In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Nov. 7, 2012, Scout: C.B. McKinnon of Marble and Cal Stiles of Andrews won the two new seats on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, which expanded from three members to five.
- Tom Frye, former chief deputy of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, was under investigation by the state for allegedly diverting $30,000 seized during a 1997 raid on tribal land.
- The Scout’s series on local communities highlighted Violet, one of the most remote areas of the county, and a haven for both wildlife and strong people.
Nov. 8, 2012, Journal: Korean War veteran Billy West of Andrews and others took a free trip to Washington, courtesy of the nonprofit organization Honor Flight, to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
- Bear Ridge Enterprises Music Hall brought first-class live music to Andrews with a concert by national country artist Tammie Davis. Update: That building today is owned by Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters.
25 years ago – Nov. 5, 1997, Scout: Ann Woodford of Andrews was hired as Cherokee County’s new planner. Update: Woodford still makes plans for the nonprofit One Dozen Who Care Inc. today.
- “The Jackass Extravaganza” donkey basketball fundraiser raised about $1,500 at Hiwassee Dam High School. The money raised went to help pay for the senior prom.
- The Murphy Levi Strauss plant will not be one of the 11 facilities closing across the country, according to company officials. Update: An Levi Appreciation Day was held the next week with much celebration, but the local plant eventually closed anyway.
Nov. 6, 1997, Journal: The Lee Company plant in Andrews was the target of a bomb threat. Employees were evacuated after the call, which Sheriff Jack Thompson said came from a woman using a pay phone.
- The body of David Garrett, 57, of Hayesville, was found on the bank of Nantahala Lake. He went fishing with Homer Lee Garrett, 59, of Andrews, but died of exposure to cold weather after their boat engine quit.
50 years ago – Nov. 9, 1972, Scout: Incumbent Robert Stiles of Hiwassee Dam and newcomer Joe Phillips of Murphy were elected to the Cherokee County Board of Education.
- Capt. Frank Swan, eight-time co-wagonmaster for the Western North Carolina Wagon Train, died unexpectedly at his home in Andrews. He was 83, and still very active in town and county affairs.
- The fine feature faith film The Cross and the Switchblade was playing at the Henn Theatre in downtown Murphy.
Nov. 8, 1972, Journal: District Memorial Hospital in Andrews was preparing to write off $100,000 in bad debt. Update: These are the kind of things that eventually led to the hospital closing about 30 years later.
- David Russel Gregory, 26, of Aquone, died after suffering a massive stomach wound from a hunting accident. One of the six people he was with fired at a bear Gregory had just shot and was picking up.
– Publisher David Brown