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Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Macon County recycling coordinator Shaun Cribbs working with students.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Macon County recycling coordinator Shaun Cribbs working with students.

Macon County students participate in first ever HBS Sustainability Summit

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
On Feb. 25-27, Macon County Schools, Highlands Biological Station and Highlands Biological Foundation partnered to offer a free Sustainability Summit to the students of Macon County where they learned about sustainability, climate issues and research.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Macon County students engaging during a workshop at the Sustainability Summit at Highlands Biological Station.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Macon County students engaging during a workshop at the Sustainability Summit at Highlands Biological Station.

Mountaintop Rotary receives 553 coats during Winter Coat Drive

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
The Mountaintop Rotary Club in Highlands had a successful first Winter Coat Drive, receiving 553 coats over the past couple months. Mountaintop Rotary representative Duncan Greenlee said they have done a coat drive before, but not on this scale.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Aubrey Agnew and Kim Rogoski at the new Highlands Hatter store on N. 4th Street in Highlands.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Aubrey Agnew and Kim Rogoski at the new Highlands Hatter store on N. 4th Street in Highlands.

Bringing their ‘hattitude’

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
After stumbling on Highlands, Kim Rogoski and her husband Rob are expanding their hat store business from Helen, Ga., with the Highlands Hatter. “We came up on a drive one day and thought Highlands was beautiful,” Rogoski said. “We loved the town, and I wanted a bigger store.
On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.

On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.

County BOE extends mask optional protocol, adds school buses

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
With COVID-19 cases slowing, the Macon County Board of Education approved to extend the mask optional protocol, and extended that protocol to school buses. On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.
Submitted Photo Brooke Bird pictured with Bruce and Brando Bird. Brooke was pinned in her car for 45 minutes earlier this February and had to spend 10 days in the hospital.

Submitted Photo Brooke Bird pictured with Bruce and Brando Bird. Brooke was pinned in her car for 45 minutes earlier this February and had to spend 10 days in the hospital.

Community gives back to student in car accident

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
On Feb. 9, Highlands local and Southwestern Community College student Brooke Bird was involved in a car wreck, where she was pinned for 45 minutes in her car.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff 121 comments were submitted to Town Clerk Gibby Shaheen.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff 121 comments were submitted to Town Clerk Gibby Shaheen.

Town board listens to comments from public about short-term rentals

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
In a meeting that lasted an hour and 45 minutes, with more than 30 people speaking, the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners got a chance to hear what the public’s thoughts were on the planning board’s recommendations on short-term rentals.