Bland Music scholarship winners

Branscome earns degree from University of Mississippi

Beatrice Branscome, a resident of Lanexa, graduated from the University of Mississippi as part of December 2025 commencement ceremonies. Branscome graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the School of Journalism and New Media, with an emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Letter to the Editor: Says Charles City should vote in favor for a fourth board member

Charles City is slowly dying from a life-threatening cancer. We can choose to treat it aggressively or leave it to fate. Effectively treating cancer is scary and often painful. Recovery is not immediate. I believe most of us would choose treatment. We have already begun to pick away at the cancer with a court-ordered forensic audit; a very deep dive into only three problem areas. Citizens who are subject matter experts have repeatedly cautioned our board [of supervisors] with facts. They have nothing to gain for themselves and do so for the love of the place we all call home….
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Gowdy named to President’s List at Montana State University

Campbell Gowdy, a resident of New Kent, was named to the President’s List at Montana State University for the Fall 2025 semester. To be recognized for the achievement, a student must be enrolled full-time and accumulate a grade-point average of 4.0.

Aird named as chairwoman to Committee on Local Government, Finance and Appropriations

Lashrecse Aird, who represents Charles City as a delegate in the state of Virginia, was appointed chairwoman of the Committee on Local Government and as a member of Finance and Appropriations. The position will allow her to construct plans of infrastructure to assist with economic development, housing, and energy planning to assist localities with plans and resources to improve community life.

Milby selected as student worship leader at Ohio Statehouse Prayer Service

Hannah Milby, a resident of New Kent, has been selected as a worship leader during the Ohio Statehouse Prayer Service. The service, which will take place on Mar. 11, at 10 a.m., at Columbus, Ohio. Milby will represent Cedarville University’s Rekindle student leadership, whose purpose is to gather together to connect Christians with state lawmakers through worship and prayer.

Letter to the Editor: Says county need clear conversations discussing data centers in New Kent

At the Feb. 17 New Kent Planning Commission meeting, staff unveiled a draft Technology Overlay District (TOD) proposal; an initiative described as a proactive approach to planning for future data centers. Like many residents, I was surprised to learn the county is already laying the groundwork for data center development despite the fact that no formal applications have been submitted. TODs are a zoning mechanism that allow land to be predesignated for data center use. Once property is in one of these districts, a developer would only need an administrative conditional use permit. That means no project-specific public hearings and…
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Heritage Public Library sponsors health care products drive

Platinum award for financial literacy

New Kent High School Second Quarter Honor Roll 2025-2026

New Kent High School Second Quarter Honor Roll Grade 9: Kirstin Adkins, Larry Akrie III, Ainsley Allen, Gigi Allen, Nathan Atkins, Audrey Batkins, Brayden Batkins, Dylan Beasley, Jayde Beasley, Kayleigh Beatley, Jillian Bender, Riley Bonds, Molly Borszich, Denver Bower, Brody Boyd, Ishbel Bristow, Chelsea Brown, Desiree Brown, Messiah Brown, Adam Bryant, Patrick Butler, Natalie Call, Emery Callahan, Holden Carr, Samuel Carr, Bella Carswell, Brody Catalano, Nixie Champine, Amya Charlesworth, Nehemiah Christian, Kaylyn Clements, Riley Cobb, Ashlin Coleman, Tina Concepcion, Jaxon Cook, Callen Corner, Dominic Cornett, Connor Crary, Ian Crum, Zachary Daughtrey, Cheyenne Davis, Kasey DeRose, Cayden Dickerson, Amelia Eacho, Zion…
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