News

Macon County reported its eighth COVID-19 death of 2020 on Tuesday.

Macon County reported its eighth COVID-19 death of 2020 on Tuesday.

MCPH records another COVID-19 death

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 12, 2020
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Macon County, and across the state of North Carolina, appears to be trending in the wrong direction. On Tuesday, the Macon County Public Health Department confirmed an additional COVID-19 death, bringing the county’s total to eight.
Highlands commissioners are considering their options before picking a broadband network operator.

Highlands commissioners are considering their options before picking a broadband network operator.

Commissioners continue weighing broadband proposals

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 12, 2020
The Highlands Board of Commissioners entertained three new RFP proposals for the opportunity to operate the town’s broadband network during a specially called Nov. 3 meeting.
A Knoxville, Tennessee, man found himself in a precarious situation on a Rock Mountain ledge on Nov. 4. First responders from the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad were able to reach the man and get him back to solid ground.

A Knoxville, Tennessee, man found himself in a precarious situation on a Rock Mountain ledge on Nov. 4. First responders from the Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad were able to reach the man and get him back to solid ground.

Rock Mountain rescue

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 12, 2020
A wayward hiker, who “lost the trail,” while traversing the western face of Rock Mountain in Cashiers on Nov. 4 found himself in No Man’s Land when he became trapped along the mountain’s sheer rock face about 500 feet above the valley floor.
Officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Highlands Police Department joined Highlands-Cashiers Hospital staff for a drug take back day in October.

Officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Highlands Police Department joined Highlands-Cashiers Hospital staff for a drug take back day in October.

Crush the Crisis takes back 129 pounds of unused pills

News Staff
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Mission Hospital along with its sister hospitals in the region collected 129.3 pounds of opioid medications during its “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day to help combat the nation’s opioid crisis.
Planning professionals, Town of Highlands staff, and members of the public gathered for a comprehensive planning forum on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Highlands Community Building. There will be a virtual planning workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 via Zoom.

Planning professionals, Town of Highlands staff, and members of the public gathered for a comprehensive planning forum on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Highlands Community Building. There will be a virtual planning workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 via Zoom.

Coming up with a plan

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Sticky notes covered a number of posters and a giant map of Highlands inside the community building on Oct. 22.
Planning professionals, Town of Highlands staff, and members of the public gathered for a comprehensive planning forum on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Highlands Community Building. There will be a virtual planning workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 via Zoom.

Planning professionals, Town of Highlands staff, and members of the public gathered for a comprehensive planning forum on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Highlands Community Building. There will be a virtual planning workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 via Zoom.

Coming up with a plan

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Sticky notes covered a number of posters and a giant map of Highlands inside the community building on Oct. 22.
Election turnout in Macon County reached record highs in 2020.

Election turnout in Macon County reached record highs in 2020.

Presidential race still undecided

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Election Day came and went with several key races locally, statewide and nationwide decided at the polls. However, the most high-profile race on the 2020 ticket was still up in the air as of Wednesday.
A tropical storm that moved through Highlands on Thursday knocked down several trees in its path. This tree was partially blocking US 64 until it was dragged out of the roadway by a passing motorist.

A tropical storm that moved through Highlands on Thursday knocked down several trees in its path. This tree was partially blocking US 64 until it was dragged out of the roadway by a passing motorist.

Tropical storm topples trees, knocks out power

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 5, 2020
The storm system that was once Hurricane Zeta roared through the Highlands-Cashiers plateau last week, packing tropical storm force winds and dumping more than seven inches of rain before moving up the eastern seaboard.
Santa Claus will be coming to Highlands via fire truck on Nov. 28.

Santa Claus will be coming to Highlands via fire truck on Nov. 28.

Holliday event planning underway

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 5, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic, or not, Santa Claus is coming to Highlands.  The Highlands Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday that Christmas in Highlands will not be halted by coronavirus.
Mission Health has received a grant to make the "Mental Wellness Basics" class available to schools in Macon County.

Mission Health has received a grant to make the "Mental Wellness Basics" class available to schools in Macon County.

Mission Health partners with MCS

Dan Brown
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Mission Health, the North Carolina Division of Hospital Corporation of America, recently announced it had collaborated with EVERFI, an international technology company driving social change through education, to launch an interactive, mental health and wellness digital education course for middle...