In the April 1 archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – March 30, 2016, Scout: Cherokee County Health Director Towanna Roberts was suspended by the board of health pending an investigation after poor morale was reported. Roberts called it “a witchhunt.”
A 43-year-old El Salvador national living in Cherokee County was arrested on kidnapping and restraint charges after he allegedly took two girls out of state without the consent of the girls’ parents.
March 31, 2016, Journal: Andrews Town Administrator Edward Burchins tendered a letter of resignation on Monday morning, but he withdrew it later that day after discussions with Mayor Nancy Curtis and members of the Andrews Board of Aldermen. Burchins reportedly was disappointed with “micromanaging” by the town.
Software glitches caused Andrews to postpone an increase in water and sewer rates for at least four months.
25 years ago – April 4, 2001, Scout: Cherokee County has had four unsolved bank robberies over the last three years, with rewards offered for information leading to an arrest.
A 16-year-old Murphy boy was charged with multiple felony break-ins at Murphy businesses. Three other area residents were also arrested in the crimes.
A Murphy high School was suspended for bringing a gun to school. The “emotional” boy was suspend for 10 days to not alarm parents and ordered to get a psychological exam.
April 5, 2001, Journal: A 56-year-old man from Andrews was arrested and charged with transporting 4.4 pounds of cocaine. Bond was set at $450,000.
The Andrews Revitalization Committee was focused on repairing the iconic schoolhouse steps at Andrews High School as part of a grant application that would include a veterans memorial.
50 years ago – April 1, 1976, Scout: Lonnie Britt was named the production supervisor for the Cherokee Scout’s press plant in Murphy. He replaced Kenneth West, who left to run the local newspaper in Blairsville, Ga.
The first meeting of the new Cherokee County Council on the Status of Women was held, with regional coordinator Ruth English saying the group was going to assess the needs of women at the county level.
April 1, 1976, Journal: Workers began burying the old Andrews dump. The trash site, which had been closed the last few years since the inauguration of a countywide landfill, must be covered due to state requirements
In the April 8 archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 6, 2016, Scout: Murphy head football coach David Gentry said it wasn’t fair for the Bulldogs and other traditional schools to complete against nontraditional schools, like charters, that play by different rules.
W.C. King and Donald Coleman were honored by Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes after a combined 68 years of service to the Murphy Fire Department.
A Bellview woman and her Boston terrier, Scooby, were at Foster’s Flea Market in Ranger when they were attacked by a pit bull. A witness helped save the dog’s life, while the woman suffered a broken leg.
April 7, 2016, Journal: Andrews alum James Phillips, a longtime assistant county at Swain County, was hired as the new head football coach of the Wildcats. Update: Phillips had a string of successful seasons before stepping down as coach before last season.
A Marble man said he was being railroaded after being accused of stealing from a building owned by his late grandfather.
25 years ago – April 11, 2001, Scout: For the third week in a row, the Murphy Police Department responded to bank robbery downtown, this time at First Citizens Bank by a man wielding a note that said he had a gun.
Former Murphy mayor Cloe Moore died at 84. The public servant was a member of the town council for 17 years before serving as mayor for another 31. Update: Since 1966, Murphy has only had four mayors.
More than 115 Jeep lovers across 20 states arrived in Cherokee County for the 18th annual Jeep Jamboree. Update: Sadly, the losing of trails in Tellico resulted in the popular event shutting down.
April 12, 2001, Journal: Alan Wayne Stover, 33, of Andrews, was charged with attempted murder after a shooting and hostage-taking incident in town. Cherokee County sheriff’s Deputy Dustin Smith was wounded after shotgun blasts were aimed at him.
The only thing missing from A.V. Hardin’s Barber Shop on Poplar Street after 50 years of cutting hair was an old-fashioned pole.
50 years ago – April 8, 1976, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners agreed to fund a school repair plan at a total cost of $100,000.
At the grand reopening of Gibson’s IGA, ground beef was only 59 cents a pound, 12 hot dogs cost 69 cents and milk was $1.29 per gallon. If you bought a broom at regular price, you got a mop free!
April 8, 1976, Journal: Eight major construction and renovation projects were ongoing throughout the town, “a real watershed in Andrews” changing from a rural place into a more accessible one.
– Publisher David Brown