Two Arrested On Drug Charges Monday

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– from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

During the morning hours of October 6, 2025, a multi-agency operation involving the service of four search warrants was conducted at separate locations within Henderson and Vance County. The search warrants were executed at 150 Falkner Street, 724 Jefferson Street, and 441 Pearl Street, all within the City of Henderson, as well as 57 Meredith Lane in Vance County.

This coordinated effort included personnel from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Wake Forest Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department, and the Henderson Police Department.

As a result of this operation, two individuals were immediately arrested (possible future charges pending further investigation), and illegal narcotics, firearms, and U.S. currency were seized.

Arrests and Charges

Kyrick Jykise Alston (19) of 57 Meredith Lane was charged with:

  • WFA – Sell/Deliver Heroin, and PWIMSD Heroin (prior)
  • WFA – Conspire to Sell/Deliver Heroin (prior)
  • WFA – Trafficking Opium or Heroin (×5), and PWIMSD Heroin (prior)
  • WFA – Trafficking Opium or Heroin (×4), and PWIMSD Heroin (prior)
  • WFA – Trafficking Opium or Heroin (×4), and PWIMSD Heroin

Alston received no bond and was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.

Viola Alston (73) of 150 Falkner Street was charged with:

  • WFA – Felony Possession of Cocaine
  • Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances (F)
  • Possession with intent to sell and deliver  Marijuana
  • Felony Possession of Marijuana

Viola Alston received a $25,000 secured bond and was bonded prior to transport.

Items Seized

150 Falkner Street:

  • 767 grams of Marijuana
  • 3.7 grams of Cocaine
  • One shotgun and two handguns (Walther 9mm pistol, Glock 20 – 10mm, KelTec 12-gauge shotgun)

724 Jefferson Street:

  • 151 dosage units of Heroin
  • 5.7 grams of Cocaine
  • $13,474 in U.S. Currency

441 Pearl Street:

  • One firearm (American Tactical AR Pistol – .300 Blackout)

57 Meredith Lane:

  • 440 dosage units of Heroin
  • One firearm (Anderson Arms AR-15)
  • $685.10 in U.S. Currency

Regional operations such as this and the one held last month continue to produce significant results in our ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and illegal narcotics activity within our communities. The Henderson Police Department extends its appreciation to all partnering agencies for their continued cooperation and commitment to public safety.

TownTalk: Abria’s Chase Foundation Extends Support To Those Dealing With Grief

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Join Abria’s Chase founders Ayana and June Lewis for Testimonial Tuesday on Facebook Live to hear stories from those who have suffered life-altering experiences and how they have worked through challenges to come out on the other side.

The Lewises established the Abria’s Chase Foundation in the wake of a tragic housefire that claimed the lives of their children, Abria and Chase, in November 2009.

The week of Oct. 5-11 is Fire Safety Week, and the Lewises said their mission, through the foundation, is to try to help others.

“We didn’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Ayana said on Monday’s TownTalk. “We wanted to help others…we wanted to do the preventive end,” she said. In partnership with the American Red Cross and the local fire department, Abria’s Chase provides and installs free of charge smoke detectors and batteries. Call 252.430.9913 to learn more about how to sign up for this program.

But that’s not all Abria’s Chase offers. The Lewises started a support group in 2010 for parents who have experienced the loss of a child.

“June and I had one another to depend on and lean on,” Ayana explained, and they wanted to provide a similar support to others who may need it.

“It was such a big help for us, as well as the men and women,” Ayana said. The Loss of A Child Support Group meets on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m.

A support group for young people meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, too. It’s a time when children can come together and learn coping skills to help them navigate through the grief process.

As the holidays approach – often, the most difficult time for those who grieve the loss of a family member – they open up the support group to provide grief support, not just for parents but to families who may be interested in participating.

June encourages men experiencing loss or grief to reach out for help.

“It can be a hard thing for a man to communicate feelings,” June said. But talking to someone can help. “It really makes a huge difference,” he said.

The Lewises compare unexpressed feelings to an unopened soda can. The can holds pressure, and if it’s not used properly, the contents can get on things it was not intended to get on, June said.

Talking to someone – to relieve that pressure – can create positive, healthier outcomes.

Abria’s Chase Foundation has a cheer competition fundraiser coming up on Nov. 15 at 5 p.m.

All proceeds go to helping the foundation continue its work to provide support to the community. Ayana said there’s still time to enter the competition. Call 252.430.9913 to learn how.

To learn more about the organization, visit http://www.abriaschasefoundation.org/

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The Local Skinny! Central Station Marks Fire Safety Week With Open House Oct. 9

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There’s just something about a shiny, red fire engine that kindles excitement, from young children to older folks who are still kids at heart. And on Thursday, Oct. 9, the community is invited to come take an up-close-and-personal look at Central Fire Station’s newest piece of equipment – Engine No. 1 – as part of an Open House in observance of Fire Safety Week.

