Shelby Independent turns 1!
- Opinion
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent
Opinion – Wow! it's been quite a year! The plan was to look back at the most memorable news stories from the past year, but a little thing called a heart attack prevented me from completing that special news story this past week. Maybe it’s best. Maybe I’ll get to it later this month.
We’ll see...
To say The Shelby Independent almost didn’t make it to its first anniversary is putting it lightly. However, today isn’t about what almost happened or almost didn’t happen, it’s a celebration of the free press surviving the first year - the most difficult year - and rolling into the second year.
One year ago, most people in Cleveland County and surrounding areas didn’t know what The Shelby Independent was, much less, the ones that did probably didn’t understand its purpose, nor thought it would last.
The Shelby Independent dove headfirst into the difficult local news stories and soon garnered a large following and reputation for tackling the hard stuff, which is a blessing. SI gained its supporters and also its own set of haters. It tried to cover news that otherwise would go unnoticed and some things other local news also covered.
SI interviewed local candidates; something nobody else seemed to do this year, besides Wise News Network, who did a good job themselves.
SI updated everyone on high school football scores as we all watched in amazement together as two of the big four high schools WON state championships.
SI covered state news that affected us locally and Christmas parades, the January Ice Storm and the actual snow storm after that - and had a momentary tussle with school board members that caused the Independent to be smeared in the newspaper.
SI covered the historic primary back in March and the cluster of Kings Mountain politics.
SI also had guest reporters and opinion columnist that pitched in, which I am forever grateful.
And … all along, it only happened because of you, the readers of The Shelby Independent, and the wonderful advertisers and sponsors along the way.
Some advertisers have come and gone but most have remained, and new ones gained a long the way, as SI’s audience has grown exponentially in the past year and its news stories are read by people sprinkled all across the state of North Carolina, and beyond, too.
The Sunday Column has become a phenomenon that I never expected. I owe a huge THANK YOU to all of the special guest columnist that have graced the pages of the now widely read weekly column, such as: Aaron Bridges, Wes Westmoreland, Ron Humphries, Alton Beal, Lori Gordon Hendrick, Jeff Yates and others, just to name a few.
It’s a struggle to create a brand new legitimate news site in the tradition of real news reporting when you have to build from scratch, but the hard part is now in the rear view mirror, and as I look to the future of The Shelby Independent, I hope that our readers and advertisers, whether they agree with the content or not, see the value in local reporting and the growing audience that supports The Shelby Independent.
While none of us know what the future holds, SI will continue to deliver local journalism to the people of Cleveland County by holding those in leadership accountable, and informing the residents on laws and policies that affect them.
Local journalism should also celebrate the success of our neighbors (such as the ‘Features’ articles found in SI, and will continue to write about the people, places, events and businesses of Cleveland County).
The Shelby Independent is determined to keep moving into the future with the determination and integrity to always be continually improving by holding true to our values, preserving our traditions and speaking truth and preserving the ideals of fairness in local journalism.
With your support, The Shelby Independent will continue to be here for you, as you have been for The Shelby Independent, for many years to come.
Happy first birthday / anniversary to The Shelby Independent. May there be many, many, more.
-Chuck
BIG THANK YOU to SI's current advertisers:
AND most importantly: YOU
The Shelby Independent.
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