In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 10, 2014, Scout: Alex Craze of Murphy was learning how to walk again after surviving a horrific crash on Black Friday. The driver of his vehicle died, and other passengers also suffered serious injuries.
- Longtime local educator Jeana Conley, who was set to begin a new job in Rockingham, instead accepted an offer to become interim superintendent of Cherokee County Schools. Kim Gibson had been serving as interim superintendent after former superintendent Stephen Lane was suspended following a drunk driving charge. Update: Conley, who retired in 2022, soon had the interim tag removed.
- The Scout published a special four-page section, “Good news of great joy,” about the birth of Jesus and events planned this month to commemorate His birth.
Dec. 11, 2014, Journal: The Andrews Board of Aldermen was split over whether to hire Richard Taylor as police chief. After considerable debate, Mayor Nancy Curtis broke a 2-2 tie to have Taylor start work immediately. Denise Bowden was also hired as an administrative assistant.
- An editorial in the Journal encouraged the Andrews Board of Aldermen to switch to staggered terms. At least two times in the prior eight years, the entire board had turned over after an election. Update: The town eventually did just that, and staggered terms remain in place today.
25 years ago – Dec. 8, 1999, Scout: The Town of Murphy received a $200,000 grant from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center to assist with water and wastewater projects. Town Manager Ann Payne said a sewer line, as well as a new water line, were both planned in the Cloe Moore neighborhood.
- Two Georgia residents were arrested after an automobile chase following a robbery at American General in Murphy. In addition, a Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy collided with another vehicle while attempting to respond.
- Volunteers were being sought to help in a Bible Reading Marathon organized by committee Chair Carl Hartman of Andrews. Scripture was going to be read nonstop from 6 p.m. Dec. 28 until noon Jan. 1.
Dec. 9, 1999, Journal: Chair Bo Gray and the Andrews Revitalization Steering Committee welcomed a 12-person team from Global Volunteers, who were in town to work with local residents on human and economic development projects.
- Milame Gladden, 73, of Robbinsville, died when she failed to see an oncoming vehicle while backing her Ford onto N.C. 141 in Peachtree, resulting in a fatal collision with a Honda driven by a 27-year-old Andrews woman.
50 years ago – Dec. 12, 1974, Scout: The Murphy Bulldogs varsity football team won the state 2A championship by defeating Robersonville 32-21. It was the culmination of four years of hard work by coaches Terry Postell, Bob Hendrix and Wayne Watson, who started rebuilding the team in 1971, when the state changed its rules.
- Susanne Simmonds of Hayesville, Joe Terbrueggen of Andrews and Grier Ivie of Murphy completed all requirements to become licensed directors at Ivie Funeral Home. Grier has been a fixture in the community since then.
Dec. 11, 1974, Journal: The Marble Activity Center, led by Director Clark Corwin and board President Ann Golem, was a hub for helping “the physically handicapped, mentally retarded and emotionally disabled.”
– Publisher David Brown