In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – June 26, 2013, Scout: Registered sex offender Larry Wayne Reid, who was also accused of brandishing a gun during a robbery at a Peachtree drugstore, was back in jail on a litany of other charges.
- With 72 percent of local students eligible for free or reduced lunches, Cherokee County Schools was paying attention to students’ health and hunger during the summer program – and beyond.
- Dr. Brian Mitchell of Brasstown wrote an impassioned guest column making a strong argument on why providing accessible and affordable health care should be considered a moral imperative as well as a “right” in the United States. Update: Mitchell, a longtime local advocate for health care and former member of the Cherokee County Board of Education, recently retired. We wish him the very best.
June 20, 2013, Journal: The new Andrews Visitors Center in the popular rest area off of U.S. 19/74 was open. The Cherokee County Tourism & Development Authority was paying to staff the center; there was also a Murphy Visitors Center at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce in Murphy.
- The proposed documentary series Small Town USA was set to begin filming in Andrews, Brasstown and Murphy. Update: While the final product made the area look great, the show wasn’t picked up by a network.
25 years ago – June 24, 1998, Scout: Bear Paw property owners were angling to create a “no wake” zone on Lake Hiwassee by installing buoys every 2.6 miles, but the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners asked them to slow down first.
- Dennis William Engleskind of Hayesville was arrested on a statutory rape charge while at his girlfriends mobile home in Peachtree.
- Brothers Shawn (then age 25) and Johnny (then 24) Chastain, owners of Wells Tire in Murphy, were racing to dirt-track fame across the tri-state area.
June 25, 1998, Journal: Charles Alan Mingus, 22 of Andrews, died when he lost control of his Yamaha off-road dirt motorcycle while traveling at a high rate of speed 1 mile north of Ducktown, Tenn.
- Interim principal Mike Rogers got the permanent top job at Andrews High School, while John Higdon was selected as assistant principal.
50 years ago – June 21, 1973, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a $2.3 million budget for the 1973-74 fiscal year, keeping the millage rate at $1.10 per $100 value of property.
- The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office continued investigating the beating death of Leon Caylor, 34, of Harshaw Farm near Murphy. Before his death, Caylor grabbed his .22 rifle to chase away a rowdy carload of people “hollering and laughing” while driving on the main road of the farm.
- For 39 cents, customers could buy a jar of JFG mayonnaise at the IGA store in Andrews. Even better, a pound of bacon went for just 89 cents.
June 20, 1973, Journal: Valleytown approved a proposed fire tax by a 2-to-1 margin, even though only 10 percent of registered voters bothered to go to the polls.
- Marble Postmaster Giles Bryson died at age 47 after a period of declining health. He was a U.S. military veteran of World War II and active in community affairs.
– Publisher David Brown