News

Submitted photo Gorges State Park in Sapphire will host the Mountain Monarch Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24, featuring presentations a keynote address and live music.

Submitted photo Gorges State Park in Sapphire will host the Mountain Monarch Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24, featuring presentations a keynote address and live music.

Gorges to host Monarch event

News Staff
Thursday, September 15, 2022
The first annual Mountain Monarch Festival will be at Gorges State Park in Sapphire, Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Center for Life Enrichment for present Porchfest at multiple locations around Highlands on Sunday.

The Center for Life Enrichment for present Porchfest at multiple locations around Highlands on Sunday.

Porchfest set for Sunday

News Staff
Thursday, September 15, 2022
The Center for Life Enrichment will present the second annual Highlands Porchfest on Sunday, Sept 18 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Highlands.
The Center for Life Enrichment for present Porchfest at multiple locations around Highlands on Sunday.

The Center for Life Enrichment for present Porchfest at multiple locations around Highlands on Sunday.

Porchfest set for Sunday

News Staff
Thursday, September 15, 2022
The Center for Life Enrichment will present the second annual Highlands Porchfest on Sunday, Sept 18 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Highlands.
An advocate for eliminating short term rental units in residential zones carries a homemade sign outside a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 25.

An advocate for eliminating short term rental units in residential zones carries a homemade sign outside a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 25.

STR issue continues to divide

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 1, 2022
The Highlands board of commissioners got down to business on Tuesday night and took a long look at several possible provisions to potentially be included in a revision of the town’s unified development ordinance dealing with short term rental units. Following a public hearing on Thursday, Aug.
A public hearing related to a potential regulations on short term rentals packed the community building on Thursday.

A public hearing related to a potential regulations on short term rentals packed the community building on Thursday.

STR Public Hearing draws big crowd

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Members of the public got their final opportunity to weigh-in on proposed changes to the Highlands Unified Development Ordinance related to short term rentals on Thursday night. The standing-room-only crowd represented both sides of the aisle, both pro and anti-STR.
Mountain Motoring 2022 will feature two driving tours and a car show.

Mountain Motoring 2022 will feature two driving tours and a car show.

Mountain Motoring on tap Sept. 9-11

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
The Highlands Motoring Festival team will be holding their Fall Mountain Motoring event from Sept. 9–11 to raise money for the organization’s three charity beneficiaries. The event was first created in 2020 when the Motoring Festival was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students got the chance to learn bear basics, as well as ways to prevent forest fires, during a recent celebration of Smokey Bear’s birthday in Highlands.

Students got the chance to learn bear basics, as well as ways to prevent forest fires, during a recent celebration of Smokey Bear’s birthday in Highlands.

Camp Merrie-Woode now BearWise

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Sapphire’s Camp Merrie-Woode was officially recognized by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as a BearWise organization on Aug. 18.
The Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

The Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

Rotary Art and Craft Show on tap

News Staff
Thursday, August 25, 2022
A summer tradition in Highlands for 17 years, the Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft Show is the premier show in the area. This weekend’s show will also be the organization’s largest.
T.J Smith is hoping to get more young people interested in skating during “Come Skate Day” on Saturday.

T.J Smith is hoping to get more young people interested in skating during “Come Skate Day” on Saturday.

Skating showcase set for Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, August 25, 2022
The International Friendship Center of Highlands will host their first ever “Come Skate Day” at the Highlands Skate Park on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.