In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Jan. 8, 2014, Scout: The Cherokee County Health Department and Murphy Medical Center were dealing with waves of residents fighting off an influenza outbreak, with some schools being closed. Update: Basically the same thing was happening in the area a decade later.
- Scout Publisher David Brown and others said goodbye to Leanne Hand of Murphy, who left this world far too young at age 52, taking her well-worn cosmetology shears and mischievous sense of humor with her.
- James Donald “Tank” Taylor II of Andrews was charged with allegedly stabbing a dog to death in Marble. Update: The Scout had a coin box broken into containing that edition, with all of the newspapers removed, and the thief left behind a note: “For Tank.”
Jan. 9, 2014, Journal: The Andrews High School Wildcat Marching Band won the grand championship for three field divisions during the Chick-fil-A Bowl band competition in Atlanta. The local band also took a first-place ranking for Division 1 and a gold ranking from the judges.
- Alexander Bryant, 22, was charged after allegedly shooting at his girlfriend above an old gas station in Topton.
25 years ago – Jan. 6, 1999, Scout: A suspicious parcel at the Mineral Bluff (Ga.) Post Office caused a bomb scare, which disrupted activities for about three hours. No explosives were found.
- Interim Cherokee County tax assessor Debbie Coarsey was “terminated” by the new Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. A handful of people gathered at the courthouse were happy with the decision. Update: Coarsey later requested a hearing to be held on the move.
- J.D. Yonce of Peachtree said a recent growth spurt resulted in a 5-pound Bluetop turnip in his garden – “the biggest one I’ve ever grown.”
Jan. 7, 1999, Journal:
The Town of Andrews showed $14,700 outstanding on past-due water bills. Of the town’s 1,300 water customers, 13 were town employees who received free water; 17 were active firefighters, while 12 were retired firefighters or surviving spouses, who received 8,000 gallons per month free; 12 churches received free water; and four aldermen received 3,500 gallons of water at no charge.
- Andrews auditor Pam Ennis said the town had a “clean audit,” with nothing out of the ordinary.
50 years ago – Jan. 10, 1974, Scout: In a fight involving two married couples in Andrews, Johnny Pendergrass, 31, died quickly after being struck by a bullet fired from a hunting rifle. Harvey Failen, 40, suffered gunshots to his legs, while his wife – Jearline – suffered about 15 stab wounds. Johnny’s wife, Ruby Pendergrass, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for using a pocketknife.
- Principals of all Cherokee County Schools came together to talk about how they would use the $100,000 the Board of Commissioners released to each for capital improvement projects.
- Murphy ranked among the best in North Carolina by collecting 95.8 percent of property taxes owed. Meanwhile, Andrews only came in at 78 percent, while Cherokee County was at 92.7 percent. Update: Andrews disputed its number, saying it really was 91.2 percent
Jan. 9, 1974, Journal: Andrews police officers made 300 arrests throughout 1973.
- While the Andrews boys basketball team’s 10-game winning streak came to an end against Nantahala and Robbinsville, the Lady Wildcats made up for it by beating both teams.
– Publisher David Brown