New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 24, 2014

Elder Carpenter’s walk-off RBI single stuns Lafayette, New Kent wins 6-5 in eight innings

New Kent players rush to congratulate Michael Carpenter (2) on his eighth inning single that drove in the winning run for a 6-5 decision over league leader Lafayette.Alan Chamberlain photos

New Kent’s Michael Carpenter didn’t take kindly to the decision by Lafayette’s baseball coaching staff to issue an intentional walk to his younger brother in order to get to him. And he would make them pay. With the game knotted 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the host Trojans had an opportunity to end today’s (Wednesday) affair after Ram relief pitcher Matt Keane missed inside on a 3-2 curve ball to walk leadoff hitter Clay Simpson. Simpson then stole second and stood in scoring position with no outs. Keane, however, struck out the next two batters, bringing Michael’s…
Read Full Story

Top Stories

  • LaPrade tosses perfect game, New Kent trounces Lafayette 22-0

    Lady Trojan Kaitlyn Finney slides safely into third base with a triple as Lafayette third baseman Summer Brinkley can't find the handle on the ball.Alan Chamberlain photo

    New Kent’s Lady Trojans scored almost at will on the way to trouncing Lafayette’s visiting Rams 22-0 today (Wednesday) in softball. Pitcher Brittany LaPrade, meanwhile, threw five innings of perfect ball, striking out eight while not allowing a single Ram batter to reach base. The win upped New Kent’s record to 8-2. The hosts opened with a six-run spurt in the first inning. Next, they added seven more runs in the second before the Rams could register the first out. After two complete, the advantage had reached 17-0. Four Lady Trojans stroked three hits apiece. Paige Simpson went 3-for-5 with…
    Read Full Story

  • Shortfall in revenue, need for emergency radio system play roles in New Kent supervisors’ budget options

    With the reduction of off-track betting revenue generated from Colonial Downs and the need to upgrade emergency radio equipment in the county for FY 2014-15, New Kent supervisors are weighing options to cover a projected $402,000 budget shortfall. As one of the options proposed by County Administrator Rodney Hathaway during an April 23 budget work session, supervisors will look to recover the aforementioned funds through adjustments in real estate taxes, eliminating a proposed community development director position, and reducing funding for county schools. An option favored by supervisors keeps the real estate tax at the current rate of 84 cents…
    Read Full Story

  • CC schools may receive relief from returning $436,000 to county

    If things turn out favorable as Charles City Board of Supervisor’s chairman Bill Coada sees it, county schools may not have to give back as much money as first thought. After supervisors unanimously approved the reduction of $223,346 in appropriations for May out of the school system’s budget at its regular April 22 meeting, Coada spoke about the possibility that the aforementioned reduction may be the last. “We’ve been looking every day for potential savings, and after a meeting with myself, [county administrator] Zach Trogdon, [superintendent of schools] Janet Crawley, and school board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones, I hope this is…
    Read Full Story

  • Only one speaks on Charles City proposed budget for FY 2014-15

    Only one Charles City resident spoke about the county’s proposed FY 2014-15 budget during the April 22 regular board of supervisors’ meeting. David Ledbetter addressed his concerns on the proposal, highlighting what he deemed as three key concerns supervisors should review. “My principle concern is that the school budget is being reduced by 10 percent,” he said, pointing to the proposed $9.7 million slated to be allocated to schools for the upcoming year. “I understand a lot of funds are from reductions in federal and state funding, but one-third of the decline is from the county side. Our schools need…
    Read Full Story

  • Misplay by Panthers in fourth leads to Middlesex victory

    Charles City's Adam Daniels successfully swipes second base as an Middlesex infielder misplays the ball.Andre' Jones photos

    For three innings, Charles City’s Panthers and the invading Middlesex Chargers played a close contest, with the visitors holding a 1-0 lead heading into the fourth inning. But a crucial error by the hosts proved costly as the contest quickly turned into a rout. A dropped outfield fly with two outs in the top of the fourth trigged a 4-0 run for Middlesex as they went on to top the Panthers 12-0 in the April 22 Tidewater District contest. The game seemed relatively in hand for the Panthers, thanks to starting pitcher Shea Clancy superb command of the ball. In…
    Read Full Story

  • Middlesex’s bats explode in opening innings to topple Lady Panthers

    Charles City's Casey Richardson hauls in a second inning pop fly to end the inning.Andre' Jones photos

    Charles City’s Lady Panthers head coach Lauren Wood admitted having a team of young players for a second consecutive year makes their season an uphill battle. That sentiment reflected in Tidewater District play in an April 22 contest against the Middlesex Lady Chargers. The visitors exploded out the gates, registering seven runs in the first frame and four in the second before the Lady Panthers could reach the scoreboard as Middlesex cruised to a 20-4 victory. Lady Charger Avis Keeling homered to lead off the game to commence the scoring festivities for the visitors. Eleven runs crossed the plate for…
    Read Full Story

Featured News

  • Lady Trojan Caitlin McCaughan rips a second half shot past King William's Jasmine Foster (13) and other Cavalier defenders.Alan Chamberlain photos
  • New Kent’s Tucker Huffman lunges for a shot in the number two singles match. Huffman scored the lone game win for the Trojans against Colonial Heights.Alan Chamberlain photo
  • New Kent's Clare Morris unleashes a backhand shot on the way to winning at number one singles.Alan Chamberlain photos
  • Lady Trojan Taylor James (7) controls a pass near the sideline as Jamestown's Morgan Connell closes in.Alan Chamberlain photo
  • Nora Fuller, 7, reaches out and touches a spider crab as grandfather Sam observes as part of Virginia Living Museum’s exhibit during New Kent’s Envirothon last Saturday. More than 20 exhibits on wildlife preservation, environmental safety, and horticulture techniques highlighed the annual event.Andre' Jones photo
  • Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, Makemie Woods Camp has built a “GaGa Pit,” for the every growing, fast paced game. Combining elements of dodge ball and hand ball, participants use the walls to ricochet the ball towards other players, with the goal to avoid being hit below the knees. “This is an aerobic game,” says director Mike Burcher. “It’s intensely fun. I generally don’t like elimination games, but in this one when you “get out” it is usually a welcome rest. The public is invited to try out the game at the Summer Camp Open House on Apr. 27, 1-4 p.m.
  • New Kent Rotary Club recently honored four new Paul Harris “Fellows,” at its March 31 meeting. Pictured are (l to r) Foundation Chairman Dwight Johnson, Wayne Hayden, Club President Jackie Smith, Assistant District Governor Frank Ferrante, and Kevin Eddowes. Not pictured is new Fellow Steve Dubosky. The organization recognized individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation for humanitarian projects by honoring and accepting individuals into the “Fellows” club.
  • New Kent Rotary Club inducted four new members into the organization at its March 31 meeting. Pictured are (l to r) Elizabeth Cave, Glenn Grambo, Jackie Smith (Club President), Ranee Clifford, and Mel Belcher. The club has been meeting in New Kent in various locations since 1995 and now has 33 members.
  • madnat
  • Horses and riders clear one of the fences in the first steeplechase race at Saturday's second annual Dogwood Classic hosted by Colonial Downs in New Kent County.Alan Chamberlain photos
  • The Charles City-James City-New Kent-York County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and volunteers celebrated Agriculture Literacy Week from March 23-29 by reading to over 790 students in eight elementary schools, two libraries, and one day care center in the four counties. The women’s committee provided books entitled, “What’s In The Garden” by Marianne Berkes to the aforementioned location. Above, Margaret Ice reads to children at Charles City’s branch of Heritage Public Library.