Mayor on Duty

After last Thursday’s long board meeting, I came away with a confirmation that I have had for quite some time. That is, when it comes to future growth and the development of the town, Highlands has multiple pressure […]

By Tom Neal, CEO of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital I hope readers enjoyed their holidays and are ready to usher in 2024 with hope, confidence, and excitement. The beginning of the year also seemed like an ideal […]

Town of Highlands Attorney Jay Coward released the following statement on Sept. 6 regarding the recent consensus by the Board of Commissioners regarding STRs. Mayor Taylor and Manager Ward: At the reconvened August 24 meeting […]

Draft Plan Virtual Public Meeting tonight from 6-7 p.m. As comprehensive plans go, the Highlands Community Plan has moved along at record pace. In July 2020, when the town learned the state had mandated a […]

The summer season is off to a great start. Concerts, car shows, movies, shrimp boils, art shows, farmers markets are all back in full operation, not to mention the wonderful restaurants and shops that are […]

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. […]

I give folks my cell number, 828.506.3138, and tell them to call me if they have questions or concerns. I have been receiving several calls in the past week about the relocation of the upcoming […]

Thanksgiving was a different holiday with changes and adjustments due to COVID-19. I have looked back at past pandemics and have noticed some parallels. Boccaccio wrote the Decameron in reaction to the Black Death that […]

I got up late on Labor Day, had my cup of coffee, and perused the morning news. I noticed Southern California continued to battle wildfires, and had set a record 120 degree temperature. I thought, […]