Local

Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff First Citizens Bank and Old Edwards contributed $5,000 each for the new scoreboard.

Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff First Citizens Bank and Old Edwards contributed $5,000 each for the new scoreboard.

New scoreboard at HHS

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
The Highlands School soccer teams will now be able to keep time and score better with a new scoreboard that was installed last week. “This means everything to the soccer teams,” HHS athletic director Brett Lamb said. “We were having trouble with the other one.
According to a statement from the Highlands Police Department, Robert Baty and Richard Errington got into a verbal argument outside of 4118 Kitchen + Bar

According to a statement from the Highlands Police Department, Robert Baty and Richard Errington got into a verbal argument outside of 4118 Kitchen + Bar

Highlands police make arrest in assault case

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Two men have been charged in connection with a fight that occurred outside of 4118 Kitchen + Bar on the night of Wednesday, Aug. 25. According to a statement from the Highlands Police Department, Robert Baty and Richard Errington got into a verbal argument outside of the business.
Chris Byrd was happy to receive his booster Covid vaccine shot, thanks to Jack Appel one of the many volunteers.

Chris Byrd was happy to receive his booster Covid vaccine shot, thanks to Jack Appel one of the many volunteers.

Highlands-Cashiers Plateau Vaccine Initiative hosts vaccine clinic

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau Vaccine Initiative held a vaccine clinic on Saturday and Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor said it exceeded expectations. “I was talking to Tom Neal about a week ago and we thought that it would be a small group of people,” Taylor said.
A group of citizens started a GoFundMe to raise money for legal fees to fight back against the town's decision to enforce an original ordinance that bans short-term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3.

A group of citizens started a GoFundMe to raise money for legal fees to fight back against the town's decision to enforce an original ordinance that bans short-term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3.

Group of citizens band together to raise money for legal fees following the towns decision on STR’s

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
At a special called Board of Commissioners meeting, the board verbally agreed to start enforcing its current zoning ordinance, not allowing short term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3, starting Jan. 3, 2022.
The need for a mask will be required as long as test positivity rate in the “RED” category per the CDC. The need for mask will be reevaluated weekly.

The need for a mask will be required as long as test positivity rate in the “RED” category per the CDC. The need for mask will be reevaluated weekly.

Commissioners vote to reinstate town-wide mask mandate

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
At a special meeting, Friday, Aug. 27, the Highlands town board passed an order reinstating the wearing of masks in all business zones, in both inside and outdoor spaces. There are no inside capacity limits as a part of this order.
Over this same period, 51 North Carolina counties lost population, while 49 others gained population, including Macon and Jackson.

Over this same period, 51 North Carolina counties lost population, while 49 others gained population, including Macon and Jackson.

Counties see growth, Highlands stable in 2020 census

News Staff
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Macon and Jackson County both saw an uptick in population on the 2020 Census, but the town of Highlands has stayed about the same. The population of Highlands increased by about 60 people, from 920 to 984 in this years’ census.
The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

Pfizer vaccine now FDA approved, Highlands mayor hopes for more vaccinations in town

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2021
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.
The consensus was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Donnie Calloway not agreeing.

The consensus was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Donnie Calloway not agreeing.

Town takes no action on short term rentals

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
After a five-hour long meeting that stretched over two days, the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners reached a verbal consensus that they would start enforcing current zoning laws that will not allow short term rentals in R-1 Zoning.
Though he did not get to run this year, the man of the race was Luther Turner, 91, who was recognized for running the race every single year since its inception.

Though he did not get to run this year, the man of the race was Luther Turner, 91, who was recognized for running the race every single year since its inception.

Rotary Twilight 5K canceled due to weather

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Though there were plenty of runners lined up to begin the Twilight 5K on Saturday, bad weather caused organizer Derek Taylor to call the race off. Even with rain coming down slower, Taylor said the lightening in the area and the fear of worsening rain were the main concerns.