Juvenile’s Self-Inflicted Gun Shot Wound Leads to Two Arrests and Juvenile Petitions

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On September 8, 2025, at approximately 5:34 p.m., officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the 1600 block of North Garnett Street regarding a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers observed signs that an individual had been injured. A sixteen-year-old juvenile was located and treated by EMS at the scene for a non-life-threatening wound. The juvenile was transported to a local medical facility for further treatment.

Through further investigation, it was determined that the injury sustained by the juvenile was self-inflicted.

During the course of the investigation, officers observed a black Honda Accord leaving the area at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was stopped a short time later by deputies with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office near 2101 North Garnett Street. Four individuals were detained from the vehicle: two 17-year-old juveniles, Kyriek Alston (19), and Rashad Gray (18).

Investigators discovered that one of the juveniles and Alston were in possession of heroin. Gray was found to be in possession of marijuana. Henderson Police Department Investigators responded to assist deputies and took custody of the individuals. Two firearms were also recovered during the investigation, one is believed to have been used in this incident, and the other was confirmed to have been reported stolen.

Charges filed to date include:

  • Kyriek Alston (19): Charged with Felony Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance. Alston was transported to the Vance County Magistrate’s Office, where he received no bond due to being on pretrial release for a separate matter. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 7, 2025. He was remanded to the Vance County Detention Facility.
  • Rashad Gray (18): Released on a citation for Simple Possession of Marijuana.
  • Juveniles: Juvenile petitions are being pursued in connection with the drug and firearm offenses.

This case remains under active investigation.

The Henderson Police Department extends its appreciation to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for their proactive response and assistance in this matter.

— Henderson Police Department Press Release

Marcus W. Barrow
Chief of Police
Henderson Police Department
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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is now open only on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • Soil Sample Season Is Now!
  • Sow tall fescue now through September 15th.
  • Irrigation is needed on newly planted grass and newly planted transplants.
  • Control Fire Ants now that the weather is cooler.
  • Check for Pecan trees for Pecan weevil. Tie a burlap bag around the portion of the pecan tree. If weevils are visible under the burlap bag after a few days. Treat the base of the tree and ground around the tree with liquid Sevin.
  • Check for insects on any recently planted transplants.
  • Record what went well and not so well  in your garden journal. Include varieties.
  • When purchasing transplants look for a dark green color of leaves, stay away from pot bound transplants.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • Start ordering your fall planting bulbs now.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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TownTalk: Candidate Participation in the Upcoming Election

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As part of its continuing effort to keep listeners and readers up-to-date on local issues, WIZS Radio has sent candidates a list of questions in an effort to gather responses to be included in a special elections project that will be published and aired before the early voting period begins.

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Campaign signs are popping up along roadsides and in people’s yards, indicators that early voting for the upcoming Henderson municipal elections are not far off. Registered voters can cast ballots during the early-voting period at 500 N. Beckford Drive beginning Thursday, Sept. 18. Early voting continues Sat. Oct. 4.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 is the official Election Day, when voters will determine four seats on the eight-member City Council.

The Council Ward 1 at-large seat includes not one, but two incumbents – Council member Sara Coffey is seeking re-election, and Council member Geraldine Champion, who has the Ward 1 seat until the 2027 elections, has added her name as an at-large candidate. Newcomer Kenia Gomez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter also filed as candidates for the at-large seat.

Ward 2 at-large Council Member Lamont Noel is seeking to defend his seat against challengers Benjamin Buckner and George Mayo, although Buckner suspended his campaign Aug 28 and endorsed Noel.

In the contest for the Ward 3 seat, incumbent Garry Daeke faces Clifford “Cliff” High, former Council Member Jason Spriggs and Deryl “Ms. Dee” vonWilliams.

And in the Ward 4 contest, incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper faces challengers Catherine “Kitty” Gill and Fred Robertson.

Anyone who lives in the city and still needs to register to vote has until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12 to do so.

The N.C. State Board of Elections has issued a press release with details and requirements about voter registration.

“To vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality. Working within city, town, or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. Similarly, while a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality,” the press release stated.

Eligible individuals who miss the regular registration deadlines may register and vote at the same time during the in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county.

