THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College – On Saturday, March 7, Cleveland Community College’s women’s basketball team captured the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region 10 Championship with a victory over the Fayetteville Technical Community College Trojans. “This championship is a reflection of the work these players put in when nobody was watching,” said Head Coach Ford “Scooter” Lawrence. “They earned this

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College (CCC) has received a $10,000 community investment from AT&T to expand its Digital Navigator Program, further strengthening digital access and literacy efforts for adult learners and community members throughout Cleveland County. CCC is one of only eight colleges selected to receive this funding. On Tuesday, February 24, Kathleen Evans, Regional Director of External Affairs for AT&T, accompanied by Chrisy

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Government Courtesy photo Cleveland county Gov. Cleveland County Government – The annual Household Hazardous Waste Day, sponsored by the Cleveland County Health Department, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Cleveland County Cooperative Extension, provides Cleveland County residents with a safe way to dispose of common household items including pesticides, car batteries, paints, and much more. Bring your items to the Clev

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Schools Board of Education Dr. Stephen Fisher's will retire as Superintendent effective July 1, 2026. Courtesy photo SHELBY, NC — In a press release late Friday afternoon, the Cleveland County Board of Education announced the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Fisher, effective July 1, 2026. The statement said: Dr. Fisher is a beloved leader whose unwavering commitment to students, educators, and families has cultivated e

Staff reports | Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College Cleveland Community College’s Collision Repair and Refinishing Program is proud to announce it has received a $5,000 Honda Benchmark Award grant from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). This competitive award supports program maintenance and additions that enhance student learning and align with industry needs. “We are grateful for the support from CREF and the Honda Benchmark Award,” said

Staff Reports | Gracie Davis, Congressman Tim Moore's Office U.S. Congressman Tim Moore, NC-14       WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump delivered the State of the Union address Tuesday evening: “Tonight, President Donald J. Trump delivered a powerful message that the State of our Union is strong and getting stronger. Under his leadership, the United States has our economy back on track, renewed re

Staff Reports | Kings Mountain Police Department KMPD officers discovered an indoor marijuana grow operation within the business. KINGS MOUNTAIN – On Feb. 19, 2026, Vice and Criminal Investigators with the Kings Mountain Police Department executed a search warrant at the commercial property known as “Ole Skool Hemp,” located at 243, 245, and 247 S. Battleground Avenue in the downtown area of Kings Mountain. The investigation began after officers received information regardin

Staff Reports Pedestrian struck in Boiling Springs. BOILING SPRINGS – In a statement released Monday afternoon by The Boiling Springs Police Department Chief Brian DiYorio, referenced an incident that occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when a pedestrian was struck by a motorist at the stoplight. The Boiling Springs Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at E College Avenue at S Main Street on Feb. 17 at approximately 3:31pm.   "A vehicle

Staff Reports | Press Release Twelve seniors graduated from Pinnacle Classical Academy at the conclusion of the first semester. Ten of the 12 are currently enrolled at Cleveland Community College, and six have already earned an associate's degree or a certificate from CCC. These students will join their classmates in May at formal commencement exercises. "Our Pinnacle Board of Directors support an early graduation program for students that are fast-tracking to the workplace a

Staff Reports | Press Release by Robert Queen Editor's note: This press release has been published as-is and not altered in any way whatsoever. This is a press release only; this is not an endorsement by The Shelby Independent of any candidates running for elected offices. Read it in its entirety below : As early voting begins Thursday, February 12, voters in Cleveland County have a clear choice: continue moving our schools forward with steady, proven leadership— or allow di

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

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

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Government Courtesy photo Construction at the Midpines Convenience Center, located at 615 Margrace Rd., Kings Mountain, has been successfully completed following ongoing renovations that began on October 6, 2025. The project was finished on schedule, and the facility will reopen to the public on Monday, Jan. 5, at 7 a.m. “Thank you to our residents for their patience during this renovation. Working with our contractors and county staff, the re

Staff Reports | The Shelby Independent, North Pole Media Office Stocking hung, by the chimney with care. Santa's got a brand new sleigh! Recently, The Shelby Independent was able to obtain some inside information regarding Santa replacing his sleigh. While the reports remained unconfirmed from October, when we received the alleged information, The North Pole did send a press release confirming that Santa did indeed replace the sled that he has used since 1937. In the stateme

Staff Reports | Shelby Independent Cleveland Community College Santa isn't the only one that has made a list and checking it twice. Cleveland Community College President Jason Hurst has announced the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Fall 2025 semester. To be named to the President’s List, students must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours and receive a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average. The following students were named to the President’s List. (listed alphabetically): (Names

Staff Reports Congressman Time Moore, 14th Congressional District. Official photo   WASHINGTON, D.C. — Already this week, the House Committee on Financial Services advanced the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R.6644). Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) voted to pass this legislation out of the committee, recognizing the importance of this legislation to streamline housing development and affordability by updating outdated programs, removing regulatory roadblock

Staff reports | Press Release Photo courtesy of CCSO social media In what seemed like a bit of luck, deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Community Interdiction Team conducted a proactive traffic stop on Dec. 16, that resulted in the seizure of approximately 𝟏𝟑𝟖 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, preventing an estimated $𝟑 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 from reaching local communities.   De

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Government Hansen At the inaugural meeting of the newly established Consolidated Human Services Agency (CHSA) Board, Cleveland County Manager David B. Cotton announced the appointment of Ms. Tiffany Hansen as the Assistant County Manager for Consolidated Human Services.   The creation of the CHSA brings the Department of Social Services and the Health Department together under one coordinated agency. In her new role, Hansen will oversee the da

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Gov. SHELBY – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has received federal funding for the 2026 Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). While the funding was delayed following the federal government shutdown, NCDHHS and county staff have been preparing so they would be ready to open for new Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications once federal funds were received. LIEAP and the Crisi