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Local education news and updates you want to know.


Crest Middle sends letter to parents, Sheriff's Office further explains Wednesday's incident
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
Chuck Thompson
2 days ago


Where's the money? Lottery revenues up $3B over 3 years, percentage to schools declines
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

Alan Wooten
Dec 29, 2025


TOP 10 NEWS STORIES OF 2025
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
Chuck Thompson
Dec 29, 2025


Cleveland Community College announces fall honor rolls
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

Staff Reports
Dec 19, 2025


The hardest game you'll ever play is life itself - Keep winning after football
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
Chuck Thompson
Dec 14, 2025


School board tables Marion, questions arise as to why
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
Chuck Thompson
Dec 9, 2025


CCC announces new nights / weekends LPN-to-ADN program
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
Dec 2, 2025


PCA student named National Merit Scholarship Commended Student
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
Nov 28, 2025


Apprenticeship Cleveland celebrates graduates, welcomes new apprentices
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
Nov 26, 2025


CCC Joins Wolfpack Connect
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

Staff Reports
Nov 17, 2025


CCS Board of Education bucks state calendar law, picks parental favorite
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
Chuck Thompson
Nov 11, 2025


Pinnacle Classical Academy excels in U.S. News elementary, middle school rankings
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

Staff Reports
Nov 10, 2025


Greenheck Group honored for workforce partnership with Cleveland Community College
Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College SHELBY — Cleveland Community College congratulates its long-standing partner, Greenheck Group, on receiving the Outstanding Employer Award from the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association (NCWBLA). The award was presented during the Association’s annual conference held in Asheville on November 6. The Outstanding Employer Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to workbased learning and make a la

Staff Reports
Nov 10, 2025


CCS Board of Ed. to vote on next year's calendar Monday night
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent courtesy file photo Next year’s school calendar could potentially be decided at the next Cleveland County Schools Board of Education public meeting, Monday, Nov. 10. On the decision block are three different calendars, which vary in start dates, teacher workdays and end of semester before the holiday / winter / Christmas break. Option A, which is the popular choice among parents, violates state law and is considered illegal. A viola
Chuck Thompson
Nov 6, 2025


Board votes to move forward with sale of Marion Elementary
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent CCS Board members pictured, from left, Walter Spurling, Danny Blanton, Ron Humphries, Joel Shores, Aaron Bridges and Ronnie Grigg. Not pictured, David Fisher, Gloria Sherman and Kenneth Ledford. Editor’s note: Read carefully. This is only a report of what transpired during the meeting and not to sway anyone to agree or disagree, but to present you with the facts and let you decide for yourself. Ultimately, it was stated that the mone
Chuck Thompson
Oct 22, 2025


Morning crash involving school bus in Lawndale still under investigation
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent A morning school bus accident in Lawndale could have been much worse. Trooper A.J. Osmer responded to the call Friday, at 7:24 a.m., not knowing what to expect when he arrived. Luckily all the children were okay. The school bus was traveling west on E Main St / Stage Coach Trail, in Lawndale, when a red Hyundai Sonata traveling east crossed the center line and struck the school bus head-on. (continued below) There were no reports of
Chuck Thompson
Oct 17, 2025


Crest FFA plows competition at state
Crest High School FFA Veterinary Science CDE Team earned recognition as first place team in the southwest region at the NC FFA State Competition this past Saturday at Lee County High School.

Staff Reports
Sep 17, 2025


Awards banquet for CCS; Burns sweeps admin awards, teacher of the year goes to elementary teacher
The annual event was held Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, at the Venue at Turkey Ridge.

Staff Reports
Sep 10, 2025


Schools recognized for achievements at CCS meeting
‘Great Schools don’t happen by accident’ was the de facto theme of Monday night’s Cleveland County School Board meeting.
Chuck Thompson
Sep 9, 2025


Post 82 to hold annual oratorical contest
Participants will give an 8 to 10 minute original speech on any aspect of the U.S. Constitution they choose. Then present a 3 to 5 minute oration on a pre-selected topic.

Staff Reports
Sep 8, 2025
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