In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Feb. 26, 2014, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners moved a step closer to enacting more restrictions on adult-oriented businesses, though some members said the proposed ordinance still left too much room for interpretation.
- A new canoe/kayak launch and retrieve ramp was installed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission behind the Ranger Community Center. Cherokee County Commissioner David Wood was instrumental in getting the ramp built. Update: Wood also received the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition’s annual Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award.
- Murphy’s Malachi Beaver won the state 1A wrestling championship at 182 pounds, getting revenge over a student-athlete who previously defeated him.
Feb. 27, 2014, Journal: The Andrews Chamber of Commerce honored James Ellis of The Compound as Business Man of the Year, Jackie Burt of Appalachian Memories as Business Woman of the Year, El-Khouri Salon & Spa with the Beautification Award and Matthew Flaig of Mission Thrift Store with the El-Khouri Community Service award.
- Steve Young of Patrick Springs, Va., who was walking the country for a fourth time to spread the word about the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children, came through Andrews wearing a weather-worn hat, dirty button-down shirt and jeans full of dust.
25 years ago – Feb. 24, 1999, Scout: The Levi Strauss plant in Murphy closed after more than 35 years of making jeans, leaving the future of 380 employees up in the air. Update: Snap-on Tools works in that building today.
- A revised 1997-98 audit showed Cherokee County had long-term debt of $18,896,054, an increase of $7,127,293 from the previous year. School construction projects made up $9,132,401 of the total debt.
- David Allen Coffey, 18, of Marble, walked out of the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy following an arrest and was charged with escape. His wife was charged with helping him.
Feb. 25, 1999, Journal: Andrews was working with Tri-County Community College on a $300,000 grant to create a “business incubator,” which enables small businesses to start up with fewer resources.
- The Blalock-Rodda-VanGorder Professional Building was dedicated at District Memorial Hospital in Andrews, honoring doctors who helped build the town’s health-care system.
50 years ago – Feb. 28, 1974, Scout: Blain Louis Beeler, 29, of Candler, died when he fell more than 100 feet from the WCVP radio tower in Murphy.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken was opening in Murphy with manager Tommy Palmer and assistant manager Doris Fowler. The restaurant’s menu then included the famous chicken along with shrimp, roast beef and hamburgers.
- Due to action in the state Legislature, Cherokee County was preparing to vote by districts once again. Some commissioners wanted to abolish the districts.
Feb. 27, 1974, Journal: Members of the Andrews boys basketball team were treated to steak dinners at Wagon Wheel restaurant.
- The Konnaheeta Woman’s Club of Andrews was awarded the Silver Traveling Bowl for wining the most blue ribbons in the N.C. Federation of Women’s Clubs Fine Art Festival for District 1.
– Publisher David Brown