THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent All CCS Board members unexpectedly raise their hands to vote 9-0 to the Marion Resolution presented Monday night. | CCS YouTube photo still Cleveland County Schools – It was a quiet uneventful vote Monday night, as the Cleveland County Schools voted on the resolution to move forward with the bid process to accept Jerry Allen’s bid on Marion School property. Unlike meetings in the past regarding Marion, it was a calm process, with

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Board of election workers work the day away during the recount Wednesday afternoon. | Chuck Thompson A primary recount was held Wednesday for the Cleveland County Schools Board of Education candidate Shelia Canipe, who made the request after the March 3 primary, where she trailed incumbent Vice-Chair Aaron Bridges by only 48 votes. Canipe requested the recount on the Monday after Canvas; she had to file the request in writing. No

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Some candidates watched the results at The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Dept. Tuesday night. Top vote-getters, Danny Blanton speaks to Republican primary commissioner winner Wayne King, March 3, 2026. file photo. Caroline Eason, July 2025. Shelby Independent. This news story has been updated to include Eason’s comments. SHELBY – Of the 68,699 registered voters in Cleveland County, 11,806 (17%) participated in an unbelievably historic ha

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Aaron Bridges 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 name Bridges, Aaron Bridges will be referred to by his first name, as the customary way of referring to the subject of a print interview is to use their last name). Aaron currently sits on the Cleveland County Board of Education and serves as the vic

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

“My position is not about politics; it is about ensuring that our students, staff, and teachers have a safe and nurturing place to grow.”