The Arts Council’s largest fundraiser is back on Jan. 31 Staff reports | Cleveland County Arts Council The Cleveland County Arts Council proudly presents the 2026 Big Chill Casino Night and Silent Disco! Tickets are $125 per person, and the event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Cleveland Country Club, located at 1360 E. Marion St., Shelby, N.C. Join in on the fun and games including black jack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold 'em, and a poker tournament.

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 | The Shelby Independent, press release The Spy and the lady of the Night by J. Charles Thompson (kindle edition book cover) click or tap on the photo to go directly to the link SHELBY / WILMINGTON, N.C .  – A murder, a mysterious woman, a young private detective back from the Pacific Front, a newspaper reporter with a strong southern drawl – What do all these characters have in common? They’re part of a new novel written by J. Charles Thompson, set in 1944 W

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent See the Boiling Springs parade photos below article Santa on the left and Town Manager Zach Parker and Mayor Tommy Greene, right, flank the sides of the Boiling Springs Christmas tree after the lighting ceremony Saturday night. Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent (parade photos below article) The Boiling Springs Christmas parade was fun for everyone, as residents, college students and some from across the county, gathered

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent Cleveland Community College plans to launch a new Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program to help meet the growing need for skilled laboratory professionals in our region. Pending approval by the North Carolina Community College System and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CCC plans to begin offering courses in fall 2026. The associate degree program will complement CCC’s existing heal

Staff reports | Cleveland County Arts Council Handmade for the Holidays information The Cleveland County Arts Council welcomes back the Handmade for the Holidays arts and crafts show for 2025. The sale will be open from November 14 through December 23, in the Arts Council gallery located at 111 S. Washington St., Shelby, NC. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4.p.m., December Fridays from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There

Staff Reports The Casar Halloween Bash will be held in Casar Park this Saturday Looking for something to do that is fun for the whole family this Saturday evening? Casar will host its Halloween Bash this Saturday, from 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Casar Park. There will be a costume contest, trunk or treat, hay ride, games, bounce house and more. Also, it's important to note that officials said there will be no flashing lights for those who have sensory issues. Go have a spooky good

stock photo The Carolina Pottery Festival returns for its 25 th year on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the LeGrand Center, in Shelby. The festival attracts crowds of over 1,000 pottery lovers with close to 100 well-known regional potters showing and selling their work. It is one of the largest “pottery only” festivals in the southeast with a wide range of traditional and contemporary work that is functional, decorative and sculptural. Artists will be available to talk about their ins

By Lauren Becatti | The Shelby Independent Dog park users can access the new park through the Harmony Trail entrance photos courtesy...

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent 'the Beast' throws riders up in the air, hanging upside down over the weekend at The Cleveland...

Journalism's new era of online news faces off across the lunch table at Pleasant Mart Cleveland County News' Facebook page. Editor's note:...

The Cleveland County Arts Council has announced the upcoming exhibit Walker Fine Art , featuring the works of father-and-son artist duo,...

SHELBY — Since 1924, the Cleveland County Fair has brought families together to celebrate agriculture, community and fun. With livestock...

Less than perfect weather caused vender and organization booths to be moved indoors, but the rain dwindled to a sprinkle long enough for families to check out various local county vehicles on display out front of the main entrance.

Even if you haven’t listened to the podcast, you’ve probably heard about it.

There’s a generation of young adults that have been brainwashed into thinking ‘local news’ means gossip and hearsay from people on social media that have self-appointed themselves as “journalists” without the proper background of experience through training, education and legal practice.