In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 5, 2013, Scout: A gas leak forced the evacuation of hundreds of employees and shoppers at Walmart in Murphy, which was closed for about 35 minutes.
- The Murphy Town Council approved a dog restraint law allowing fines of up to $500 or 30 days in jail for letting your animal roam unrestrained.
- Hiwassee Dam softball standout Haylie Shope hit a home run for the fifth straight game, but the Lady Eagles still fell to Hayesville.
March 28, 2013, Journal: The Andrews Chamber of Commerce honored Andrews Twin Cinema owner John Irvin with the town’s Businessman of the Year award.
- Valleytown Realty sued Andrews after its building on Main Street was contaminated with fecal matter and raw sewage from the town’s system.
25 years ago – April 1, 1998, Scout: David Clinton England, 26, of Cherokee County, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the beating death of 5-year-old Jared Krause.
- Parents at The Learning Center charter school in Murphy complained that one 10-year-old student’s aggressive and violent actions were putting their children at risk.
- You could buy a brand-new 1998 Jeep Cherokee for only $14,998 at Mountain Valley Motors. Update: Good luck finding even a decent used one at that price today.
April 2, 1998, Journal: David Jordan, 45, of Marble, and Nancy Wheeler, 52, of Robbinsville, were killed during an automobile crash on U.S. 129 in Graham County.
- Six people, including members of the Smith family, were treated for injuries at a local hospital following a three-vehicle pileup on U.S. 19 Business near Andrews.
50 years ago – March 29, 1973, Scout: Despite being nonpartisan, a divided Cherokee County Board of Education failed to appoint anyone to replace Dr. Charles VanGorder, who resigned.
- A grand jury dismissed a murder charge against Bettie Sue Killian – who shot her husband, Ray Killian, during a struggle at their home in Peachtree – calling it self defense.
- The motorcycle-heavy movie Easy Rider was riding loud and proud again at the Henn Theatre in downtown Murphy. Update: Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda’s acting careers went in different directions after that.
March 28, 1973, Journal: The Andrews Development Corp. kicked off plans to build a recreation complex behind the community center with $35,000, but another $300,000-plus would still be needed to make it a reality.
- Andrews honored its finest athletes of the school year. In girls basketball, Debbie Fuller was Most Valuable, Terry Wolf was Most Improved and Andy Luther was honored for hustle and leadership; on the boys side, Frank Maennle was Most Valuable, Keith Lovin was Most Improved and Steve Maennle was Mr. Hustle. In baseball, Frank Maennle was Most Valuable; in track and field, Stanley Johnson was recognized; and in football, Bobby Penland was Most Valuable, Danny Hawk was Most Outstanding Back, Eddie Wood was Most Outstanding Lineman, Andy James was Most Improved Lineman, Charles Gibby was Most Improved Lineman and the Mr. Hustle trophy went to Nylon Hall and Lyle Wilson.
– Publisher David Brown