In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Oct. 15, 2014, Scout: An argument in the audience during a Cherokee County sheriff’s debate hosted by the Cherokee Scout nearly led to blows, with law enforcement officials stepping in between two members of the public on opposite sides of supporting Sheriff Keith Lovin.
- The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was suspended from a Law Enforcement Support Office program that allows agencies to obtain surplus federal equipment for “failure to comply” the previous year.
- About 50 animals were adopted at the Valley River Humane Society’s animal shelter in Marble, but they still had a long way to go in order to avoid euthanizations. Update: The humane society operates a no-kill shelter today.
Oct. 16, 2014, Journal: Virginia Haynes of Andrews High School was named Cherokee County’s 2014 Principal of the Year.
- The annual Andrews Police Pals Cruise-In car show was getting ready to show off some sweet rides while raising some cool cash for local kids at Christmas. Update: The show raised $1,600 that year.
25 years ago – Oct. 13, 1999, Scout: Cherokee County commissioners, Andrews aldermen and Murphy council members met at Nantahala Village to discuss common interests. There had been hard feelings since the 1970s, when Andrews helped Murphy with a joint Fourth of July Festival, only to not have the festival in Andrews the next year.
- A bat and skunk tested positive for rabies in neighboring Fannin County, Ga., but so far Cherokee County had not seen any symptoms of the virus in animals.
Oct. 14, 1999, Journal: Seven people were charged in “Operation Snowflake,” which was focused on seizing cocaine but cut short after a suspect allegedly hired someone to kill an undercover detective.
- Andrews High School physical education teacher Mike Roberts took a pie in the face during the school’s Harvest Sale & Fall Festival. His sense of humor remained intact.
50 years ago – Oct. 17, 1974, Scout: Wayne Hamby, 43, died from severe heart injuries when his Jeep overturned after being struck by another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
- Billy West of Andrews won the weekly football contest and $25 after correctly picking 19 of 26 games.
Oct. 16, 1974, Journal: Donald Gibby of Beaver Creek was accidentally shot and killed by a hunting companion in Kozard Fields. He was in his 60s.
– Publisher David Brown