News

The Town of Highlands no longer will require masks be worn outdoors in the business district.

The Town of Highlands no longer will require masks be worn outdoors in the business district.

Town drops outdoor mask requirement

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Going for a stroll along Highlands’ sidewalks will no longer require a mask, following a vote by the town board of commissioners eliminating the mask requirement outdoors. Mayor Patrick Taylor brought the mask mandate before the board during Thursday’s work session.
Highlands baseball field may be in for a lighting upgrade in 2021.

Highlands baseball field may be in for a lighting upgrade in 2021.

New stadium lights on the horizon

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Playing ball in Highlands may soon get more enjoyable. During Thursday’s budget work session town manager Josh Ward informed the board of commissioners that funding to replace the aging stadium lights at the baseball field on 4th Street has been penciled into both the town and county budgets.
Pictured are Zonta board members Linda Tyler and Peggy Milton, Jennifer Lynn Turner from REACH, and Zonta board members Roxanne Chambless and Deanna Wagner.

Pictured are Zonta board members Linda Tyler and Peggy Milton, Jennifer Lynn Turner from REACH, and Zonta board members Roxanne Chambless and Deanna Wagner.

Zonta makes donation to REACH

News Staff
Thursday, May 13, 2021
The Zonta Club of the Franklin Area has presented reading materials for women to REACH in Franklin.  Fifty booklets on financial management and two self-help books were given at a presentation at the REACH for Bargains store. Zonta supports REACH in Jackson County and Macon County.
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Town of Highlands and BEAR task force hosted a joint BearWise virtual symposium on Sunday.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Town of Highlands and BEAR task force hosted a joint BearWise virtual symposium on Sunday.

Being a BearWise beacon

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 6, 2021
With spring temperatures in place and summer right around the corner, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Town of Highlands and the BEAR task force got together via online video conference on Sunday to discuss ways to mitigate human-bear encounters in 2021.

WNC housing market remains red hot

News Staff
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Low interest rates coupled with people making work and lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 has resulted in a fast-paced real estate market in Macon County. If you are a buyer, be ready to jump on the home of your dreams, because it could be sold in just a few days.

Hanchett named publisher of The Highlander, Chronicle

News Staff
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Ryan Hanchett has been chosen to take over as publisher of The Highlander and The Crossroads Chronicle.  Hanchett succeeds Brad Spaulding, who is moving on to Community Newspapers Inc.’s home office in Athens, Georgia, as director of national advertising.
The Highlands Emergency Council’s loading zone will soon be covered thanks to a variance granted by the Town of Highlands.

The Highlands Emergency Council’s loading zone will soon be covered thanks to a variance granted by the Town of Highlands.

New Emergency Council awning approved

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, May 6, 2021
The Highlands Emergency Council will soon be able to take in donations comfortably, no matter the weather, following approval of a variance by the town board of commissioners.
HCA officials turn up the first dirt at the future site of Angel Medical Center at One Center Court. From Left: Becky Dahl, Peggy Ramey, Leslie Vanhook, David Franks, Tim Layman, Karen Gorby, Johnny Mira-Knippel.

HCA officials turn up the first dirt at the future site of Angel Medical Center at One Center Court. From Left: Becky Dahl, Peggy Ramey, Leslie Vanhook, David Franks, Tim Layman, Karen Gorby, Johnny Mira-Knippel.

Mission Health breaks ground for new Angel Medical Center

News Staff
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Officials from Mission Health and HCA joined the Franklin community on Friday morning to break ground on the future site of a new and improved Angel Medical Center, which they expect will open by next fall. Located at One Center Court, 1.
Hudson Library is now open to the public without an appointment.

Hudson Library is now open to the public without an appointment.

Hudson Library reopens to public

News Staff
Thursday, May 6, 2021
All Fontana Regional Library locations in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties are now open for walk-in browsing without an appointment.  Because of high demand and limited capacity, some special sections may still require a reservation, such as Hudson’s Children’s Room and study room.
Shelly Colvin and her band played at the Bear Shadow music festival at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain on Friday night. The four-day festival was the first live music event many of the acts had played in more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shelly Colvin and her band played at the Bear Shadow music festival at Winfield Farm in Scaly Mountain on Friday night. The four-day festival was the first live music event many of the acts had played in more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bear Shadow brings back music

News Staff
Thursday, April 29, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic, a last minute change of venue and a rain cancellation on Saturday were not going to prevent people from enjoying live music for the first time in more than a year last weekend at the Bear Shadow music festival.