WCU chancellor calls for boosts in enrollment, quality to increase college-educated residents
Western Carolina University must leverage the advantages offered by the NC Promise tuition plan, a favorable budgetary picture and a rising academic reputation to grow its enrollment by 300 students annually in order to help the University of North Carolina system meet its goal of increasing the number...
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NC Land Trusts Play Their Parts for Prime Eclipse Viewing
Monday may be the closest thing to time standing still, as thousands of people flock to parts of North Carolina that are in the path of totality for the solar eclipse in the afternoon. Sunset Rock at Ravenel Park in Highlands is one of the top spots for eclipse viewing. That’s partly because of ge...
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New Smokies science program to target schools
A new science education program will soon launch in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park thanks to a $1 million Veverka Family Foundation donation to the National Parks Foundation. Citizen Science 2.0 in National Parks will be a three-year partnership between the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tr...
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40th Fundraising Goal for Haywood County Arts Council
This year marks 40 years of the Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) service to the community, and the Council announced a stretch fundraising goal to accompany this milestone: $40,000 toward the future. Lindsey Solomon, Executive Director of the HCAC, said, “Thanks to the generosity of our community, w...
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SCC sets up ‘Solar System Walk’ in downtown Sylva
As part of a unique partnership with NASA, Southwestern Community College’s STEM Club has set up an “Solar System Walk” in downtown Sylva. The walk, which is open to the public through the day of the Great American Eclipse (Aug. 21), features a poster of every planet in our solar system placed relative...
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Lane Extension to Help I-26 Drivers
A small project is designed to make a big difference. The N.C. Department of Transportation will begin expanding the merge lane from Interstate 40 East to I-26 East on Tuesday, Aug. 15. A 1,000-foot extension — to be completed by Thanksgiving — will allow eastbound drivers extra time and space to merge...
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Land Conservancies Protect Drinking Water at Its Source
North Carolina’s abundant water sources provide drinking water to thousands of people, but protecting the quality of that water starts on the land. That fact has guided a public/private partnership in one part of the state. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy recently worked with Weaver...
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WCU’s plans for total solar eclipse include live video stream, on-campus activities for students
With a total solar eclipse to occur on the first day of the fall semester, Western Carolina University is taking steps to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to safely view the rare celestial phenomenon. And by everyone, WCU means everyone – not just faculty, staff and students – as the univer...
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Recreation Fee Proposal for the Nantahala National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to change recreation fees at several sites on the Nantahala National Forest and the public is invited to provide input to proposed fees changes for 46 days beginning on August 11th, 2017. The goal of these proposed changes are to establish a consistent pricing for d...
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SEND YOUR CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL PROTECTED FROM SERIOUS DISEASES
Back-to-school season is here. It’s a time for parents to gather school supplies and backpacks. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines. To celebrate the importance of immunizations for people of all ages—and make sure children are protected with a...
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