But that’s not the only thing to enjoy, said Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds. There will be pizza, Edmonds said, along with other fire safety demonstrations during the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. open house at Central Fire Station, located at 211 Dabney Dr.

You can learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher and learn techniques for safely exiting a burning structure in the “Smoke House,” a mobile training trailer that teaches how to get low and crawl in a smoke-filled space.

This year’s Fire Safety Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety,” which Edmonds said puts an emphasis on those rechargeable lithium ion batteries that find their way into so many household items these days.

“You’d be surprised how much stuff in your house runs off lithium ion batteries,” he said, stressing the importance of their proper use and disposal. It’s important to buy, charge and recycle batteries safely, he said.

The fire station always welcomes visitors, but the Open House will provide opportunities for learning about safety and how to respond in case of an emergency.

Learn more about Fire Safety Week at https://www.nfpa.org/

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Pine Bark Beetles

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Pine Beetles can devastate Pine trees quickly check your trees at least twice a year.

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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Reminder About Precinct Changes In Advance Of Oct. 7 Election

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— information courtesy of Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles

A reminder to Henderson voters planning to go to the polls on Tuesday, Oct. 7 – there are a couple of different polling places as a result of precinct consolidation.

According to information from Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles On behalf of the Vance County Board of Elections, the following changes are in effect:

  • North Henderson 1 & East Henderson 1 voters will now vote at Central Henderson (the gym on the former Eaton Johnson campus), 500 N. Beckford Dr.
  • Hilltop & South Henderson 2 voters will now vote at South Henderson (Perry Memorial Library), 205 Breckenridge St.

These changes are permanent, Rawles said and will apply to the upcoming nonpartisan municipal election and all future elections.

Another reminder from Rawles: Only residents living within the City of Henderson are eligible to vote in the city election. Voters living in Vance County but outside the city limits are not eligible to vote in this election.

Updated voter cards were mailed to all voters affected by the precinct change, and Rawles said anyone with question should call the Board of Elections office at 252.492.3730 or visit ncsbe.gov to check their voter information.

Marsha Overby 2025 Recipient Of VGCC Distinguished Alumni Award

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— information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation named Marsha Overby of Franklin County as its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award as part of the annual Scholarship awards luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 25.

“Each year, we are honored to recognize one of our outstanding alumni whose journey began right here at VGCC,” said Tanya Weary, VGCCF Executive Director. “This award not only celebrates individual achievement but also inspires current students to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose.”

Overby graduated from VGCC with an associate degree in Computer Information Technology.  She has since demonstrated outstanding leadership and character throughout every facet of her life and career. Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the State Highway Patrol, she is known for her professionalism, integrity and visionary leadership—qualities that inspire those around her and uphold the highest standards of public service. Beyond her professional achievements, Overby remains a passionate advocate for her community. She actively supports youth and community programs through her church, 4-H initiatives and the Oxford Preparatory School Board Finance Committee. Her involvement reflects a strong dedication to empowering young people, fostering creativity, and promoting leadership and service.

The VGCC Foundation hosts the scholarship luncheon annually to connect scholarship recipients with the donors who support their educational dreams. The Distinguished Alumni Award has become a highlight of the event, shining a spotlight on the lasting impact of a VGCC education.

For more information about The VGCC Foundation and its programs, visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation.

The Local Skinny! Triangle’s Got Talent at McGregor Hall

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Where in the world can you see performances by cloggers and Bollywood dancers, Gospel choirs and more?

Right here in Henderson, on Saturday night at McGregor Hall, of course!

The 2025 edition of ‘Triangle’s Got Talent’ comes to Henderson for an evening that’s sure to entertain. It’s a fundraiser for Henderson-based Hubzone Technology Initiative, which takes donated laptops and converts them to Chromebooks to be distributed to students and others who need them.

Ron Taylor, operations director at Hubzone Technology Initiative, said this year’s top prize is $1,000. There are 17 acts that will be vying for bragging rights – and the case prize.

A silent auction is underway now through Saturday, when all the items will be on display. One of the auction items is a couple of tickets to the McGregor Live! series, Taylor said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. to give folks a chance to view and bid on the silent auction items. Then the show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the McGregor Hall box office, online at hubzonetech.org/tgt or at the door on Saturday.

Adult tickets are $30 and $16 for children 13 and under.

This is the first year the event has been held in Henderson, and Taylor said the folks at McGregor Hall couldn’t have been more accommodating, the way staff has worked with contestants, and making sure all the lighting, audio/visual equipment and more is ready for the big event. People have gone “above and beyond” to make sure everything’s in place for the talent competition.

“We’re a grassroots organization based in Henderson,” Taylor said, and much of the work HTI does benefits people in Henderson and the surrounding areas, so it’s fitting that the competition take place where so much of the work happens.

HTI plows the proceeds from Triangle’s Got Talent back into donating those converted laptops to people in households, enabling them to thrive and have accessibility to further their careers or education advancement, he said.

“We want to be able to bridge that Digital Divide and give people no barriers to access,” Taylor said.

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