Regional

Fire raged through the lodge at Andy’s Trout Farm on Thursday, May 7. It took crews from 10 fire departments, from across two counties, nearly three hours to extinguish the blaze.

Fire raged through the lodge at Andy’s Trout Farm on Thursday, May 7. It took crews from 10 fire departments, from across two counties, nearly three hours to extinguish the blaze.

Ten departments battle trout farm blaze

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Fire ripped through a Macon County business in the evening hours of Thursday, May 7. Ten fire departments from two states spent nearly three hours battling a blaze at Andy’s Trout Farm in Otto, according to information provided by the Macon County Emergency Services office.

McGaha named public health director

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2020
The Macon County Board of Health swore in new Public Health Director for Macon County, Kathy McGaha during the board’s April meeting.  “Kathy has developed into a leader because she listens and because she is an advocate that truly cares,” interim health director Carmine Rocco said.
Kris and Dale Maree found out about the carpenter beehives by watching YouTube videos online and decided to begin building their own.

Kris and Dale Maree found out about the carpenter beehives by watching YouTube videos online and decided to begin building their own.

Custom hive designers want carpenter bees to have homes too

Dan Brown
Thursday, April 30, 2020
One of the passages of spring is the arrival of carpenter bees on the wood decks, patios and porches of area homes.  Often seen as a nuisance, in efforts to keep bees from boring into the wood, these carpenter bees are often exterminated in efforts to protect homeowner’s wood furnishings.
District Attorney Ashley Welch's office is offering support to domestic violence victims.

District Attorney Ashley Welch's office is offering support to domestic violence victims.

District attorney highlights domestic violence resources

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Victims of domestic violence can tap a full array of protective services, including potentially lifesaving legal protections, even with the coronavirus lockdown, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said this week. “For some, staying home is not actually safe,” she said.
Highlands Land Trust Executive Director Gary Wein provided an update to Land Trust members and the community during the COVID-19 mitigation process.

Highlands Land Trust Executive Director Gary Wein provided an update to Land Trust members and the community during the COVID-19 mitigation process.

Land trust continues work during shutdown

Dan Brown
Thursday, April 16, 2020
During the sheltering at home and social distancing directives imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many organizations are learning to adapt to what has become the “new normal” to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
Lori and Daniel Cabe are presented their grant award from Ross Young, WNC AgOptions steering committee leader.

Lori and Daniel Cabe are presented their grant award from Ross Young, WNC AgOptions steering committee leader.

WNC flower farm receives AgOptions grant

Dan Brown
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Diversifying farmers in Western North Carolina are receiving support to offset the risk of expanding and trying new ventures. WNC Agricultural Options awarded 40 farm businesses a total of $216,000 in $3,000 and $6,000 grants.
Larry Moss, owner of Moss Christmas Tree Farms, shows off the first post-recession crop of Fraser firs. which were planted four years ago and currently stand about five-feet high.

Larry Moss, owner of Moss Christmas Tree Farms, shows off the first post-recession crop of Fraser firs. which were planted four years ago and currently stand about five-feet high.

Tree farm business booms

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The 2019 Christmas tree shopping season was a resounding success according to local tree farmers in the area.  “We had a great year,” said Tom Sawyer, owner of Tom Sawyer Christmas Tree Farm in Glenville. “Our sales were up about 10 percent over last year.
Campgrounds on National Forest land are closed until further notice.

Campgrounds on National Forest land are closed until further notice.

Campgrounds, parks close due to virus

Ryan Hanchett
Thursday, March 26, 2020
The U.S. Forest Service has closed all campgrounds on National Forest land in North Carolina effective immediately. The closure, announced on Monday, will remain in place until further notice. Van Hook Glade campground near Highlands is included in the closed facilities.
The Will Rogers Follies will open on July 16.

The Will Rogers Follies will open on July 16.

Playhouse unveils 2020 summer lineup

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Highlands Playhouse is celebrating its 20th season in 2020 and wants to share the celebration with everyone in Highlands.  Managing Director Lance Matzske released the Playhouse season schedule this week, saying this could be their best season yet.
Lance Black, piloting the Poop Coop and his team of Luke Black, Chris Alexander and Jack Alexander, successfully slid to victory in the 14th annual Outhouse Races held Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Sapphire Valley Resort.

Lance Black, piloting the Poop Coop and his team of Luke Black, Chris Alexander and Jack Alexander, successfully slid to victory in the 14th annual Outhouse Races held Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Sapphire Valley Resort.

Alabama team wins Outhouse Races

Dan Brown
Thursday, March 5, 2020
It was a beautiful weekend for racing outhouses.  The rain held off Saturday as Mother Nature took the weekend off so the 14th Annual Outhouse Races at the Sapphire Valley Ski Resort could run free of foul rain and yes, snow.