THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

Staff Reports Cleveland Community College and East Carolina University have strengthened educational pathways for students in Cleveland County with a new transfer agreement signed January 28 in ECU’s Science and Technology Building. The signing cemented a partnership between the two colleges that guarantees admission to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program for qualified CCC graduates. That point appealed to Dr. Jason Hurst, president of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Brandon Bridges Brandon Bridges, 36, is running for school board . I sat across the table from him at a café, as he explained why he was running for the Cleveland County Board of Education. “I think I can make a difference,” he said as he chowed down on some French fries, relaxed, personable, answering any question thrown at him. It may not be the answer you agree with, but he didn’t hesitate in having a response. (Since two candidat

By Annie Dance | WCAB News State Auditor Dave Boliek  announced  the creation of the Modernization of Election Data Systems (MEDS) Commission on Feb. 5, a bipartisan 22-member panel aimed at guiding efforts to update North Carolina’s election management system. The commission will advise on the three-phase modernization of the Statewide Elections Information Management System (SEIMS), which is managed by the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The Office of the State Au

Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Cleveland County Admin Building where the county commissioners meet. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Is the school board political drama spilling over to the county commissioners race? The Shelby Independent could not verify that political drama is contagious because the CDC could not be reached for comment for this question, but in a google search, and it must be noted was not verified by any qualified experts, stated, "The C

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Grigg. Calm seas only last but so long in the dramatic ocean of politics. In the ongoing soap opera of the Cleveland County Board of Education, a new plot twist reared its head Friday, the day after the calm and professional school board candidate forum debate – call it a smear campaign, hit piece, attack, or just the truth – the focus was recently shifted onto current school board member, and candidate for the CCS Board of Education

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square A pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution rests on an American flag.  Alan Wooten / The Center Square (The Center Square) – Eighty-nine of 100 counties in North Carolina have America 250 NC committees, and more than $2 million in grants have already been distributed to 74 counties by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The first of multiple signature events begins in three weeks at the First in Freedom Festival. “In 20

The Board of Education Forum involved eight candidates from the CCGOP By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The board of education candidates before the event began, seated left to right, Robert Queen, Brandon Bridges, Aaron Bridges, Shelia Canipe, Rodney Fitch, Ronnie Grigg, Stephen Self, and Danny Blanton. Sherry Yocum, standing in red shirt, and moderator Dot Cherry on right. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Thursday night’s Board of

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Snow totals are still being defined but right now it is expected to be six to seven inches After last weekend’s ice storm , Cleveland County is prepping for wintry weather across the county this weekend, as municipalities, county government and schools prepare for snow. The City of Shelby posted cautionary social media posts, urging residents to be prepared, while other towns across the county did the same.  From Boiling Springs to B

Staff Reports file graphic The Cleveland County Arts Council has rescheduled their largest fundraiser of the year, due to weather concerns, for late February. The 2026 Big Chill Casino Night and Silent Disco! Tickets are $125 per person, and the event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Cleveland Country Club, located at 1360 E. Marion St., Shelby, N.C. There will be fun and games, including black jack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold 'em, and a poker tourna

Staff reports Kings Mountain City Hall, late summer 2025 The City of Kings Mountain announced that all city offices will be opening at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Solid waste will begin picking up Monday's route tomorrow once operational hours of the landfill are verified and when road conditions are safe for equipment and employees. If your normally scheduled pick-up day is Monday, please place your container by the road as usual, at or near the spot you would

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Between 6 and 12 inches of snow and sleet were reported over the weekend near North Carolina’s border to Virginia and Tennessee and also in Buncombe County. A major winter storm gripping the nation from New Mexico to New England led to at least a dozen states getting federal emergency declarations from second-term Republican President Donald Trump. North Carolina is among them. The emergency declaration unlocks federal

Staff Reports Cleveland County Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, due to inclement weather. This closure includes all convenience centers and landfills. Residents are encouraged to visit www.clevelandcounty.com for the most up-to-date information regarding County closures and service updates. Road conditions are treacherous and residents are urged to avoid travel. Those needing information on essential resources or shelter availability may contact the Citiz

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent, Special Saturday News & Weather Column Cleveland County Government has declared a state of Emergency, along with The City of Shelby and the State of North Carolina. SATURDAY, Jan. 24, 2026 — Icemegeddom looms on the horizon. Good morning, it's 5:30 a.m., as of publishing time. Today is the day the winter storm rolls in. Don't eat all your storm snacks before it's over. Today's local high will be in the mid 30's. Cloudy, goes without

Staff Reports Read the State of Emergency, signed by Chairman Kevin Gordon, in it's original form below: The Shelby Independent

Staff Reports Read the statement below in it's original form: The Shelby Independent

Cleveland County Emergency Management and County leadership are closely monitoring the weather forecast and preparing for significant winter weather impacts. County officials are coordinating preparedness efforts to ensure the safety of residents. Community safety remains our top priority, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and take appropriate precautions ahead of the storm.   If any county closures, service impacts, or operational changes occur, official updates

Staff Reports | Press Release Courtesy photo CCSO On Tuesday, Jan. 20, deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team conducted a traffic stop on South Post Road, near East Dixon Boulevard, for a vehicle registration violation. During the stop, a Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was deployed and gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics. Based on this indication, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. As

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The school board forum will involve eight of the candidates, all republican, on Jan. 29, at The LeGrand Center. UPDATE: Jay Carpenter will not be attending as previously reported. Stephen Carroll Self will be attending now. Anyone interested in listening to the school board candidates’ personal stances on local education issues, and wanting to ask them questions, will have their chance next week.   The Cleveland County GOP and Moms

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square State law permits unaffiliated voters to choose either a Democrat or Republican primary ballot, though not both. (The Center Square) – Switching parties by a deadline was the easy part. Fooling voters with a letter attached to a name on the ballot rather than actions? A half-dozen former Democrats will need more than luck after failing one of the first tests for any stripe of politician: trust. Six people now registered Republicans running

Press Release | Cleveland County Health Department CASAR / SHELBY  – On Jan. 15, the Cleveland County Health Department was notified of two skunks that tested positive for rabies. The animals were found on Haywood Road in Casar and on Marion Street in Shelby. Any person exposed to potentially infectious saliva from an animal should contact their healthcare provider or CCHD for a rabies risk assessment. You may contact us at 980-484-5169 or 980-484-5100. Rabies occurs througho