Staff Reports | Cleveland County Schools Board of Education Dr. Stephen Fisher's will retire as Superintendent effective July 1, 2026. Courtesy photo SHELBY, NC — In a press release late Friday afternoon, the Cleveland County Board of Education announced the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Fisher, effective July 1, 2026. The statement said: Dr. Fisher is a beloved leader whose unwavering commitment to students, educators, and families has cultivated e

By David Beasley | The Center Square The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) – In-state undergraduates in the UNC System for the first time in nine years will face tuition hikes next year, the Board of Governors said Thursday. The increase, raising average tuition from $4,684 to $4,809, takes effect next year for new students and won’t affect students currently enrolled in the system. The governing board also raised fees by an average of 1%. The board last year said it wo

Staff Reports | Boiling Springs Police Department Leach was charged with Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle. BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The pedestrian hit by a car last week in Boiling Springs has died from his injuries and the driver of the vehicle has been charged. In a new statement released by the Boiling Springs Police Department, they provided an update on the investigation. “A vehicle, operated by 47-year-old female Quantina Leach of Shelby, was traveling North and turni

Staff reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College’s Collision Repair and Refinishing Program is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 Honda Benchmark Award grant from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). This competitive award supports program maintenance and additions that enhance student learning and align with industry needs. “We are grateful for the support from CREF and the Honda Benchmark Award,” said

Staff Reports | Gracie Davis, Congressman Tim Moore's Office U.S. Congressman Tim Moore, NC-14       WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump delivered the State of the Union address Tuesday evening: “Tonight, President Donald J. Trump delivered a powerful message that the State of our Union is strong and getting stronger. Under his leadership, the United States has our economy back on track, renewed re

Staff Reports | Kings Mountain Police Department KMPD officers discovered an indoor marijuana grow operation within the business. KINGS MOUNTAIN – On Feb. 19, 2026, Vice and Criminal Investigators with the Kings Mountain Police Department executed a search warrant at the commercial property known as “Ole Skool Hemp,” located at 243, 245, and 247 S. Battleground Avenue in the downtown area of Kings Mountain. The investigation began after officers received information regardin

Staff Reports Pedestrian struck in Boiling Springs. BOILING SPRINGS – In a statement released Monday afternoon by The Boiling Springs Police Department Chief Brian DiYorio, referenced an incident that occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when a pedestrian was struck by a motorist at the stoplight. The Boiling Springs Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at E College Avenue at S Main Street on Feb. 17 at approximately 3:31pm.   "A vehicle

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

By Annie Dance | WCAB News A deputy takes the suspect into custody. Courtesy photo ELLENBORO – A pig that wandered into a local home was safely taken into custody and later returned to its owner after what deputies called “one of the more unusual calls for service.” “ Not every call is the same… Bacon and Entering suspect taken into custody. On 02/16/2026, our communications center received one of the more unusual calls for service. A pig had made its way inside a home i

Alan Wooten | The Center Square An electric substation with high-voltage power lines and equipment stands in North Carolina. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square (The Center Square) – Six months in, the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force is thinking about tariffs among its identification of nine recommendations. Included is large-load tariffs, says the administration of first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, so that large-load customers like data centers are ensured of

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

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor Courtesy photo The Center Square (The Center Square) – For North Carolina residents struggling to buy homes, it’s not their imagination that prices seem to be going through the roof, according to a newly released study. The state as a whole had an average listing price in North Carolina of about $520,000, which is 20% below the national average of $647,000, the John Locke Foundation study notes. Even so, it can be hard to find

Staff Reports | Press Release by Robert Queen Editor's note: This press release has been published as-is and not altered in any way whatsoever. This is a press release only; this is not an endorsement by The Shelby Independent of any candidates running for elected offices. Read it in its entirety below : As early voting begins Thursday, February 12, voters in Cleveland County have a clear choice: continue moving our schools forward with steady, proven leadership— or allow di

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square Alan Wooten | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Property tax reform options will be examined and recommendations made by a 10-member committee of the Senate in North Carolina. Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, the president pro tempore, chose Appropriations Committee Cochairmen Brent Jackson, R-Sampson, and Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, to lead the group. Policy proposals “to rein in runaway property tax practices being implemented acro

Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Admin Building where the county commissioners meet. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Is the school board political drama spilling over to the county commissioners race? The Shelby Independent could not verify that political drama is contagious because the CDC could not be reached for comment for this question, but in a google search, and it must be noted was not verified by any qualified experts, stated, "The C

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Boiling Springs City Council, with Mayor Tommy Greene third from left. Feb 3, 2026. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Several Town of Boiling Springs Police Officers were sworn in, and promotions were also awarded, Tuesday night at the Boiling Springs Town Council public meeting. A proclamation was also read, honoring former Mayor Bill Elliott, who recently passed away at the age of 95.   The meeti

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

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square A pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution rests on an American flag.  Alan Wooten / The Center Square (The Center Square) – Eighty-nine of 100 counties in North Carolina have America 250 NC committees, and more than $2 million in grants have already been distributed to 74 counties by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The first of multiple signature events begins in three weeks at the First in Freedom Festival. “In 20

Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column OPINION / HUMOR – A while back there were a few teenagers or college kids who were asking people in the parking lot of the grocery store if adults were jealous of young people alive today - it was obviously for a social media thing or whatever. They didn’t ask me but the answer I heard was almost exactly what I was going to say: No . And though the woman didn't expand on her answer, I'm sure what she was thinking was along the same lines as

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