April 2026 Episodes

April 10, 2026



Transcript:
Welcome back to Radio Cashiers!
Wow! What a perfect week in the High South. The weather has been, and will be perfect for the next several days.
This is Hannah Lee with Radio Cashiers and today is April 10th, the 100th day of 2026.
We have quite a bit of news and events to share with you so let’s get to it in our usual way.
A quick check of area temperatures shows it is 54 at the Highlands Newspaper, 55 at Cashiers Lake, and 60 at the top of old Baldy in Sapphire Valley. Cassidy we’ll cover a more detailed weather report later in this episode.
Planning your 2026 getaway? The brand-new Jackson County Visitor Guide just dropped, and the best part—it’s completely free. Cashiers and Sapphire Valley are in the southern part of Jackson County. This year’s edition is overflowing with fresh inspiration, whether you’re a foodie hunting for the best local eats, a thrill-seeker ready for the trails, or even if you’re bringing your dog along for the ride. It’s got specialized itineraries for everything from low-key retreats to bachelorette weekends. So, whether you’re a Jackson County regular or you’re just putting us on your radar for the first time, grab your copy and find something new to explore. We have links to the guide on our new website, Radio Cashiers.com
Here is a special news item from last week. Our friends with Cashiers Cares had a Record-Breaking Charity Year. This nonprofit distributed over $150,000 to 10 local organizations in March, marking its most successful fundraising cycle to date. They have to major fundraisers this year, be sure to check them out.
How about some upcoming local events!
Now – April 12, it’s the Highlands Restaurant Week. It’s the perfect time to explore the Plateau’s famous food scene with special multi-course menus and exclusive dishes.
April 11 & 18: Community Cleanups. Want to give back? Join the "Cleaning up the Mountains" event on the 11th at Monteith Park, or the "Plateau Pickup" in Highlands on the 18th. Here is a Bonus: the first 50 volunteers at Monteith Park get free breakfast biscuits!
April 24 – May 9 the Cashiers Burger Week is back. The "Extended Cut" is back with 13 restaurants and $10 specialty burgers. Pick up a passport starting April 20 to vote for your favorite and enter to win prizes.
Here is a Pro Tip for Anglers: Hatchery-supported trout waters are officially open! Hit the Nantahala River or Greens Creek for some of the best spring fishing in Western North Carolina.
Ok Cassidy, what’s our weather looking like.
Looking ahead at our mountain forecast, it is a spectacular window for outdoor adventure across the Plateau. Expect mostly sunny skies through the weekend with a high of 68° and a low of 41 on Friday, warming up to a beautiful 74 on Saturday with a crisp low of 46. Sunday remains perfect for a hike or a patio lunch, reaching a high of 72 before dipping back down to 46° at night.
If you’re looking to make the most of that sunshine, here are three iconic treks across the Plateau that never disappoint:
Whiteside Mountain: This is the big one. It’s a moderate 2-mile loop that takes you along the highest cliffs in Eastern North America. The views over the valley are unmatched—perfect for those panoramic 'I'm on vacation' photos.
Sunset Rock: For something a bit more low-key but still high-reward, take the short walk from downtown Highlands. It’s a local favorite for a reason—the flat rock face gives you a front-row seat to the sun dipping behind the mountains.
Yellow Mountain Trail: If you’re a serious hiker looking for a challenge, this is your trail. It’s a 12-mile round trip, but once you reach the historic fire tower at the summit, you get a 360-degree view of the entire Blue Ridge range.
Back to Hannah Lee to close us out.
Closing
For more information and links to all today’s podcast items including our suggested dining venues, find area web cams, and other important information, visit Radio Cashiers.com.

April 6th 2026 Episode



Transcript:
Welcome back to Radio Cashiers!
Happy Monday! We hope you had a fun, family filled Easter weekend!
This is Hannah Lee with Radio Cashiers and today is April 6th, the 96th day of 2026.
Many of our listeners are on spring break this week. Safe travels to all!
A quick check of area temperatures shows it is 40 at the Highlands Newspaper, 41 at Cashiers Lake, and 43 at the top of old Baldy in Sapphire Valley. Cassidy we’ll cover a more detailed weather report later in this episode.
Here are the news highlights from this past week.
The region’s primary news source, The Highlander, has entered a new era. This week, it was announced that Paxton Media Group acquired the title along with eight other community newspapers across western North Carolina and north Georgia. While ownership has changed, the paper remains committed to its 67-year legacy of covering local Plateau stories.
And this is very important! The mandatory Burn Ban is still in Effect!!
If you are planning a bonfire or using a fire pit at your home or vacation rental this week, take note: the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban due to intensifying wildfire risks and drought conditions. In Macon and Jackson counties, this ban explicitly includes fire pits and open-flame devices. Standard outdoor grilling remains permitted. It is very dry out there so please be alert to any smoke you may see.
For travelers who want to give back, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Plateau Pickup on Saturday, April 18. Volunteers will meet at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park at 8:30 a.m. to help clear litter from scenic routes like U.S. 64 and N.C. 28. The Chamber provides safety gear, breakfast, and lunch for all participants.
Over in Cashiers, the Heritage Apple Day Returns!
The Cashiers Historical Society is gearing up for its 19th annual Heritage Apple Day Festival on April 18. This free event at the Zachary-Tolbert House celebrates the region’s agricultural roots with cider sampling, Appalachian music, and live beekeeping demonstrations. It is a perfect family-friendly stop for anyone visiting the Sapphire Valley or Cashiers area.

