THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent See the Boiling Springs parade photos below article Santa on the left and Town Manager Zach Parker and Mayor Tommy Greene, right, flank the sides of the Boiling Springs Christmas tree after the lighting ceremony Saturday night. Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent (parade photos below article) The Boiling Springs Christmas parade was fun for everyone, as residents, college students and some from across the county, gathered

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Sheriff's Office A major multi-agency investigation involving Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and Gastonia Police Department has resulted in the disruption of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating from Dallas, Texas to Gastonia, North Carolina. The combined efforts of these agencies led to the seizure of 44 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $2.6 million on the street. T

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Commissioners' meeting December 2025 before call to order. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent The County Commissioners’ meeting was short and thoughtful, wrapping up the year by tabling a zoning request until January and the commissioners praising county staff for their dedicated efforts in 2025. County Commissioner Kevin Gordon was reappointed by the board to serve as Chairman and Commissioner Deb Hardin was

Staff reports | The Shelby Independent A Cleveland County man is behind bars in Gaston County after assaulting a Cherryville police officer; drugs and a concealed weapon were also in his possession, according to reports. Wednesday evening, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers with the Cherryville Police Department responded to a reported civil disturbance at Ronald's Grill, located at 604 W. Church Street, Cherryville, NC. When officers arrived, they encountered three people

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent Monica Dellinger with Madison Gettys. Courtesy photo | PCA The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced that Madison Gettys, a senior at Pinnacle Classical Academy, has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Monica Dellinger, the school's Dean of Secondary Education, presented a letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts t

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

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent In an exclusive local interview, Congressman Tim Moore, of the 14 District, spoke with the Shelby Independent, discussing issues that affect both the district (especially Cleveland County) and the entire nation. From the the topic of the government shutdown, to the murder of Iryna Zarutska, holding judges and magistrates accountable for allowing violent repeat offenders back on the streets – an issue that can affect any of us here in

By Gabe Whisnant | Special to The Shelby Independent The Historic Mount Harmony Church, located at 131 Mount Harmony Church Rd in Polkville, will hold its annual Christmas Harp Concert on Sunday, November 30, at 3 p.m. Courtesy photo Mount Harmony Church The Historic Mount Harmony Church will hold its annual Christmas Harp Concert on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m. Worshipers are invited to come early and fellowship. Polkville native Lelia Lattimore will be playing the orchestr

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks at the Department of Agriculture in Washington on June 12, 2025. Photo: Tom Witham / U.S. Department of Agriculture via Flickr (The Center Square) – North Carolinians receiving food assistance benefits from the federal government are yet to learn when and how their reapplication process will work. Or, according to a published report Thursday, if they even will have to reapply. In the interim

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 (The Center Square) – Transportation energy costs for the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians are rising as much as 10 cents in the past month with Thanksgiving travel about to begin. Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and Dec. 1, the time defined by the American

Staff reports | Atrium Health submitted photo More than 30 Atrium Health Cleveland and Atrium Health Kings Mountain teammates volunteered at Washington Outreach Ministry’s drive-thru food pantry event in Shelby earlier this month. The health care professionals — including doctors, nurses and hospital leaders — worked side-by-side with food pantry staffers to combat hunger in Cleveland County. Atrium Health teammates unloaded food trucks, organized donated items and handed out

By David Beasley | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Charlotte has landed its second new corporate headquarters in less than a week, thanks in part to taxpayer incentives. Couple with incentives from North Carolina's Queen City and Mecklenburg County, Danish global logistics company Maersk is in line for up to $9.8 million in taxpayer subsidies. A state board on Tuesday approved $7.9 million in state grants. Maersk plans to invest $16 million to make Charlotte its North

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Josh Queen, standing, shows a video explaining Community Connect, while Chairman Kevin Gordon and Commissioner Deb Hardin watch. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Imagine EMS or the fire department arriving to your home for an emergency, they know your security gate code, alarm system code to your house, how many people reside in the home, dogs, cats and even where hazardous materials such as gasoline or spray paint canisters ar

Staff Reports McClain The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault involving a firearm and possible kidnapping call on Friday, November 14, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m. at 130 Mariner Drive in Kings Mountain. Deputies were dispatched after receiving a 911 call involving a firearm at the residence. Upon arrival, deputies heard a gunshot fired from inside the home. Deputies made entry and discovered that the suspect, Theodore Angelo McClain, had barric

By Lauren Becatti | The Shelby Independent From left, Bailey, Stella, Jada, Charlette, Sara, Addi, Morgan, Sandy and Kaitlyn of Center City, formerly Hats Off Salon. Submitted courtesy photo To celebrate Charlette Terry's purchase and rebranding of Center City Salon (formerly Hats Off Salon), there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. The staff will be present for a meet-and-greet, and there will also be vendors present, along with refreshments and a

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Crime Stoppers Board Member Cheryl Yates assists Michael and Katina with their BBQ order Saturday afternoon. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent For anyone that says crime solving and BBQ doesn’t go hand-in-hand must have missed out on Crime Stoppers BBQ fundraiser. On Saturday, Cleveland County Crime Stoppers, in association with Black Hat BBQ, at First Presbyterian Church in Uptown Shelby, held their first ever sold-out BBQ pl

By David Beasley | The Center Square The North Carolina state flag is shown flying against a blue sky. Photo: Mark Stebnicki (The Center Square) – With 2025 drawing to a close, the North Carolina Legislature still hasn’t approved a state budget, making it only the state in the nation without a full budget for fiscal 2026, according to the National Association of State Budget officers. This year may seem unusual, but in recent years, operating without an approved budget has b

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent file photo A knife assault on Seattle Street has left one woman dead and a suspect behind bars. In a statement released by the Shelby Police Department, it states, that Saturday morning, Nov. 15, at approximately 6:00 a.m., the Shelby Police Department responded to a report of an assault in the 400 block of Seattle Street. Upon arrival, officers located a female lying in the roadway in front of 401 Seattle Street, suffering from appa

Staff reports | Cleveland County Government File photo courtesy Cleveland County Gov. SHELBY – Cleveland County Animal Services will host a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon at the Cleveland County Health Department, located at 200 S. Post Road in Shelby. This community event is designed to help residents protect their pets and comply with North Carolina’s rabies vaccination requirements. The clinic is free for Cleveland County reside

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