News

Highlander graphic

Highlander graphic

District or at-large voting?

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Members  of  the Macon County Planning Board met last week to discuss creating voting districts with fairer representation in county government.The May 7 meeting began with the swearing in of new member Larry Lackey.
Photo courtesy of The Village Green of Cashiers - The Village Green typically hosts The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival each year, featuring 100 artisan vendors who sell handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry and other fine arts.

Photo courtesy of The Village Green of Cashiers - The Village Green typically hosts The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival each year, featuring 100 artisan vendors who sell handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry and other fine arts.

A year-round hub for concerts and community events

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The Village Green of Cashiers is a 13.2-acre park located in the heart of Cashiers, serving as a central community space for everyday activities, festivals and events.
Photo/Ned Neidhardt - Ned Neidhardt posted this picture on the Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook page saying his brother, Neil (in shorts), was the hiker rescued last week. “So grateful for the valiant efforts of all the search and rescue crews that worked throughout the night to find my brother.”

Photo/Ned Neidhardt - Ned Neidhardt posted this picture on the Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook page saying his brother, Neil (in shorts), was the hiker rescued last week. “So grateful for the valiant efforts of all the search and rescue crews that worked throughout the night to find my brother.”

Lost hiker found on Whiteside Mountain

News Staff
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Mia Overton editor@thefranklinpress.com   A search for a missing hiker last week had a good ending when the man was able to walk out with rescuers. The Glenville Cashiers Rescue Squad was called out at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 for a hiker who was overdue to return at Whiteside Mountain.
Photo by Bill Davis - Students at Blue Ridge School listen as Captain Brandon Green, president of Jackson County Fire & Life Safety, and a firefighter with the Savannah Fire Department, talks about fire safety.

Photo by Bill Davis - Students at Blue Ridge School listen as Captain Brandon Green, president of Jackson County Fire & Life Safety, and a firefighter with the Savannah Fire Department, talks about fire safety.

A LESSON ON SAFETY

(not verified)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other local first responders with Jackson County Fire & Life Safety visited eight Jackson County schools, public and private, over a two-week period, helping young students understand the importance of fire safety and how to make good choices.
Sen. Kevin Corbin sponsored Senate Bill 124 and joined Gov. Josh Stein as he signed the bill into law.

Sen. Kevin Corbin sponsored Senate Bill 124 and joined Gov. Josh Stein as he signed the bill into law.

Senate bill modernizes state hiring process

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Senate Bill 124, sponsored by Senator Kevin Corbin, was signed into law as Session Law 2025-34 on July 1. This bipartisan legislation modernizes North Carolina’s state hiring process by removing unnecessary barriers and improving access to public service careers.
Playground project gets boost from county

Playground project gets boost from county

Playground project gets boost from county

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
The Macon County Board of Commissioners has allocated an additional $50,000 to the new playground at the Highlands Rec Center. The county had already committed $350,000 to the project.
Macon County looks to extend alcohol sales

Macon County looks to extend alcohol sales

Macon County looks to extend alcohol sales

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Sipping an adult beverage at a restaurant outside the Franklin city limits might be on the menu one day. County Commissioner Barry Breeden asked that the topic be added to the July 8 Board of Commissioners agenda and several residents spoke in favor of it during the public comment session.
Philip Prince will present the 6th Zahner Series lecture.

Philip Prince will present the 6th Zahner Series lecture.

Understanding Helene

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
The Highlands Biological will continue exploring the forces that shape the region with the next installment of the 2025 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series.  On Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m., Dr. Philip S.
Science Heroes will visit Kids Zone at Hudson Library on July 24.

Science Heroes will visit Kids Zone at Hudson Library on July 24.

Science Heroes drop in at Kid’s Zone

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Hudson Library continues Summer Learning Programs with special events for children. Thursday July 24 at 3:30 p.m., Talewise (formerly ScienceTellers) presents Science Heroes: Adventure of the Missing Color, an exciting production with lots of special effects.