News

Special Olympics athletes complete the ceremonial walk which kicked off the games at Highlands School.

Special Olympics athletes complete the ceremonial walk which kicked off the games at Highlands School.

Highlands School welcomes Special Olympic athletes

News Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024
The Highlands School track was swarmed with visitors clad in pink shirts and Hawaiian leis on Friday, May 10 for the annual Macon County Spring Games of the Special Olympics. Buses came in all morning bringing athletes from around the region, and the atmosphere was festive and welcoming.
Bears may not be as prevalent in Highlands as in years past, but they are still wreaking havoc on area businesses.

Bears may not be as prevalent in Highlands as in years past, but they are still wreaking havoc on area businesses.

Bears beating the system

News Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024
One night a few weeks ago, a massive bear caved in the top of the dumpster behind Mountain Fresh Grocery. Owner Steve Snead-Smith said it’s not a new problem. “We’ve had to get it replaced four times just this week,” he said. He thinks the bear that did it is a new one.
The Cashiers Marketplace hearing has been put on hold indefinitely following an injunction.

The Cashiers Marketplace hearing has been put on hold indefinitely following an injunction.

Marketplace hearing stayed following injunction

News Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024
As the community faces burn out amidst the ongoing proposed Cashiers Marketplace development, hearings are now indefinitely stayed following a legal injunction brought forward by Holly Forest Association and Sapphire Valley Master Association.
Students from Blue Ridge School were recognized during a scholarship dinner on May 8.

Students from Blue Ridge School were recognized during a scholarship dinner on May 8.

Blue Ridge scholars honored

News Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Blue Ridge School and Early College celebrated graduating seniors awarded scholarships and recognized other Bobcats for academic success at their May 8 scholarship dinner.
The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed two days of picture perfect weather as music lovers flocked to Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain. The event featured eight bands, including Grammy award nominees Black Pumas on Sunday.

The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed two days of picture perfect weather as music lovers flocked to Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain. The event featured eight bands, including Grammy award nominees Black Pumas on Sunday.

Bear Shadow draws large crowds

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 16, 2024
The Bear Shadow music festival enjoyed quite possibly its best weather ever, and likely not coincidentally, it’s biggest crowds ever over the weekend at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain.
David Hyder, traffic engineer with J.M. Teague Engineering PLLC, has worked with Marketplace and the approved East Village, and he anticipates working with Cashiers Lake.

David Hyder, traffic engineer with J.M. Teague Engineering PLLC, has worked with Marketplace and the approved East Village, and he anticipates working with Cashiers Lake.

Traffic engineer testifies during Marketplace hearing

News Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024
The Cashiers Area Community Planning Council resumed the ongoing special use hearings for the proposed Marketplace development May 7. Marketplace attorney Brian Gulden called traffic engineer David Hyder to present his expert testimony.
The Highlands town board is considering raising water connection rates in the upcoming budget.

The Highlands town board is considering raising water connection rates in the upcoming budget.

Budget session covers water rate increase

News Staff
Thursday, May 9, 2024
At a budget workshop on Thursday afternoon, May 2, the town board and the heads of various departments hashed out some details on water plans, police training and more. The proposed budget this year is $44.681 million, increased from last year’s budget of $31.086 million.
Author Diane Kelly will speak at both Hudson Library and Albert-Carlton Library on Friday.

Author Diane Kelly will speak at both Hudson Library and Albert-Carlton Library on Friday.

Author Diane Kelly coming to Highlands, Cashiers

News Staff
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Fontana Regional Library is welcoming Diane Kelly to the Cashiers and Highlands libraries Friday. In Cashiers, Kelly will speak about the latest book in her house flipper mysteries series “Four Alarm Homicide.” In Highlands, her talk will cover the appeal of Appalachia.
Louise Royal had a knee replacement in February, the first surgery since 2013 at Highlands Cashiers Hospital. Royal came back to the hospital last week to show off her progress and thank the staff for their work on her new knee.

Louise Royal had a knee replacement in February, the first surgery since 2013 at Highlands Cashiers Hospital. Royal came back to the hospital last week to show off her progress and thank the staff for their work on her new knee.

Hospital restarts surgeries

News Staff
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Earlier this year, local resident Louise Royal became the first successful knee surgery patient at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Her knee had started to swell painfully months earlier, but Royal said she put off going to a doctor longer than she should’ve.
The Country Club of Sapphire Valley partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, and area schools, for a career conference on Thursday.

The Country Club of Sapphire Valley partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, and area schools, for a career conference on Thursday.

Learning about careers

News Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Seventh and Eighth graders from Blue Ridge School, Highlands School, and Summit Charter School joined the Boys & Girls Club at Country Club of Sapphire Valley for the annual career conference. Students were mixed together and seated at tables.