THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

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

Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column OPINION / HUMOR – First, you have to understand that while you’re reading this on Sunday (or later) during Icemegeddon, I am writing this on Friday night, eating all my winter storm snacks and typing away, having no clue more than the weatherman on what would actually happen by Sunday. As a friend mentioned to me today, "Being a weatherman is the only job where you can be wrong most of the time and not get fired." By the time you read this.

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

Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column OPINION / HUMOR  – The names of restaurant chains have always annoyed me. I don’t know why, that’s just how I’m wired. It doesn’t mean they’re bad names… it’s just some are so obvious I can’t see why they couldn’t be more creative. Others don’t explain what they do at all, but they seem to work. People keep going back. Some have been extremely successful with such basic, obvious, names (like Red Lobster) while others that have no indication

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent The Sunday Column OPINION / HUMOR – Ultimately, self-serve gas and check-outs, buffet restaurants and do-it-yourself-assembled furniture cost more in the long term after adding mental anguish and then the cost of therapy. Whether it’s emotional therapy, or marriage counseling, there’s nothing cheap about self-service. One day I was at a gas station standing in line and I looked out the front windows to see a car drive away with the g

Why does the oven light never burn out?

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

Romance will never be the same

There’s no place quite like North Carolina.

Mondays remind me of The Gremlins

“My position is not about politics; it is about ensuring that our students, staff, and teachers have a safe and nurturing place to grow.”

If it’s not summer, and definitely not the cool feel of Fall, then, what is this abysmal period of discombobulating season called?

Kings Mountain needs to make some major changes.

Cleveland County residents have no reason to worry, and while it is uncertain where its path might turn, Erin will likely not affect the western part of the state.

The last of the pre-internet pioneer children. The last of the “just yell for my mom, she will hear you!” When you fell off your bike and br

It’s unfortunate that public employees and elected officials ignore a reporter’s calls and emails.

OPINION / HUMOR — Opening a cylinder can/ tube of ready-to-bake biscuits is the baking version of Russian Roulette.

It was a time of serious competition as the Baptist, Methodist & Presbyterians tried to beat one another to the old steak house.

OPINION — Wash those apples carefully…

Here goes everything.... Right now you're reading this because you want to know what The Shelby Independent is about - and that is a...