Eligible individuals have many options to register to vote, including the following:

Individuals with a North Carolina’s driver’s license or other NCDMV identification may submit a voter registration application online. Learn more at Complete Your Registration Online Through the DMV. Eligible individuals may also register in person at DMV offices.

Eligible individuals may also register to vote when applying for services at a number of state agencies. Learn more at National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Any eligible resident can complete a Voter Registration Application in English or Spanish on paper and return it to their county board of elections office by 5 p.m. the day of the deadline:

There are 450 voters living throughout Vance County who need to provide additional information to the N.C. State Board of Elections to complete their voter registration, according to information from the SBE’s Registration Repair Project.

Individuals with incomplete voter registrations have received, or will receive, letters stating that they need to provide additional information – their driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number – to update their registration.

This can be done in several different ways, including by mail, in person at their county Board of Elections office or by visiting the NCDMV secure website payments.ncdot.gov. There is no fee associated with the online method and updating will not be made over the phone.

Check to see if your name is on the list at ncsbe.gov/registrationrepair.

TownTalk: Henderson City Council Meeting 9-8-25

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The Henderson City Council voted Monday to accept the resignation of City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry – effective immediately – and appointed Paylor Spruill as interim city manager.

The Council also voted 6-1 to censure Council Member Geraldine Champion for violation of the city’s social media policy.

The regular monthly meeting had gone on for about two hours before Council voted to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Upon returning to open session, Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott announced that the Council had voted unanimously to accept the resignation of the city manager/city attorney, which originally was submitted at the August meeting and then rescinded at a subsequent special called meeting.

Elliott also said that the city would seek guidance from the N.C. League of Municipalities with regard to the city attorney position.

The vote to censure Champion was 6-1, with Council Member Michael Venable casting the dissenting vote. Champion recused herself from the vote.

Champion appeared in Vance County Superior Court at 9:30 Tuesday morning regarding a no-contact order filed by Charles J. Turrentine, Jr. on Aug. 21. That case was continued until Oct. 2, according to information from Turrentine to WIZS News, and the judge recused himself.

In speaking to Council members Monday, Turrentine asked for a formal censure as well as assurances that he and his family be protected from future encounters – verbal or otherwise – from Champion.

Council Member Sam Seifert made the motion to publicly censure Champion, which was seconded by Council Member Lamont Noel.

Referring to the city’s policy about social media postings by elected officials, Seifert reminded the Council that adoption of that policy some months ago was “as a result of an action of our colleague, Ms. Champion.”

Seifert said he’d reviewed the policy, Turrentine’s letter to Kingsberry and to City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell and said he was satisfied that there was a violation of “some of the conduct standards that we, this body, set.

“I’ve seen enough. I don’t need to see the video itself – I think these comments, we’ve got quotes on them – that’s enough for me to publicly censure Council Woman Champion,” Seifert said before making the motion.

Other action from the Council on Monday included:

  • Approval of a rezoning request for the former fairgrounds property on Andrews Avenue. The property had been rezoned to multi-family last year, but Arpan Makam with the Raleigh development group making the request said the residential mixed-use zoning included in the city’s updated UDO plan would be a better fit for future development of the property. Plans would “reorient” the potential development and would blend housing with locally focused businesses. He painted a picture that includes greenspace, a dog park, walking areas and pickle ball court. “It brings new life to that part of town – we’re not trying to change the character of the area; we’re trying to strengthen it. Council Member Michael Venable made a motion to approve, with a second by Council Member Ola Thorpe-Cooper and the motion passed unanimously.
  • Downtown Director Tracy Madigan asked Council’s approval to apply for grant funding to make improvements downtown, including purchase of new Christmas banners, five new trash cans and solar lights for the trunks of some of the trees located in the downtown district. The banners and the brackets needed to hang them will cost about $7,000, the trash receptacles – which will match the ones already placed downtown – will cost about $4,250 and the solar lights have a price tag of about $3,700. The request or funding will be made to the N.C. Community Foundation’s Frances Abbot Burton Powers fund, which was established in 2012 to support programs that benefit the city of Henderson.

Click play to hear our audio from September 9th, 2025 after the Henderson City Council Meeting!

