News

The Highlands board of commissioners made two administrative changes to their monthly meetings in December.

The Highlands board of commissioners made two administrative changes to their monthly meetings in December.

Highlands board adds pledge, moment of silence to agenda

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 7, 2021
There will be changes to both the structure and the procedure of the Highlands Board of Commissioners when the board meets on Jan. 21. During the board’s December meeting, the group decided to do away with the rotating position of Mayor Pro Tempore and revert to a voting system.

Highlands girls open with win over Bobcats

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Highlands’ girls basketball team got the season off to a fast start with a 41-32 win over Blue Ridge on Tuesday night. The game was the season opener for both squads and showcased a number of state mandated rule changes due to COVID-19.
Harris Lake will soon be home to 900 trout as part of a secondary stocking program carried out by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Harris Lake will soon be home to 900 trout as part of a secondary stocking program carried out by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Trout being added to Harris Lake

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Anglers looking to reel in a trout for supper may soon be giving up their familiar spots in area streams for a more urban location. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has agreed to stock 900 trout in Harris Lake in Highlands during the winter months to ease overcrowding in area hatcheries.
Photo by Will Woolever Buck Ledbetter stands behind the counter of his store, Buck’s Gun Shop, in Franklin.

Photo by Will Woolever Buck Ledbetter stands behind the counter of his store, Buck’s Gun Shop, in Franklin.

Gun shops see demand spike

News Staff
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Macon County’s gun stores are doing a brisk business.  In a year of disease and civil unrest, the firearms industry has been booming in 2020.
Highlands Motoring Festival organizer Steve Mehder did his best to fit a giant $15,000 check for three nonprofits into the mailbox.

Highlands Motoring Festival organizer Steve Mehder did his best to fit a giant $15,000 check for three nonprofits into the mailbox.

Motoring Festival makes donation

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Like so many events in 2020, the Highlands Motoring Festival had to change up its format in order to proceed. Fortunately for the nonprofit organizations that benefit from the four-day event for automotive enthusiasts, the changes didn’t stop the giving.  On Dec.
Face coverings were a requirement during the Highlands School graduation in August. The ceremony was held outside to accommodate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Face coverings were a requirement during the Highlands School graduation in August. The ceremony was held outside to accommodate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back at 2020

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 31, 2020
There has never been a year quite like 2020, and with 2021 fast approaching the time is right to look back at the biggest stories of the past 12 months.
Mission Health has limited visitation at all of its facilities due to COVID-19 rates.

Mission Health has limited visitation at all of its facilities due to COVID-19 rates.

Mission Health limits visitation as COVID-19 numbers soar

News Staff
Thursday, December 31, 2020
To protect patients and staff Mission Health elevated its visitor restrictions to Level 3 at all locations, including Angel Medical Center, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, CareParters, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Mission Hospital McDowell and Transylvania Regional Hospital as of 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
HCA plans to build a replacement hospital on a 12.89-acre lot at 14 One Center Court in Franklin.

HCA plans to build a replacement hospital on a 12.89-acre lot at 14 One Center Court in Franklin.

HCA delays construction of new hospital in Franklin

News Staff
Thursday, December 24, 2020
HCA Healthcare has postponed construction of the replacement facility for Angel Medical Center until 2021. “Between state plan approval and the COVID-19 pandemic, groundbreaking on the new hospital is unfortunately delayed,” Angel CEO Karen Gorby said.
Highlands Cashiers Hospital staff began the COVID-19 vaccination process on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Highlands Cashiers Hospital staff began the COVID-19 vaccination process on Saturday, Dec. 19.

First vaccines roll into HCH

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, December 24, 2020
With the approval of a second COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, many people are wondering when a dose may be made available to them.