THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column OPINION / HUMOR — Recently, beaches across America have made the news for their ‘Spring Break’ uncouthness. Rowdy brawling drunk college kids acting a fool, having a great time, and ruining one favorite beach spot after another. It happens every year.   Maybe it’s worse and maybe we’re all just getting older, but after looking back at some old news clips, there has always been news from college spring breaks where coeds who are briefly m

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,

Commentary | The Shelby Independent OPINION — It’s March 3, the day most candidates have been waiting for (those that have a primary) and it couldn’t be sweeter or finer than to be in Carolina during this election of attrition, as many candidates have continued to nuke each other into oblivion right up to today. In the local races, Tim Moore is facing off across the wolf in sheep’s clothing: Kate Barr, pretending to be a Republican. This race has only been vicious from her si

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent (Originally published 09/07/2025) When I was a kid, maybe early teens, I had a soccer coach tell me that when I’m 40 I’ll feel all the aches and pains from playing sports one day. 40? I didn’t care. That was a thousand years from now. Whatever, maybe — I believed him, but when I pictured a 40 something year old they looked the same as a 75 year old. “I’ll worry about it then,” I shrugged. Tonight was one of those rare nights I wante

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 Lauren Becatti | The Shelby Independent Tacos featured on Chipotle's menu OPINION – I heard rumors about a Chipotle coming to Shelby, so I decided to get to the bottom of it. After contacting the Chipotle media relations representative, I have confirmed that the rumor is true. Sometime next year we will be getting a Chipotle! However, the location was not confirmed at this time. Chipotle is a personal favorite of mine (and I certainly prefer it over another notable chain).

By Brandt Young Sports Columnist Brandt Young Do me a favor – Google the top 25 high school football teams in America right now. Is there...

I remember the first time I gave a girl I liked a giant Hershey kiss. I was in the 6 th  or 7 th  or 8 th grade – maybe I was in high school? I could just lie and pick a grade, but the girl involved in this opening paragraph memory might read this column, and then accuse me of spreading misinformation, so instead I just mentioned them all. Anyway – It was the size of my fist and in a box, a giant Hershey’s Kiss wrapped in tinfoil just like the regular sized ones – or wait a

Where’s the lie? In the wake of the political assassination (words / phrases used by the governor of Utah and federal authorities) of...

The names of restaurants have always annoyed me. I don’t know why, that’s just how I’m wired.

While I was in South Dakota, I learned a lot I didn’t know about the eagle. Mostly what it represented to the Lakota people, one steeped in history, bravery and wisdom.

Guest opinion by Jimmy Boheler