In the last two week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Feb. 4, 2015, Scout: The N.C. Department of Transportation said the railroad coming back to Cherokee County was a distinct possibility. Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes said getting the tracks rebuilt would be “the greatest accomplishment of my professional career.” Update: Unfortunately, despite much work, it didn’t come to pass.
Feb. 11, 2015, Scout: Cherokee County educators were not happy with the state’s latest academic report cards, which local officials called unfair due to the ranking system. Three local schools earned a B, three got a D and seven received a C grade; none got an A nor an F.
Feb. 5, 2015, Journal: The Wildcats honored the 1966 and 1967 state 1A championship football teams, both coached by the legendary Hugh Hamilton, by voting them into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. Update: Andrews High School’s football stadium is named in honor of Hamilton.
Feb. 12, 2015, Journal: A local woman was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals after the Andrews Police Department received complaints about the condition of three horses not being fed and being in the road.
25 years ago – Feb. 2, 2000, Scout: A series of articles called “Securing Small Towns” highlighted the challenges local law enforcement officers and professionals in the judicial system face in Cherokee County and its towns.
Feb. 9, 2000, Scout: Sioux Tools, a division of Snap-on Tools, was preparing to move into the former Levi Strauss plant in Murphy. At the same time, Industrial Opportunities Inc. in Marble was preparing to expand, in part to do contract work for Sioux.
Feb. 3, 2000, Journal: The Andrews High School team of Jason Holloway, Brett West, Jason Yonce and Erik Zimmerman bested all of their opponents to win the Tri-County Quiz Bowl academic contest. Cheryl Mason was coach of the Wildcats’ squad.
Feb. 10, 2000, Journal: Pilot Mark Calloway of Knoxville, Tenn., was safety rescued after his M20C Mooney plane took a nosedive into the Snowbird Mountains in Graham County. His cell phone helped rescuers find him after the crash landing.
50 years ago – Feb. 6, 1975, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Education approved building a new vocational education building on the campus of Murphy High School. The project was expected to cost $600,000. Update: The program later closed, and Cherokee County didn’t have another vocational program/career academy until the Schools of Innovation in Peachtree opened in 2024.
Feb. 13, 1975, Scout: Tri-County Technical Institute in Peachtree was planning a $900,000 expansion program, with President Vincent Crisp saying its classrooms were full and the community need was there. Update: The school today is known as Tri-County Community College.
Feb. 6, 1975, Journal: Three senior standouts for the Wildcats – Gary Gray, Steve Maennle and Donnie Bradley – signed letters of intent to play football for Mars Hill College.
Feb. 12, 1975, Journal: Having open heart surgery changed Shirley Grindstaff’s life for the better, as the Andrews woman was able to work again and fully enjoy her family.
– Publisher David Brown