News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 19, 2024
News Archives for June, 2010
Advice comes in groups of three for CCHS graduates
Speakers imparted words of wisdom, usually in groups of three, to Charles City High School’s Class of 2010 as the school’s 39th commencement exercise unfolded last Friday night. Fifty-one graduates, including 15 honor grads, paraded across the stage inside the school’s gym to receive diplomas. Fourteen scholarship winners, meanwhile, walked away with awards totaling over $48,000. “Today is the day we’ve waited 12 long years for,” class salutatorian and president Kari Squire told classmates, adding that it seemed like only yesterday that class members graduated from kindergarten. In deciding on what to tell fellow grads, she said she opted for…
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Advice plentiful for NKHS grads leaving the ‘fishbowl’
Katie Jeter took a few lighthearted jabs at mortarboards, “Pomp and Circumstance,” and graduations in general. And at times, she managed to poke a little fun at herself. But along with the overall humorous tone of her speech, the valedictorian of New Kent High School’s Class of 2010 sprinkled in words of wisdom and advice for her 208 classmates seated inside VCU’s Siegel Center for June 12 commencement exercises. “We’re leaving the nest, or the fishbowl, or whatever you want to call it for whatever we, or fate, decide comes next,” she told graduates. “So what can I tell you?…
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Judge, CA step aside in case
New Kent’s commonwealth’s attorney’s office as well as the regular judge on the county circuit court bench are stepping aside in the case involving a former New Kent deputy sheriff accused of embezzlement. Commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory announced in court on June 14 that Holly Smith from Williamsburg-James City is taking over prosecution duties in the case involving E. Todd Landrum. Judge Thomas B. Hoover, meanwhile, said a substitute judge would be brought in to hear the case. Hoover scheduled a July 19 hearing to confirm the new judge’s appointment as well as set a trial date. Landrum, 35, of…
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NK tower numbers on rise
Twenty-five. That’s current total for wireless communications towers dotting the landscape in New Kent County. And recent approval of three more, including one just last week, will eventually up the number to 28. By a 4-1 vote during their June 14 meeting, supervisors approved a permit application submitted by Richmond-based Clear Signal Towers and property owner Lawrence E. Christian to erect a 195-foot monopole tower on a five-acre tract located at 3361 Quaker Road. Board chairman Marty Sparks cast the lone dissenting vote at last week’s meeting. He pointed to a recent surge in tower permit applications (another two are…
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Driver handed 6-month term
A New Kent man, who crashed his work van into an occupied house while under the influence of drugs, has been handed a six-month active jail sentence. Lonnie Ray Foster, 48, of 10301 Tunstall Road, has been held in jail since the incident last Dec. 4. Given credit for time already served, he is scheduled for release on June 30. Foster, however, has four years, six months hanging over his head. Following terms of a plea deal reached June 14 in New Kent Circuit Court, Judge Thomas B. Hoover imposed five years in prison with all but the six months…
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Second District 1 hopeful launching write-in campaign
A second resident in New Kent’s District 1 is launching a write-in campaign in next November’s special election for the district’s seat on the county School Board. Corey Blunt, a county native and former school system employee, announced a write-in bid last week. He says he has the backing of Stacy Simmons, who last held the elected post. Simmons resigned last fall after moving out of the district, and the board appointed Van McPherson to fill the position until next fall’s special election. McPherson has declined to run. Blunt, 21 and single, is a 2006 graduate of New Kent High…
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Trout amendments defeated as New Kent passes budget
New Kent Supervisor Stran Trout stepped to the plate three times with proposed amendments to the county’s fiscal 2011 budget and once for amending the county’s Capital Improvement Plan. But he must have thought he was facing Stephen Strasburg 100 mile-per-hour fastballs. He went 0-for-4. Board members then voted 4-1 during their June 14 meeting to adopt the county’s $50.2 million ($55 million when utilities are included) budget that goes into effect July 1. The budget features a 70-cent per $100 of assessed value real estate tax rate. Trout cast the lone dissenting vote. “You have to do what you…
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Rejected NK fire applicant charged in Co. 2 drug thefts
A New Kent man, who applied to be a volunteer with New Kent Fire and Rescue but was turned down, is now charged with stealing narcotics from drug boxes aboard ambulances stationed at the Quinton Fire and EMS (Company 2) fire house on Route 249. Monday afternoon, New Kent sheriff’s deputies arrested Clay Douglas Musselman, 22, of 7249 Airport Road, Quinton. The suspect is charged with two counts each of petty larceny and possession of controlled substances in connection with two incidents during which narcotics were reportedly stolen. A sheriff’s office report alleges Musselman entered Station 2 on May 4…
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CC School Board reconsidering public comment decision
Public concern apparently is prompting Charles City School Board members to reconsider a recent decision that eliminated a public comment session on non-agenda items from the board’s regular meeting agenda. Citing response from the community, board chairman Roy Campbell announced during the group’s June 15 meeting that board members are studying the matter and could address reinstating the session during their July 20 meeting. “If the board decides to revisit and put this back on the agenda, there’s the matter of conduct. You have to be respectful,” he told the crowd gathered for last week’s meeting. “I know there’s freedom…
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Fugitive in botched robbery to stand trial in NK
John Steven Carter, the reputed drug dealer who fled the area after authorities say he shot to death one of four teens involved in a 2008 botched robbery attempt, is being returned to New Kent County to face five felony charges. New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory said last week that an arrangement has been made with federal authorities to bring back Carter, who is charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal disposal of a dead body, and two counts of forging a public document. Carter is not being charged in connection with the…
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