In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – April 17, 2013, Scout: With much fanfare, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council officially approved building a $110 million casino and hotel in Cherokee County. They still had to purchase some land to make it happen. Update: Today, the tribe is in the midst of a $275 million expansion.
- Six local residents were sentenced for a wide variety of wildlife offenses, which included baiting black bears with candy, spotlighting deer at night and trapping on private property without permission.
- New baseball and softball fields were being built at Hiwassee Dam High School to be ready for the 2014 seasons. The total cost was an estimated $129,123.11.
April 11, 2013, Journal: Alex Haughton of the S’Cool Bus, a board member and local volunteer, became the first person to receive the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Award.
- The Western Carolina University Catamounts Unite Tour stopped at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center in Andrews to reconnect with alma mater and share what’s happening at the campus in Cullowhee.
25 years ago – April 15, 1998, Scout: Alan Kilpatrick, an off-duty Murphy police officer, struck and killed Eli Stuart West, 15, who was standing in one lane of U.S. 19/74 near the National Guard Armory. No charges were filed in the tragic accident. Update: Later that year, Kilpatrick was elected sheriff over incumbent Jack Thompson, serving one term.
- Glenn Carson, a 1989 graduate of Murphy High School, was named Cherokee County’s new N.C. Forest Service ranger, replacing Mike Mauney after his untimely death. Update: Carson also suffered an untimely death when he passed away in a horrible vehicle collision in 2014.
- E.J. Whitmire Jr., 82, owner of Ridgefield Farm in Brasstown, died as a result of injuries sustained when a hornless bull attacked him in a corral. Update: His family continues his legacy with Brasstown Beef.
April 16, 1998, Journal: In 1984, LeRoy Ripper asked Andrews officials where employees at Peachtree Industries should park downtown. More than 13 years later, he still hadn’t received an answer.
- Several candidates for office countywide admitted whether they had issues with filing for bankruptcy, owing late taxes and/or having a criminal record.
50 years ago – April 12, 1973, Scout: Harold Hall of Murphy, was shot in the leg at his business, Harold’s Restaurant. Ray Puett faced charges after firing his Colt AR-15 rifle in the air at 2:30 a.m., hitting Hall when he went outside to check on the disturbance. Update: Harold’s Restaurant was open 24 hours per day. Due to the number of fights there, Police Chief Pete Stalcup later said he was trying to get a court order to either close Harold’s or limit its operating hours.
- Politics reared its ugly head when the GOP-majority Clay County Board of Education replaced the 17-year Democratic superintendent with a Republican who was not yet legally qualified for the job, but just so happened to be the brother of the school board’s chairman.
- Two juveniles from Ebenezzer were arrested after leading officers on a chase in a stolen Bronco. After being arrested and taken to Sylva, on the drive back to Murphy they jumped from a probation officer’s vehicle traveling at 30 mph and escaped. Update: The boys were recaptured a week later in St. Petersburg, Fla.
April 11, 1973, Journal: Driver Gerald Edmund Hedden, 16, and passenger Jerry Gibby, 17, both of Andrews, were seriously injured when the vehicle they were in left Pisgah Road in Valleytown and crashed into a tree.
- The Cherokee County Board of Education cleared the room of Andrews students and parents, meeting in secret to rehire Ruth Pullium as a school counselor.
– Publisher David Brown