In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – July 23, 2014, Scout: Law enforcement authors brought a peaceful end to a tense standoff on Sunrise Street in Murphy. A local man was arrested after barricading himself inside the home, but he had no hostages.
- The iconic Parker’s Drugstore in downtown Murphy, complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain, was facing an uncertain future after being open for more than 100 years. Update: One week later, Parker’s closed and Walgreens purchased Parker’s prescription accounts. Exit Realty later purchased the building.
- Contra dancing was a big hit at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, which was celebrating the 20th annual Dance Musicians Week. Update: My middle daughter’s senior exit project at Murphy High School was on contra dancing, and she could really swing back then.
July 24, 2014, Journal: The former ABC store building in downtown Andrews sold for $60,000. The Town of Andrews offered $50,000 but were outbid by David Ackerman, Jim West and Robert Hardin.
- An Andrews woman’s purse was stolen from her car while parked at home. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to find it, as a Robbinsville woman was arrested for trying to use the victim’s credit card not far away at Fred’s Store. Update: Fred’s closed a few years later.
25 years ago – July 21, 1999, Scout: Local residents told Cherokee County commissioners that pay raises for the county manager, finance officer and tax assessor were unjust, calling it unfair to those living off of Social Security.
- Superior Court Judge James Downs issued an order for a mediated settlement in a case involving a girl who claimed the Cherokee County Board of Education was negligent in allowing her to participate in kickball games at Andrews Middle School, despite the fact that she suffered from a congenital bone disorder. She was injured in a game and filed a complaint.
- FBI investigator and supervisor Steven McCraw was taking over the search for fugitive Eric Rudolph in western North Carolina. Woody Enderson retired after a 28-year career.
July 22, 1999, Journal: Dan White, chief executive officer of District Memorial Hospital in Andrews, said while the hospital was struggling to stay afloat, the board of directors had no intention on shutting it down. Update: One week later, the pot was stirred by two television stations reporting on rumors.
- For the fifth time, the national group World Changers brought more than 400 students from across the Southeast to the Valley to participate in 32 different work sites for local residents who need help.
50 years ago – July 25, 1974, Scout: Vinson Lee was indicted in the shooting death of Lowell “Massie” Hardin on Beaver Creek in Andrews. Bond was set at $5,000.
- The Murphy Little League baseball project finally got underway, as bids were sent out to build accessories on the ballfields, like a backstop and dugout. A federal grant was paying for half of the project.
- Harvey Failed, 40, of Andrews, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Johnny Pendergrass. Meanwhile, Mrs. Pendergrass got 10-24 months in Women’s Prison for the knifing of Mrs. Failen.
July 24, 1974, Journal: A total of 75 youngsters kept cool while learning how to swim from instructor Donna Adams in the pool at the Granny Squirrel Hotel. Update: That hotel, and pool, no longer exist.
- While Valleytown residents were expressing concern about a trashy situation caused any citizen abuse, Jack Simonds, chair of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, received the 1974 New County U.S.A. Achievement Award for Solid Waste at the 39th annual conference of the National Association of Counties held in Miami Beach, Fla.
– Publisher David Brown