Click Play to hear our audio from September 8th, 2025 before the Henderson City Council Meeting!

SportsTalk: Minor League Update and Panther Woes

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Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis give an update on the latest of Minor League Baseball around North Carolina. The guys also explain the sad song that is the Carolina Panthers.

Friday MiLB Scores:

  • Durham Bulls 8 Gwinnett 0
  • Charlotte 12 Jacksonville 5
  • Greenville 7 Winston-Salem 5
  • Hudson Valley 3 Greensboro 1
  • Bowling Green 10 Asheville 0
  • Fayetteville 13 Salem 7
  • Hickory 8 Charleston 6
  • Fredericksburg 5 Carolina Mudcats 1
  • Kannapolis 8 Augusta 1

Saturday MiLB Scores:

  • Gwinnett 4 Durham Bulls 3
  • Jacksonville 11 Charlotte 3
  • Hudson Valley 1 Greensboro 0
  • Asheville 8 Bowling Green 0
  • Winston-Salem 4 Greenville 3
  • Kannapolis 13 Augusta 4
  • Salem 13 Fayetteville 9
  • Charleston 2 Hickory 1
  • Fredericksburg 5 Carolina Mudcats 0

Sunday MiLB Scores:

  • Durham Bulls 4 Gwinnett 2
  • Charlotte 9 Jacksonville 7
  • Greensboro 4 Hudson Valley 1
  • Bowling Green 6 Asheville 2
  • Double Header
    • Winston-Salem 13 Greenville 2
    • Greenville 9 Winston-Salem 1
  • Augusta 10 Kannapolis 0
  • Salem 3 Fayetteville 2
  • Carolina Mudcats 6 Fredericksburg 3
  • Charleston 12 Hickory 8

Tuesday Games Today:

  • Durham Bulls vs. Norfolk – 6:35pm
  • Charlotte vs. Omaha – 1:05pm
  • Division Series Playoffs, Game 1
    • Greensboro vs. Brooklyn – 6:30pm

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The Local Skinny! FVW Opportunity Receives $40,000 Grant From SECU Foundation

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Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc. (FVWOPP) announces it has received a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the SECU Foundation to strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability in support of programs serving Henderson and the region.

Abdul Sm Rasheed, CEO/Advisor, FVWOP said, “We celebrate yet another triumph with honor as a recipient of the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Mission Development Grant. As one of fourteen  recipients, we are extremely grateful for this opportunity and partnership with SECU. This $40,000 grant, is an investment and a significant catalyst to a new partnership for FVWOPP as we continue to build capacity and sustainability to advance our organizational infrastructure to maximize successful outcomes.”

A ceremonial check presentation was held Wednesday, September 4 at 2 p.m. at FVW OPP Headquarters, 180 S. Beckford Drive.

Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc. is a community-focused organization dedicated to advancing opportunity, improving economic mobility, and supporting families across Henderson and surrounding communities.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Fall Lawn Treatments

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This week we’re offering a timely reminder of fall lawn treatments. Also mentioned are opportunities for pesticide license holders to gain education credits.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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SportsTalk: VCFNF Week 3 Recap

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Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Week 3 in the High School Football Season. The guys also go over scores from college and the NFL.

High School Scores for Week 3:

  • Jordan 52 Vance County 0
  • Franklinton 26 South Granville 14
  • Millbrook 48 Wake Forest 7
  • Leesville Road 50 Heritage 3
  • Panther Creek 24 Knightdale 21
  • Southeast Raleigh 52 East Wake 7
  • Bunn 71 J.F. Webb 32
  • Louisburg 42 Northampton County 0
  • Wake Prep 54 Pamlico County 8
  • Hopewell (VA) 16 Mecklenburg County (VA) 14

College Scores around our area for Week 2:

  • North Carolina 20 Charlotte 3
  • Illinois 45 Duke 17
  • NC State 35 Virginia 31
  • Wake Forest 42 Western Carolina 10
  • East Carolina 56 Campbell 3
  • App State 20 Lindenwood 13
  • Vanderbilt 44 Virginia Tech 20
  • Old Dominion 54 NC Central 6
  • Presbyterian College JV 39 Louisburg College 29

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