Cleveland County News

10/31/2025

LOCAL NEWS CONDUCTING OPEN INTERVIEWS FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES

Are you currently running for local office or plan to in 2026?

Reach out to our friends at The Shelby Independent for an interview.

If you don't ask, the answer is always no, and in fact, the answer in this case is "yes" - you can get an article based on your candidacy written for FREE regardless of political affiliation by The Shelby Independent.

Normally, I'd end my blurb with "Share Your Thoughts Below:", but in this case, if you're running for office...contact Chuck!

10/30/2025

Make the Cleveland Mall great again

10/27/2025

BREAKING: SEMI TRUCK CATCHES FIRE OFF 226

Just a few moments ago, a semi truck caught fire and pulled over in the parking lot at the Kebo's gas station off 226 in Shelby.

A phenomenal response time from the Lawndale and Cleveland Volunteer Fire Departments alongside the State Highway Patrol resulted in the fire being extinguished in record time.

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10/27/2025

BREAKING: ACCIDENT AT 74 AND EARL ROAD

A small bus has allegedly ran into the back of a semi truck on highway 74 at Earl road in Shelby.

No word as of now if bus was loaded or not. Updates to come as they are available.

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10/27/2025

Awesome effort!

Check it out, and share your thoughts below:

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

10/24/2025

Enjoying a nice meal in Shelby - have you been?

10/24/2025

Y’all check it out, they got ‘em!

Arrest Made in Connection to Church Arsons in Casar, NC

On the night of October 17, 2025, between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm, intentional fires were set at two separate churches in Casar, North Carolina. Deputies from the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside local fire departments and the Cleveland County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The affected churches were Tabernacle Baptist Church on Corinth Church Road and Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church on Mt. Zion Church Road. Both buildings sustained damage believed to be caused by arson. Fortunately, quick-thinking citizens noticed the fires early and were able to extinguish them before significant damage occurred.

Following an extensive investigation, on October 24, 2025, deputies arrested Craig Vegh, age 40, of Casar, NC. Vegh has been charged with two counts of Burning of Church/Religious Establishment, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Destroying/Altering Evidence. He is currently being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center under $500,000.00 bond

Sheriff Alan Norman expresses his gratitude to the citizens who acted quickly, to the fire and law enforcement personnel who responded, and to the investigators whose persistence led to the arrest, emphasizing that acts of arson and all other crimes against places of worship will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent.

The investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 484-4822 or Cleveland County Crime Stoppers at (704) 481-8477. Tips submitted through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

10/23/2025

BREAKING: ALLEGED BREAK IN AT FALLSTON PHARMACY

It has been alleged that three men broke into the Fallston Pharmacy in Fallston, North Carolina last night.

Three men allegedly entered through a window, moved the security camera out of view, and cased the store.

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10/21/2025

DOLLAR GENERAL REOPENS IN FALLSTON

After much anticipation, the Dollar General at 4820 Fallston Road in Fallston, North Carolina is finally open for business!

Will you be attending? Share your thoughts below:

Photo Credit: Amanda Willis

10/20/2025

Thank you Cleveland County Sheriff's Office for remaining vigilant in pursuing those involved

Press Release

On the night of 10/17/2025 between 9:00pm and 10:00pm, intentional fires were set at two different churches in the Casar, NC area. Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded alongside local fire department personnel and Cleveland County Fire Marshalls Office. The churches affected, Tabernacle Baptist Church on Corinth Church Rd and Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church on Mt. Zion Church Rd., were both damaged by suspected arson. Fortunately, both fires were spotted by citizens who quickly put the fire out before significant damage occurred. These events are still under investigation. If you have any information regarding these arsons or have seen anything suspicious in the area around these times, please call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 484-4822 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 481-8477 .

10/18/2025

BREAKING: Tabernacle Baptist Church on Corinth Church Road in Casar was on fire but has since been extinguished.

Unverified claims of other churches in the area being vandalized have been reported but have not yet been confirmed. More information to come as it is available.

**UPDATE**

Tonight's events started at Mount Zion Baptist where an outside fire melted siding, with the fire at Tabernacle Baptist reported next. A church in Rutherford County in the Cherry Mountain Fire District was reported as smoke showing, and Casar Baptist has been reported as having a busted out window. Cleveland County Deputies and Fire Marshal are currently at Mount Zion and will be moving to Tabernacle next and deputies are patrolling churches in Upper Cleveland.

**UPDATE 2**

Reports about damage at Casar Baptist have been confirmed to have been unfounded.

Cavalry’s Cross in the same area was also affected - information above is listed in the order it was reported.

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10/17/2025

TRAFFIC ALERT: The railroad crossing where Long Branch Road and US-29 meet is currently broken, with the arms stuck in the down position. Repairs are currently under way, but the area should be avoided for now.