News

Highlands Rec Center served as the host site for the first round of public COVID-19 vaccinations in Highlands on Wednesday. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal and vaccination clinic volunteer Robin Neal greeted the clinic’s first patients.

Highlands Rec Center served as the host site for the first round of public COVID-19 vaccinations in Highlands on Wednesday. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal and vaccination clinic volunteer Robin Neal greeted the clinic’s first patients.

Vaccine program revamped

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
After experiencing technical issues surrounding the phone system at the Macon County Public Health Department, county leaders pivoted and quickly revamped the COVID-19 vaccination registration process this week. The new system features an online option as well as call-in registration.
The Bear Shadow music festival is scheduled for April 23-25 in Highlands.

The Bear Shadow music festival is scheduled for April 23-25 in Highlands.

Bear Shadow changes venues

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
With social distancing still at the forefront of people’s daily lives, the organizers of the first ever Bear Shadow spring music festival are making changes to ensure the event can happen safely in 2021.
A group of Cashiers residents opposed to the proposed Cashiers Hillside development gathered with signs at the Village Green on Jan. 6 ahead of the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council’s meeting to review applications for legal standing in the upcoming hearing to determine the fate of the project.

A group of Cashiers residents opposed to the proposed Cashiers Hillside development gathered with signs at the Village Green on Jan. 6 ahead of the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council’s meeting to review applications for legal standing in the upcoming hearing to determine the fate of the project.

Cashiers development debate continues

News Staff
Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Cashiers Area Community Planning Council heard arguments over legal standing for the proposed Cashiers Hillside development project on Jan. 6, setting the stage for a discussion on the merits of the project on Jan. 25. The Jan.
The Highlands Chamber of Commerce did not have a single member business close its doors due to COVID-19 in 2020

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce did not have a single member business close its doors due to COVID-19 in 2020

Highlands businesses weathered pandemic

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Many communities may have seen bleak economic times in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as Highlands Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaye McHan pointed out on Thursday night, Highlands was not one of them.
Pictured with the most recent Little Free Library installation are Andy Chmar, Hudson Library of Highlands board president, Helene Siegel, Hudson Library trustee, Ricky Siegel, Little Free Library steward, Jenni Edwards, marketing manager for The Literacy and Learning Center and Bonnie Potts, executive director of The Literacy and Learning Center.

Pictured with the most recent Little Free Library installation are Andy Chmar, Hudson Library of Highlands board president, Helene Siegel, Hudson Library trustee, Ricky Siegel, Little Free Library steward, Jenni Edwards, marketing manager for The Literacy and Learning Center and Bonnie Potts, executive director of The Literacy and Learning Center.

Little Free Libraries offer books to all at three new locations

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
The joy of reading appeals to literary enthusiasts young and old. Finding the perfect reading material in Highlands got a little bit easier this month when the Hudson Library board unveiled three new Little Free Libraries.
Macon County moved into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Wednesday.

Macon County moved into Phase 1B of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Wednesday.

Macon County moves into Phase 1B of vaccination program

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
As Macon County hit a record number of active COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive week, some good news did emerge regarding the availability of coronavirus vaccinations. Macon County Public Health officially moved into Phase 1B of its vaccination program on Wednesday.
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are subject to a new rule regarding public input on management by the US Forest Service.

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are subject to a new rule regarding public input on management by the US Forest Service.

Chattooga Conservancy sues USFS

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
The Chattooga Conservancy and Southern Environmental Law Center filed suit against the US Forest Service on Friday to potentially stop the elimination of safeguards that protect public lands from additional logging, road building and right of way projects.
Repairs to Highlands sewer plant are on schedule following a $100,000 allocation by the town board in December.

Repairs to Highlands sewer plant are on schedule following a $100,000 allocation by the town board in December.

Sewer plant repairs on schedule

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Repairs at the Town of Highlands sewer plant are being made following the allocation of $100,000 by the board of commissioners in December. According to Highlands Public Works Director Lamar Nix, one of the tanks at the sewer plant is offline due to a mechanical malfunction.
The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust recently conserved 28 acres near the intersection of US 64 and Sherwood Forest Road.

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust recently conserved 28 acres near the intersection of US 64 and Sherwood Forest Road.

Land Trust conserves 28 acres

News Staff
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Twenty-eight acres of greenspace that boarders the entrance to Highlands from Cashiers have been permanently conserved by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.  The tract lies along the south side of US 64 extending from Sherwood Forest Road nearly to Poplar Road, a distance of a mile.
Dr. Donald Dewhurst received his COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Ruthie Capaforte at Macon County Public Health on Dec. 31.

Dr. Donald Dewhurst received his COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Ruthie Capaforte at Macon County Public Health on Dec. 31.

COVID-19 cases reach new records

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Tuesday was another record setting day in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as Macon County crossed over the 500 active case mark for the first time. According to Macon County Public Health statistics, there were 541 active cases as of Tuesday, with 153 patients awaiting test results.