Regional

On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.

On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.

County BOE extends mask optional protocol, adds school buses

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
With COVID-19 cases slowing, the Macon County Board of Education approved to extend the mask optional protocol, and extended that protocol to school buses. On Feb. 10, the NC Department of Public Health announced changes to their Strong Schools Toolkit in regards to contact tracing and quarantines.
Submitted Photo Brooke Bird pictured with Bruce and Brando Bird. Brooke was pinned in her car for 45 minutes earlier this February and had to spend 10 days in the hospital.

Submitted Photo Brooke Bird pictured with Bruce and Brando Bird. Brooke was pinned in her car for 45 minutes earlier this February and had to spend 10 days in the hospital.

Community gives back to student in car accident

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
On Feb. 9, Highlands local and Southwestern Community College student Brooke Bird was involved in a car wreck, where she was pinned for 45 minutes in her car.
Photo by Michael O’Hearn/Crossroads Chronicle The bar and lounge now occupies the building that was home to the former Cork and Barrel and Table 64 businesses, which closed last summer.

Photo by Michael O’Hearn/Crossroads Chronicle The bar and lounge now occupies the building that was home to the former Cork and Barrel and Table 64 businesses, which closed last summer.

The Fix Bar and Lounge now open in Sapphire

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 24, 2022
A new restaurant, bar and lounge has been opened in Sapphire by a retired country singer who has spent the last two years back home on the plateau.
File Photo The event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., this Saturday, and will last until around 4 p.m., although that time is still fluid.

File Photo The event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., this Saturday, and will last until around 4 p.m., although that time is still fluid.

Outhouse sledding for a cause

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The Great Outhouse Races at Sapphire Ski Valley is making its return after being canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, which has been a staple point of the community for 15 years, is set for this Saturday, Feb.
There are several months left before the commissioners settle on a budget and there will be multiple public opportunities for residents to voice their own concerns.

There are several months left before the commissioners settle on a budget and there will be multiple public opportunities for residents to voice their own concerns.

County discusses 2022 budget priorities

Highlander Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
As the 2021-22 fiscal year winds down, the Macon County Board of Commissioners sat down to talk budget priorities in their continued session Thursday, Feb. 3.
Photo by Michael O’Hearn/Crossroads Chronicle Earlier this year, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission issued the proposal that would allow the distribution of a limited number of hunting permits in the Panthertown, Standing Indian and Pisgah Sanctuaries within the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.

Photo by Michael O’Hearn/Crossroads Chronicle Earlier this year, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission issued the proposal that would allow the distribution of a limited number of hunting permits in the Panthertown, Standing Indian and Pisgah Sanctuaries within the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.

Opponents claw into bear hunting proposal at Panthertown Valley

Highlander Editor
Thursday, February 10, 2022
A growing number of residents have voiced their concerns in the wake of a recent proposal that would allow bear hunting at a few bear sanctuaries across North Carolina, including the Panthertown Valley-Bonas Defeat sanctuary near Cashiers.