In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 14, 2015, Scout: Michael Kocher Jr., 19, a former resident of Hiwassee Dam, died in Hawaii after being hit by two vehicles, including a responding police car. Family said he loved being out on the water.
- Leon Dockery, 55, of Murphy, was allegedly trying to hide illegal drug activity when he led Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer and deputies on an 80 mph-plus chase through the Marble area.
- The recent closing of Hanging Dog Campground had many local residents upset, as a once-favorite spot for outdoors fun had fallen in disrepair amid federal bureaucratic red tape.
Jan. 15, 2015, Journal: Andrews Aldermen Ray Frazier was selected as the new interim town administrator after Aldermen Phillip Horton stepped down. Denise Bowden was named assistant to the administrator and town clerk.
- Senior Amber Ownby was all smiles after being named Nantahala High School’s homecoming queen during halftime of the boys basketball game. Curtis Moore and Jade Bateman were named Mr. and Miss Nantahala High.
25 years ago – Jan. 12, 2000, Scout: Pine trees were dying in 12-15 areas across Cherokee County – and blame lies with the Southern pine beetle, an insect the size of a grain of rice.
- A new sewer line was finally in place along U.S. 64 West in Murphy, extending from town limits to Gold Branch Road. McGill Associates was still working on issues at the flea markets on U.S. 129.
- Hiwassee Dam High School named Misty Hall homecoming queen; she was escorted by Josh Raper, who was still wearing his basketball uniform. Misty also joined 21 former school queens for a reunion
ceremony.
Jan. 13, 2000, Journal: A total of 20 local residents – none who were teenagers, despite rumors to the contrary – were busted during Appalachian Thunder 2000, a multi-agency roundup of suspects charged with illegal drug activity.
- Dan White retired as chief executive officer of District Memorial Hospital in Andrews due to his health, while interim CEO Al Swan, who planned to retire in January, decided to stay on until a full-time replacement could be named.
50 years ago – Jan. 16, 1975, Scout: Murphy won the Governor’s Award after working toward that goal for more than two years. Mayor Chloe Moore expressed appreciation to those who helped make it happen.
- Parker’s Rexall Drug in downtown Murphy ran a clever advertisement about “The Adventures of Superscription,” featuring pharmacist Ken Godfrey. “Come in and try to insult him,” the ad read.
Jan. 15, 1975, Journal: Sadly, this edition is missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown