News

The Macon County board of education voted to move grades K-5 into "Plan A" as of Oct. 5.

The Macon County board of education voted to move grades K-5 into "Plan A" as of Oct. 5.

School board moves grades K-5 to "Plan A"

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Free COVID-19 testing began at Highlands School on Sept. 15 for any students, faculty or staff member who chose to participate. NC Association of Educators representative John de Ville asked the Macon County Board of Education to expand the program to all schools in the county on Monday night.

Road projects on schedule for 2021

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, October 1, 2020
A number of Highlands road maintenance projects are tentatively on schedule for the spring and summer of 2021, according to Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor. Among the projects to be completed is a full milling and repaving of Main Street from Dillard Road to 5th Street.
The 2020 Cullasaja Women’s Outreach Grants Committee awarded more than $244,000 in grants to 22 local nonprofit agencies this year. Pictured are, back row: Gail Hughes, Dawn Van Fleet, Jean Hyde, Martha Caire, Marianne Lassiter, Emily Adkins, Margaret Lauletta, co-chair Jo Hill and Donna Woltzen. Second row: Nelly Rice, Judith Bobo, Cherry Tyde, Deb Kabinoff, Debbie Thompson, Kay Johnson and co-chair Lindy Colson Harrison. Seated: co-chair Nancy Harrison and Donna Thoele.

The 2020 Cullasaja Women’s Outreach Grants Committee awarded more than $244,000 in grants to 22 local nonprofit agencies this year. Pictured are, back row: Gail Hughes, Dawn Van Fleet, Jean Hyde, Martha Caire, Marianne Lassiter, Emily Adkins, Margaret Lauletta, co-chair Jo Hill and Donna Woltzen. Second row: Nelly Rice, Judith Bobo, Cherry Tyde, Deb Kabinoff, Debbie Thompson, Kay Johnson and co-chair Lindy Colson Harrison. Seated: co-chair Nancy Harrison and Donna Thoele.

CWO gives back to the community

Dan Brown
Thursday, October 1, 2020
  Putting money in the hands of those who need it most, is the motivation behind the Cullasaja Women’s Outreach annual grant award.
Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Halloween festivities cancelled

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Wearing a mask may be popular on Oct. 31, but not for the traditional reason. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel Halloween festivities in Highlands.
Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Highlands traditionally draws big crowds along Main Street for the annual Halloween celebration. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the 2020 event.

Halloween festivities cancelled

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Wearing a mask may be popular on Oct. 31, but not for the traditional reason. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel Halloween festivities in Highlands.
A proposed 16-unit employee housing complex at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is under review by a town board subcommittee following a request for water and sewer service.

A proposed 16-unit employee housing complex at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is under review by a town board subcommittee following a request for water and sewer service.

Town board pauses HCH housing plan

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
The Highlands Board of Commissioners hit the collective pause button on a potential employee housing development adjacent to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital on Thursday night.
The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

The current Highlands Fire Department station on Oak Street has been added on to multiple times. The new fire station, on Franklin Road, will be large enough to house all the fire department equipment under one roof and accommodate 24 hour staff coverage.

Board approves funding for new fire department

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, September 24, 2020
A new Highlands Fire Department moved one step closer to fruition on Thursday when the town board approved a rezoning request for the property and accepted a not-to-exceed bid price from contractor DR Reynolds Company.
Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

Bryan Lewis is the new owner of Highlands Smokehouse.

New owner takes over Smokehouse

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
After being open for a little over a year, Highlands Smokehouse has been sold. New ownership took over management of the barbecue restaurant last week, according to partner and former restaurant general manager Tom Goldacker. “Bryan Lewis is an awesome guy,” Goldacker said.
The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

The annual Empty Bowls luncheon at First Presbyterian Church raises money for the Highlands Food Pantry each fall.

Empty Bowls scheduled for Oct. 4 with new format

Dan Brown
Thursday, September 24, 2020
This year’s Empty Bowls luncheon is on and thus not a victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  But, the event will not be an in-person luncheon as in years past according to organizers.