OK Cassidy, tell us what we can expect from Mother Nature this week.
Stay prepared for a bit of everything if you're heading to the plateau this week. Highlands kicks things off with cloudy skies today and a high of 59°, followed by a mostly sunny Tuesday at 60 before cooling down to a cloudy 56 on Wednesday. Cashiers mirrors this trend with highs of 60 today and tomorrow, dipping to 55 by mid-week, with overnight lows hovering between 35 and 39°. In Sapphire Valley, expect a mild Tuesday high of 61 after today’s 59, though Wednesday brings a chance of light snow as temperatures drop to a high of 55 and a low of 36. Whether you're chasing waterfalls at Dry Falls or hiking near Whitewater Falls, keep a light rain jacket handy as nighttime lows across the region will consistently dip into the mid-30s.
Hannah Lee has a couple of events to think about.
First up is the Highlands Restaurant Week. Running through April 12th, this is your best chance to explore the town's world-class dining scene. Local favorites like The Stubborn Bull are offering special menus and seasonal pairings.
How about waterfall hopping and these two are easy to access. You can walk behind the 75-foot cascade at Dry Falls or take a quick stroll to the more secluded Silver Run Falls in Cashiers.
Rick just told us our website has even more content loaded now including some great visitor videos. To check these out and for more information and links to all today’s podcast items including our suggested dining venues, find area web cams, and other important information, visit Radio Cashiers.com. See you later in the week!


April 3rd 2026 Episode


Transcript:

Happy Good Friday! This is Hannah Lee with Radio Cashiers and today is April 3rd, the 93rd day of 2026.

This episode is all about Easter! Let’s get to it in our usual way.

A quick check of area temperatures shows it is 62 at the Highlands Newspaper, 60 at Cashiers Lake, and 62 at the top of old Baldy in Sapphire Valley. Cassidy we’ll have your Easter forecast later in this episode.

Welcome back to Radio Cashiers, your local guide to the best of the Blue Ridge. It’s early April 2026, and the Plateau is officially waking up for spring. Again, today we’re talking all things Easter. If you’re visiting Highlands, Cashiers, or Sapphire this weekend, grab your baskets because the schedule is packed.

For a moment of reflection on Friday, head to The Village Green in Cashiers at 4:00 PM for the Stations of the Cross walk. If you’re over in Sapphire Valley and looking for some family creativity, the Resort is hosting an egg-coloring contest from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Community Center.

Saturday the 4th is the big day for the kids. You’ll need to be strategic! Start early in Highlands at the Rec Park—their hunt begins promptly at 10:00 AM with over two thousand eggs hidden for the little ones.

Then, hop over to Cashiers for 'Easter on the Green' at 11:00 AM. They’ve got age-divided hunts across the lawns and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny on the Commons Stage. And for the late risers or those staying in Sapphire, you’ve got a third chance! The Sapphire Valley Resort hunt starts at 3:00 PM.

Easter morning on the Plateau is truly special. There is no better way to see the sunrise than at the 7:00 AM Community Sunrise Service at The Village Green.

If you’re coming hungry, you’re in luck! The entire corridor from Highlands through Cashiers and over to Sapphire is turning into a culinary destination this weekend. Our local chefs are pulling out all the stops with special Easter-themed menus that celebrate the best of mountain spring flavors.

Here’s Cassidy with your forecast.

Over the next three days in the plateau communities of Highlands, Cashiers, and Sapphire Valley, you’re looking at a classic early spring mountain mix—cool mornings, mild afternoons, and a little bit of everything in between. Daytime highs will generally climb into the upper 50s to mid 60s, while overnight lows dip back into the upper 30s to low 40s, so you’ll definitely want layers. Expect at least one stretch of light rain or passing showers, especially early in the period, followed by some clearing skies and even a bit of sunshine breaking through by the latter part of the weekend. For your travel plans, that means crisp mornings perfect for coffee on the porch, comfortable afternoons for hiking or waterfall chasing, and cool, quiet evenings—ideal mountain weather, just keep a light jacket and maybe a rain shell handy as you explore.

For Radio Cashiers, this is Cassidy wishing everyone a Happy Easter! Now back to Hannah Lee.

On a business note, Rick tells us the new Radio Cashiers web site is live with new features like an online NOAA weather radio player ready to go. Many new features and tons of content will be loaded over the next several weeks.

OK, that’s your Easter outlook for the Plateau. For more details and links to all these events, visit our website at radio Cashiers.com. Happy Easter, everyone!


Home | Contact Us
© Copyright 2008 - High South Ventures, SP.
Radio Cashiers  is a registered business name of High South Ventures, SP.
Visit TheHighSouth.com