News

A month after cancelling an expansion project at Highlands School, the county board spent $1.35 million to purchase the Higdon estate in Franklin.

A month after cancelling an expansion project at Highlands School, the county board spent $1.35 million to purchase the Higdon estate in Franklin.

County pays $1.35 million for Higdon property

News Staff
Thursday, April 20, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 11 to allocate $1.35 million for the potential purchase of 10+ acres of property, known as the Higdon property, located across the street from Franklin High School. The action includes the 2.54-acre tract at 195 Wayah St.
A near-record number of volunteers gathered at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for the Plateau Pickup on Saturday morning.

A near-record number of volunteers gathered at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for the Plateau Pickup on Saturday morning.

Plateau Pickup produces results

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A near-record number of community volunteers turned out for the 2023 Plateau Pickup on Saturday and the result was a massive amount of litter being pulled from area roadsides.
Don Leon (left) has opened his latest restaurant on Dillard Road in Highlands.

Don Leon (left) has opened his latest restaurant on Dillard Road in Highlands.

Don Leon's opens new location on Dillard Road

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Don Leon is back on the Highlands food scene. With the opening of his new restaurant on Dillard Road, in the former Magnolia Republic location, Leon has restarted his mission of serving quality food at a palatable price point.
Children donned their Easter best and raced through the Highlands Rec Center gym as part of the “Easter Egg Scramble” on Saturday. Cold temperatures and steady rain forced the annual town Easter Egg Hunt indoors.

Children donned their Easter best and raced through the Highlands Rec Center gym as part of the “Easter Egg Scramble” on Saturday. Cold temperatures and steady rain forced the annual town Easter Egg Hunt indoors.

Rain doesn't stop Easter fun

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Easter ceremonies and events got no favors from Mother Nature on Saturday. Temperatures in the 40’s and cold rain forced adjustments to holiday events. First was the annual Highlands Easter Egg Hunt, originally scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Rec Park lawn.

Macon County author releases new book

News Staff
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Just in time for the arrival of spring and the Appalachian Trail Celebration, local author Victor Treutel’s newest book, “When the Dogwoods Bloom” is now available.
The Bascom’s Billy Love teaches origami to students at The Literacy and Learning Center as part of the after school program.

The Bascom’s Billy Love teaches origami to students at The Literacy and Learning Center as part of the after school program.

TLC restarts after school programs

News Staff
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Programs were paused when The Literacy & Learning Center’s facility suffered extensive damage due to a frozen and burst pipe during the deep winter freeze in December.
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce is expanding its Leadership Highlands program to students.

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce is expanding its Leadership Highlands program to students.

Chamber to host Leadership Highlands Jr.

News Staff
Thursday, April 6, 2023
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC is launching a free educational program aimed at Highlands School students who will be in grades 10 –12 during the 2023/24 school year. Leadership Highlands Jr.
Mayor Pat Taylor restarted his Coffee with the Mayor program to discuss upcoming budget issues.

Mayor Pat Taylor restarted his Coffee with the Mayor program to discuss upcoming budget issues.

Coffee with the Mayor answers town budget questions

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor fired up the coffee pot and sat down with members of the community for his first “Coffee with the Mayor” program of 2023 on Friday. The monthly town hall series will continue throughout the summer and fall at Hudson Library with a different sponsor each month.
Photo by Ryan Hanchett/Staff American Legion Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey (left) and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan (right) honored Keith Hall (center) for his service in Vietnam and his continued support of Post 370. Hall was a pilot shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a prisoner of war.

Photo by Ryan Hanchett/Staff American Legion Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey (left) and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan (right) honored Keith Hall (center) for his service in Vietnam and his continued support of Post 370. Hall was a pilot shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a prisoner of war.

Post 370 recognizes 50 years since the end of Vietnam War

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Five decades after the end of the United States’ longest military conflict, dozens of veterans, their families and friends gathered to remember those who never made it home from Vietnam.
Macon County is in desperate need of more school bus drivers.

Macon County is in desperate need of more school bus drivers.

Bus driver shortage an ongoing problem

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
About once a week a bus route for Macon County Schools is missed due to a lack of available drivers. “We’ve hit a critical point,” MCS Personnel Director Todd Gibbs said. “We’ve been dwindling over the last five to eight years.