THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Board of election workers work the day away during the recount Wednesday afternoon. | Chuck Thompson A primary recount was held Wednesday for the Cleveland County Schools Board of Education candidate Shelia Canipe, who made the request after the March 3 primary, where she trailed incumbent Vice-Chair Aaron Bridges by only 48 votes. Canipe requested the recount on the Monday after Canvas; she had to file the request in writing. No

By Chuck Thompson The Shelby Independent Board of Education candidate Shelia Canipe has confirmed that she plans to move forward with a recount request. Speaking with The Shelby Independent this afternoon, Canipe said she will ask for a recount on the Monday after Canvas, which is March 13. “I've had several of my supporters who have requested that I asked for a recount, and I feel like I owe that to the ones who supported me,” said Canipe. This is a developing story. Check..

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Some candidates watched the results at The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Dept. Tuesday night. Top vote-getters, Danny Blanton speaks to Republican primary commissioner winner Wayne King, March 3, 2026. file photo. Caroline Eason, July 2025. Shelby Independent. This news story has been updated to include Eason’s comments. SHELBY – Of the 68,699 registered voters in Cleveland County, 11,806 (17%) participated in an unbelievably historic ha

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Shelia Canipe Shelia Canipe wasted no time, immediately starting the interview by stating, “It bothers me that at one time we had nine underperforming schools, and now it is much better than that, but we still have kids graduating that can’t read, write, or count. She continued, “I know adults that, if it weren’t for technology they couldn’t count – they can’t make change at a cash register. I’ve been in a store where I have had to

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