Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College CCC Cleveland Community College is proud to announce its participation in Careers Electric, a workforce initiative launched by the Siemens Foundation to expand access to high-quality electrical training and build the next generation of skilled electrical workers. According to a February 17 press release from the Siemens Foundation, Careers Electric aims to train 25,000 individuals over the next 10 years to address the growing demand

Staff Reports | Press Release Twelve seniors graduated from Pinnacle Classical Academy at the conclusion of the first semester. Ten of the 12 are currently enrolled at Cleveland Community College, and six have already earned an associate's degree or a certificate from CCC. These students will join their classmates in May at formal commencement exercises. "Our Pinnacle Board of Directors support an early graduation program for students that are fast-tracking to the workplace a

Staff Reports Cleveland Community College and East Carolina University have strengthened educational pathways for students in Cleveland County with a new transfer agreement signed January 28 in ECU’s Science and Technology Building. The signing cemented a partnership between the two colleges that guarantees admission to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program for qualified CCC graduates. That point appealed to Dr. Jason Hurst, president of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Grigg. Calm seas only last but so long in the dramatic ocean of politics. In the ongoing soap opera of the Cleveland County Board of Education, a new plot twist reared its head Friday, the day after the calm and professional school board candidate forum debate – call it a smear campaign, hit piece, attack, or just the truth – the focus was recently shifted onto current school board member, and candidate for the CCS Board of Education

The Board of Education Forum involved eight candidates from the CCGOP By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The board of education candidates before the event began, seated left to right, Robert Queen, Brandon Bridges, Aaron Bridges, Shelia Canipe, Rodney Fitch, Ronnie Grigg, Stephen Self, and Danny Blanton. Sherry Yocum, standing in red shirt, and moderator Dot Cherry on right. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Thursday night’s Board of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The school board forum will involve eight of the candidates, all republican, on Jan. 29, at The LeGrand Center. UPDATE: Jay Carpenter will not be attending as previously reported. Stephen Carroll Self will be attending now. Anyone interested in listening to the school board candidates’ personal stances on local education issues, and wanting to ask them questions, will have their chance next week.   The Cleveland County GOP and Moms

Staff reports Cleveland Community College recently announced a new partnership with The Forward Fund (TFF) to help students in the Electrical Lineworker Academy and the Heavy Equipment Operator Academy cover program costs and cost-of-living expenses during training. “Traditional financial aid does not usually cover short-term job training programs,” said Tony Fogleman, CCC’s vice president of workforce development. “Being able to offer this option to our students removes a b

Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent CCS School Board in public session, Jan. 12, 2026. Editor’s note: The Shelby Independent encourages anyone, any elected official to write and oped to be published in The Shelby Independent, or any news publication. That is your right and it shouldn’t be infringed upon by fear of retaliation of your peers. However, there are certain guidelines to follow, and we don’t want you or anyone else to get in trouble for speaking to the media. Pe

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Schools logo Crest Middle School – A firearm was discovered in a vehicle at Crest Middle School on Wednesday. According to school and law enforcement officials, a firearm was visible in a vehicle belonging to an employee of Crest Middle School. After concerns were lifted that someone who did not belong on school grounds might be on the property, it was determined the firearm did in fact belong to an employee, accordi

By Alan Wooten I The Center Square Courtesy file photo (The Center Square) – Answers are being sought for why overall percentage of contributions from the North Carolina Education Lottery to public schools has slid from 23% to 16% in the last three years while total revenues have increased by more than $3 billion. The annual statutorily required audit, delegated to Cherry Bekaert by the state auditor, were found “free from material misstatement.” First-term Republican state

Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent From left, Crest's Thompson hurdles over a Hunt player, a CCS School Board meeting, former Boiling Springs Mayor Daniel Thomas. It’s hard to believe that it’s the end of the year. The Shelby Independent might have only launched in June, publishing its first original piece on July 1, but with 250 articles published, it only makes sense to highlight the year in review with the TOP 10 LOCAL NEWS STORIES OF 2025, in Cleveland County. This w

Staff Reports | Shelby Independent Cleveland Community College Santa isn't the only one that has made a list and checking it twice. Cleveland Community College President Jason Hurst has announced the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2025 semester. To be named to the President’s List, students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours and receive a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average. The following students were named to the President’s List. (listed alphabetically): (Names

By Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column The Sunday Column It might have looked like Crest’s #1 Namajay Thompson landed after leaping over Hunt’s #15 player, but after that win I’m sure he’s still soaring; and so is every player and coach on Crest's and Shelby's teams right now. Sure. That play might have been against regulation / illegal, but it was awesome to watch – whether you were at the game and saw Namajay Superman Thompson leap the Hunt player in a single bound, or wat

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Marion isn’t going anywhere, one way or another, at least for now. On Monday night, the Cleveland County School Board was originally supposed to finalize the approval to sell the old Marion Elementary School to a nonprofit group, One More, One Less. In an unexpected move, Board Member and Vice-Chair Aaron Bridges made the motion to remove Marion from the agenda; Bridges stated he felt more discussion was needed before a decision coul

Staff reports | press release Cleveland Community College is expanding access to nursing education with the launch of a new nights and weekends LPN-to-ADN program. It is designed specifically for working Licensed Practical Nurses who want to advance their careers and earn their Associate Degree Nursing. The first cohort will begin classes in January and graduate in December, completing the program in just one year. The enhanced format responds to the needs of today’s healthca

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent   Monica Dellinger with Madison Gettys. Courtesy photo | PCA The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced that Madison Gettys, a senior at Pinnacle Classical Academy, has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Monica Dellinger, the school's Dean of Secondary Education, presented a letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts t

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent Shown in the photo from left, Vice President Dr. Bruce Mack, graduates Ben Ledbetter, Melissa Cummings, Corey Greene, Brian Bailey, and Joshua Hamrick, and Director of Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Sharon Nivens. Graduates Carson Fox, Drake Freeman, Jon Michael Hamrick, John Nordmark, and Dylan Swofford were unable to attend the ceremony. Courtesy photo Cleveland Community College’s Apprenticeship Cleveland held its annual gr

Staff reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College has joined other community colleges across the state in partnering with North Carolina State University on the Wolfpack Connect Guaranteed Admission Agreement. The agreement creates a seamless and supportive pathway for CCC students enrolled in eligible academic programs to transfer to NC State and complete their bachelor’s degrees. These students will be able to transition to NC State with guaranteed adm

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Cleveland County Board of Education during their meeting Monday night, Nov. 10, 2025 as they weighed their decisions on the school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent The Cleveland County Schools Board of Education voted in a contested 5-4 ballot Monday evening to approve the Calendar Option A which is a parent and staff favorite, and violates state law. Cleveland County Schools is jus

Staff Reports | PCA Pinnacle Classical Academy's elementary school and middle school are among the best in the state, according to the newly released  U.S. News Best K-8 Schools Rankings  for 2026. Pinnacle Classical Academy's middle school ranks in the top 3% of middle schools in North Carolina (#31 out of 1,362 middle schools). Pinnacle Classical Academy's elementary school ranks in the top 9% (#192 out of 2,142 elementary schools).  Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Rep