In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 9, 2013, Scout: Richard Woodbury Roberts, 65, of Murphy, was charged in the deaths of N.C. Department of Transportation workers Dannie Burrell and Tony Wright, who were both well liked in the community. Roberts told N.C. Highway Patrol Sgt. Chris Wood that he fell asleep at the wheel due to a medical condition.
- It was game over for so-called “sweepstakes” businesses in Cherokee and surrounding counties, as the N.C. Supreme Court upheld a state law making them illegal.
- The annual Possum Drop on New Year’s Eve in Brasstown was even more mysterious than usual, with the question “What was in the box?” still being asked afterward.
Jan. 10, 2013, Journal: Carleigh Davis, a sophomore on Andrews High School’s girls basketball team, was surprised by her brother, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brad Davis, who returned home early and went to the game.
- A new adult care facility called Peachtree Manor was expected open by 2014, but changes in state law and financial challenges slowed down the project. Update: The facility still hasn’t been built.
25 years ago – Jan. 14, 1998, Scout: The new multimillion-dollar landfill in Marble finally opened, eight days behind schedule.
- The mayor, police chief and a city council member in Copperhill, Tenn., were along seven people indicted on charges of public corruption by a grand jury in Polk County.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved waiving the $6,000 water tap fee for qualifying businesses along U.S. 64 West. Update: Some developers would like to see that happen today as well.
Jan. 15, 1998, Journal: Virginia Cole, 22, of Robbinsville, was killed in a two-car accident blamed on wet roads.
- Since all three bids were over budget, the Andrews Board of Alderman decided to make some modifications to the water plant project and send it out again.
50 years ago – Jan. 11, 1973, Scout: Mary Jane Brown, 16, of Hiwassee Dam, was killed when the Jeep she was driving on N.C. 294 skidded out of control on wet roads and struck a tree. Update: A wrecker responding to the accident scene accidentally cut down a power pole, injuring the driver.
- Charles A. Mallonee, 44, a well-known Murphy building contractor, was found dead in his home on Springdale Street. He was a veteran of the Korean War.
- Dr. W.A. Hoover of Murphy was going to be sworn in as a member of the State Highway Commission after being appointed by Gov. Jim Holshouser.
Jan. 10, 1973, Journal: Snow and freezing rains coated power lines and trees, hobbling the Andrews Valley.
- Local resident Julie Lunsford contributed poems for a feature called “The Poet’s Corner.”
– Publisher David Brown