In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 30, 2015, Scout: Torrential rainfall was leading to sinkholes in Murphy, particularly along U.S. 64 West. “I’ve lived here 77 years and I have literally never seen anything like this,” then-mayor Bill Hughes said.
- Murphy First Baptist Church held a moving Christmas Eve candlelight service that was captured with photos on page 1A.
- Kayden Totherow, 10, of Brasstown, because “mama” to a lonely duck she named Squeakers. Kayden said her favorite thing to do was to swim with her little web-footed companion.
Dec. 31, 2015, Journal: Town Administrator Ed Burchins asked the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners with help funding repairs at the Andrews Pool. About $500,000 was needed to properly fix the pool.
- Andrews Mayor Nancy Curtis was optimistic going into 2016. She continued to push for upgrades to railroad tracks in the eastern end of Cherokee County. “The rail line is our shot to bring industry back,” she said.
25 years ago – Jan. 3, 2001, Scout: A Murphy woman was sentenced to a total of 120 days in the N.C. Department of Corrections after she pled no contest to misdemeanor death by vehicle driving while license revoked charges. Tony Woody of Blue Ridge, Ga., was killed in the accident.
- Moore House Ministry in Murphy was established by John and Joy Lynn, along with Judy Smith, following a tradition set by Rae and Minnie Moore. Update: The food panty is still operating today, and Joy Lynn was featured on the front page of the Dec. 24 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
- A Cherokee Scout editorial declared, “The way OMC officials handled the news that the Andrews plant and others across North America had closed was cowardly.”
Jan. 4, 2001, Journal: With about 100 customers not paying their town water bills on time, the Andrews Board of Aldermen voted to charge a flat $15 fee for bills paid after the due date, which was the 15th of each month.
- Andrews High School seniors Brittany Phillips and Jeff Baxter were named to the All-Battle of the States Prep Basketball Tournament Team for their outstanding play. Phillips lead the Lady Wildcats in points, while Baxter got fans on their feet with 3-pointers and slam dunks.
50 years ago – Jan. 1, 1976, Scout: The average price of coal burned in Tennessee Valley Authority power plants increased by more than 100% over the last year. TVA officials said their rates were still less than the national average.
- Ingles supermarkets brought back a new series of its popular Gamerama, where shoppers could win up to $1,000 from a $100,000 prize pool. Your odds got better with every visit to a store.
Dec. 31, 1975, Journal: Sadly, this edition is missing from our files.