Local Meals on Wheels to roll on … budget cut or no budget cut

This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. It’s still too early to know exactly what might happen, but President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts could limit funding for Jackson County Meals on Wheels. Jackson County Department on Aging Director Eddie Wells said the details remain in flux. “If it were a […]

Board of Trustees hears about record enrollment, budget cuts at WCU

The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees opened it’s first quarterly meeting by accepting new members. The meeting began with a room full of congratulations and smiling faces as five new members of the Board were sworn in by the  assistant secretary to the Board, Terry Welch. These members are: Phil Drake, Phillip Byers, Joyce Dugan, […]

Effects of budget cuts in education visible in Western North Carolina

Since the economic downturn of 2008, state and federal budgets have been re-worked and reduced, in the hopes of saving money while still funding important public programs such as education. Although funding for public education has always been an issue of public debate, as budgets were reduced across the board, education has taken some of […]

Belcher: A breath of fresh air

Genuine, passionate, excited, energetic, and visionary are all terms used to describe David O. Belcher, Western Carolina University’s 11thchancellor, during Thursday’s installation ceremony. Almost a year ago the “super hero” team of David and Susan Belcher began making their impact on the WCU campus and have more in store for the future. The themes of […]

Pay more for a candy bar, and less for your education

By: Andy Miller I support the governor’s efforts to combat the extreme education cuts that have been and continue to be carried out by the Republican-led General Assembly. In December, I was part of a group of over 350 students who went to Western Carolina University to discuss the budget cuts with several elected representatives […]

Chancellor Belcher predicts a bright future for WCU

David O. Belcher stepped into the role as chancellor at Western Carolina University at a tough time.  The economy is the lowest it has been in decades, the athletic department isn’t producing to expectations, and opinions of the college are very strong throughout the community but these obstacles haven’t slowed chancellor Belcher’s vision of the […]