THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Politics - More than 9,200 ballots have been cast during early voting in Cleveland County, with Republicans accounting for a growing share of voters since the opening day, according to figures from the Cleveland County Board of Elections. The report, timestamped 8:06 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, shows that 9,203 ballots had been cast across the county’s three early-voting sites ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Democrats accounted for

By Ron Humphries | Contributing Columnist OPINION — Information moves quickly, and sensational claims often command the most attention. It’s easy to assume we can spot manipulation when we see it, but advertising history suggests otherwise. Persuasion often works not by making us believe something outrageous, but by making a sales pitch feel like common sense. In the 1920s, the Beech-Nut company wanted to sell more bacon. Its public-relations adviser, Edward Bernays, Sigmund

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent From left, King's son Noah, his wife Nikki, Lucy and Wayne King at their home in Kings Mountain. | Chuck Thompson Sand squished underneath his shoes. The sound of the crunch with each step was heard as he took one step and then another until he found himself standing next to his wife, Nikki, on the sand of Kure Beach. A simple act that many of us never think twice about, but for Wayne King it was a victory more important than the

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent After spending 30 years in the classroom, retired history teacher Rod Powell says he has spent much of his retirement doing anything but slowing down. Now, the Casar resident is hoping to take that experience to Raleigh as he challenges the incumbent for North Carolina Senate District 44, which includes Cleveland and Lincoln counties and part of Gaston County, including Cherryville. Powell, who holds a master’s degree in teaching, mo

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 POLITICS / EDUCATION – Dr. Jenny White does not describe herself as a politician; that is one of the first things she wants voters to understand. White, a retired teacher, coach and administrator with three decades of experience in North Carolina public education, is making her first run for elected office as a Democrat seeking a seat on the Cleveland County Board of Education. For White, the decision to run comes less from a desire

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square Photo: Phil Roeder / Flickr AFFECTS LOCAL / STATE — Supporters called it a measure of integrity for North Carolina elections. The governor said it was “anti-voter legislation.” Election Law Changes, known also as House Bill 958, was vetoed by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein late Monday afternoon. The proposal would change early in-person voting periods for primaries, primary runoffs and special elections to 10 days rather than 17. The

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent From left, King's son Noah, his wife Nikki, Lucy and Wayne King at their home in Kings Mountain. | Chuck Thompson FEATURE — Sand squished underneath his shoes. The sound of the crunch with each step was heard as he took one step and then another until he found himself standing next to his wife, Nikki, on the sand of Kure Beach. A simple act that many of us never think twice about, but for Wayne King it was a victory more important

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

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent Kings Mountain City Hall | The Shelby Independent KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — In the wake of the current censure proceedings underway against City Council Member Scott Neisler, that could reportedly cost the city as much as $20,000, new alleged accusations have been brought to the council's attention and will be addressed tonight during a special-called meeting for TUESDAY May 12, 2026. According to the agenda, the meeting will cover three

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square file graphic | The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) – Precedent setting cases at the U.S. Supreme Court and the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals guided a federal judge to upholding North Carolina’s photo identification voter requirement Thursday. North Carolina voters approved voter identification at the polls in 2018 through a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. In those midterms, 55.49% of nearly 3.7 million votes were

By Alan Wooten | The Center Square file graphic | The Shelby Independent (Affects local) NC Politics – With North Carolina’s primary work in the rearview mirror, voter registrations are rebounding following four weeks of declines overall and in each of the three major voting blocs. All had gains for the most recent seven days as reported Saturday by the State Board of Elections. The 13,400 increase had an 81.4% share bolster the unaffiliated bloc. Republicans gain 12.8%, or

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 Alan Wooten | The Center Square Whatley speaks at The Shelby Cafe in September 2025, with NC House Rep. Paul Scott next to him. Photo by: Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) NORTH CAROLINA – Michael Whatley is favored by 38.3% for U.S. Senate and 80.9% of respondents give approval to the job done by second-term Republican President Donald Trump, a new poll released Thursday says. The sampling of 600 likely Republican primary voters was taken