THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

English ain't easy, but I prefer it, mostly because I speak it OPINION / HUMOR – At one point in my life (maybe almost 20 years ago) I seriously considered going to South Korea to teach English.   But then, my brain did what it does best, and I started thinking about the silent “G” and silent “K” and I just didn’t have the energy, nor the knowledge, to explain that.  I could just imagine the confusion on the faces of Koreans when learning the spelling of English words, taught

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Don Brown, pictured at the Fair, with several candidates, some currently in office. From left,...

Journalism's new era of online news faces off across the lunch table at Pleasant Mart Cleveland County News' Facebook page. Editor's note:...

SHELBY — Since 1924, the Cleveland County Fair has brought families together to celebrate agriculture, community and fun. With livestock...

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.

Fire engulfed Wooding Mill Winery Sunday morning.

Dot Roark cuts the ribbon dedicating the new C19 studio and in honor of her plaque on the wall for the trust endowment she created for CCC's broadcast program and C19. Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent Editor's note: Since the publication of this article on Aug. 29. 2025., Dorothy (“Dot”) Mulder Roark,101, passed away at home on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025. The Shelby Independent extends our heartfelt condolences to her family. Cleveland Community College held a spec

Cleveland County tops the list with double digits.

For anyone in Cleveland County, it’s possible you’ve heard of Allison Golf Cars – you might have even taken a ride in one of their golf carts and not even realized it when at a festival or some other event. Their golf carts are everywhere. From driveways to fairways, concerts to corporate events, since 2009 Allison Golf Cars has been in the driver's seat, steering the wheels of change for mobility, rolling along, putting smiles on people’s faces and providing fun for the whol

“We all have to live here,” he said, bluntly, without hesitation. “Being public servant, it made perfect sense to serve in a capacity to invest in my community and help my community grow by keeping their exposes a s low as possible. It's a calling – Plain and simple, it’s a calling to do this.”

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) is expected to send the first round of relief checks for farmers sta

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

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent Blue Crew LEMC poses for a photo after the Third annual Poker Run in memory of Jimmy "Repo"...

Kings Mountain needs to make some major changes.

All smiles on the first day back at school. Courtesy photo | Chad Terry CCS You might have noticed things look back to normal after a...

The Pavilion was a magical place — at one time, from what we were all told.

Great for people looking for a second job, or stay-at-home spouses looking to earn extra money.