In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 2, 2014, Scout: Cherokee County firefighters were battling three brush fires, including a big one near Cherokee Hills Golf Course off of Harshaw Road in Murphy.
- The Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Board terminated the contract of Sneed, Robertson & Associates, the firm contracted to build Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
- The Rail Reactivation Study Project meeting held at the L&D Depot in Murphy showed many local residents were in support of trains returning to Cherokee County.
April 3, 2014, Journal: After being reinstated as town administrator of Andrews a week before, Teresa Ricks went on a leave of absence. Meanwhile, the board of aldermen sought guidance from the state on hiring another administrator. Update: Mayor Nancy Curtis said Ricks took medical leave.
- Community volunteer Juanita Greenspan and the Rev. George Simmons of St. Andrews Lutheran Church were honored with the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Award by Margaret DeLuna.
25 years ago – March 31, 1999, Scout: Cherokee County commissioners had plenty of questions about a “plasma torch” alternative waste disposal system that would cost $6 million.
- David Adams, 20, of Turtletown, Tenn., was killed in a single-car accident after the vehicle he was driving flipped multiple times, ending up in ditch alongside N.C. 294 at the intersection of River Hill Road in Hiwassee Dam.
- Cherokee County sheriff’s Deputy William Enloe, 38, of Grape Creek, was suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into whether he assaulted a woman.
April 1, 1999, Journal: Baker Furniture handed out 81 layoff notices at the Andrews plant. However, company officials said there was no truth to the rumor that the plant would close on May 1. Update: The plant did eventually close.
- James and Douglas Gibby of Andrews, who were arrested in July 1998 on marijuana-related charges were sentenced, with dad James receiving 30 months in prison and son Douglas getting 60 months and a $500 fine. Update: This case was completely resolved within a year of the arrests, which rarely happens nowadays.
50 years ago – April 4, 1974, Scout: High winds that many observers called a “genuine tornado” caused widespread damage in Cherokee County. The 470-feet-high radio tower at WCVP-AM 600 in Murphy was knocked down and broken.
- U.S. Navy Commander Dale Doss of Birmingham, Ala., came to the area to talk during a special program for students in Hayesville. He shared how he was tortured in Hanoi during the Vietnam War.
- Cherokee County was eyeing the cost of proving emergency medical services after commissioners could not come to an agreeable contact with private ambulance operator Dee Witt Sharp of Andrews.
April 3, 1974, Journal: Nantahala Power & Light Co. asked the N.C. Utilities Commission for a 26 percent hike on residential rates, 15 percent on retail rates and 31 percent to industrial customers.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners gave the Andrews Squad a $500 donation for providing backup ambulance service to the county since October the year before.
– Publisher David Brown