In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 8, 2015, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners was preparing to draw the line on continuing to help fund the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center in Murphy, which needed another infusion of $24,000 to stay afloat. Update: The now-private facility today is called Murphy Health & Fitness.
- John Kyrie O’Neal of Murphy, a senior at Tri-County Early College High School, became an Eagle Scout during a ceremony at Providence Presbyterian Church. He earned 46 merit badges along the way.
- Cherokee Scout columnist Hugh Williamson wrote about how “The road to hell is paved with $9 hamburgers” in expressing why he was against raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10, or more, per hour.
April 9, 2015, Journal: A 32-year-old man known as “Allen Wrench” was charged in the break-ins of two local churches. After a camera was installed in one church office, the man was soon seen taking $10.
- Andrews Police Pals received the Joseph El-Khouri Volunteer of the Year award during the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner meeting. The nonprofit used money raised on Cruise Nights to buy Christmas presents for local children. Update: The group has since disbanded.
25 years ago – April 5, 2000, Scout: Carol Jack Lane, 83, of Morganton, was found dead near his sport utility vehicle in a wooden area of Sandy Gap. He was reported missing two days earlier.
- The six-year-old Hiwassee Dam Union School’s Conga Club Steel Pan Band won a Grammy – one of only 12 to receive the Educational Division Specialist Merit Award. The band included 26 high school students and 40 underclassmen.
April 5, 2000, Journal: A 28-year-old Murphy man was charged with making false statements about a shooting into the Southeast Bomb Task Force’s command post.
- The Andrews Board of Aldermen delayed making a decision on whether to approve a franchise transfer from Andrews Cable Board to Cherokee Cable, which was buying out the Andrews business.
50 years ago – April 10, 1975, Scout: Volunteers were helping rebuild the storm-ravaged Ranger Methodist Church. A team of about 20 people were on hand to help, while other local churches provided food.
- Tri-County Technical Institution in Peachtree asked Cherokee County commissioners for $270,000 to finance a planned expansion program. The school had a waiting list of more than 120 students. Update: The campus is called Tri-County Community College today.
April 10, 1975, Journal: The Lewis Bros. Big Top Circus was coming thanks to the Andrews Rescue Squad, with tickets $1-$2.
– Publisher David Brown