In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Aug. 8, 2012, Scout: N.C. Department of Transportation workers Dannie Burrell and Tony Wright – “good people, respected and liked by everyone” – were killed when a vehicle driven by a Murphy man left N.C. 60 and ran into the two men, who were repairing a washout. Update: Reports later showed the driver of the vehicle had a medical episode before the fatal accident.
Local law enforcement officials visited the homes of 35 convicted sexual offenders in Operating Mountain Top to ensure compliance with the state’s registry.
The Scout’s series on local communities highlighted Ranger, which has a local history all its own.
The Scout won five awards in Community Newspapers Inc.’s annual contest, plus 29 honors in the N.C. Press Association contest. Update: The Journal won CNI’s President Award for its coverage of Nantahala High School’s controversial graduation ceremony.
Aug. 9, 2012, Journal: The Valleytown Cultural Arts Center was vandalized, including an original stained-glass window from when the building was Andrews First Baptist Church in 1923.
One Dozen Who Care Inc., a grant-funded community development organization founded by Ann Woodford of Happy Top, was moving from Andrews to Franklin.
25 years ago – Aug. 6, 1997, Scout: Jacqueline “Jackie” Ward, 46, of Cherokee County, was killed during a head-on collision with a vehicle driven by Rodney Campbell, 25, of Blue Ridge, Ga., who allegedly passed out behind the wheel due to medical reasons.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved water tapping fees from $3,500-6,000 per connection along U.S. 64 West.
Mary Ricketson’s “Woman to Woman” column talked about how one in every three women is a victim of sexual abuse in their lifetimes. Update: Ricketson still writes her monthly column in the Scout.
Aug. 7, 1997, Journal: Andrews Aldermen Winnie Crawford resigned from the board due to recovering from illness, but she still planned to run in the upcoming town election.
Seven newcomers filed to run for seats on the Andrews Board of Aldermen. Update: Those newcomers included local businessman Steve Jordan, who is serving his fifth term on the town board today.
50 years ago – Aug. 10, 1972, Scout: Alan Mauney, a 1972 graduate of Murphy High School, was accidentally shot by a companion while target shooting. The boy was doing well in a Cleveland, Tenn., hospital. Update: The boy’s father, Robert Mauney, was shot and killed in June.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a $1.5 million budget for the 1972-73 fiscal year that included a millage rate of $1.10 per $100 of evaluated property.
The controversial Fowler Bend property in Hiwassee Dam was sold to Bear Paw Co. for the $56,000 “minimum acceptable figure.” Update: The Tennessee Valley Authority also demanded that $1 million be spent improving the area over the next seven years.
Aug. 9, 1972, Journal: Lightning apparently traveled down wiring at Holloway’s Drive-In on U.S. 19 in Topton and struck a deep fryer full of grease, exploding it in flames. After firefighters arrived, there was “a few spritzes and it was all over but the smoking.”
William Harp of Atlanta and Bob Crews, formerly of Andrews, were arrested at the ABC Store on suspicion of stealing gas. Update: Harp was further charged when it was discovered that he was driving a stolen car.