News

Commissioners will hear recommendations to change parking on Oak Street during Thursday night’s Town Board meeting.

Commissioners will hear recommendations to change parking on Oak Street during Thursday night’s Town Board meeting.

Planning board recommends new parking plans

Highlands Planning Board met at the community building last week to discuss the ongoing topic of parking in town, with the committee agreeing upon several recommendations that will be presented to the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners this week.
Village Play reopens with new look

Village Play reopens with new look

Village Play reopens with new look

The Village Play Playground, located at The Village Green in Cashiers has been restored and expanded and will reopen on June 26.  Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.with a ribbon cutting ceremony, a tour of the new features, food and goodies, and lots of fun.
Various items will be on display, including high-quality, original and traditional artwork, jewelry and apparel.

Various items will be on display, including high-quality, original and traditional artwork, jewelry and apparel.

Mountaintop Rotary’s Art and Craft show returns

Mountaintop Rotary Club’s Art and Craft show returns next weekend as one of Highlands’ most cherished summer traditions. Rotary promises two days of fun, festivities, and entertainment June 28 and 29 in Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dr. Rada Petric explores the world of  back-yard bats (courtesy UNC endeavors).

Dr. Rada Petric explores the world of back-yard bats (courtesy UNC endeavors).

Lecture: ‘Bats in Your Backyard’

Dr. Rada Petric, Assistant Research Professor and Director of the UNC Institute for the Environment’s Highlands Field Site, will be the guest lecturer next week for the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series.  Her lecture, titled “Bats in Your Backyard,” will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m.
Put on your dancing shoes, pack a picnic and head out to the Village Greene for the Fireworks Extravaganze, July 3.

Put on your dancing shoes, pack a picnic and head out to the Village Greene for the Fireworks Extravaganze, July 3.

Light up the Plateau

Celebrate America’s birthday in Cashiers at The Village Green’s annual Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3 on The Village Green Commons Lawn. Residents and visitors are invited to dine, play, and dance the night away.
The Volunteer Fair gives residents and visitors to the Plateau an opportunity to connect with the numerous organizations that serve the area.

The Volunteer Fair gives residents and visitors to the Plateau an opportunity to connect with the numerous organizations that serve the area.

Serving others on the Plateau

Residents and organizations connected at the community building last week for this year’s volunteer fair.
Cashiers library: Patrons worry about the future

Cashiers library: Patrons worry about the future

Cashiers library: Patrons worry about the future

The Fontana Regional Library system has found itself in the center of a Jackson County controversy as the county talks about withdrawing from the regional system. The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is a member of the FRL system.
Carlton Burke showcases a Barred Owl to the audience.

Carlton Burke showcases a Barred Owl to the audience.

Highlands Nature Center kicks off summer series

Highlands Nature Center is kicking off the summer with a hoot, as their summer series, Nature Center Nights, brought in Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists to showcase one of the region’s most mysterious animals.
Kenda Woodburn showcases some of the flora from the region.

Kenda Woodburn showcases some of the flora from the region.

Summer gardening workshop spearheads sustainability

With summer in full swing, a community workshop has emerged at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library called Blue Ridge Garden Quest, led by horticulturalist Kenda Woodburn, who aims to focus on practical gardening skills and environmental awareness.
The second Zahner Lecture will be on June 19 at 6 p.m.

The second Zahner Lecture will be on June 19 at 6 p.m.

Zahner Lecture Series

The Highlands Biological Foundation continues its 2025 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series with an engaging and timely presentation by Tanya Poole, Conservation Initiatives Engagement Coordinator for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.  The lecture, titled “Are You BearWise?