Archives for May 6, 2019

WCU might add composting to its sustainability efforts

Story is co-written with Cami Couch Western Carolina University’s (WCU) Sustainability Energy Initiative (SEI) is trying to establish composting as a permanent installment on campus. Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic waste into rich soil. It helps reduce methane emissions, lower one’s carbon footprint, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages the production […]

WCU increased its recycling 70% since 2016

Jeff White, recycling coordinator at WCU tells the story of a single water bottle that’s washed away in roadside ditch and it ends up in the Tuckasegee river. From the Tuckasegee river, it floats through the Fontana Dam and into the Tennessee river. The water bottle makes its way to the Mississippi river and is […]

As Western grows so does sustainability efforts

 Co-written with Hallie West Much has changed at Western Carolina University since its inception in 1889, such as the number of students, curriculum, class sizes and more. Not surprisingly, the growth in the student body over the many years has called for an increase in construction, vehicles on campus, and most importantly, people. Inevitably, as […]

UNCC shooting hits close to home

“So far in 2019, 131 people have been killed and 391 wounded in 109 mass shootings.” This statistic from Vox includes the recent mass shooting at UNC Charlotte on Tuesday, April 30, that resulted in the death of two students and four others injured. The two students killed were Riley C. Howell, 21, and Ellis […]

SMHS senior receives Presidential Award

The story was originally published in The Sylva Herald on March 7. At only 17 years old, Maci Long, of Jackson County has gone above and beyond to serve her community. Her selfless acts of service have resulted in over 10,000 meals being distributed to individuals in need. The Smoky Mountain High School senior was […]

What happiness mean to you?

This story was co-written with Hailee McCraw With exams quickly approaching, students are feeling the pressure. During stressful times we often question our happiness and our state of mind is put to the test. What is happiness? That answer is different for everyone, but scientifically, it is proven that there are three main things that […]