In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – July 4, 2012, Scout: The Scout started a series of front-page articles highlighting the diverse and interesting communities that dot Cherokee County, starting with Unaka, as part of the local newspaper’s Celebrate Cherokee County program.
Local reaction was mixed following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, with Dr. Brian Mitchell of Peachtree calling health care “a right, not a privilege.”
Some vendors at the Cedar Valley Farmers Market in downtown Murphy, as well as some business owners, were unhappy with the town ordering them to move to the L&N Depot just down the hill.
July 5, 2012, Journal: The Andrews Board of Aldermen adopted a $2.5 million budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year that included a property tax rate of 51.5 cents per $100 of valuation.
The new budget approved by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners included $40,000 for upgrades to the Andrews Town Pool.
A new health clinic arrived on the campus of Andrews High School thanks to grants from the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation. Update: The clinic closed after a few years due to lack of use.
25 years ago – July 2, 1997, Scout: Murphy Police Chief Fred Blair tried to keep arrest reports secret after a council member’s daughter was charged. “And I’d do it all over again, too. She’s a good girl,” he told the Scout, which fought to keep the information public. Update: Blair retired that week, and the Scout won the fight.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a $13.1 million budget for the 1997-98 fiscal year, with the property tax rate remaining 47 cents per $100 of valuation.
David Raymond Allman of Murphy was treated and released from Murphy Medical Center after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle wrecked in front of Three Sisters Convenience Store on U.S. 64 East.
July 3, 1997, Journal: The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute the tape recording between Andrews Aldermen Jan Jones and Elizabeth Williams.
Property taxes remained at 52 cents per $100 of valuation in the 1997-98 fiscal year budget that was approved by the Andrews Board of Aldermen.
50 years ago – July 6, 1972, Scout: The property tax rate in Cherokee County was cut to $1.10 per $100 of valuation when the budget for the 1972-73 fiscal year was adopted.
Bear Paw Resort was finishing up a million-dollar rebuilding and renovation project led by Dr. Robert Bretches, owner of the former Hiwassee Dam Village.
Cherokee and Clay county customers spoke out – loudly – against proposed rate increases by the WestCo and Western Carolina Telephone companies.
July 5, 1972, Journal: The Western North Carolina Wagon Train rolled at dawn, with Capt. Frank Swan presiding over it.
Joseph El-Khouri returned home to Andrews after joining 43,000 leaders at a Lions Club International Convention in Mexico City.