In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 3, 2014, Scout: A 33-year-old Murphy man was charged with second-degree kidnapping, assault on a female possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of injury to person property. Update: The man died on Feb. 22, 2015, before the case could be resolved.
Wayne Nix of Hanging Dog, who appeared on the popular Discovery Channel show Moonshiners, went legit, with his Hanging Dog Moonshine brand of whiskey now available the Murphy ABC Store. However, Nix still had his original still.
Dr. Dan Eichenbaum (District 4) and Gary “Hippie” Westmorland (District 3) were new members to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. Cal Stiles was also sworn in after resigning from his at-large seat to represent District 1, while C.B. McKinnon continued to serve District 2. Steve Jordan, the late Lorraine Meltz and David Wood were leaving the commission after the general election results. Update: The Cherokee County Republican Party Executive Committee later that month named Roy Dickey, a county employee, to the board from District 5.
Dec. 4, 2014, Journal: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was looking into a rash of break-ins in the Andrews Valley, with residents of Granny Squirrel and Pisgah Road offering rewards for the return of their property.
Owner Lacey West celebrated Spring Rain’s 30th anniversary of framing life’s memories. West is the granddaughter of store founder Villa Sparks, wife of Andrews Church of Christ evangelist Mark Sparks.
25 years ago – Dec. 1, 1999, Scout: Seven traffic accidents occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Two vehicles driven by local women hydroplaned on wet roads and collided with embankments, causing thousands of dollars in damages but only minor injuries.
Walco Inc. of Robbinsville won a $126,265 bid to complete the parking area expansion and access road work at Andrews-Murphy Airport. With local pilot Steve Vicknair’s help, the Cherokee Country Airport Authority negotiated a lower modified bid.
House Raising Volunteers of Cherokee & Clay Counties planned dedication ceremonies for the three homes they built in 1999 – one in Hayesville, one in Maltby and one in the Tanglewood subdivision in Murphy. Update: The organization’s eventual closing left a void in the area that has yet to be filled.
Dec. 2, 1999, Journal:
After two years of study, plans were in place to expand the Andrews limits, which could bring $6 million in revenue to the town. The annexation was scheduled to become effective on June 30, 2000.
The Andrews boys basketball team was considered one to watch this season, and the Wildcats started off on the right foot with a 56-46 win over Cherokee. Brandon Brown scored 13 points, with Jeff Baxter adding 12.
50 years ago – Dec. 5, 1974, Scout: The Murphy Bulldogs advanced to the state AA championship football game with a hard-fought 21-14 victory over South Stanley. Coach Terry Postell’s squad had won 20 games in a row.
Three new members of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners wanted to get to work before their 11 a.m. swearing in, so a magistrate judge gave them the oath of office at 9:45 a.m. Ronald Hill of Bellview was hired as the new county manager. Update: Hill was honored for his work here before he passed away earlier this year.
Dec. 4, 1974, Journal: The headline was emblazoned above the masthead on the front page – “Strange breed of men invades Andrews area.” The clever story never told readers until near the end that the new folks, who were quiet and dressed in white, were snowmen who came and went after a winter storm.