In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 28, 2011, Scout: Roger Swanson sued Cherokee County for allegedly violating terms of the deed they signed before building the new Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Detention
Center on Regal Street in Murphy. He contended that county officials promised to build a courthouse and offices on the 24 acres. Update: A settlement was later reached, though the courthouse and offices were never built there.
- Ismael “Izzy” Lebron went from staying at the Hurbert-Johnson Friendship House homeless shelter in Murphy for five months to rebuilding his life and teaching skills to others.
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals once again was trying to get the use of a live animal stopped during the annual Possum Drop on New Year’s Eve in Brasstown.
Dec. 29, 2011, Journal: Salon El-Khouri owner Rita El-Khouri was named the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s Businesswoman of the Year.
- A new program in Andrews schools started by media specialist Julie Aiken rewarded winning students and parents with bicycles for reading books from the library.
25 years ago – Dec. 24, 1996, Scout: Marvin Raper, Cherokee County’s representative on the N.C. Department of Transportation Board, promised to work on improving highway safety on N.C. 294.unior varsity girls basketball team won the Black & Gold Club’s annual Christmas Tournament championship, led by Most Valuable Playe
- There were no suspects yet in a damaging Martins Creek house fire.
- The Murphy junior varsity girls basketball team won the Black & Gold Club’s annual Christmas Tournament championship, led by Most Valuable Player Amanda Allen.
Dec. 26, 2011, Journal: Andrews and county agencies helped free Gary Adams from Blowing Springs Cave in the Nantahala Gorge some 24 hours after he fell from a ladder.
- The Andrews audit showed the town’s water and sewer system operated with an annual net loss of $466,000.
50 years ago – Dec. 30, 1971, Scout: The Town of Murphy, which had been dumping trash on Texana Mountain for 30 years, was given 60 days to find a new home for residents’ garbage.
- Tony Godfrey and Nolan Smith of Murphy were injured when Godfrey’s Volkswagen wrecked near Sunset Hills Cemetery. Update: Smith just finished serving on the Murphy Town Council.
- The Hiwassee Dam girls basketball team beat Swain County 40-24, with Sharon Boring leading the Lady Eagles with 19 points. The boys team fell 70-60, despite Eagle Larry Green scoring 25 points.
Dec. 29, 1971, Journal: Hazel Elliott of Andrews Elementary School was honored after teaching local children for more than 36 years.
- In the personals, readers learned that Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Rogers spent several days over the holidays visiting with their parents, Mr. and Mr. Andrew May.