News

Even with the mask mandate for all town facilities, Taylor said it was not enough to fight the Delta Variant.

Even with the mask mandate for all town facilities, Taylor said it was not enough to fight the Delta Variant.

Town hall closes due to employees testing positive for COVID-19

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
A week after reinstating the mask mandate for all town facilities, a COVID-19 outbreak has caused town hall to close. According to Highlands mayor Patrick Taylor, several employees have tested positive for COVID-19. “The town hall is now closed to the public and staff,” Taylor said.
Photo by Ryan Hanchett Detectives at the scene at HCH, Tuesday morning.

Photo by Ryan Hanchett Detectives at the scene at HCH, Tuesday morning.

Man commits suicide at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Deputies from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and officers with Highlands Police Department responded to a call reporting a gun shot at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital on Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they found a white male deceased in the hospital parking lot.
Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Appalachian Growers owners Lori Lacey and Steve Yuzzi with farm managers Noah Miller and Josh Brandes.

Photo by Christopher Lugo/Staff Appalachian Growers owners Lori Lacey and Steve Yuzzi with farm managers Noah Miller and Josh Brandes.

A natural solution

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 19, 2021
With the opioid epidemic raging across the nation, Franklin-based Appalachian Growers are offering a different solution, CBD. Owner Lori Lacey came from a wellness background and said she got into the hemp business because of the stories she heard from other women.
The forum will take place at the Highlands Community Center located at 869 North 4th street (Highway 64-next to the ball field) on Tuesday, Aug. 17 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

The forum will take place at the Highlands Community Center located at 869 North 4th street (Highway 64-next to the ball field) on Tuesday, Aug. 17 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

COVID health forum to be held next Tuesday

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
With the Plateau communities on red alert with high transmission of COVID, Highlands Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal has put together forum to invite members of the community who are still concerned about getting the vaccine to be able to talk to doctors and public health experts and get the answers...
Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff Half-Mile Farm residents were able to talk with contemporary authors Cassandra King, Ron Rash and Mary Alice Monroe, along with travel journalists Cele and Lynn Seldon.

Photo by Christopher Smith/Staff Half-Mile Farm residents were able to talk with contemporary authors Cassandra King, Ron Rash and Mary Alice Monroe, along with travel journalists Cele and Lynn Seldon.

Half-Mile Farm hosts first Southern Writers Series

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Half-Mile Farm recently held its first Southern Writers Series where residents on the farm were able to meet and get advice from contemporary authors such as Cassandra King, Ron Rash and Mary Alice Monroe, along with travel journalists Cele and Lynn Seldon.
The entire team that traveled to the AAU Junior Olympics is: Jelehna McKim, Finneaus Garner, Mark Gross, Aniah McKim, Paolo McRae, Chase Kenter, Jack Sumner, Jasmine Abranyi, Sofia and Lilliana Jandera Chambless, Justin Powell and Corena Dearth.

The entire team that traveled to the AAU Junior Olympics is: Jelehna McKim, Finneaus Garner, Mark Gross, Aniah McKim, Paolo McRae, Chase Kenter, Jack Sumner, Jasmine Abranyi, Sofia and Lilliana Jandera Chambless, Justin Powell and Corena Dearth.

Mighty 12 show out in Houston

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
The Highlands Hurricanes’ Mighty 12 showed out at this year’s AAU Junior Olympics in Houston Texas, bringing home 42 medals and finishing in 12th place out of 26 teams. The boys team finished eighth overall and the girls’ team finished 12th overall.
26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest.

26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest.

CLE to hold first ever Highlands Porchfest

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A brand-new event is coming to Highlands thanks to the Center for Life Enrichment. 26 musicians will take over Main Street on Sept. 19, for the first annual Highlands Porchfest. The idea behind Highlands Porchfest was brought to the CLE by Karen Hunt.
I.E. Program students from 2017. Current communications and events coordinator Winter Gary was part of this group.

I.E. Program students from 2017. Current communications and events coordinator Winter Gary was part of this group.

I.E. Program back and running at Highlands Biological Station after two year hiatus

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
After taking a pause in courses in 2019 to revamp its curriculum, the Institute for the Environment at UNC Chapel Hill hosted by the Highlands Field Site program is back in 2021. The Highlands Biological Station has hosted UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment semester program since 2001.
As of Aug. 10, there are 163 active cases in Macon County and there have been 41 deaths. This week there have been zero vaccines given according to Macon County Public Health.

As of Aug. 10, there are 163 active cases in Macon County and there have been 41 deaths. This week there have been zero vaccines given according to Macon County Public Health.

Mountain Findings reinstates mask mandate, encourages other businesses to do so, as well

Highlander Editor
Thursday, August 12, 2021
With the Delta Variant of COVID-19 surging through the nation and Western North Carolina, Mountain Findings decided to reinstate its mask policy last week after the Highlands Board of Commissioners reinstated the mask mandate for all town facilities.