In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – March 6, 2013, Scout: Sue Johnson, a 68-year-old grandmother in Peachtree, held a convicted killer – Nathan Daniel Leatherwood, 26, of Murphy – at gunpoint until law enforcement officials arrived. Leatherwood, who faced multiple larceny charges, told Johnson he came to her home to apologize for robbing it two days earlier.
- The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ proposed casino in Murphy could provide 800 new jobs and a payroll of up to $39 million to the region, officials said. Update: The local casino today has nearly 1,000 associates on staff.
- The Scout series “The N.C. Mental Health Shuffle” came to an end, with part four focusing on how many people are talking about mental health issues, but little is actually being done about it.
Feb. 28, 2013, Journal: Donald Hugh Jones Jr., 26, of Andrews, and Sara Ann Pratt, 29, of Robbinsville, were arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine inside a town mobile home park.
- The Andrews School-Based Health Clinic held an open house. Since opening, about 300 people a month were using the facility. Update: Those numbers dropped, and the clinic eventually closed.
25 years ago – March 4, 1998, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Education was looking at a design for the new Andrews Middle School that would put the building project $1.7 million over budget.
- Two drug dogs were being brought into Cherokee County Schools to conduct drugs and firearms searches of students’ lockers.
- Sherri Golden, who grew up in Murphy, was given the 1997 SAS Best Actress award for her role of Amanda in the play The Glass Menagerie.
March 5, 1998, Journal: Seven of 35 properties in the Mud Town community were being refurbished or replaced thanks to a Community Development Block Grant.
- Cindy Day, owner of Tiny Tots Day Care, resubmitted a proposal to the Andrews Board of Aldermen asking to rent the Andrews Community Center for a children’s summer program.
50 years ago – March 1, 1973, Scout: Cherokee County students in sixth grade were testing well above the state average.
- The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce elected new officers, who were announced during the annual banquet at O’Dell’s Restaurant in Murphy. Bill Brackett was president, Max Blakemore was vice president, Jack Isaacs was treasurer and Phillip Dooly was secretary.
- After Hubert M. Holloway, 42, of Asheville and formerly of Murphy, died from a wreck in Morganton, officials were investigating whether he received proper medical treatment.
Feb. 28, 1973, Journal: Todd Reece, a native of Andrews, was named state executive director of the Agriculture Stabilization & Conservation Service.
- State employees began installing three new traffic lights in Andrews, replacing old single units.
– Publisher David Brown