News

The Town of Highlands is looking at several major projects in the coming budget year.

The Town of Highlands is looking at several major projects in the coming budget year.

Mayor talks major projects, tax increase, at monthly coffee

Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor pulled no punches when he started his monthly “Coffee with the Mayor” presentation on Friday at Hudson Library. The Town of Highlands needs are outpacing its revenue.
Village Play in Cashiers is scheduled for a revamp this fall.

Village Play in Cashiers is scheduled for a revamp this fall.

Village Play making final push for donors, volunteers

The Village Green is in the home stretch of its playground upgrade, and Executive Director Ashlie Mitchell is hoping one last funding push and a call for volunteers will bring the project to fruition ahead of an October start date for construction.

Highlands PAC hires new executive director

The Highlands Performing Arts Center has announced the hiring of Executive Director, Jeanne Piazza, who will begin her tenure in September after moving on from the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL.
Representatives from Summit Charter School gathered to cut the ribbon on the new high school building on Friday.

Representatives from Summit Charter School gathered to cut the ribbon on the new high school building on Friday.

Summit Charter opens high school

With rousing applause, the ribbon was cut on the new high school building for Summit Charter School on Friday morning, Aug. 23.
The new Fishes and Loaves food pantry on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers boasts new floors, better lighting, more overall space, and updated fixtures to better serve the community for years to come.

The new Fishes and Loaves food pantry on Frank Allen Road in Cashiers boasts new floors, better lighting, more overall space, and updated fixtures to better serve the community for years to come.

Fishes and Loaves reopens

The freshly-renovated Fishes & Loaves Pantry in Cashiers, open after being under construction since the beginning of the year, has better flooring, more space and will now let visitors shop for their food as if they’re in the grocery store.
The start of the annual Rotary Club of Highlands Twilight 5k was as busy as ever, despite lingering rain showers on Saturday evening.

The start of the annual Rotary Club of Highlands Twilight 5k was as busy as ever, despite lingering rain showers on Saturday evening.

Running through the Twilight

The annual Highlands Twilight 5k, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Highlands, brought runners from across Western North Carolina to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday afternoon.
Residents of Mount Lori Road are unhappy with recent conduct by construction company employees on their street.

Residents of Mount Lori Road are unhappy with recent conduct by construction company employees on their street.

Town board covers Mirror Lake dredging, issues with construction crews

The Highlands Town Board meeting on Thursday evening, Aug. 15 saw a cause for celebration – the long-awaited dredging of Mirror Lake finally got a definitive timeline and the board approved its first phase to start later this year.
Sky Valley Police Chief Vaughn Estes (center) announced his resignation at the end of July after more than seven years in his current position.

Sky Valley Police Chief Vaughn Estes (center) announced his resignation at the end of July after more than seven years in his current position.

Police chief Estes says goodbye to Sky Valley

Sky Valley Police Chief Vaughn Estes bid farewell to the City of Sky Valley on July 31 after seven-and-a-half years of service as he tendered his resignation to pursue other career opportunities.
A new study shows that tourism spending was up 3.6 in Jackson County in 2023.

A new study shows that tourism spending was up 3.6 in Jackson County in 2023.

New report shows Jackson County tourism boom

Domestic and international visitors to and within Jackson County spent $468 million in 2023, an increase of 3.4 percent from 2022. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by VisitNC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Highlands’ Karen Gomez delivers a serve during the Lady Highlanders opening match.

Highlands’ Karen Gomez delivers a serve during the Lady Highlanders opening match.

Highlanders open fall sports season with volleyball match

The Lady Highlanders varsity volleyball team fell 3-1 against the Smoky Mountain Lady Mustangs in their inaugural game of the 2024 season Monday, in what coach Kaitlyn Bishop said was a game where the Lady Highlanders “struggled to get into a rhythm.