H-V Chamber Of Commerce Gathering Business Swag For Teacher Welcome Bags

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While area students and teachers are enjoying summer vacation, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is getting a game plan together to provide welcome bags to 100 or so new teachers to various schools across the city and county.

Area businesses are invited to fill the bags with donations – useful supplies with your business logo would be a great addition, and Chamber’s director of Programs Vanessa Jones said donations can be dropped off through Friday, July 10.

The schools which will receive bags include Crossroads Christian School, Henderson Collegiate, Kerr Vance Academy, Oxford Preparatory School, Vance Charter and Vance County Schools.

Please drop your items off at the Chamber Office, located at 414 S Garnett St. Call Jones at the Chamber 252.438.8414 for more information.

Cooperative Extension with Nitasha Kearney: Kitchen to Market

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Nitasha Kearney, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This segment talks about a few things and events happening with Cooperative Extension’s Go For Health Programs during the summer. We also talk about the learning habits of eating healthy foods to keep you healthy physically.

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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Sole Occupant of Vance County Jail Cell Found Unresponsive of Apparent Suicide Attempt

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— from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On June 20, 2026, at approximately 4:40 p.m., detention officers at the Vance County Detention Center discovered 46-year-old inmate Barry Reavis unresponsive inside his cell.

Detention officers immediately initiated life-saving measures and requested assistance from Vance County Emergency Medical Services. Reavis was transported to Duke University Hospital, where he remains on life support.

Preliminary investigation indicates this incident was an apparent suicide attempt. At the time he was discovered, Reavis was the sole occupant of the cell.

Reavis was being held at the Vance County Detention Center following his recent arrest on drug-related charges stemming from a joint operation conducted by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, and the Henderson Police Department.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident at the Vance County Detention Center.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips mobile application.

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Vance County Jail: Detainee Attempted Jail Break Monday; Detainee Hanged Himself Over Weekend

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The Vance County Jail finds itself back in the news after two separate incidents over the last few days.

Around 1:15 p.m. Monday, a detainee attempted to escape from the jail, and while the detainee did manage to get outside the building itself, the detainee was unable to fully break out.

WIZS News parked a few blocks away and walked down the sidewalk on Breckenridge Street once it was obvious the situation was under control, and from the sidewalk in front of the jail itself, emergency personnel were obviously attending to an injured subject.

About 1:45 p.m. on 6-22-26, emergency personnel remove an injured detainee from between two security fences outside the left, rear corner of the Vance County Jail.

Soon, the detainee was removed in handcuffs on a stretcher and was alert.  The detainee was placed in an ambulance.

From the sidewalk, WIZS News snapped a photo, deliberately not showing anyone’s face, while the detainee was being taken to the ambulance.

On the scene, Sheriff Curtis Brame said, “(The detainee) attempted to escape but did not.” He said, “(The detainee) was caught between the fences.”

Over the weekend, a detainee hanged himself.  Brame said, “He is at (a larger area) hospital. He is not dead.”  Brame said he would know more when he heard from the doctor.

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TownTalk: Henderson Music & Arts Festival Recap

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Bridger Stewardson is one cool dude.

The 19-year-old just pulled off the first Henderson Music & Arts Festival in his hometown, which, from all accounts, was a great success. Hundreds of people came out to check out the lineup, which included local bands as well as other musicians and vocalists from Durham and Boston, MA.

Stewardson, who just completed his freshman at the renown Berklee School of Music in Boston, is an accomplished jazz pianist. The 2025 Vance Charter School graduate told WIZS in an earlier interview that the festival is a way for him to give back to his hometown.

He mentioned a couple of takeaways from having the first year under his belt.

One, “That I’m going to do it again next year, for sure, and every year after, hopefully,” Stewardson said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Second takeaway – he’s going to hire some more help.

He got to the site about 8:30 in the morning on Sunday, June 14 and was still there finishing up at 10 that night. In addition to setting up and making sure everything was ready for the performances, Stewardson was a great festival greeter and ambassador. And that was all before he took the stage.

“It was just great to see so many people show up,” he said. “Five, six hundred people, in and out all day…everybody smiling the whole time, dancing. It was a good day.”

People from all different ethnicities, backgrounds and ages made up the crowd, which Stewardson attributes to the music.

“It was the music that worked all that other stuff in,” he said.

Listening to live music creates a special feeling among concertgoers. “You feel like you’re almost part of it, of the moving organism that the event is based around,” he noted.

Jimmy and the Sound Barriers kicked things off, and the Westbrooks provided the intro to Bridger & Friends, which was the final group to take the stage.

“All of the groups were stellar. I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout for the music,” he said.

As he thinks about next year’s festival, Stewardson said he may consider moving the date up just a bit to avoid the heat – it was in the upper 80’s on festival day before a quick shower cooled things off a bit.

There were tents and misting fans which helped, and the breeze was “super nice” under the tents to help keep folks comfortable.

“Everybody I talked to had a great time,” Stewardson said. It was just a happy time, he said, adding that he loved seeing folks out dancing in front of the stage, smiling and talking to old friends and meeting new ones.

Bridger & Friends will be playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. in Oxford for the final installment of Quittin’ Time.

Then he’ll be headed off to NYC to hang out with the Parliament Funkadelic guys and the bassist for the Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company.

All this before beginning his sophomore year.

Yep, Bridger Stewardson is one cool dude.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Yellowjackets

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Yellowjackets can be controlled  by using Wasp Spray after the nest has been located. The time to spray the nest is dusk to dark in the evening.

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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Vance County Veterans Memorial Installation

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Plans to install the Vance County Veterans Memorial are right on track, with the hard work beginning on Wednesday in advance of the official unveiling and dedication at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.

