By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. If you haven’t heard of Ronnie Grigg, at least recently, then you’re possibly hiding under a rock or have just avoided all the political drama as long as possible. Grigg, an

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects Eason’s statements and positions during the original interview. Election information has been updated to reflect the results of the March 3 Republican primary. The reporter for this article does not live in the 110th NC House District. Caroline Eason is

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. Aaron Bridges is the youngest Republican currently on the school board and the second-youngest Republican candidate currently running. (Since two candidates have the last nam

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Photo by Chuck Thompson Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. I don’t know if Hell hath frozen over (it was much colder on Monday), but Danny Blanton agreed to sit down with The Shelby Independent to talk about h

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent POLITICS / EDUCATION – Dr. Jenny White does not describe herself as a politician; that is one of the first things she wants voters to understand. White, a retired teacher, coach and administrator with three decades of experience in North Carolina public education, is making her first run for elected office as a Democrat seeking a seat on the Cleveland County Board of Education. For White, the decision to run comes less from a desire

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Daniel Thomas addresses the Boiling Springs Town Council Oct 6, 2026. | Chuck Thompson BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Former Boiling Springs Mayor Daniel Thomas complimented the town’s leadership and defended its long-term planning during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, acknowledging residents’ concerns over rising water bills while arguing that maintaining aging infrastructure comes at a cost. Thomas, who served on the Town Council fro

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square A vehicle is refueled at a gas pump as evening light reflects off its surface. | Alan Wooten / The Center Square Affects local / State – North Carolinians and others filling up at the state’s pumps for gasoline and diesel fuel are getting a break on the 41 cents per gallon tax. Effective immediately through Nov. 30, Relief at the Pump (House Bill 3 of first extra session) was signed into law on Friday by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein

By Dustin Turner | Cleveland County Agricultural Fair | Press Release Cleveland County Fair — The Southern Steel Demolition Derby brings metal crunching, engine-roaring excitement to the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair for one night only. Be sure to catch the powerful collisions, battered cars, and nonstop thrills as drivers battle to be the last car running. The family-friendly, action-packed derby begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.10. Demolition derby tickets are $8 for

Press Release | Gabriel Thomas, Communications Specialist, City of Kings Mountain and Lance Hamrick, Asst. Chief, Kings Mountain Police Department | Cleveland County Schools Kings Mountain, N.C. — At approximately 1:37 p.m. today, the Kings Mountain Police Department (KMPD) received an initial report of a bomb threat directed toward Kings Mountain High School. Upon arrival at Kings Mountain High School, KMPD began evacuating students to the school's football field while law e

Dustin Turner | Cleveland County Fair | Press release Bailey Jackson stands next to her community mural at the Fair. | Courtesy photo. CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIR – Shelby resident Bailey Jackson is leaving her mark at this year’s 102nd Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. “I saw the Facebook post looking for someone to do a mural at the fair, and I just love the fair,” she said. “I’ve been going since I was a kid. I'm volunteering this year anyway, so I jumped at the chance.” As th

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Dr. Chris Bennett speaks from the podium as the Board of Education listens, with Gloria Sherman and Kenneth Ledford pictured. | Chuck Thompson EDUCATION – In a special called 11 a.m. meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, the Cleveland County Board of Education voted 6-3 to hire Dr. Chris Bennett as the new permanent CCS Superintendent. After Chairman Joel Shores called the meeting to order and asked for a motion, Board Member Ron Humphr

By Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column | Opinion OPINION – There are some topics that should never be a Sunday Column. Common sense, for instance, that should just be a given. And also, pedestrian accidents at the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. This is the 102nd year. It’s one of those things that says fall has officially arrived in Cleveland County. I like the Fair. The rides, the food, livestock, people you haven’t seen since last year’s fair and, of course, the

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Chief Brian DiYorio, Boiling Springs Police Department, standing in front of the town's mural. | Photo by: Officer Talley BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – On Oct 1, 2026, Brian DiYorio, 39, celebrated his first anniversary as Chief of the Boiling Springs, N.C., Police Department. The Shelby Independent sat down with Chief DiYorio for a one-on-one interview, looking back at the past year, some of the highlights and changes, and also toward the

By Staff Reports | Earl Scruggs Music Center Host Nicholas Edward Williams of American Songcatcher and Guest Leah Song of Rising Appalachia. | Photo by Justin Forrest SHELBY, N.C. — The Earl Scruggs Center welcomed a live audience on Thursday, Sept. 24, for the inaugural recording of Roots Music Revue, a new live radio program celebrating the music, history and stories of the Southern Appalachian region. Presented in partnership by American Songcatcher, the Earl Scruggs Cente

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square Protect College Sports Act of 2026, known also as Senate Bill 4663, passed 77-22 Monday evening and next gets a stop at the House of Representatives. | file photo COLLEGIATE SPORTS — Regulation of college sports, potentially corralling a volatile period of amateur athletes zooming forward with multi-million dollar deals and major conferences expanding their footprints as valued TV properties, includes the support of both North Carolinians in

By Lauren Becatti | Opinion Gardner-Webb stidnets gather for a photo with the President of Finland(center). From left, Dr. Rennie, General Rudd, Maverick, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Marisol, Molly, Bethany, Allie, Hilda. | photo by Dr. Richard Routh. From left, Marisol, Molly, Bethany, Allie, Hilda and Lauren. | photo by Dr. Richard Routh. Seven Gardner-Webb University students, including myself, had the honor of meeting the 13th President of Finland, Alexander Stu

By Daria McGinnis | Cleveland County Arts Council Parking is convenient and free. Admission is $10.00, with those 17 and under being free. SHELBY, N.C. – The Carolina Pottery Festival returns for its 26th year on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LeGrand Center, 1800 E. Marion St. in Shelby, NC. This pottery festival attracts crowds of pottery lovers with over 45 well-known regional potters showing and selling their work. It is one of the largest “potte

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Customer Roger Randall smiles from the backseat of a 4-Passenger Club Car in the Allison Golf Cars showroom, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Chuck Thompson Boiling Springs, N.C. – People gathered while music played and hot dogs sizzled on the grill this past Saturday, for the Club Car open House at Allison Golf Cars. Their golf cars are everywhere. From driveways to fairways, concerts to corporate events, since 2009 Allison Golf Cars

Cleveland County Agricultural Fair Returns Oct. 1-11, 2026 By Dustin Turner | Staff Reports | Cleveland County Fair The iconic Ferris Wheel scene from the 2025 Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. | Chuck Thompson Cleveland County Fairgrounds / SHELBY, N.C. – Fairgoers can enjoy a full day of unlimited rides for just $25 at the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. Discounted ride bands are available now at SeeItInShelby.com and may be used any one day during the fair’s Oct.

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square Michael Whatley, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, left, and Roy Cooper, former North Carolina governor and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, right. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 4.0, NCDOTcommunications POLITICS – With apologies to Mark Twain, the reported campaign death of Republican Michael Whatley from lack of ongoing cash from