In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – May 8, 2013, Scout: After a 2½-year-long investigation, the N.C. Attorney General’s Office concluded that no charges would be filed against Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin nor any member of the sheriff’s office. Update: The following week, the District Attorney’s Office announced that former chief deputy Tom Frye would also not face any charges.
- During a National Day of Prayer ceremony on the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Murphy, pastors proclaimed that prayer was needed now more than ever. The Cherokee Scout’s publisher participated in the event by leading a prayer for the media and writing a column on the importance of the day.
- Clay Collins was valedictorian, while Brenna Cheek was salutatorian, of Tri-County Early College High School in Peachtree. They were so close in grade point average that the decision went down to a third tiebreaker.
May 2, 2013, Journal: A body was found in the rubble of a house fire at 46 Fairview Mobile Home Park. The Andrews Police Department asked the community to ignore rumors out of respect for the family. Update: The victim was later identified as Muriel Lucille Garrett, 42.
- Rachel Moore was valedictorian, while Blayne Amber was salutatorian and Kody Brehm was the vocational honors student for the Andrews High School Class of 2013.
25 years ago – May 6, 1998, Scout: The Federal Bureau of Investigation placed fugitive bomber Eric Rudolph on the “Top 10 Most Wanted” list, with a $1 million reward offered for information leading directly to his arrest.
- Sheriff Jack Thompson won the Republican primary, edging David White by only 23 votes. Meanwhile, Democratic candidates Alan Kilpatrick and Bill Carver were headed to a runoff election.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Eugene Morrow was defeated in the Republican primary by Barbara Vicknair of Murphy. Update: Vicknair was not only the first woman to be nominated for a seat on the commission, she later became the first woman to earn a seat, finally breaking up the boys club.
May 7, 1998, Journal: A 100,000-square-foot flea market was going to be built on 54 acres off of U.S. 19/74 in Andrews. Update: After some delays, The Hillbilly Mall opened, then later became Bear Ridge Mall before it closed and was sold.
- Agents with the Southeast Bomb Task Force told the Andrews Journal they hoped offering local residents incentives would help flush out fugitive bomber Eric Rudolph. Update: Bumper stickers sold at the time declared Rudolph to be the country’s “hide-and-seek champion.”
50 years ago – May 3, 1973, Scout: Murphy firefighters couldn’t save the home of Melvin Abernathy on Regal Street, as flames destroyed the wooden building. The cause of the fire was unknown.
- The U.S. Forest Service closed the Brittain Creek Picnic Area due to vandalism, which included people taking target practice, flipping over grills and burning tables.
- Cherokee County’s delinquent tax notices only took up a little more than one page in the Cherokee Scout. Update: The 2022 tax liens took up nearly eight pages last month.
May 3, 1973, Journal: After a one-day lockout at the Andrews plant, the Magnavox Co. signed a three-year contract with the International Woodworkers Association, whose local members received a 7 percent pay increase and better benefits.
- U.S. Rep. Nick Galafianakis (D-N.C.), a contender for a seat in the U.S. Senate, was expected to land in a helicopter at Marble Mental Health Center during a campaign swing. Instead, the copter landed in briar fields and football fields “miles from the scheduled landing sites.” Update: Perhaps not by coincidence, considering he didn’t have a chance to speak with many voters, Galafianakis eventually lost the election.
– Publisher David Brown