In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – May 20, 2015, Scout: Wayne Henry Burchfield, 48, of Morganton, Ga., was arrested after a standoff that followed him allegedly chasing a woman through town with a machete. He was once convicted of firing at federal agents during the chase for fugitive Eric Rudolph.
- The manager of the Murphy Big Lots store, Marilyn Laughlin, was remembered as being “a great person to work for” in a balloon release honoring her life after she was slain. The woman’s son was the suspect.
- Girl Scouts learned how to properly fold the American flag thanks to the U.S. Marine Corps League, Cherokee Detachment 1011, in Marble.
May 21, 2015, Journal: Marcus Sharp, 25, of Andrews, was riding in the back of a pickup when he fell out of the back and suffered a broken neck, dying near Beaver Creek Road. The driver was charged with driving while impaired.
- Negativity continued to plague the town’s government. Andrews Aldermen Gary James said what the town needed most is, “Prayer. The good Lord is the only hope for this board and the Town of Andrews.”
25 years ago – May 17, 2000, Scout: John Samuel Cleveland, 54, went on trial for the March 8, 1998, shooting death of John Raymond Chester, 55, who was killed by a .22-caliber pistol in Ranger. Update: One week later, Cleveland pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
- The Cherokee County Board of Education wanted 25% more from the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners than what schools received the year before.
- Tons of food was donated across Cherokee and surrounding counties during the Stamp Out Hunger food drive through the U.S. Postal Service.
May 18, 2000, Journal: The Andrews Zoning Board was looking for new members, as the board lacked enough to hold a meeting with a quorum.
- The N.C. Highway Patrol explained how many safety seats for children are not being used correctly by parents and guardians.
50 years ago – May 22, 1975, Scout: Phillip Sheridan Dickey was the valedictorian, and Joan Marie Holland was the salutatorian, for the Murphy High School Class of 1975. Phillip was also a four-year starter on the football team, while Joan was a member of the Beta Club and several other organizations.
- Thanks to the Tennessee Valley Authority, electricity rates were going up 85 cents per 1,000 kilowatts. Meanwhile, the basic charge for cable television was rising from $5.50 to $6, and telephone rates were increasing by 20%.
May 22, 1975, Journal: Two modern, four-passenger, fully equipped Dodge ambulances were delivered to Cherokee County, which was planning to station one of them in Valleytown. The ambulances cost $15,000 each.
– Publisher David Brown