In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – May 7, 2014, Scout: Glenn Carson, 43, of Peachtree, died when another vehicle collided with his on Old U.S. 64. Carson, supervisor for the Cherokee County Soil & Water Conservation District, was well liked and respected, as evidenced by the overflowing crowd at his funeral.
- Incumbent Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin, a Democrat, and Commissioner Cal Stiles, a Republican, won primary elections. In his first attempt at local office, Dr. Dan Eichenbaum also won his primary by a large margin against four other candidates, including incumbents Lorraine Meltz and David Wood. Update: That was a result of the commission increasing from three to five districts.
- A panel of experts at a town hall sponsored by the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-free Cherokee County and Reach of Cherokee County learned that underage drinking and sexual assault were all too common.
May 8, 2014, Journal: The Andrews Police Department was back to full staff after four officers walked out in February after an uncertified administrative police chief was hired.
- An Andrews May Day Parade celebrated arts in the community with a fun-filled event on Main Street downtown that featured the work of local students.
25 years ago – May 5, 1999, Scout: Former Cherokee County tax office worker Rex Kephart’s claims of discrimination were denied by a U.S. District Court judge, who dismissed two claims while deferring a ruling concerning the Family Leave Medical Act.
- Derrick Smith, 18, of Murphy, was returned to the Cherokee County Jail after escaping through a second-story window three days earlier. Smith was behind bars due to a probation violation.
- Brian Rentz, 27, of Murphy, was charged with first-degree rape and felony breaking and entering that took place in Hiwassee Dam. He turned himself in.
May 6, 1999, Journal: An eighth-grade student at Andrews Middle School injured his foot performing a prank during a class trip to Raleigh. A few students climbed out of windows on the fourth floor of their hotel and went room to room, resulting in disciplinary action.
- The historical Andrews Elementary School rock gym, built in 1934, was locked and closed due to serious structural problems that made it unsafe.
50 years ago – May 9, 1974, Scout: Jimmy Simonds, the Cherokee Scout’s production manager for the last six years, was transferred to Franklin and replaced by Kenneth West. Simonds started working at the local newspaper when he was still in high school. Update: West owns and operates the North Georgia News and Towns County Herald today.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners wrestled with the problem of how best to provide ambulance service to local residents in a marathon meeting.
- In the “personals,” readers learned that Mrs. Tom Bennett of Los Angeles had returned home after visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Martin, in Martins Creek. Update: The late Tom Bennett was a longtime environmental columnist for the Cherokee Scout, while Lorraine Bennett can still be found today writing for the Clay County Progress.
May 8, 1974, Journal: On average, Cherokee County Schools were spending a total of $750.33 per pupil in county, state and federal funds.
- After primary victories, Democrat John Boring was set to face Republican Melvin West in the race for the District 1 seat on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners in the general election.
– Publisher David Brown