version of its Winter Coat Drive, with locations at First Baptist Church, the Highlands United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Community Bible Church and Select Bank.

This is the first year that the club has done an expanded version of its Winter Coat Drive, with locations at First Baptist Church, the Highlands United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Community Bible Church and Select Bank.

Mountaintop Rotary gathering coats, gearing up for 2022 projects

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 13, 2022
With the winter winds coming in, the Mountaintop Rotary Club is accepting donations for its Winter Coat Drive, but also keeping future projects in mind.
Photo by Pam Kolber/STaff Chet Kolber takes a picture at the edge of Sunset Rock, which is owned by the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust.

Photo by Pam Kolber/STaff Chet Kolber takes a picture at the edge of Sunset Rock, which is owned by the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust.

“Conserving for the public”

Highlander Editor
Thursday, January 13, 2022
It was a busy 2021 for the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, completing nine projects, receiving half a million dollars in funds and receiving an endowment at the end of the year. Executive director Gary Wein said 2021 was very busy for the land trust, but also strategic.