Highlands threat investigation at church and day care
Highlands Police investigated a reported threat Thursday morning involving a local church that also operates a children’s day care. Officials later said there was no active threat as the lockdown was lifted, but the investigation continued. For families with connections to Highlands, the safest approach is to follow official updates and avoid rumor loops on social media.
A threat report prompted a rapid law enforcement response.
Officials later said there was no active threat as the situation stabilized.
The case remained under investigation as of the most recent reporting.
Sources:
https://www.foxcarolina.com/2025/12/11/town-lockdown-due-threat-shooter-highlands-nc/
https://www.wyff4.com/
News Date: December 11, 2025.
Tail of the Dragon truck incident goes viral, and it’s a safety reminder
A widely shared local post describes a semi getting stuck on the North Carolina side of the Tail of the Dragon, followed by a complex recovery. Even without confirming every detail from social media, the core lesson is simple: warning signs and restrictions exist for a reason on that road. If you’re headed that way this weekend, expect sudden slowdowns and be ready for stopped traffic around blind curves.
Mountain roads can turn into long delays fast when a large vehicle gets in trouble.
Drivers should treat warning signs as non-negotiable on high-risk routes.
Keep extra space and watch for stopped traffic near blind curves.
News Date: December 11, 2025.
Cherokee County: 2026 property tax listing window opens January 1
Cherokee County posted an official notice for the 2026 property tax listing period. The county says the listing window begins January 1, 2026, and ends January 31, 2026. If you’ve had changes like new construction, improvements, or certain personal property updates, it’s worth checking the county guidance now so January doesn’t sneak up on you.
The listing window runs from January 1 through January 31, 2026.
Planning ahead helps avoid last-minute paperwork.
Contact the county tax office if you’re unsure what applies to your situation.
Sources: https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=2026-Property-Tax-Listing-Notice-68
News Date: December 9, 2025.
Helene recovery outdoor access updates for western North Carolina
The National Forests in North Carolina continue to post Helene recovery updates, including closures and cautions that can change as repairs progress. Even where areas are open, storm damage can leave hazards that are hard to spot until you’re on the trail. For weekend plans, it’s smart to check official alerts and keep a backup option in mind.
Some roads and trails remain closed or restricted as recovery work continues.
Conditions can change quickly after storms and freeze-thaw cycles.
Always check official alerts before driving deep into forest areas.
Sources: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/about-area/helene
News Date: December 8, 2025.
Blue Ridge reschedules a special called meeting with FY 2026 budget on the agenda
The City of Blue Ridge posted a rescheduled special called meeting for Friday with a work session agenda that includes the fiscal year 2026 budget and related items. For residents and local businesses, budget work sessions are often where priorities get set before votes happen later. If you cannot attend, reviewing the posted agenda is still a helpful way to stay in the loop.
The meeting was posted as rescheduled for Friday.
The work session agenda includes the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Budget discussions influence services and project priorities.
Sources: https://www.blueridgega.gov/
News Date: Dec 12, 2025.
Friday Trail Spotlight: Nottely Reservoir Trail, Toccoa Swinging Bridge, and Bear Hair Gap Trail
Friday Trail Spotlight is about realistic winter options that fit short daylight and cool temperatures. Nottely Reservoir Trail is an easy lake-view walk near Blairsville. Toccoa Swinging Bridge is a short Blue Ridge area favorite with a memorable payoff at the bridge. Bear Hair Gap Trail at Vogel State Park is a solid moderate loop if you want a bit more climbing without going deep backcountry. Start earlier than you think, bring a warm layer, and keep a headlamp handy just in case.
Choose shorter routes that fit winter daylight.
Bring a headlamp and a warm layer for the temperature drop at sunset.
Stick to well-known trails if you’re heading out solo.
Sources:News Date: Dec 12, 2025.
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Notes, methods, and rights
This update was assembled using a mix of human editorial judgment, public records, and reputable local and regional sources, with help from artificial intelligence tools to summarize and organize information. Every effort is made to keep details accurate as of publication time, but readers should always confirm time-sensitive items with official notices. Copyright 2025 River Run Digital. To learn more about River Run Digital and its local news projects, visit https://go.riverrun.digital.
