In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – July 3, 2013, Scout: A total of 21 property owners who had wrongly issued local septic permits later pulled by the state settled a lawsuit with Cherokee County. Martha Risch was awarded $85,000 in damages, along with costs.
- In a wholesale changing of the guard, the Valley River Humane Society elected new officers and board members to oversee the animal shelter in Marble. The nonprofit – which serves Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties – reported a $10,000 loss over the last month.
- The local newspaper started its 2023 “Celebrate Cherokee County” series about offices in county government with the county manager’s office.
June 27, 2013, Journal: Singer-songwriter Andrew Chastain of Brasstown
was set to headline Heritage Day in Andrews.
- The Town of Andrews was given a N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the state Division of Water Resources Public Water Supply because of stringent turbidity standards.
25 years ago – July 1, 1998, Scout: Pilot Steve Swails, 57, of Brasstown, somehow escaped serious injury when his plane crashed into a mountain in McDowell County.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a 1998-99 budget of $14,253,438, keeping the millage rate at 47 cents per $100 of property valuation.
- State officials declared Lake Hiwassee “clean” a few months after Cherokee County teenager Lindsay Allen caught a staph infection from swimming in the popular waterway.
July 2, 1998, Journal: Property taxes in Andrews went up from 52 to 57 cents per $100 of valuation, while water/sewer rates also were increased by the board of aldermen.
- The Festival of African-American Gospel Music gave new life to the old days and brought positive attention to Andrews thanks to the good work of One Dozen Who Care Inc., event sponsors.
50 years ago – June 28, 1973, Scout: Murphy Postmaster Joe Rey retired early due to health reasons. He spent 24 years on the job delivering for you.
- Leila Hayes, 76, of Murphy, who taught in Cherokee County Schools for 50 years and was past postmistress of the Tomotla Post Office, passed away after a lengthy hospital stay.
- Two new doctors – the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Gerald Blossom and Dr. Janet Blossom – were coming to practice in Cherokee County thanks to Dr. Helen Wells and the Murphy Hospital Authority.
June 27, 1973, Journal: The 16th annual Western North Carolina Wagon Train was ready to roll, with this year’s version dedicated to the late Capt. Frank Swan of Andrews, spiritual leader of the event.
- The Cherokee County Board of Education decided to go to court in a lawsuit brought by former teacher James Wood, who filed a lawsuit after not being rehired at Andrews High School.
– Publisher David Brown