What Does The Highlander Cover for Highlands, NC, and How Do You Access It?
The Highlander is the local newspaper serving Highlands, North Carolina, and the surrounding mountain communities of Cashiers, Glenville, Sapphire, and Scaly Mountain. It publishes local news, sports, lifestyles, obituaries, events, public notices, and classifieds, and it offers both a print-style e-edition and a newsletter alongside its website at highlandsnews.com. You can read some content directly on the site, but the page shows Log in, Register, Activate, and Subscribe options, which indicates that full access involves an account and possibly a paid subscription.
Who The Highlander serves
The paper states it is "published with pride for the people of Cashiers, Highlands, Glenville, Sapphire and Scaly Mountain." That means its coverage is hyperlocal to the southern Appalachian region of North Carolina rather than a statewide or national audience. If you live in or follow any of those communities, this is the publication aimed at you.
What content sections it covers
The homepage organizes coverage into labeled sections, each with a "View More" link:
| Section | What it typically includes |
|---|---|
| Local News | Government, community, and area reporting |
| Sports | Local school and community sports coverage |
| Lifestyles | Features, people, and community life |
| Obituaries | Death notices and remembrances |
| Public Notices | Official legal and government notices |
| Classifieds and Legals | Paid listings and legal advertising |
| Events | Community calendar items |
| Newsletter | Email updates from the newsroom |
The site description also lists "local government news," "community news," and "classifieds" as core topics, so local government and civic life are central to what the paper covers.
How to access it
Read on the website
Go to highlandsnews.com. The site requires JavaScript to be enabled — if you see a notice about that, turn on JavaScript in your browser and reload. Headings for Local News, Sports, and Lifestyles each have a "View More" link to browse that section.
Use the e-edition
The homepage includes an "E-Edition" link. This is typically a digital replica of the printed paper, page by page. Click it to open the current edition.
Sign in or subscribe
The page shows Log in, Register, Activate, and Subscribe options, plus a My Account link. The presence of "Subscribe" indicates some content or access is tied to a subscription, though the site does not state a price on the page. If you want full access, start with Register to create an account, then check Subscribe for current terms.
Get the newsletter
A Newsletter section appears on the homepage. If you register with a valid email address, you can receive notifications and updates. Note the site's own warning: if your email can't be verified, notifications won't be sent, so keep your profile email current.
Contacting the right department
The Highlander lists separate contacts so your message reaches the right desk:
- Newsroom / editor: [email protected]
- Classifieds, legals, and subscriptions: [email protected]
- Advertising: [email protected]
- Phone (all): 828-526-4114
- Mail: PO Box 249, Highlands, NC 28741
Common snags to expect
- JavaScript required: The site won't display properly without it.
- Email verification: Registration notifications fail if your email isn't valid; update it in your profile.
- Subscription gating: Because Subscribe and Log in appear, assume some articles or the e-edition may require an account or paid plan rather than being fully open.
If your goal is simply to follow Highlands-area news, sports, and events, start with the free section pages and the newsletter, then decide whether the e-edition or a subscription is worth it for you.