In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Aug. 12, 2015, Scout: Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles and his wife, Janet, paid out of their pockets to put down 19 terminally diseased cats at the Valley River Humane Society in Marble. The cats spread a virus while living in a house in Peachtree. Update: The Stileses have long been known for their love of cats.
- Hiwassee Dam girls basketball coach Ray Gutierrez had his players putting in work, including in the weight room, year-round in order for the Lady Eagles to become one of the best teams in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
The Cherokee Scout’s Our View editorial saluted the Murphy Town Council for protecting permanent businesses that invest in the town by not allowing a vendor to set up shop daily on public property.
- Aug. 13, 2015, Journal: With a sigh heard by the standing-room-only crowd, Andrews Mayor Nancy Curtis broke a 2-2 tie on the Andrews Board of Aldermen by voting for an ordinance banning firearms at five public buildings in town.
- The Andrews Board of Aldermen dredged up an old battle over Mayor Nancy Curtis’ pay and benefits, engaging in what Aldermen Gary James accurately referred to as a “pissing contest.” It ended up being much ado about nothing, as no changes were made.
25 years ago – Aug. 16, 2000, Scout: Cherokee County Economic Development Commission members met with U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) at Tri-County Community College to discuss airport expansion and the internet.
- The Cherokee County Crime Commission members learned that the county was close to obtaining a helicopter to help find criminals. All officials needed to do was complete the appropriate paperwork.
- Community Newspapers Inc., owner of the Cherokee Scout, bought three newspapers in north Florida from The New York Times Co., including the Lake City Reporter. Update: That purchase eventually led the editor of the Reporter – that would have been me – to find his way back home to Cherokee County.
Aug. 10, 2000, Journal: After 15 serious wrecks occurred over three years, the Andrews Board of Aldermen asked the N.C. Department of Transportation to put a stoplight at the intersection of U.S. 19/74 and Beaver Creek Road.
- Rebecca Dawn Debty, 17, of Marble, was killed when a pickup she was riding in went out of control, going airborne and landing on its top. Changes were pending against the 16-year-old boy driving the truck.
50 years ago – Aug. 14, 1975, Scout: The State Bureau of Investigation was looking into allegations of vote buying in Clay County, something that allegedly had been going on for years in both Cherokee and Clay counties. N.C. Attorney General Rufus Edmisten said cock fighting and abuse by law enforcement officers were also reported.
- Murphy was being considered as a site for a National Guard unit, in competition with Bryson City and Franklin. County Manager Ron Hill and county commissioners were pushing for the center to be built here. Update: Since then, the armory just off U.S. 19/74 was built, closed and sold to local agencies.
- Aug. 13, 1975, Journal: The Andrews Board of Aldermen voted down a proposal to ban allowing additional mobile homes inside the town limits. About 30 citizens spoke out against the town Planning & Zoning Board’s idea.