In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Sept. 4, 2013, Scout: The Murphy Police Department was looking for two men who may have used a gun in the robbery of a Captain D’s restaurant manager.
- A rock slide closed U.S. 64 in the Ocoee Gorge in the same place the Tennessee Department of Transportation installed a rockfall fence after another slide took place in January 2010. As a result, the highway wasn’t closed for nearly as long this time.
- A former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent retired in Hiwassee Dam, who participated in many public hearings during his career, wrote in a guest column that he had never been treated with more disdain by a public official than by Cherokee County Commissioner David Wood concerning the area’s new dump site.
Aug. 29, 2013, Journal: More than 70 classic vehicles gathered at Andrews Town Center for the second annual Valley River Run Car Show. About $1,300 was raised for the Wounded Warriors program.
- Kids – and adults who act like kids – were gearing up for a good time during the “End of Summer Blast” at Andrews Recreation Park, with bounce houses and rides for the younger ones.
25 years ago – Sept. 3, 1998, Scout: The third annual Kids Fair was held in downtown Murphy, coordinated by Cherokee County Family Resources and sponsored by the Murphy Area Business Association. Update: Both of those nonprofit groups no longer exist today, although there is a newer Murphy Business Association.
- The coroner in Union County, Ga., ruled that alcohol was a contributing factor in the drowning death of Keith Harbin, 40, of Murphy, in Lake Nottley. He had removed his shirt and shoes before jumping over the railing of a 50-foot-tall walkway.
- The Murphy football team came up short to Franklin, 21-14, in the season opener. Bulldogs coach David Gentry said the loss was due to “a lack of team effort.”
Sept. 3, 1998, Journal: Dr. Dan Lunsford, who attended Marble Elementary School before graduating from Andrews High School, was named dean of the School of Education at Mars Hill University. Update: Lunsford was later promoted to president of Mars Hill before retiring in 2018.
- Andrews High School kicked off its We Care program, which was aimed at keeping students in the classroom and away from alcohol and drugs.
50 years ago – Aug. 30, 1973, Scout: Cherokee County, which declined to participate in the national food stamp program in January, will probably be switching over in the next year thanks to a new federal law.
- Westco and Western Carolina Telephone moved its plant center for the district back to the Murphy office from Sylva. That meant all repairs and services were handled from Cherokee County.
- A 25-inch color console television could be bought – on sale – from Carolina Tire Co. in Murphy for $598, down from $799.95. Update: You can buy a brand-new, 40-inch, flat-screen, digital LED TV today for just $119.99 at Best Buy.
Aug. 29, 1973, Journal: This edition is sadly missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown