In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Feb. 15, 2012, Scout: Local businesses were upset that Cherokee County hired Tax Management Associates to handle the business property tax listing audit, claiming they were incentivized to aim high. Update: Only one week later, commissioners changed their mind.
- Volunteer fire department and rescue squad members resisted merging as well as other changes discussed in commissioner meetings. Update: None of the proposed changes were enacted at that time.
- Murphy senior Jackie Parks scored her 1,000th career point, while Katrina Evans picked up her 1,000th career rebound, as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals of the Big Smoky Mountain Conference Basketball Tournament.
- Feb. 16, 2012, Journal: Rick Millett of Andrews proposed to Brenda Floyd via a display advertisement in the Andrews Journal. Update: She said yes, but only after reading the entire newspaper.
- The town’s sewer system needed a $230,000 loan to pay for needed repairs.
25 years ago – Feb. 12, 1997, Scout: A state-mandated sewer moratorium was ready to be lifted in Murphy, with upgrades costing the town $658,381. Update: The moratorium continued until spring.
- Two dairy farms in Cherokee County folded due to low prices. Update: The Shields farm in Ranger is the last working dairy in the county today.
- The Lady Bulldogs remained undefeated in the Smoky Mountain Conference after thrashing Swain 70-46, with senior Kristy Kent leading all scorers with 19 points.
- There was a special NASCAR preview section included in the Scout at no extra charge.
Feb. 13, 1997, Journal:
A total of 26 students dropped out before graduating from Andrews High School. Update: The Wildcats had a 100 percent graduation rate in the 2020-21 school year.
- Two Andrews men – Jeffrey Curtis and Jason Dockery – were arrested after a knifing and shooting incident at Doug’s Car Wash off Fairview Road.
50 years ago – Feb. 17, 1972, Scout: A large group of residents from Gold Branch in Murphy protested the possible location of a new sanitary landfill near their homes.
- Dwight Faile, 17, of Murphy, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the rifle death of Paul Smith, 28, a native of Murphy living in Cullowhee.
- Sirloin steaks could be had for just $1.27 per pound at Cal’s in Andrews and Murphy.
Feb. 16, 1972, Journal: M.J. Jordan of Andrews was appointed school food service supervisor for Cherokee County.
- The Andrews Lady Wildcats won their first two games in the Smoky Mountain Conference Basketball Tournament.
– Publisher David Brown