THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Politics — Early voting got off to a strong start in Cleveland County, with 3,199 ballots cast during the first two days of voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. According to figures reported by the Cleveland County Board of Elections, 1,619 voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting Thursday, Oct. 15, followed by another 1,580 on Friday, Oct. 16. The combined total after two days reached 3,199. The figures offer an

Robert Queen seeks return to Cleveland County school board after being voted out during the last election. By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Robert Queen is seeking another term on the Cleveland County Board of Education, hoping voters will give him an opportunity to return to a school board where he once served as a member and chairman. Queen, a Crest High School graduate who earned a degree from N.C. State University in 1989, said he wants to build on the work acco

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published on November 25, 2025, and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the statements and positions expressed during the original interview in November 2025. In an exclusive local interview, Congressman Tim Moore, of the 14th District, spoke with The Shelby Independent, discussing issues that affect both the district (

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. If you haven’t heard of Ronnie Grigg, at least recently, then you’re possibly hiding under a rock or have just avoided all the political drama as long as possible. Grigg, an

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects Eason’s statements and positions during the original interview. Election information has been updated to reflect the results of the March 3 Republican primary. The reporter for this article does not live in the 110th NC House District. Caroline Eason is

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. Aaron Bridges is the youngest Republican currently on the school board and the second-youngest Republican candidate currently running. (Since two candidates have the last nam

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Photo by Chuck Thompson Editor’s Note: This Facing the Voters feature was originally published in February 2026 and is being republished ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. The article reflects the candidate’s statements and positions at the time of the original interview. I don’t know if Hell hath frozen over (it was much colder on Monday), but Danny Blanton agreed to sit down with The Shelby Independent to talk about h

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Daniel Thomas addresses the Boiling Springs Town Council Oct 6, 2026. | Chuck Thompson BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Former Boiling Springs Mayor Daniel Thomas complimented the town’s leadership and defended its long-term planning during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, acknowledging residents’ concerns over rising water bills while arguing that maintaining aging infrastructure comes at a cost. Thomas, who served on the Town Council fro

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 Affects local / State – North Carolinians and others filling up at the state’s pumps for gasoline and diesel fuel are getting a break on the 41 cents per gallon tax. Effective immediately through Nov. 30, Relief at the Pump (House Bill 3 of first extra session) was signed into law on Friday by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein

By Dustin Turner | Cleveland County Agricultural Fair | Press Release Cleveland County Fair — The Southern Steel Demolition Derby brings metal crunching, engine-roaring excitement to the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair for one night only. Be sure to catch the powerful collisions, battered cars, and nonstop thrills as drivers battle to be the last car running. The family-friendly, action-packed derby begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.10. Demolition derby tickets are $8 for

Press Release | Gabriel Thomas, Communications Specialist, City of Kings Mountain and Lance Hamrick, Asst. Chief, Kings Mountain Police Department | Cleveland County Schools Kings Mountain, N.C. — At approximately 1:37 p.m. today, the Kings Mountain Police Department (KMPD) received an initial report of a bomb threat directed toward Kings Mountain High School. Upon arrival at Kings Mountain High School, KMPD began evacuating students to the school's football field while law e

Dustin Turner | Cleveland County Fair | Press release Bailey Jackson stands next to her community mural at the Fair. | Courtesy photo. CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIR – Shelby resident Bailey Jackson is leaving her mark at this year’s 102nd Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. “I saw the Facebook post looking for someone to do a mural at the fair, and I just love the fair,” she said. “I’ve been going since I was a kid. I'm volunteering this year anyway, so I jumped at the chance.” As th

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Customer Roger Randall smiles from the backseat of a 4-Passenger Club Car in the Allison Golf Cars showroom, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Chuck Thompson Boiling Springs, N.C. – People gathered while music played and hot dogs sizzled on the grill this past Saturday, for the Club Car open House at Allison Golf Cars. Their golf cars are everywhere. From driveways to fairways, concerts to corporate events, since 2009 Allison Golf Cars

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent From left, Rev. Anita Ware, Bishop Carolyn Briggs, the Rev. Jamaal Edwards, Council Member Andrew Hopper, Sr., City of Shelby Manager Justin Merritt and Council Member the Rev. Dr. Charles Webber applaud the unveiling of the markers Saturday morning, Sept. 19, 2026. | Chuck Thompson SHELBY / SUNSET CEMETERY – “We remember all those people who may not have a grave marker… today we remember them and we will continue to honor them thr

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent OPINION / HUMOR — I think we have forgotten how to be bored. Not “I’m bored because there is nothing good to watch on 10 different streaming services” bored. I’m talking about the old-fashioned kind of bored. The kind where you sit there staring at a wall and actually contemplate why the wall is that specific weird color. The kind of bored where you look around the room hoping something—anything—will happen. The kind of bored where

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent President Donald Trump, in red cap, standing under NC state flag, greets those in attendance as he enters the stage at the 'Make America Safe Again' event at the Gastonia Airport on Wednesday. | Chuck Thompson A wider view of the event while President Trump speaks from the podium as the sun sets in the distance. | Chuck Thompson Local, State and National / GASTONIA - President Trump showed up in Gastonia on Wednesday to campaign

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Board of Commissioners in public session, Sept 15, 2026. | County video feed screenshot Government and Education — At Tuesday evening’s September public meeting, the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners restored the $500,000 originally pulled from Cleveland County Schools in the FY2026-27 County Budget. Never mentioned, but buried in the consent agenda, Chairman of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners sai

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square file graphic | The Shelby Independent State / Affects Local – Twenty years since launch with four scratch-off instant games, the North Carolina Education Lottery and its policy objective have reached a new crossroads courtesy of online slot machine gaming offering an 87% payout rate. In a performance audit report from first-term Republican state Auditor Dave Boliek, he and his staff have recommended the Republican majority chambers of the Ge

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College N. Post Road entrance. BUSINESS / EDUCATION — Cleveland Community College, as part of the Cleveland County NCWorks team, has been supporting the workers affected by the layoffs at Electric Glass Fiber America/NEG as part of the state workforce system’s “Rapid Response” program. The company filed what is generally called a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice with the state on July

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser shakes hands with District Director for U.S. Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) as Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman looks at the American Flag presented to him that flew over the Nation's Capitol. Sept 1. 2026. | Chuck Thompson Boiling Springs Police Chief Brian DiYorio and Sgt. Chris Williams at the appreciation lunch Sept. 1, 2026. | Chuck Thompson Feature Story / CLEVELAND COUNTY — It was a