Local

Even with the mask mandate for all town facilities, Taylor said it was not enough to fight the Delta Variant.

Even with the mask mandate for all town facilities, Taylor said it was not enough to fight the Delta Variant.

Town hall closes due to employees testing positive for COVID-19

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
A week after reinstating the mask mandate for all town facilities, a COVID-19 outbreak has caused town hall to close. According to Highlands mayor Patrick Taylor, several employees have tested positive for COVID-19. “The town hall is now closed to the public and staff,” Taylor said.
Photo by Ryan Hanchett Detectives at the scene at HCH, Tuesday morning.

Photo by Ryan Hanchett Detectives at the scene at HCH, Tuesday morning.

Man commits suicide at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Deputies from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and officers with Highlands Police Department responded to a call reporting a gun shot at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital on Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they found a white male deceased in the hospital parking lot.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Appalachian Growers owners Lori Lacey and Steve Yuzzi with farm managers Noah Miller and Josh Brandes.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Appalachian Growers owners Lori Lacey and Steve Yuzzi with farm managers Noah Miller and Josh Brandes.

A natural solution

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 19, 2021
With the opioid epidemic raging across the nation, Franklin-based Appalachian Growers are offering a different solution, CBD. Owner Lori Lacey came from a wellness background and said she got into the hemp business because of the stories she heard from other women.
26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest.

26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest.

CLE to hold first ever Highlands Porchfest

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A brand-new event is coming to Highlands thanks to the Center for Life Enrichment. 26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest. The idea behind Highlands Porchfest was brought to the CLE by Karen Hunt.
I.E. Program students from 2017. Current communications and events coordinator Winter Gary was part of this group.

I.E. Program students from 2017. Current communications and events coordinator Winter Gary was part of this group.

I.E. Program back and running at Highlands Biological Station after two year hiatus

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
After taking a pause in courses in 2019 to revamp its curriculum, the Institute for the Environment at UNC Chapel Hill hosted by the Highlands Field Site program is back in 2021. The Highlands Biological Station has hosted UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment semester program since 2001.
As of Aug. 10, there are 163 active cases in Macon County and there have been 41 deaths. This week there have been zero vaccines given according to Macon County Public Health.

As of Aug. 10, there are 163 active cases in Macon County and there have been 41 deaths. This week there have been zero vaccines given according to Macon County Public Health.

Mountain Findings reinstates mask mandate, encourages other businesses to do so, as well

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
With the Delta Variant of COVID-19 surging through the nation and Western North Carolina, Mountain Findings decided to reinstate its mask policy last week after the Highlands Board of Commissioners reinstated the mask mandate for all town facilities.
Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff Zach Rogers explains the PLAY! exhibit.

Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff Zach Rogers explains the PLAY! exhibit.

PLAY! at The Bascom

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
The Bascom, A Center for the Visual Arts has opened its annual membership challenge exhibit with this year’s theme being PLAY! “About a year ago, we sat down with the DeVos Institute,” Exhibit manager Zachary Rogers said. “We were chosen out of about 1,000 applicants to revamp our galleries.

Woodruff remembered as a visionary

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Jane Woodruff was known around Highlands for her generous contributions including to the hospital, the post office, the fire department and the recreation center, but friends want to her to be remembered as the visionary that they knew. Woodruff passed away at her home in the afternoon of July 29.
The town facilities that the mask mandate would be enforced include the town hall, the recreation center, the community building, the police department, the fire department, the ABC Store and any other government building.

The town facilities that the mask mandate would be enforced include the town hall, the recreation center, the community building, the police department, the fire department, the ABC Store and any other government building.

TOWN REINSTATES MASK MANDATE FOR TOWN FACILITIES

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 5, 2021
With the Delta Variant raging across the nation, the Highlands Town of Commissioners called a special called meeting where they unanimously voted to mandate masks in all indoor town facilities. Mayor Patrick Taylor said the meeting was called following the guidance of Gov. Roy Cooper.