In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Oct. 2, 2013, Scout: Senior Morgan Gooch was named Murphy High School’s 2013 homecoming queen. She was escorted by Hunter Wood. Update: Wood works as a Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy today.
- The Valley River Humane Society Board of Directors announced that the animal shelter in Marble was losing $1,500 month. “We can’t go on like this,” board member Jeri Ruth Roberts said.
- Murphy’s Gaige Cox (Earth), Deion Johnson (Wind) and Kenton Braswell (Fire) picked up pretty cool tandem nicknames since becoming one of the best running back trios in the state.
Oct. 3, 2013, Journal: The Andrews High School Marching Band placed first overall, first in percussion and first in music at the Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival in Enka. Update: Band director Joselyn Parker is principal of Andrews Middle School today.
- A Pride survey given by the Coalition of the Safe and Drug-free Cherokee County showed that 60 percent of local students in grades 7, 9 and 11 had drank alcohol within the last 30 days.
25 years ago – Sept. 30, 1998, Scout: Three teenagers were injured, with one being airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, after the car they were in entered a curve too fast, slid off of the road, overturned and struck a tree.
- Megan Sullivan of Murphy, the “miracle baby” who underwent open heart surgery four days after she was born six months ago, was scheduled to have a second such operation.
- Scout Sports Writer Cheryl Freeman’s column included the great line, “No, I have not given birth 150 times. Frankly, I’d rather have my toenails ripped off and shoved up my nose, but in my heart I have that many kids.” Update: 150 is about how many students played sports in Cherokee County Schools at the time.
Oct. 1, 1998, Journal: Larry Phillips was watching television in the living room when his mobile home on Maltby Road in Marble caught fire. He got out safely, but his home was totally destroyed in the blaze.
- The Andrews Board of Aldermen tabled voting on controversial zoning amendments after nearly 100 citizens attended a public hearing.
50 years ago – Oct. 4, 1973, Scout: Cherokee County officially got into the ambulance business with the purchase of a 1973 Chevrolet wagon. Update: You know it as Emergency Medical Services today.
- The group People Who Care About North Carolina purchased a full-page ad in the Scout with the headline, “Why we’re opposed to liquor by the drink.” Update: While local voters said no that time, they said yes about 40 years later.
- The Henn Theatre was playing the “marvelous family movie you’ve been waiting for” in Mark Twain’s classic Tom Sawyer.
Oct. 3, 1973, Journal: Glenn “Dude” Hardin of Andrews turned himself in after federal, state and local law enforcement officials raided his home, allegedly finding illegal drugs and weapons.
- Andrews Florist Shop and Ledford Cleaners were damaged but only closed for a week by a hot, smoky fire. Frank Ledford praised the volunteer firefighters’ quick response.
– Publisher David Brown