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A group of citizens started a GoFundMe to raise money for legal fees to fight back against the town's decision to enforce an original ordinance that bans short-term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3.

A group of citizens started a GoFundMe to raise money for legal fees to fight back against the town's decision to enforce an original ordinance that bans short-term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3.

Group of citizens band together to raise money for legal fees following the towns decision on STR’s

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
At a special called Board of Commissioners meeting, the board verbally agreed to start enforcing its current zoning ordinance, not allowing short term rentals in zones R-1, R-2 and R-3, starting Jan. 3, 2022.
The need for a mask will be required as long as test positivity rate in the “RED” category per the CDC. The need for mask will be reevaluated weekly.

The need for a mask will be required as long as test positivity rate in the “RED” category per the CDC. The need for mask will be reevaluated weekly.

Commissioners vote to reinstate town-wide mask mandate

Highlander Editor
Thursday, September 2, 2021
At a special meeting, Friday, Aug. 27, the Highlands town board passed an order reinstating the wearing of masks in all business zones, in both inside and outdoor spaces. There are no inside capacity limits as a part of this order.

CLE to host wine expert Friday

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Renowned wine connoisseur, award winning journalist and entrepreneur Cathy Huyghe is visiting the Center for Life Enrichment tomorrow to teach Highlanders the differences in Pinot, wine grapes. Huyghe got her start in the wine industry by taking part in a program called 365 Days of Wine.
Harmel began writing professionally at the age of 16, as a sportswriter for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Fla. While in college, Harmel was writing articles for PEOPLE magazine.

Harmel began writing professionally at the age of 16, as a sportswriter for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Fla. While in college, Harmel was writing articles for PEOPLE magazine.

Author hopes to inspire strength

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Author Kristin Harmel said she hopes to inspire strength with her new novel The Forest of Vanishing Stars. Harmel began writing professionally at the age of 16, as a sportswriter for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Fla. While in college, Harmel was writing articles for PEOPLE magazine.
Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff It has always been a dream for owner Ivan Soto to open his own restaurant.

Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff It has always been a dream for owner Ivan Soto to open his own restaurant.

Los Vaqueros now open in Highlands

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Los Vaqueros, a new traditional Mexican restaurant, is now open for residents in the Highlands area. It has always been a dream for owner Ivan Soto to open his own restaurant. “I have been in the restaurant business for about 12 years,” Soto said. “I started as a bus boy and worked my way up.
Over this same period, 51 North Carolina counties lost population, while 49 others gained population, including Macon and Jackson.

Over this same period, 51 North Carolina counties lost population, while 49 others gained population, including Macon and Jackson.

Counties see growth, Highlands stable in 2020 census

News Staff
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Macon and Jackson County both saw an uptick in population on the 2020 Census, but the town of Highlands has stayed about the same. The population of Highlands increased by about 60 people, from 920 to 984 in this years’ census.
The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

Pfizer vaccine now FDA approved, Highlands mayor hopes for more vaccinations in town

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 26, 2021
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.
The consensus was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Donnie Calloway not agreeing.

The consensus was passed 4-1 with Commissioner Donnie Calloway not agreeing.

Town takes no action on short term rentals

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
After a five-hour long meeting that stretched over two days, the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners reached a verbal consensus that they would start enforcing current zoning laws that will not allow short term rentals in R-1 Zoning.