News

The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

Board approves funding for new fire department

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A new Highlands Fire Department moved one step closer to fruition on Thursday when the town board approved a rezoning request for the property and accepted a not-to-exceed bid price from contractor DR Reynolds Company.
Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

New owner takes over Smokehouse

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
After being open for a little over a year, Highlands Smokehouse has been sold. New ownership took over management of the barbecue restaurant last week, according to partner and former restaurant general manager Tom Goldacker. “Bryan Lewis is an awesome guy,” Goldacker said.
The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

Empty Bowls scheduled for Oct. 4 with new format

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
This year’s Empty Bowls luncheon is on and thus not a victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  But, the event will not be an in-person luncheon as in years past according to organizers.

Dahlias dazzle and delight

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A perfect weekend with perfect weather and a perfect crowd provided the ingredients necessary for a successful Dazzling Dahlia Festival under the new normal of COVID-19 social distancing.
Eckerd Living Center resident Sherman Runion, 75, meets with Mary Jo, his wife of 52 years, during a visit in the living center’s garden last week.

Eckerd Living Center resident Sherman Runion, 75, meets with Mary Jo, his wife of 52 years, during a visit in the living center’s garden last week.

Reconnecting during COVID-19

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
There was some good news coming out of Highlands Cashiers Hospital’s Eckerd Living Center this week. Officials with the assisted living center loosened its visitation strings a bit with the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed residents and their families to visit face-to-face.
Highlands School students are back to in-person classes following a week of online instruction.

Highlands School students are back to in-person classes following a week of online instruction.

Schools restart following virtual week

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Macon County Schools resumed “Plan B” on Monday with students returning to in-person instruction at each school. In Highlands, the continuation of Plan B means that students will be in class, wearing face coverings and socially distancing, Monday through Thursday.
The Macon County EDC discussed developing a comprehensive plan during their Sept. meeting.

The Macon County EDC discussed developing a comprehensive plan during their Sept. meeting.

EDC discusses planning, Highlands housing market

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Economic development is a broad concept. So broad, that many counties are looking at better ways to target their economic development efforts in ways that are most likely to produce job growth, business creation and expansion, and workforce development.
Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor signs a proclamation celebrating this weekend’s 10th annual Dahlia Festival. From left, Kim Daugherty holding the book, Taylor and Lisa Dailey.

Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor signs a proclamation celebrating this weekend’s 10th annual Dahlia Festival. From left, Kim Daugherty holding the book, Taylor and Lisa Dailey.

Dahlia Festival on display Sept. 19-20

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
While other standard festivals and celebrations in and around the plateau has fallen victim to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the 10th anniversary of the Highlands Historical Society’s Dazzling Dahlia Festival will go on as scheduled Friday and Saturday.
Author Susan Zurenda has been writing for many years, but her new work “Bells For Eli,” is her first fiction novel.

Author Susan Zurenda has been writing for many years, but her new work “Bells For Eli,” is her first fiction novel.

Zurenda pens first novel

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Regional author Susan Beckham Zurenda will be appearing in Highlands on Oct. 21 to promote and talk about her debut novel, “Bells for Eli.