89.5 WETS-FM continues to celebrate its golden anniversary with the ribbon-cutting of a brand-new radio tower and its annual Fall Fundraiser on the way.  

The anniversary milestone indicates the necessity of the new tower, allowing the station to maintain the coverage the community has enjoyed for 50 years. Leaders at East Tennessee State University, home of the NPR-affiliate radio station, attended the ribbon cutting on Holston Mountain last Wednesday. In addition to the tower, the station aims to finish installing a new transmitter within a month.

WETS-FM received funding for the project from the State of Tennessee, while loyal listeners contributed to the acquisition of the transmitter during the station’s previous fundraisers.

“We are forever grateful to our listeners and supporters. We couldn’t celebrate these big wins without them,” said Chad Barrett, station director. “They have kept us on the air for 50 years, and we hope to still be going strong 50 years from now.”

WETS-FM's Fall Fundraiser will run from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday.  The station aims to raise $75,000. Those interested in volunteering to answer calls and take donations can email Barrett at barrettcw@etsu.edu. The station requests the most help in the mornings and evenings.

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