By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Chief of Police Brad Fraser speaks from the podium in the City of Shelby Council chambers Friday evening. | City of Shelby video still SHELBY – A video circulating social media which shows a police officer using excessive force against a female suspect has caused an uproar across Shelby, which caused the City of Shelby to release statement at 6 p.m., Friday, regarding the event. In the video, which starts with the altercation alre

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office File crime | The Shelby Independent CRIME — The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division executed a search warrant on May 14, 2026, concluding a months-long investigation into a residence at 130 Shady Ln. in Mooresboro, NC. The operation resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics and weapons, leading to the arrest of Stephanie Walton. Authorities recovered a variety of controlled substances and firearms during th

Staff Reports Wilson was captured Tuesday night. Kings Mountain, NC — A reported Kings Mountain home invasion suspect is now behind bars. Over the weekend, the Kings Mountain Police Department responded to a home invasion incident in the Lake Montonia area of Kings Mountain. Since that time, investigators have worked tirelessly to pursue leads and conduct an extensive investigation to locate the suspect. As a result of those efforts, and with the assistance of our neighboring

Lance Hamrick | Asst. Chief, Kings Mountain Police Dept. Michael Cody Wilson was reportedly identified as the suspect in the home invasion. Kings Mountain, N.C. — The Kings Mountain Police Department is actively investigating a home invasion that occurred on May 9, 2026, at approximately 5:55 a.m. in the Lake Montonia area of Kings Mountain. During the incident, the suspect, identified as Michael Cody Wilson, allegedly entered an occupied residence while armed with a sawed-of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Boiling Springs Town Hall and Police Department sign out by College Ave. | Chuck Thompson BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Have you checked your wallet for funny money lately? Counterfeit bills have shown up in Boiling Springs, and the Boiling Springs Police Department want you to be on the lookout for anything funny, or fishy when it comes to currency, as it could spread across the county. In a statement released earlier today, Thursday, Apr

Staff reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office released an official statement Wednesday afternoon regarding a now fired detention officer who has been charged and arrested for "Sexual Activity by a Custodian." The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office received information from an inmate regarding possible misconduct involving Detention Officer David Todd Morrow. The Sheriff’s Office immediately initiated both a criminal and internal invest

Staff reports | The Shelby Independent | Press Release | Cleveland County government File photo graphic | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County — In the wake of several unsettling bomb threats against various Cleveland County government offices, the county sent out a press release on Friday April 24, in regards to the specific incident on March 10, stating their findings and noting enhancements made to safety protocols. However, no other information has yet been made availa

By Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column OPINION — A few months ago, I wrote about the state-wide Five Hour Bingo play limit law. I can’t seem to let this one go. It still haunts me that nobody can explain why it’s illegal to play bingo for more than five hours. In North Carolina, you can drive barefoot and swim naked (Don't try it in public, but in seclusion at an uninhabited pond, or at home in your pool, is your business). You can eat while driving, you just can’t hold your p

Press Release | Kings Mountain Po;ice Department Ahmad Rashad Leggett Jr Kings Mountain, NC — At approximately 4:48 p.m. on April 3, 2026, officers with the Kings Mountain Police Department responded to reports of shots fired at the Silver Express gas station located at 506 E King Street in Kings Mountain. Upon arrival, officers determined that the suspect had fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. Detectives with the Kings Mountain Police Department responded and

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office | Press release Smith is being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center under no bond. SHELBY, NC – On April 2, 2026, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) concluded a multi-agency narcotics investigation resulting in the arrest of a Spindale man and the seizure of a six ounces of methamphetamine. The operation was a collaborative effort between investigators with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, the CCSO C

Staff Reports | Cleveland County sheriff's Office | Press Release Trenity Glenn Campbell and Angel Lee McManus, both of Bessemer City were arrested for the bomb threats. Two suspects are behind bars after making threats to the clerks office in the Cleveland County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. On April 1, 2026, the Cleveland County Clerk’s Office received two bomb threats within approximately one hour of each other. In response, the building was immediately secured

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office A still-frame from a surveillance camera of the suspects CCSO needs the public's help in identifying or their whereabouts. courtesy photo One of the alleged suspects in question walking into a store. Courtesy photo, CCSO. Another bomb threat plagued Cleveland County Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon, at approximately 3:04 p.m., the Cleveland County Clerk’s Office received a call stating a bomb was in the courthouse.

Road to Hope and Crime Stoppers' Easter Bunny fundraiser continues this weekend By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Easter Bunny poses for a photo with road to Hope and Crime Stoppers members. From left to right, Robert Medlin, Zach Stearns, Mr. Bunny, Cheryl Yates, Jeff Yates, and Scott Howell. They will be at the mall again this Friday and Saturday only, for photos and raffle entries. Cleveland Mall – The Easter Bunny was such a big hit this past weekend, that a

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Boiling Springs – A single car accident on Gaffney Road, just south of Boiling Springs, near Broad River, sent one to the hospital on Saturday night. According to North Carolina Highway Patrol reports, around 8 p.m., Saturday, a maroon 2001 Toyota Corolla was traveling south on 150 / Gaffney Road, at unsafe speeds, passing several other vehicles when the driver lost control in a curve, traveled off the right to the right, hit a ditch

Take a photo with the Easter Bunny, and enter for a chance to win a 70" TV By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Officer Randy Conner, left, and Cleveland County Crime Stoppers Chairman Jeff Yates show one of the two TVs that will be raffled at the Cleveland Mall. | Chuck Thompson Cleveland Mall – The Easter Bunny will be at the Cleveland Mall giving away two 70” televisions in a raffle drawing, thanks to Cleveland County Crime Stoppers and Road to Hope - Shelby. B

Staff Reports | City of Kings Mountain file photo graphic. The Shelby Independent. Kings Mountain, NC — At approximately 7:52 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, a call was received by the Kings Mountain Police Department’s Telecommunications Office reporting motor vehicle accident with a pedestrian struck. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers determined that a fatality had occurred as the result of a hit-andrun incident. The victim has been identified as “Kenneth Ray Mill

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Cleveland County Administrative Building | Chuck Thompson An alleged botched protocol after a bomb threat and a late county audit put County Manager David Cotton in the hot seat last Tuesday evening. The March Cleveland County Commissioners’ meeting was going as expected until during the public comments section, Angelica Haslam spoke to the commissioners about the prank bomb threat made to the county administration building,

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Crest fb page public courtesy photo CREST HIGH SCHOOL – A potential gunman at a school or a tornado; either one would frighten students, teachers and parents alike, but for both to happen at the same time, is both scary and yet a sigh of relief, once it was discovered the incident at Crest was a false alarm. As the skies swirled above southwest Cleveland County, an active shooter alert sounded in the classrooms at Crest High Scho

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 2247-B Flint Hill Church Road. Courtesy photo CCSO. (NEAR) BOILING SPRINGS – Several arrests were made and an alleged drug house was shut down after the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant following an extensive narcotics investigation on Tuesday. On March 10, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a sea

By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent file photo A shooting ended with one arrested and one hospitalized yesterday afternoon. On Monday, March 9, The Shelby Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the 800 block of Logan Street at 3:55 p.m. In a statement released by Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser, it stated, “Upon arrival, officers discovered an individual had been shot and already transported to the local hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injur