Local

US Forest Service leaders will sit down with administrators from the Chattooga Conservancy to discuss the Southside Project on Friday.

US Forest Service leaders will sit down with administrators from the Chattooga Conservancy to discuss the Southside Project on Friday.

Forest Service to host meeting with Chattooga Conservancy

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 29, 2021
The Southside Project, scheduled to begin this year, will be the subject of a meeting between leaders of the US Forest Service and the Chattooga Conservancy on Friday morning.
With temperatures on the rise, black bears are leaving their dens in search of easy meals. There will be a BearWise program at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 2 via Zoom to educate the public on coexisting with bears.

With temperatures on the rise, black bears are leaving their dens in search of easy meals. There will be a BearWise program at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 2 via Zoom to educate the public on coexisting with bears.

Being BearWise topic of virtual discussion

News Staff
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Would you like to learn more about how to co-exist safely with the bears in your neighborhood?  What to do if you see one?  The new bear-related ordinances in Highlands?
The annual Plateau Pickup litter sweep sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center got underway at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday. Volunteers collected litter all around town and along US 64, NC 28 and NC 106.

The annual Plateau Pickup litter sweep sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center got underway at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday. Volunteers collected litter all around town and along US 64, NC 28 and NC 106.

Plateau Pickup lifts litter

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 22, 2021
The annual Plateau Pickup litter sweep pulled trash and debris from all corners of Highlands on Saturday morning as volunteers tackled stretches of US 64, NC 28, NC 106 and several high-traffic streets inside town limits. More than 60 volunteers donned orange vests and work gloves to aid the cause.
Informational signs regarding the Town of Highlands mask mandate are back in place at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Informational signs regarding the Town of Highlands mask mandate are back in place at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Commissioners keep mask mandate

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Highlands will remain a masked town at least a little bit longer following a unanimous decision by the town board to keep the current COVID-19 mask mandate in place.
The Community Immunity Project is aimed at recognizing businesses with 100 percent vaccination rates among employees.

The Community Immunity Project is aimed at recognizing businesses with 100 percent vaccination rates among employees.

Community Immunity Project gets town support

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 22, 2021
A new community effort to promote the COVID-19 vaccination process got a seal of approval from the Highlands Board of Commissioners on Thursday night. The Community Immunity Project’s goal is to work with employers in Highlands and Cashiers to get employees vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The Village Nature Series will get underway on Tuesday, April 27 when presenter Sonya Carpenter covers the topic “Nurturing life in your backyard – Choices within our control.” Anyone wishing to view the presentation should register by emailing director@cashiersgreen.com.

The Village Nature Series will get underway on Tuesday, April 27 when presenter Sonya Carpenter covers the topic “Nurturing life in your backyard – Choices within our control.” Anyone wishing to view the presentation should register by emailing director@cashiersgreen.com.

Village Nature Series kicks off

News Staff
Thursday, April 22, 2021
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a speaker series called the Village Nature Series, which features exerts in their field presenting on wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage.
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is one of six Mission Health facilities that are being monitored by Gibbons Advisors following the sale of Mission Health to Hospital Corporation of America in 2019.

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is one of six Mission Health facilities that are being monitored by Gibbons Advisors following the sale of Mission Health to Hospital Corporation of America in 2019.

HCA monitor offers updates

Ryan Hanchett
Friday, April 16, 2021
Representatives from Gibbins Advisors, the independent monitor appointed to oversee the terms of the sale of Mission Health to Hospital Corporation of America in 2019, offered up a two-year progress report on Wednesday.
Dr. Ann Davis

Dr. Ann Davis

HCHF, Blue Ridge Health add two physicians

News Staff
Friday, April 16, 2021
After more than eight months of searching for “just the right fit,” The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and Blue Ridge Health are ready to welcome two new physicians to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau – Ann Davis, MD and Kristy Fincher, DO.   Dr. Davis and Dr.
Lower Lake Road is one of four on schedule to be paved in the 2021-22 Town of Highlands budget.

Lower Lake Road is one of four on schedule to be paved in the 2021-22 Town of Highlands budget.

Paving, water projects on the horizon

Ryan Hanchett
Friday, April 16, 2021
Less than a month after hearing budget requests from Town of Highlands department heads, the board of commissioners got to work budget cuts during Thursday’s work session.
Cashiers Highlands Humane Society staff members rescued 27 dogs from an animal hoarding site in South Carolina. Several of the dogs appeared neglected, malnourished and/or were heartworm positive.

Cashiers Highlands Humane Society staff members rescued 27 dogs from an animal hoarding site in South Carolina. Several of the dogs appeared neglected, malnourished and/or were heartworm positive.

CHHS conducts rescue effort

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 8, 2021
An animal hoarding case in South Carolina prompted response from Cashiers Highlands Humane Society on Friday. According to CHHS executive director David Stroud, Anderson County, South Carolina authorities contacted the Cashiers shelter when they found more than 50 small dogs on the property.