In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Oct. 14, 2015, Scout: Eastern band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Patrick Lambert came to Murphy one night, leaving after two meetings with agreements for emergency medical and fire services at the brand-new Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
- After two years of being shut down, the U.S. Forest Service expected to open Hanging Dog Campground in 2016. Day-use facilities remained open at Lake Hiwassee.
- The Murphy Bulldogs football team avoided an upset to rival Andrews, winning 14-7 after the Wildcats fumbled on the goal line in the closing seconds of the game. A photo in the Cherokee Scout showed Murphy’s Ozzy Corrales consoling Andrews’ Willie Parker after the clock ran out.
Oct. 15, 2015, Journal: Two Andrews residents were charged after an investigation into a stolen ATV from Graham County led officers to a local home, where felony quantities of methamphetamine were found.
- Senior Maddie Long had a wonderfully surprised look on her face after being named the 2025 homecoming queen at Andrews High School.
25 years ago – Oct. 18, 2000, Scout: The use of force by N.C. Highway Patrol troopers Scott Fletcher and Keith Lovin was ruled justified after they were called to the scene of a man armed with a shotgun in Topton. Update: The man involved – David Nelson, then 29 – recently died from a reportedly self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with officers in Topton.
- Cherokee Scout Sports Editor Mark Townsend and his wife, Brigitte, welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. “The bond that forms in those first few seconds is something so powerful it leaves you speechless,” he wrote.
- Mamas should not let their children grow up to be whiners, according to columnist Glenn Harbison, who was writing about an incident involving so-called “tough” men playing football at Georgia Tech.
Oct. 19, 2000, Journal: Senior Jennifer Allison
was named the 2020 homecoming queen at Andrews High School. The runner-up was senior Courtney Derreberry.
- Bobby Mason of Topton won a blue ribbon at the N.C. State Fair for her watercolor paintings.
50 years ago – Oct. 16, 1975, Scout: A 10-month-old baby became Cherokee County’s fourth traffic fatality of the year when he was killed in a head-on collision east for Andrews. The infant’s father, Fred Allen Chambers, was a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune.
- Cherokee County doctors were not discouraged by the rise in malpractice lawsuits nationwide. “Doctors will continue to treat local people as they always have,” a spokesman said, “and you can underline local.”
Oct. 15, 1975, Journal: Sadly, this edition is missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown