In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Feb. 12, 2014, Scout: The Cherokee County Health Department was working on an ordinance to ban smoking near entrances to the courthouse, annex and Department of Social Services. Update: The ordinance was approved, and walking through clouds of smoke to enter those buildings stopped.
- Classes for job training at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel were full, as local residents went for one of the 900 jobs to be available soon at the casino being built just outside the Town of Murphy.
- Murphy First Baptist was the first local church to become an emergency shelter but the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was looking to set up other havens from the storm outside.
Feb. 13, 2014, Journal: In a controversial move, the town hired Andrews DeLuna as administrative chief of the Andrews Police Department, while Joel Deese remained police chief.
- Greg Bauman, owner of a music shop in Andrews, was getting well-known for his ability to give old, broken instruments new life. Update: Bauman is also an exceptional guitar player who has played with multiple local groups, including The 12-Gauge Persuaders and Dottie the band.
25 years ago – Feb. 10, 1999, Scout: Jessie Brady, 21, of Cross Creek Lane in Murphy, was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Brady was arrested following a complaint that he was allegedly shooting at a neighbor with a .12-gauge shotgun.
- Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office employees learned firsthand what pepper spray feels like during an eight-hour class at the National Guard Armory in Murphy.
- David Daniels of Cherokee/Murphy Cable TV told Murphy City Council members that the company spent the last 12 months working to solve cable and facility problems, with upgrades coming soon.
Feb. 11, 1999, Journal: The home on Conaheta Avenue where former Andrews alderman Winner Crawford lived for 57 years and raised her children was destroyed by fire.
- Cherokee County Schools outlawed the use of laser pointers in the aftermath of Andrews resident Phillip Rogers’ arrest for pointing a red laser beam at a National Guard helicopter during the search for fugitive Eric Rudolph.
50 years ago – Feb. 14, 1974, Scout: A $950,000 building program was planned for Cherokee County Schools. Eight different projects were being considered. The money was coming from state school bonds approved by voters in a 1973 referendum.
- Finding gasoline in Cherokee County was a challenge, as many pumps had a sign on them saying, “Out.” The nationwide shortage was being discussed at the state and federal levels.
- Robert Waters Easley Jr., 61, of Martins Creek, died after a long illness. He was known throughout the community for his work with Easley Manufacturing, volunteering with the Murphy Lions Club and serving one term on the Murphy City Council.
Feb. 13, 1974, Journal: A total of 41 people attended a public meeting at the Andrews Community Center to hear arguments – for and against – abolishing all voting districts for the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.
- The movie The Pit and the Pendulum, from the classic Gothic book written by Edgar Allen Poe, was playing for free at the Andrews Youth Hut.
– Publisher David Brown