THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Jackson CRIME — Investigators with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by patrol deputies, located and arrested a suspect wanted in connection with multiple felony fraud offenses. On Sept. 1, 2026, investigators received information that a vehicle associated with John Clay Jackson had returned to Cleveland County. Jackson was previously identified as a suspect in multiple incidents involving an individual represent

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Shelby police Chief Brad Fraser with some of the dedicated officers of The Shelby Police Department | Photo by Chuck Thompson Shelby City Park – Once again, the rain showed up for National Night Out as it did last year, but that didn't keep first responders and families away from the fun at The Shelby City Park. Less than perfect weather caused vendor and organization booths to be moved indoors, but the rain dwindled to a sprinkle

Staff reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at approximately 4:26 p.m., deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a firearm being discharged in the area of 211 Boyles Rd. in Lawndale. Upon arrival, deputies located an individual lying unresponsive in the front yard of the residence with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the upper chest. Deputies immediately began lifesaving measures while awaiting the arr

Making a difference one tip at a time By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Crime Stoppers Board poses for a photo after their July meeting. | Chuck Thompson CRIME / FEATURE – Rebooted in 2022 after a dormant period of several years in Cleveland County, Crime Stoppers has been making a difference across the county by encouraging people to call in tips that lead to arrests, making the streets safer for residents across all four corners of Cleveland Count

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office File crime | The Shelby Independent CRIME — The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division executed a search warrant on May 14, 2026, concluding a months-long investigation into a residence at 130 Shady Ln. in Mooresboro, NC. The operation resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics and weapons, leading to the arrest of Stephanie Walton. Authorities recovered a variety of controlled substances and firearms during th

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Crest fb page public courtesy photo CREST HIGH SCHOOL – A potential gunman at a school or a tornado; either one would frighten students, teachers and parents alike, but for both to happen at the same time, is both scary and yet a sigh of relief, once it was discovered the incident at Crest was a false alarm. As the skies swirled above southwest Cleveland County, an active shooter alert sounded in the classrooms at Crest High Scho

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 2247-B Flint Hill Church Road. Courtesy photo CCSO. (NEAR) BOILING SPRINGS – Several arrests were made and an alleged drug house was shut down after the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant following an extensive narcotics investigation on Tuesday. On March 10, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office executed a sea

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Law enforcement volunteers and 17 local kids participated in shop with a cop on Friday. Courtesy photo, BSPD (For photos from 'Shop with a Cop' event, scroll to the end of the news story) BOILING SPRINGS – The annual Shop with a Cop was held the past Friday in Cleveland County, with kids and law enforcement officers from across the county. The happy faces of kids and cops gathered at The Boiling Springs Town Hall before rolling out

Staff reports | The Shelby Independent Courtesy photo from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office On Wednesday, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division executed a search warrant at 415 Claxton Drive, Shelby, in response to a drug complaint and outstanding warrants. During the Thanksgiving Eve operation, investigators located illegal narcotics and firearms inside the residence. Four individuals were taken into custody. Kimberly Gardner, 46, of the address, wa

Staff reports The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office announced today a sweeping action, which resulted in the arrest of almost a dozen people for theft and destruction of copper wire and fiber optic cable across multiple jurisdictions. This action was taken in collaboration with the Gaston County Police Department after several months of investigation. Between August 2025 and November 2025, law enforcement personnel responded to a series of thefts spanning multiple counties, i

stock photo Monday night, around 10:55 p.m., Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded to 138 Mallard Dr. regarding a suspicious person call. The Sheriff's office released a statement on the incident Tuesday afternoon. According to official reports, the homeowner went outside after noticing lights on in an adjacent house under renovation. The homeowner was aware that lights shouldn’t be on and suspected a breaking and entering. After stepping outside he saw a male wearing