In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 6, 2016, Scout: Terry Lee Lloyd, 61, of Marble, was killed in a horrific crash on Hill Street near downtown Murphy. Patrolman Clint Wooten called the crash the worst he had seen in his 10 years on the force.
- A live opossum was again dropped (slowly) before being released back into the wild during the 22nd annual New Year’s Eve Possum Drop at Clay’s Corner in Brasstown. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had been fighting to stop the event from using a live animal. Update: The Possum Drop was finally retired several years ago.
- Three family members got into a donnybrook with workers at Waffle King in Murphy, getting banned. The situation started when one member of the Thorsen family allegedly punched a cook in the face.
Jan. 7, 2016, Journal: Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies recovered a bounty of dangerous drugs during a traffic search. Residents of Andrews and Marble were arrested and facing multiple felonies.
- A dedication service was held for Pfc. James Clinton Bryant, an Andrews soldier who was killed in combat at age 24 during the Vietnam War in 1968.
25 years ago – Jan. 10, 2001, Scout: The N.C. Department of Environmental & Natural Resources awarded a $2 million grant to help get water flowing freely between the Andrews and Murphy systems.
- Citizens from Hot House expressed concern about an asphalt plant being built nearby. Ed Figueroa read a letter to Cherokee County commissioners written by Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, asking them to be proactive in fighting pollution. Update: Two weeks later, commissioners approved a year-long moratorium on building the plant.
- The first Cherokee County baby born in 2001 was Malachi Allen, son of Charles and Maria Allen of Brasstown, who arrived on New Year’s Day at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 201/2 inches in length. The family received gifts.
Jan. 11, 2001, Journal: David Nelson, 30, of Topton, pleaded guilty to four counts of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer and was sentenced to a minimum of 29 months in state prison. Update: Nelson died in 2025 as officers were looking for him as part of a case where a young woman was found dead.
- A small claims court lawsuit brought against the owners of three dogs accused of attacking livestock by an Andrews woman was dismissed, but the case was still not over in District Court.
50 years ago – Jan. 8, 1976, Scout: Tri-County Technical College President Vincent Crisp told the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners that, yes, the college needed $90,000 to go toward a new building. Update: That campus is called Tri-County Community College today.
- The state Council on Women opened an office in Murphy to serve six counties in far-western North Carolina. Two local residents were hired – Ruth English as Region A coordinator, and Judy Woody as secretary.
Jan. 7, 1976, Journal: Sadly, this edition is missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown