In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Sept. 30, 2015, Scout: An incredible chase across three counties at speeds exceeding 130 mph ended with the driver of the car being chased by law enforcement crashing off of Joe Brown Highway in Grape Creek.
- The annual Big Sweep cleanup of Lake Hiwassee ended with thousands of pounds of wet trash being bagged and taken to the Cherokee County Landfill in Marble. More than 3,500 pounds of garbage was collected overall.
- A Murphy family was struggling for help, as their 5-year-old son needed a kidney transplant due to having chronic kidney disease. One of his kidneys wasn’t working at all. Update: Joshua Matthew Bartlett fought hard but succumbed to the disease on Sept. 3, 2021.
Oct. 1, 2015, Journal: Andrews High School’s Marching Band won a prestigious first-place regional title in Enka. Update: The band’s director, Joslyn Parker, today is Joslyn Parker-Booth, principal of Andrews Middle School.
- A dispute between neighbors in Topton over noise from fireworks ended up putting all of Cherokee County on alert, as a sheriff’s deputy responding to an accident call encountered one of the men in the dark and wasn’t sure if he had a weapon.
25 years ago – Oct. 4, 2000, Scout: A federal lawsuit against Cherokee County and three sheriff’s officers was under advisory from a court after two extensions were filed. A local
family alleged that the officers conspired without written authority to remove their grandson from their home.
- The first in a series of articles about Southern heritage – music, food, cooking, traditions, religion and values – profiled Lou Belle Payne Ledford, 88, who had played guitar since she was a little girl.
- A proposed bingo hall voted on by the Cherokee County Indian Community Club was called a back-door approach to legalizing gambling by Cherokee Scout guest columnist Harold Roper.
Oct. 5, 2000, Journal: The parsonage at St. Andrew Lutheran Church was coming down to make room for a new hall after membership grew by 22% two years ago and 17% last year. Steve Jordan of Steve’s Stone made the first contribution to the project, donating half of his fee back to the church.
- Tri-County Community College held an open house and dedication for its new Andrews office on the campus of Andrews High School. The Town of Andrews, Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and Cherokee County Board of Education helped bring the project to life.
50 years ago – Oct. 2, 1975, Scout: Thomas Michael Jordan and William David Sumpter III were given the oath of office as attorneys by District Judge Charles McDarris at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Update: Sumpter later served one term as a county commissioner.
- Cherokee County Extension Chair Jack Early was selected to win a national Distinguished Service award based on his leadership in organizing Extension programs. Early’s knowledge of trees in particular was astounding.
Oct. 1, 1975, Journal: The body of Troy Cothern of Andrews was found in a wooded area after he suffered another heart attack and died while digging for a ground hog. His dog was found still loyally laying down by his side.
– Publisher David Brown