News

During the town board of commissioners meeting on May 21 the board approved a proposal to potentially move the firework display to Labor Day weekend on Sept. 5.

July Fourth events uncertain

Dan Brown

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Highlands Board of Commissioners, acting on a request by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaye McHan, voted to support a possible postponement of the town’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration until Labor Day.

TJ Bailey For Men on Main Street reopened its doors on May 8.

Retailers reopen in phase one

Dan Brown

Friday, May 22, 2020

Highlands retailers have been given the green light to resume business operations albeit under restricting conditions as the state looks to dig out from underneath the COVID-19 pandemic. N.C. Governor Roy Cooper’s phase one executive order went into effect on May 8 and will expire on Friday.

Highlands seniors Kedra McCall, Jeslyn Head and Ryan Talbert receive their senior academic awards and yearbooks outside the school on Tuesday afternoon.

Seniors receive academic awards during vehicle parade

Ryan Hanchett

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Blue and yellow balloons hung from the roof supports around the circle at Highlands School on Tuesday night. “Celebration,” by Kool and the Gang blared from a set of speakers. Teachers and administrators lined the driveway with signs of encouragement and well wishes.

Two more patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Macon County as of May 18.

MCPH confirms two more positive COVID-19 tests

Ryan Hanchett

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Macon County Public Health has confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 in the past six days according to information provided by the department on Monday. According to MCPH officials, the fourth resident to test positive for COVID-19 did so on Friday, May 15.

Highlands American Legion Post 370 will stream the Memorial Day ceremony online via the Post’s Facebook page at 10 a.m. on Monday.

Post 370 Memorial Day service moves online

News Staff

Thursday, May 21, 2020

It may look a little different this year, but Highlands American Legion Post 370 will be celebrating Memorial Day at 10 a.m. on Monday. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, the public is asked to forego attending the ceremony at the Highlands Veteran’s Plaza.

Weller wins Bel Canto scholarship

News Staff

Thursday, May 21, 2020

The Bel Canto Recital committee has chosen Emma Weller as its 2020 scholarship award winter. Throughout her school career Weller pursued several art disciplines, including dance, voice and percussion in the school’s band, as well as visual art.

Visitors flocked to local trails and attractions, including Dry Falls, over the weekend following a relaxing of regulations related to COVID-19.

Reopening underway

Ryan Hanchett

Thursday, May 14, 2020

As businesses in Highlands begin to reopen under phase one of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to jumpstart the economy, one major employer is already seeing strong response from the public.

The ambulance carrying fallen Glenville-Cashiers Rescue Squad member Eldon Jamison rolled slowly through the Cashiers crossroads on its way to the Glenville station.

GCRS member dies during rescue attempt

Dan Brown

Thursday, May 14, 2020

It rained the day they brought Eldon Jamison home. Heaven’s crying, they said. Traffic stopped when the ambulance carrying Jamison’s body passed through the crossroads.

Harrell leaving Highlands for Franklin PD

Dan Brown

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Highlands Chief of Police Bill Harrell is going home. Town Manager Josh Ward announced on Wednesday, May 6 that Harrell submitted his resignation effective June 1 as he had accepted an offer to become the next Chief of Police in Franklin.

The proposed Town of Highlands budget for 2020-21 features no tax increase.

No tax increase in proposed budget

Ryan Hanchett

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Town of Highlands employees will not be getting a cost of living raise during the 2020-21 fiscal year following a vote by the board of commissioners on Thursday, May 7.