In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 7, 2015, Scout: A home in Ranger where stolen property was allegedly being traded for guns was shut down by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Two people were arrested, 56 guns were found and 50 grams of methamphetamine was seized.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to support making marriage in North Carolina only for one man and one woman. The board also placed a one-year moratorium on any new adult stores opening in the county.
- The Murphy boys basketball team came back from being 21 points down to beat Blue Ridge 59-56. Senior Bradley Puccio led the charge with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Kalin McRae scored 16 points.
Jan. 8, 2015, Journal: Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies followed a suspicious car into Moss Cemetery in Marble and stopped an alleged drug deal, with two people being arrested after methamphetamine was found.
- Money problems could spell the end of Andrews Rescue Squad 33, according to former chief Paul Earwood, which is why they asked the Andrews Board of Aldermen about donating equipment if the worst was to happen.
25 years ago – Jan. 5, 2000, Scout: Cherokee County and other local governmental offices survived the Y2K scare just fine, as all computers didn’t quit working at midnight and cause a worldwide apocalypse.
- Three former basketball teammates at Murphy High School – Lyle Carringer, Edwin Hendrix and Randal Shields – held a reunion with 60 other classmates 46 years after graduating in 1953.
- The first baby of the new year was Tanner Robert Picon, son of Aaron and Dawn Picon of Hiwassee Dam, who was born at Murphy Medical Center in Peachtree. Update: The local hospital no longer has a maternity ward.
Jan. 6, 2000, Journal: A total of 32 people – 17 from Cherokee County – were facing 125 charges as a result of undercover drug sting operations conducted by several law enforcement agencies, with most coming in the Andrews and Marble areas
- Andrews swept into first place in the sixth annual Battle of the States Christmas Tournament in Towns County, Ga. The Wildcats were led by Most Valuable Player Jeremiah Vaught, who scored 48 points and had 12 rebounds over three games.
50 years ago – Jan. 9, 1975, Scout: Cherokee County was asking for 235 jobs to be funded by a new federal program designed to help clean up and rebuild in different communities. Update: The county only got 14 of those jobs.
- Weaver Carringer of Brasstown was named general manager in charge of business affairs at the Cherokee Scout, while Wally Avett of Martins Creek was named editor, after Jack Owens was named vice president in charge of development with Community Newspapers Inc. in Spartanburg, S.C. Update: Carringer was later named publisher, and then regional publisher, positions he held until retiring in 2003, when he was replaced by the guy typing this.
Jan. 8, 1975, Journal: Andrews High School Principal Roy Pipes appeared before the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners to request special assistance in financing a new football field for the Wildcats.
– Publisher David Brown