In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 16, 2014, Scout: Former Murphy police Sgt. Michael Thurman Hall, 54, received two life sentences after being convicted of first-degree sex offense against a 9-year-old girl in 1986. He was arrested while on duty. Hall’s attorney, Rich Cassady, planned to file an appeal.
u Cherokee County’s new convenience center Dumpster site at N.C. 294 and Candy Mountain Road in Hiwassee Dam, received few complaints from residents on its first day of being open. Not everyone wanted the facility, but many were impressed with its cleanliness.
u Murphy junior sprinter Tyler Wiley set a new school record in the 100-meter dash, finishing in 10.73 seconds. The previous school record of 10.78 seconds was set by Chris Dockery in 1992.
April 17, 2014, Journal: In a heartbreaking moment for the family and entire community, 2-year-old “Baby Korbin” Smith was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer again after doctors thought he was in the clear.
u Chase Hardin scored the Wildcats’ first run and pitched a complete-game shutout to lead Andrews to a 9-0 blanking of Cherokee in high school baseball action. He allowed three hits and struck out 10 batters.
25 years ago – April 14, 1999, Scout: A fire that destroyed 90 acres in Boiling Springs was determined to be arson by N.C. Forest Service investigators. Damages were minimal.
- u Milton Register Jr., 30, of Murphy, was charged with first-degree rape, crimes against nature and first-degree sexual offense. He only posted a secured $5,000 bond.
- u Sheriff Alan Kilpatrick was back at work following a short stay at Murphy Medical Center in Peachtree. Stress and sickness were the primary causes, not a feared heart attack.
April 15, 1999, Journal: Van Brown, owner of a dog food production company in Murphy, wanted to bring a bigger operation and more jobs to Andrews Industrial Park. However, the Andrews Board of Aldermen rejected his proposal to lease property for just $1 per year.
- u Andrews High School varsity basketball players Chad Brooks, Andy James and Serena Roberts were named to the All-Smoky Mountain Conference team. Roberts also played in the Blue & White All-Star game.
50 years ago – April 18, 1974, Scout: E.A. Browning, an elderly Murphy man, was found in a puddle of his own blood near the Cherokee Scout’s office in downtown Murphy. He was hit with a rock and robbed of $300 in cash. He was doing better when Jimmy Ashe, 29, of Bates Creek, was charged with the crimes.
- u Cherokee County commissioners voted to buy two more ambulances, with details of how to operate them to be worked out later.
- u Amy Neely, 83, of Murphy, was killed on U.S. 64 East when she was struck
- by an automobile while crossing the highway. The driver – Michael Evans, 17, of Hayesville – was not charged.
April 17, 1974, Journal: Residents of the Andrews Valley went west to help their fellow Cherokee Countians, who suffered damages and death from a tornado that came through the week before. Four Square Community Action received an emergency allocation of $10,000.
- u People served by Four Square Community Action showed off multiple talents at two area crafts groups. Lucy Laughter of Andrews crochets covers for toilet paper, carves, embosses, paints and makes quilts.
– Publisher David Brown