Gastonia Police Chief Travis Brittain announced four new sergeants and eight recently hired officers during a virtual promotion and swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 17.
“This ceremony is different than how we’ve done it in the past due to the pandemic, and this is a proud moment for us as we formally recognize our new officers and sergeants,” Brittain said. “We look forward to the great work they will do with our department and our community.”
Promotions:
Sgt. Shane Johnson, promoted on Dec. 3, joined Gastonia Police Department in 1998 and has served in patrol, and as a community coordinator, field training officer, police training officer and shift tactical officer. Johnson served the N.C. Air National Guard for 23 years.
Shelby Police Department and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office kicked off three days of gift-giving to those in need on Monday.
Cheers of joy could be heard as children received packages delivered by Sheriff’s Office deputies. Toothy grins broke out as presents of dolls, sports equipment and more could be seen bursting out of the top of brightly colored bags. Families thanked the men and women for helping them with Christmas this year.
Usually, officers would head inside for the present opening but due to COVID-19, many stayed at the door watching the kids with their presents.
This year has been a different type of Christmas for many in the community, Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford said.
Cleveland County s school board wants a new attorney.
The county school board voted 5-4 on Dec. 14 to end its contract with Tharrington Smith LLP, a Raleigh-based law firm which specializes in education law.
New board members Robert Queen, Rodney Fitch, Ron Humphries and Joel Shores joined Danny Blanton in voting to end the contract. Greg Taylor, Dena Green, Coleman Hunt and Phillip Glover voted against.
The board has contracted with Tharrington Smith since the merger of the Shelby, Kings Mountain and Cleveland County School districts more than a decade ago. In the last five years the district has paid the firm over $50,000 per year for representation, topping out at $66,350 in the 2017-18 school year. In the current school year the district has paid $14,691.
Silver Alert canceled for Cleveland County woman Nelda Duncan (Source: Cleveland County Sheriff s Office) By WBTV Web Staff | December 25, 2020 at 9:59 PM EST - Updated December 26 at 10:53 AM
CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - A Silver Alert has been canceled for a woman out of Cleveland County who went missing on Christmas.
Nelda Sue Duncan, 81, was last seen on Pleasantdale Drive in Shelby. She was found safe a day later.
Copyright 2020 WBTV. All rights reserved. 74
By Jamie Berry | Transcript Staff Writer Dec 22, 2020
Couple charged in connection with child sexual abuse claims
An Oklahoma City couple was charged Dec. 16 in Cleveland County District Court following multiple allegations of child sexual abuse.
Joseph Michael Miller, 69, faces 11 felony counts, including nine counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 12, one count of first-degree rape and one count of performing lewd or indecent acts in the presence of a minor.
Shelley Rae Miller, 58, faces two felony charges of enabling child abuse after she allegedly allowed two underaged children to be sexually abused by Joseph, according to a court affidavit.