In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 2, 2015, Scout: A lengthy automobile chase that never exceeded 45 mph in the rain ended in eastern Tennessee with the arrest of a Liberty man, who was forced to drive into a ditch by Polk County sheriff’s deputies.
- Murphy High School graduate and Vermont Law School second-year student Bonnie Smith participated in the U.N. Climate Change Conference of Parties in Paris. She said it was “exciting” to hear worldwide perspectives.
- The Murphy football team was denied a trip to the Western Regional championship for the second straight year by Smoky Mountain Conference rival Robbinsville, as the Bulldogs lost 20-14 at Big Oaks Stadium.
Dec. 3, 2015, Journal: An alleged drug house in Andrews was busted during “Operation Black Friday” by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. A total of 16 people were facing drug charges after a substantial quantity of methamphetamine was seized.
- Andrews High School senior Jarrod El-Khouri took his first solo flight from Western Carolina Regional Airport, taking the Cessna 172 around the Valley three times before landing. He underwent months of training before hand with Smoky Mountain Flyers.
25 years ago – Dec. 6, 2000, Scout: Snow blanketed Cherokee County with another layer of flay white stuff for the second time in fall. Temperatures at night continued to stay in the low 20s, with ice forming on roadways.
- Timothy Lynn Golden, 43, of Cherokee County, was back behind bars after failing to return to jail from a work release detail in May. He was extradited from Georgia and awaiting a court appearance.
- Organizers called this year’s Murphy Christmas parade the best ever, with more than 20 floats and plenty of other vehicles in line. Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes said his float gave away $77 in candy along Valley River Avenue into downtown.
Dec. 7, 2000, Journal: Andrews High School band director Anthony Higdon was named grand marshal of the annual Andrews Christmas parade. His students won numerous awards in state and regional competitions.
- An Andrews woman was pushing forward in her lawsuit against her neighbors, owners of three German shepherd-mix puppies who she claimed attacked her calf and chased her up a tree. The woman said she was advised by Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies that shooting the dogs was within her rights if they were on her property.
50 years ago – Dec. 4, 1975, Scout: While plans for a proposed Murphy community enter were being dropped, plans to build 10 community centers around rural Cherokee County were going forward full steam ahead.
- After many wildfires plagued North Carolina, state officials decided to require a burning permit year-round.
Dec. 3, 1975, Journal: A large mountain cat was stuffed and returned from the taxidermist – just in time to become the Andrews Wildcats’ mascot for the upcoming basketball season.
– Publisher David Brown