In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – March 23, 2016, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved placing a referendum on the next ballot asking for a quarter-center sales tax to benefit public schools. Update: Eight years later, that quarter-cent was changed from being used exclusively for schools to being placed in the general fund.
Marvin Curtis and his wife, Merri Ruth, longtime owners of Circuit World, celebrated being in business for 30 years. Along with the Murphy store, there were four other Circuit World locations in north Georgia and western North Carolina.
Publisher David Brown shared his professional acting experience from when he earned $40 being an extra in Miami Vice director Michael Mann’s movie Manhunter as it was shooting in downtown Atlanta in 1985. Update: Brown also received free subs, Doritos and a fake press pass as reimbursement.
March 24, 2016, Journal: Andrews head librarian Jane Blue was making a positive difference with her unwavering support for the facility and its patrons. “I wish we had more people like her,” Mayor Nancy Curtis said.
Cherokee County gave four families living on property at Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews a total of 120 days to vacate the premises as a result of Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
25 years ago – March 28, 2001, Scout: Three Cherokee and Clay county men ages 16-22 were charged in a series of four break-ins over three days at Murphy businesses. The Cherokee Scout was one of those robbed.
A young white man over average height and weighing about 150 pounds, while wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and ball cap while carrying a tan canvas bag – was wanted in the robbery of Macon Bank in downtown Murphy.
March 29, 2001, Journal: Former Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy Linda Marcie was awarded $37,500 in a settlement after she filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint. Update: Marcie later served as Andrews Police Department chief.
50 years ago – March 25, 1976, Scout: A light voter turnout in Cherokee and Clay counties resulted in President Gerald Ford getting more local votes than Ronald Reagan in the Republican presidential primary, while Jimmy Carter beat George Wallace on the Democratic side.
Bob Rogers, 46, and Frances Kirkland Ramsey, 44, died as a result of a roaring blaze in a block building beside the L&N Depot in downtown Murphy. Officials speculated that a cigarette started the fatal fire.
March 24, 1976, Journal: Local teenage actors were preparing to unveil the play The Music Man at the Andrews Community Center. Foster Dionne and his wife, Virginia, were producing and co-directing the live production.