In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 21, 2015, Scout: John Stewart, 52, of Nantahala, was killed after colliding with a vehicle driven by Crystal Lynn Conard, 35, of Murphy. Conard was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of drugs.
- u More than 100 “angels” gave strength to Tracey Moore of Murphy, who was grieving the loss of her daughter, Heather McLean, after an illness. Heather was queen of the 2013 Miss Amazing Pageant.
- u A 19-year-old Bryson City man was captured after leading Murphy police on a dangerous chase the wrong way on the four-lane highway. The man struck a deputy in the face while in Walmart to start the illegal proceedings.
Jan. 22, 2015, Journal: Andrews Police Chief Richard Taylor couldn’t get an answer from the Andrews Board of Aldermen as he attempted to break the town’s “chief killer” reputation.
- u Daphne McCoy, 9, of Nantahala, returned home on New Year’s Day after being injured in a house fire that took the life of her father, Brad McCoy. She was welcomed by firefighters, emergency personnel, family and friends.
25 years ago – Jan. 19, 2000, Scout: The seventh annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast was held in Texana, with about 65 people realizing King’s dream of people from different backgrounds joining together.
- u Having manned trash sites was a priority for the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners – especially in Granny Squirrel and Peachtree, which were riddled with litter. Update: That’s still a priority for the board today.
- u Convicted murderer Jody Morrow was denied a new trial by Judge Richard Boner in the 1992 murder of Eddie Mann. Morrow was convicted of second-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in 1996.
Jan. 20, 2000, Journal: A 1-year-old bear cub was rescued from traffic on U.S. 19/74 in Andrews, then again when it got stuck while climbing a nearby tree. The bear was safely handed off to state wildlife officials.
- Local resident Tom Rennick wanted CO2 weapons – the kind made popular by paintball enthusiasts – banned in Andrews after storefront windows at his business were shot twice by pellets. Update: They were not banned.
50 years ago – Jan. 23, 1975, Scout: The Murphy Housing Authority received a “vote of confidence” from the Murphy Town Council to continue its work toward building a new 50-bed hospital and 125-bed nursing home in Peachtree.
- Tourism was the topic of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner meeting. Update: It has also been the topic at several other meetings since then.
Jan. 22, 1975, Journal: Three young men from Marble were charged with stealing gas at Andrews High School. Bond was set at $200 each.
– Publisher David Brown