In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Oct. 23, 2013, Scout: The $110 million concept of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy was unveiled by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to pay off the remaining $938,634 left on the note for the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center, saving $800,000 in interest. Update: A future commission almost closed the pool down years later. Today, you know the facility as Murphy Health & Fitness.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners decided to pursue developing an ordinance to keep so-called gentleman’s clubs and adult bookstores from opening here. Update: Doing such a thing without enacting a zoning ordinance proved to be challenging.
Oct. 24, 2013, Journal: Tomotla had its own Ferris wheel thanks to local resident Merlin Ramsey, who collected big item soft ever years, including classic cars, airplanes and helicopters. Update: Ramsey, who has passed away since then, said in the article, “I have achieved a lot of my bucket list.”
- The political organization Move Andrews Forward was running full-page ads in the Journal recommending a complete turnover in the mayor’s office and board of aldermen in the upcoming municipal election. Update: It had happened before, since this was before staggered terms were approved in Andrews.
25 years ago – Oct. 21, 1998, Scout: More than 100 people attended a political forum hosted by the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal, with zoning and tax collection hot topics for all of the candidates. Update: The local newspapers continued hosting independent forums and debates for county seats until five years ago, when the primary political party decided to conduct its own question-and-answer sessions instead.
- The Dockery Family Association discovered that World War II hero and movie actor Audie Murphy had relatives who once lived in Cherokee County.
- The Murphy junior varsity football team won the Smoky Mountain Conference title with a 20-16 victory over Swain County. The Bulldogs’ Zach Heltzel scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
Oct. 22, 1998, Journal: Andrews High School senior Christy Brown was named the 1998 homecoming queen. The Wildcats also took care of business on the football field, beating Cherokee 59-20.
- Josh Randall Freeman, 37, of Andrews, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of weapon of mass destruction, armed to the terror of the people and carrying a concealed weapon after someone reported to police that a man was firing into the air at the U.S. 19/74 rest area.
50 years ago – Oct. 25, 1973, Scout: Senior Karen Morris was declared Murphy High School’s 1973 homecoming queen. She was escorted by David Gibson.
- The Cherokee County Recreation Commission met to reorganize and nominate new members to the board. Imagean Adams of Andrews was named the chair.
- Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Palmer purchased the Mooreland Heights Court in Murphy, which at the time was the largest motel in Murphy, including a covered drive-in entrance, swimming pool and kitchenettes. Update: Mooreland Heights was located where the Murphy Post Office and surrounding property is today.
Oct. 24, 1973, Journal: This edition is sadly missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown