THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Denise Steffen walks away from the podium after addressing the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Screenshot of livestream public video Editor’s note: At the beginning of April 2026 The Shelby Independent published a news story on the firing of the county finance director by the county manager. Publishing the contents of a public record, such as a government employee's termination letter, is not sl

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square Media by Wix EDUCATION – Three community colleges in North Carolina used a portion of $1.25 million for Hurricane Helene mental health funds for birdwatching, succulents and rhinoceros-shaped stress balls. Blue Ridge Community College, Gaston College nor Wilkes Community College provided the Office of State Auditor with documents explaining how the expenditures qualified to be charged to hurricane-related expanded mental health support fund