In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – March 28, 2012, Scout: The state decided to seek the death penalty against Corey Jonathan Luther, who was accused of murdering John Brian Newton and trying to get someone to kill two other people.
- James Eugene Pratt, 50, of Topton, was charged with holding a woman against her will at gunpoint after a standoff with Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies ended without any shots fired.
- The Murphy high and middle schools shooting team earned a spot in the state championships, with Bulldog Alex Jump first overall in four events.
March 29, 2012, Journal: Andrews Middle School competed in team-building exercises at Pacesetters Adventure Center in Marble.
- Local fire department members were surveying water points across the area in an effort to lower the insurance rating in Andrews.
25 years ago – March 26, 1997, Scout: The Murphy girls basketball team won its second state 1A championship in three years with a 77-51 whitewashing of previously undefeated Union, with every player seeing action on the floor. Update: The Bulldogs’ head coach, Cissy Dyer, has since had her number retired in Andrews.
- The Murphy to Andrews Litter Pickup Challenge was ready to begin, with each town competing to get the most litter off U.S. 19/74.
- A conference was held to preserve the positive culture and traditions of
Appalachia.
March 27, 1997, Journal: Harold Hoke Mashburn. 68, of Andrews, faced multiple charges after allegedly crashing his car into the Terminex office on U.S. 19/74 following an apparent domestic dispute.
- The Rev. Frank and Helen Hamilton of Andrews were planning to take God’s word to Scotland.
50 years ago – March 30, 1972, Scout: Howard Radford received 20-25 years in the shooting deaths of his father and sister, while Leonard Adams of Marble received 30 years in the brutal slaying of his 13-year-old daughter. Both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
- The U.S. Postal Service was about to change for the worse, according to local residents, as all mail was going to be routed to Gainesville, Ga., first under the guise of efficiency.
- George Wagner, editor of the Andrews Journal, wrote a lengthy letter to the editor of the Cherokee Scout on technical and vocational training, which received an equally long reply by Editor Wally Avett encouraging him to “do your homework.”
March 29, 1972, Journal: Construction of the new Andrews Elementary School was delayed again, with the state sending back corrections for the architect.
- U.S. Rep. Roy Taylor (R-N.C.) called for holding all state presidential primaries on the same day, as people are worn out by the existing process stretching out over months.
– Publisher David Brown