As families participate in the annual ritual of back-toschool preparedness, the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) reminds eligible students to apply for college scholarships available to children of North Carolina war veterans.

“In appreciation for the service and sacrifices of North Carolina’s war veterans, these scholarships are provided to help to defray the ever-increasing costs of higher education,” said NCDVA Director Tim Wipperman. “The express purpose of the funds is to provide scholastic support to help children of certain disabled, deceased, combat or POW/MIA veterans.”

‘Right-sizing’ state government downsizes region’s economy

The recently enacted state budget will have severe negative impacts on Western North Carolina’s economy, according to a new report released by the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center.

“In a misguided effort to “right-size” state government during a jobs crisis, this budget’s $2.6 billion in spending cuts only serve to downsize the state’s economy, with especially negative consequences for the rural Western region of North Carolina,” said Allan Freyer, a policy analyst with BTC. “This report demonstrates that deep cuts to public sector investments will also damage private sector businesses and increase unemployment across the board.”

State and local law enforcement officers will be out in force over the Labor Day holiday as part of the “Booze It & Lose It” Labor Day campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will be conducted through Monday, Sept. 5, across the state in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads.

“As summer comes to an end, law enforcement officers across the state will be removing impaired drivers from our roads,” Secretary Conti said. “Celebrating responsibly is simple; plan ahead and always designate a sober driver.”

Area officials met in Macon County on Monday with Joel Yelverton, the southern coordinator for Partnership for Rural America campaign, to discuss what consequences may arise if the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRSCA) expires at the end of the year.

States have received funding from the federal government since 1911 to offset the loss states would experience from property tax revenues which occurred when National Forest lands were established across the county. SRSCA, which was established in 2000, is an act intended to subsidize payments to counties and took into consideration historic payment levels before the decline.