As American Legion Post 60 Commander Hartwell Wright said recently, it’s going to be pretty difficult to keep the 9-foot memorial a secret for the week or so between the time it’s put in its permanent location until the morning of July 4.

But it’ll give folks time to get things tidied up and pretty up the landscaping that will be a part of the monument site, located at 200 Breckenridge St. just outside the Henderson Police Department.

The community is invited to bring lawn chairs and be a part of this momentous occasion, which will include a presentation on the history of Vance County from its beginnings to the present day by local historians Tem Blackburn and Mark Pace.

Fundraising for the monument is going well, with about $18,000 left of the overall $150,000 goal, Wright said. The monument includes a memorial headstone with the names of the 126 names of Vance County military members killed in action.

Wright said, “Folks have been good to us. It’s been a blessing.”

In the event of rain, the ceremony will move to nearby McGregor Hall.

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ALE Concludes Long-Term Drug Trafficking Investigation in Vance County

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— courtesy of NC Dept. of Public Safety; Alcohol Law Enforcement

HENDERSON, N.C. — The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) division has concluded a long-term investigation into drug trafficking and sales at several ABC-permitted businesses in Henderson and Vance County.

ALE special agents initiated the investigation in January 2026 after receiving numerous community complaints regarding loitering and harassment by suspected drug dealers at these establishments.

Throughout the investigation, undercover agents purchased trafficking amounts of controlled substances from a range of suspects, including gang members, sex offenders, absconders and individuals with violent criminal histories. Agents identified that key participants in the trafficking operation collaborated with gangs to distribute drugs into the local community. Agents also discovered evidence of illicit drug manufacturing inside homes where children were present.

“The success of this investigation is a testament to the dedication of our ALE special agents and the strength of our partnerships with the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation,” said ALE Director Bryan House. “By working together and acting on the concerns shared by the community, we have effectively disrupted significant criminal activity. We will continue to utilize these collaborative efforts to ensure that ABC-permitted businesses are safe environments and that those who engage in illegal activities are brought to justice.”

During the investigation, agents seized more than a pound of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. They also recovered MDMA, opioids, heroin, $5,479 in cash and 10 firearms, majority of which were possessed by convicted felons. Additionally, agents arrested three individuals for armed robbery during the investigation, including a 15-year-old.

“This operation demonstrates the value of collaboration amongst law enforcement agencies,” said District Attorney Mike Waters. “We will continue to pursue accountability for individuals involved in criminal activity and support efforts that make our neighborhoods safer.”

ALE, with assistance from the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, conducted an operation on June 17 and 18 where they executed seven search warrants and arrested or obtained warrants for more than 15 people on a combined total of more than 170 charges.

Criminal charges are as follows:

Dermale Alphonso Durham, 38, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Michael Joseph Gill, 46, of Oxford

  • Trafficking Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Manufacture, Sell, Deliver, Possess a Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a School
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine

Zyquaveon Hargrove, 20, of Henderson

  • Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Conspire to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances

Reginald Tyrone Harris, 54, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Tatianna Hinton, 24, of Oxford

  • Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Conspire to Commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
  • Promote Drug Sales by a Minor
  • Misd. Carrying Concealed Gun
  • Misd. Assault by Pointing a Gun
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce

Maurice Gerod Kearney, 36, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Ecstasy
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess/Sell Non-Tax Paid Liquor
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Richard Cliffton Newman, 46, of Norlina

  • Obtain Property by False Pretense

Barry Oneil Reavis, 46, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance – 3 counts
  • Trafficking Cocaine – 9 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Cocaine – 4 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Cocaine – 4 counts
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine – 3 counts
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana up to ½ ounce
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Jonathan Allan Rhodes, 37, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Heroin
  • Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Mario Antwon Solomon, 50, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Carrying a Concealed Gun
  • Trafficking Methamphetamine – 3 counts
  • Trafficking Fentanyl
  • Manufacturing a Schedule II Substance
  • Conspire to Sell Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Sell Methamphetamine
  • Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Misd. Possess Marijuana Paraphernalia
  • Misd. Possess Drug Paraphernalia

Andre Lamont Stevenson, 37, of Norlina

  • Misd. Allow Unlawful Conduct on Licensed Premises

Frederick Williams, 45, of Henderson

  • Possession of a Firearm by Felon
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 5 counts
  • Trafficking Cocaine – 11 counts
  • Trafficking Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 6 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 5 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Cocaine – 7 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Cocaine – 6 counts
  • Conspire to Traffick Cocaine – 8 counts
  • Conspire to Sell Methamphetamine – 2 counts
  • Conspire to Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Conspire to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Substance
  • Sell Methamphetamine
  • Deliver Methamphetamine
  • Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance
  • Conspire to Sell Schedule II Substance

Shawn Andre Williams Jr., 18, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substances
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell of Deliver Counterfeit Controlled Substance

The following individuals have active arrest warrants as of June 19:

Christopher Donnel Watkins, 52, of Townsville

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Sell Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Deliver Cocaine – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Jimmy Lee Branch Jr., 51, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine
  • Deliver Cocaine

Malik Jones, 24, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana
  • Sell Marijuana
  • Deliver Marijuana

Keith Jones, 49, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine

Antwain Nicholas Quazon Allen, 27, of Henderson

  • Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine
  • Sell Cocaine
  • Deliver Cocaine

Agents also discovered illegal gambling machines located at several businesses involved in the illicit drug transactions. ALE executed search warrants at four locations: 4U Country Store, 13674 N.C. 39; Park and Play, 13020 N.C. 39; New Hope Mini Mart, 47 Morgan Road; and Williamsboro Grocery, 7690 N.C. 39. Officers seized illegal gaming equipment as well as $35,677 in cash.

This investigation remains ongoing and more charges are pending.