In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Aug. 19, 2015, Scout: Cherokee County Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum settled his defamation lawsuit with former political opponent and neighbor Ed Figueroa. The settlement included that a letter retracting some negative comments be published in the Cherokee Scout. Update: The letter was published in the same edition.
- Former Cherokee County sheriff Keith Lovin got a favorable ruling from a judge in his lawsuit against the county over a special retirement pay supplement. However, county commissioners voted 3-2 to appeal the ruling.
- The Cherokee Scout published a front-page story on how dirt, speed and community make fast friends at Tri-County racetrack in Brasstown. There was also a full page of color photos inside that edition.
Aug. 20, 2015, Journal: A rash of random vandalism, break-ins and thefts were keeping police busy in Andrews. James Ellis – owner of The Compound, which had a front bay window smashed – said, “This is Andrews, we shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of trash.”
- Miss Jean Christy, a retired teacher well known in Andrews, was remembered on what would have been her 110th birthday by Andrews Journaling columnist Kandy Barnard, who wrote, “There’s never been a lady we loved a much as you.”
25 years ago – Aug. 23, 2000, Scout: The Cherokee County Tax Collector’s Office wrote off $37,072.35 in vehicle fines as uncollectible. Postage was being wasted by sending bills to addresses no longer in service.
- The bridge over the Hiwassee River uniting Cherokee and Clay counties on U.S. 64 East was named after Sister Loretta John Meehan, who traveled more than 500,000 miles helping heal sick people in both counties.
- Robert and Judy Walker sued Cherokee County and three sheriff’s deputies, claiming their constitutional rights were violated when their grandson was removed from their home and taken out of state. They wanted in excess of $10,000 for false imprisonment.
Aug. 17, 2000, Journal: The Andrews Board of Aldermen went to the dogs, voting to raise fees for violating the town’s leash law from $5 for the first offense to $20 for the first offense, $30 for the second and $50 for the third.
- A section of Wood Farm in Andrews was turned into a Corn MAiZE, daring people to not get lost in the rows. The quickest someone finished was in about 20 minutes, while others were lost in there for more than two hours.
50 years ago – Aug. 21, 1975, Scout: Murphy volunteer firefighters saved the home of Ray Crisp on Snow Hill Drive. A fire started in the carport area after boys siphoning gas from a Jeep struck a match, causing the gas tank to explode. In a matter of minutes, the flames were extinguished and injuries were minor.
- Downtown Hayesville was in the process of getting a fresh look, as storefront owners on the square were preparing to don a Western appearance and make renovations at their own expense.
Aug. 20, 1975, Journal: The screen at Andrews’ Valley River Drive-in came down with a loud “whomp” (CQ) as it was removed to make room for construction of a new four-lane highway along the U.S. 19/74 route.
– Publisher David Brown