In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – March 13, 2013, Scout: N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Hal Robertson shot a man during a scuffle on U.S. 64 West near the Tennessee state line. The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to handle the case.
- Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill specially allowing live opossums to be used during the New Year’s Eve Possum Drop in Brasstown, which was sued by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
- Murphy High School pitcher Jesse Bates threw a no-hitter against Robbinsville to lead the Bulldogs to a 18-0 victory. Murphy scored 14 times in the second inning alone.
March 7, 2013, Journal: Michael Phillips, 43, and Christopher Phillips, 23, both of Andrews, were arrested on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, which was hazardous to local officers.
- Leanne Huff of Andrews was the winner in the Junior Miss category of the 2013 Miss Amazing Pageant, which showcased girls with disabilities.
25 years ago – March 11, 1998, Scout: John Samuel Cleveland, 52, of Murphy, was charged with murder after allegedly shooting local resident John Chester, 55, in the stomach with a .22 caliber pistol.
- Cherokee County’s oldest workers – Ellis Yonce, 79, full time at Baker Furniture in Andrews; and Corrina West, 81, part time at Tri-County Community College – were recognized by the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
- Esther Manchester of Murphy was among 125 women across the state nominated for the 1998 Distinguished Women of North Carolina awards.
March 12, 1998, Journal: The architect’s estimated cost for a new Andrews Middle School was $4.6 million. The Lee Co. next door donated 24 acres to help make the campus a reality.
- Andrews police Officer Bud Eads was promoted to sergeant at the town department under Police Chief Junior McGaha.
50 years ago – March 8, 1973, Scout: A refrigerated tractor-trailer with a load of lettuce overturned on U.S. 19/129 near the airport in Andrews, blocking one lane of traffic for three hours. Update: There’s no data on how many BLTs were served over the following week.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners purchased the former Wachovia Bank building on Peachtree Street in downtown Murphy for $60,000 to use for office space, then announced a countywide garbage-handling system by approving more than $82,000 in bids.
- The county manager, tax collector and sheriff gathered to seize all local assets of Transcarolina Concrete Co. for not paying taxes, but the wrecker service the county hired could not move the company’s large trucks.
March 7, 1973, Journal: An Ingles Supermarkets refrigerated truck flipped over on its side and spilled most of its contents onto U.S. 19/129 near the Andrews Airport.
- The Smoky Mountain Mental Health Center in Marble was on the chopping block due to federal budget cuts, affecting more than 50 patients per week.
– Publisher David Brown