THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

Staff Reports | PCA Pinnacle Classical Academy's elementary school and middle school are among the best in the state, according to the newly released U.S. News Best K-8 Schools Rankings for 2026. Pinnacle Classical Academy's middle school ranks in the top 3% of middle schools in North Carolina (#31 out of 1,362 middle schools). Pinnacle Classical Academy's elementary school ranks in the top 9% (#192 out of 2,142 elementary schools). Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Rep

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College SHELBY — Cleveland Community College congratulates its long-standing partner, Greenheck Group, on receiving the Outstanding Employer Award from the North Carolina Work-Based Learning Association (NCWBLA). The award was presented during the Association’s annual conference held in Asheville on November 6. The Outstanding Employer Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to workbased learning and make a la

Veterans’ Day salute to my pawpaw

Press release | North Carolina State Government via Cleveland County On Nov. 5, the federal government directed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and other states to issue November 2025 Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits at 35% below the maximum allotment levels. This change affects all households receiving FNS (formerly known as SNAP) benefits in North Carolina. What This Means for FNS Recipients" Because of the federal directive, mo

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent courtesy file photo Next year’s school calendar could potentially be decided at the next Cleveland County Schools Board of Education public meeting, Monday, Nov. 10. On the decision block are three different calendars, which vary in start dates, teacher workdays and end of semester before the holiday / winter / Christmas break. Option A, which is the popular choice among parents, violates state law and is considered illegal. A viola

By Annie Dance | From our partners at WCABnews.com Lake Lure Town Commissioners meeting. Courtesy photo | WCABnews.com The long-anticipated restoration of Lake Lure is almost complete, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expected to finish dredging and repair work by November 20. Town officials say the milestone marks a turning point after years of storm recovery and construction that have reshaped the lakefront. Mayor Carol Pritchett announced during the November coun

By David Beasley | From our partners at The Center Square (The Center Square) – A new health insurance program for small businesses in North Carolina was unveiled Tuesday with the promise of lower group rates than are offered by individual policies. The program, called Carolina Healthworks, is described as a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” offered by Blue Cross North Carolina and the North Carolina Chamber. It was authorized by the Legislature and implemented with hel

Staff reports | Cleveland County Arts Council Handmade for the Holidays information The Cleveland County Arts Council welcomes back the Handmade for the Holidays arts and crafts show for 2025. The sale will be open from November 14 through December 23, in the Arts Council gallery located at 111 S. Washington St., Shelby, NC. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4.p.m., December Fridays from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There

Staff Reports | Press Release, Cleveland County Government Cleveland County Finance and Purchasing Team. courtesy photo The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Cleveland County for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This award recognizes governments that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square file photo (The Center Square) – Government operations in North Carolina using only rainy day funds would last 41.5 days, says analysis by the Pew Research Center. The insight said the funds are 11.4% of $3.61 billion in spending. The total days is a decrease of 17.8, fifth most from the previous year. Pew said in October the balance was $3.62 billion. Additionally, first-term Republican state Treasurer Brad Briner told the Carolina Journal

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cribb's debut book, 'Attract Don't Recruit' is filled with valuable information for chambers and nonprofits alike. For anyone that doesn’t know Christine Cribb, they’re missing out. Social networker, public speaker, consultant, Chamber of Commerce extraordinaire, book author, Cribb is anything but dull. In fact, The Shelby Independent just met her Friday and is already a fan of Christine Cribb. “Adrenaline on overload” as she de

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square North Carolina state flag file photo (The Center Square) – Savings of North Carolina taxpayer money over the next eight years is $10.75 million through the sale of limited obligation refunding bonds through an underwriting group led by San Francisco-headquartered Wells Fargo. First-term Republican Treasurer Brad Briner said the average of $1.34 million per year is another in the step of “always looking for ways to make the most of taxpa

Staff Reports Kings Mountain, N.C. – In coordination with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (NC ALE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Kings Mountain Police Department (KMPD) executed a search warrant at a business known as “Lucky Teeters,” located at 402 E. King Street, in connection with an ongoing illegal gambling investigation. In the press release sent out late Thursday afternoon, it stated, "The Kings Mountain Police Department received multiple

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Davis Editors’ note: Marty L. Thomas and Patrick Litton are also candidates for town council; both are running for reelection. On Tuesday, Nov 4., registered municipal voters will cast their votes for the candidate(s) of their choice. Justin Davis, a Boiling Springs native and candidate for Boiling Springs Town Council, is one of those determined few that will find out after the election on Tuesday if he has the honor of serving on t

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Boiling Springs Mayor Daniel Thomas file photo BOILING SPRINGS – Mayor Daniel Thomas presided over his last full public meeting as the Mayor of Boiling Springs Tuesday night. The November meeting for The Town of Boiling Springs was held Tuesday Oct. 28 due to municipal elections next Tuesday, Nov. 4. After the public town meeting business concluded, council members expressed their praise and admiration for Mayor Thomas but electe

From our partners at WCABnews.com | Annie Dance McDowell Paid for by Elect Justin Davis campaign Jaquan Nijah McDowell, 18, of Shelby, was arrested on Oct. 25 for alleged attempted first-degree murder, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Detention Center. According to the court filing reviewed by WCAB News, McDowell is accused of "unlawfully, willfully, and with malice aforethought attempting to kill Brian Spurling." McDowell has waived his right to a perso

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent From left, Boiling Springs Police Chief Brian DiYorio, City of Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser and Capt. Scott Brown at Tuesday night's meet and greet in Boiling Springs. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent BOILING SPRINGS – You may not know the name Brian DiYorio yet, but give it time. On Tuesday, Oct. 28, The Town of Boiling Springs held a drop-in meet and greet for their new Chief of Police, Brian DiYorio. The Town Hall lobby was

Press release | Cleveland County Gov. SHELBY — The United States Department of Agriculture has ordered a pause on all November SNAP benefits until further notice due to the federal government shutdown. Unless the USDA lifts their suspension in the coming days, November SNAP benefits will not be issued. The NC Department of Health and Human Services is ready to act quickly should the USDA allow North Carolina to resume November SNAP benefits. You can still use your EBT card an

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Moore praised the Boy Scouts from Matthews who were traveling through Cleveland County on their way to Camp Grimes when they saw flames coming from the side of Cavalry's Cross Church. Courtesy photo In his weekly newsletter, U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, 14th Congressional District, which includes Cleveland County, lauded the quick reaction of boy scouts traveling through Upper Cleveland on their way to Camp Grimes. The teenagers saw flames

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Blue Crew LEMC Donnie Chapman, Sergeant Mike Lovelace, Deputy Jesse Hollifield, K-9 Deputy Mike Lawrence and his partner K9 Karma, Deputy Alex Granados, Deputy Ryan Jones and V. Pres. Chris Ledbetter at the fundraising event on Saturday. Courtesy photo | Blue Crew LEMC. Cameron Todd Bridal & Formalwear JB Drone Solutions Blue Crew Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (L.E.M.C.) held their first Paws for Laws fundraiser ride through Cleve