Opinion

Mayor on Duty - Taking off the mask requirement

The wording on the masks signs downtown has been changed to read, “masks suggested in crowded areas.”  I know some may think that weak mayor caved in and changed the mask requirement. Others might say it was about time for that overreaching mayor to come to his senses about mask wearing.

Being BearWise is a group effort

If there was a common theme throughout Sunday’s virtual forum on bears and how to coexist with them presented by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the Town of Highlands and the BEAR task force it was – the bears are usually not the problem.

Mayor on Duty - The impact of future innovation

Some of the changes that are happening now are rather unnerving, even depressing to this aging Baby Boomer. Social media, the political climate, actual climate change, and population pressures are changing the way we live.  On the other hand, I am intrigued by the prospects for the future.

Bear Shadow shows growth potential

Any time a new event pops up on the calendar, there are unknowns. Such was the case for the inaugural Bear Shadow music festival, which took place Thursday through Sunday in and around Highlands.

Observations from the Plateau Pickup

Highlands may have a reputation as an upscale mountain community, but that doesn’t mean the people who live here are afraid to get their hands dirty. Take the annual Plateau Pickup, sponsored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, as an example.