News

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff There is a creek that runs through Hickory Knut Gap Road that sometimes floods to almost two feet deep. Residents like Duncan Greenlee have to drive through the creek daily.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff There is a creek that runs through Hickory Knut Gap Road that sometimes floods to almost two feet deep. Residents like Duncan Greenlee have to drive through the creek daily.

Scaly Mountain resident voices concern over poorly-maintained road

Highlander Editor
Thursday, June 23, 2022
For the past 43 years, Scaly Mountain resident Duncan Greenlee and his neighbors have dealt with an unmaintained road with a creek that runs through it.
The display pictured above is in the main section of the library and there is a similar one in the teen section.

The display pictured above is in the main section of the library and there is a similar one in the teen section.

Funding request for Macon County Library salaries stalled

News Staff
Thursday, June 16, 2022
A Gay Pride display at the Macon County Public Library became an issue during a discussion about extra funding for library staff salaries at the Board of County Commissioners budget session on June 7.
Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff Education Specialist Paige Engelbrektsson plays with kids during the Buggy Bonanza Camp.

Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff Education Specialist Paige Engelbrektsson plays with kids during the Buggy Bonanza Camp.

Nature Center Summer Camps in full swing

News Staff
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Highlands is well-known for its proximity to nature, with an elevation of over 4,000 feet, Highlands sits right near the crest of the Blue Ridge, and it is surrounded by multiple other mountain ranges such as the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala.
Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff A piece by Mary Muszynski in the Imaginary Landscapes: Stories from the American South exhibit.

Photo by Kaylee Cook/Staff A piece by Mary Muszynski in the Imaginary Landscapes: Stories from the American South exhibit.

Bascom set to host opening reception tonight

News Staff
Thursday, June 16, 2022
The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts will be holding a public exhibition reception on Thursday, June 16, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., to celebrate their current exhibits that will be on display, including three new summer exhibits that tie into the center’s current theme of place.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff The inside of the new PAC theater.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff The inside of the new PAC theater.

PAC nearing end of construction

Highlander Editor
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Almost a year after breaking ground on its new $11 million facility, the Highlands Performing Arts Center is nearing the end of construction. “I get chills every time I walk in here,” Highlands PAC director Mary Adair Trumbly said during a sneak peek of the new building.

15th annual Highlands Motoring Festival exceeds expectations

News Staff
Thursday, June 16, 2022
The 2022 Highlands Motoring Festival has come and gone once again, but not without drawing in thousands of participants to join in on the festivities. The festival, which celebrated its 15th year, was first conceptualized in 2006 and by 2007 it had its grand debut featuring a total of 114 cars.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Before becoming a volunteer firefighter, Roger Lee Wilson was rejected three times.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Before becoming a volunteer firefighter, Roger Lee Wilson was rejected three times.

Wilson nominated for NC Firefighter of the Year

Highlander Editor
Thursday, June 16, 2022
From being a rambunctious teenager, being blackballed from ever volunteering at the Highlands Fire Department, to eventually having a rule about how many awards he can win as a volunteer firefighter, Capt. Roger Lee Wilson wasrecently  nominated for North Carolina Firefighter of the Year.

Holbrooks officially wins sheriff race

News Staff
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Brent Holbrooks will follow in his father’s footsteps in serving Macon County as sheriff. Holbrooks was the top vote getter in the May 17 primary and the recount on June 2 showed he still had the votes to win the race. Holbrooks said he was humbled and blessed to be elected.