THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Rod Powell | Guest Opinion OPINION — A young couple trying to buy their first home in Cleveland County already has plenty working against them. Home prices are high. Interest rates are high. Insurance isn't cheap, and saving enough for a down payment can take years. Then they finally find a modest house they can afford and discover they're competing against a large investment company with cash ready to go. That's happening in North Carolina. Around Charlotte, corporate inv

By Rod Powell | Special Guest Opinion OPINION — A while back somebody asked me why I spend so much time at farmers markets, food pantries, community events, and little gatherings around Cleveland County. The answer was pretty simple. That’s where I find out what’s really going on. I taught history and civics for thirty years, and one thing I learned a long time ago is that you can learn a lot more by listening than by talking. Some of the best lessons I ever got didn’t c

By Wayne King | Guest Opinion OPINION — The debate over funding for Cleveland County Schools should not end with the adoption of the county budget. In fact, North Carolina law provides the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners with the authority to revisit and amend the budget if they determine changes are necessary. North Carolina General Statute § 159-15 states that, "Except as otherwise restricted by law, the governing board may amend the budget ordinance at any time aft

By Wes Westmoreland | The Sunday Column Wes Westmoreland | The Sunday Column The Sunday Column – There may be nothing that swells the heart with a greater feeling of patriotism and pride than the Stars and Stripes. Immortalized in song and memory, will anyone forget the emotion brought on by the display of flags on September 12, 2001, the sound of the “Stars and Stripes Forever”, or standing for our National Anthem? Some generations ago, the flag that brought about similar pa

By Sara Triplett | The Sunday Column | Special to The Shelby Independent OPINION / HUMOR – Time is a funny thing. It’s not like actually funny, but it’s one of those things you can wish away, beg to stay, try and pass, try to pause, seems to fly, all while standing by. And every year, without fail, there is a day when the world suddenly feels a little more generous. That day, of course, is the return of Daylight Saving Time, and in my opinion, the most underrated, unofficial,

By Ron Humphries | Guest Opinion Humphries North Carolina's school calendar law, established in 2004, required public schools to start the academic year no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. The original aim was to support tourism in the coastal counties. However, as time has passed, it has generated much debate about its adverse effects on education and community needs across the state, particularly in economically challenged rural counties with greater workforce

By Jimmy Boheler | guest opinion Recently, while filming in my hometown of Kings Mountain, I was told it was not a good idea for me to fly my drone in a certain area. As a licensed and responsible drone operator who follows FAA safety guidelines, I could not help but wonder why. The area was safe, open, and completely legal to fly in as long as I was not flying directly over people. That moment made me stop and think about something bigger than just a flight. Why are some of