News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 2, 2026
Local News
Driver killed overnight in New Kent
A motorist is dead after a fatal accident in the early morning hours of New Kent. Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Stephan Vick said around 1:05 a.m. on Sept. 13, a vehicle crashed at the intersection of Old Church Road and Tunstall Road. The vehicle was the only one involved in the accident. No further details are available at this time. An update is expected later on this morning.
New Kent school board approves tennis courts contract, heads to county supervisors
New Kent school board members unanimously agreed to enter into a contract with Tennis Courts Inc. for the construction of a tennis court facility for the high school. After a March outcry from citizens about the conditions of the courts that prevented any home matches for the high school team, school board members looked to resolve the problem through discussions that included cost and moving the courts. In July, talks resulted in approving the relocation of the tennis courts to the front of the high school. At the Sept. 10 board meeting, school board members favored entering a contract with…
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Barnes, CC man involved in national kidnapping case, sentenced to 35 years in prison
A Charles City man who abducted a Philadelphia woman off the streets in a case that made national headlines, entered a guilty plea during Sept. 10 United States District court proceedings and will spend the next 35 years in a federal penitentiary. Delvin Barnes, 37, pleaded guilty to the abduction of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, 22, in Philadelphia, Pa. during the federal case held in Philadelphia. In Oct. 2014, Barnes was being investigated by Charles City Sheriff’s Office regarding multiple alleged crimes against a 16-year old female from Richmond. Among those charges were attempted murder, abduction, malicious wounding, malicious wounding with chemical,…
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Candidate for Charles City Sheriff arrested, indicted on six felony charges
A Town of West Point man who declared his candidacy in the race for sheriff in Charles City County has turned himself in and was indicted on six felony charges related to activities involving submitting election materials for his campaign. Indictments unsealed Wednesday afternoon were served on Vance R. Richards, 46. Written accusations allege that Richards submitted an address that was repeated on six different forms on the June 5 deadline when declaring for candidacy to run for sheriff in Charles City. Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Stephan Vick said he was contacted by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney office in…
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Brothers continue to honor cousin, family with GOA festival
The passing of George Oscar Allen Jr., a Lanexa businessman, shocked the New Kent community last year. At the young age of 38, the former owner of Ed Allen’s Boats & Bait died in May and left behind his wife, four children, and a host of friends. But Allen’s impact on the community touched many hearts. Last year, Allen’s cousins Benjamin and Brock Ward orchestrated an event to honor the businessman. Now, that event has become not only a way to honor Allen, but has become a way to support Allen’s children. The GOA Fall Festival at Ed Allen’s Campground…
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Porter elevated to acting principal at Charles City Elementary School
Angela Porter has been appointed as acting principal of Charles City Elementary school after the resignation of former principal Latonia Anderson. Anderson resigned effective Sept. 4 to assume new duties in Petersburg Public Schools as coordinator of professional development and curriculum. She has spent the last seven years as an administrator at Charles City Elementary School, including the last three as principal. “It is with a heavy heart that I leave a place that has meant so much to me,” Anderson said in a press release. “I am truly honored to serve as principal and assistant principal of Charles City…
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Suspect in chase that left officers injured among Charles City indictments
Three people, including a man who led Charles City officers on a high-speed chase that resulted in injuries to two officers, were among those indicted by a grand jury during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Andrew Leroy Williams, 34, of the 7000 block of Church Lane, Charles City, was indicted on one count each of felony eluding, leaving the scene of an accident, unauthorized use of a vehicle, misdemeanor driving suspended, and misdemeanor reckless driving. On May 20, Williams allegedly was involved in a high-speed chase on Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway). Around 1:30 p.m. on…
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Paving to close on and off ramps overnight on Interstate 64 in New Kent Sept. 8-9
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be paving entrance and exit ramps on Interstate 64 eastbound next week during overnight hours. The on and off ramp at exit 214 (Providence Forge/Route 155-Courthouse Road) will be closed on Sept. 8-9, 7 p.m.-6 a.m. for VDOT to attend to the maintenance issues. A detour will direct eastbound motorists who planned to use exit 214 to take exit 211 (Talleysville) to Route 106 North (Emmaus Church Road). Travelers will take Route 106 North to Route 249 East (New Kent Highway) for approximately three miles to Route 155 (Courthouse Road). Turn right onto Route…
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Expansion of business kicks off turnaround for Maidstone Development in New Kent
In November 2013, the Maidstone development, part of the New Kent Courthouse Village, was purchased by John Adamson from John Crump in order to kickstart life back into the once stagnant area. It seems that after nearly two years of waiting, the turn towards a brighter future for the establishment is only a matter of time. Part of the reasoning for Maidstone development is credited to four businesses that have flourished. Active Life Fitness, Maidstone Dental, New Kent Insurance Agency, and Stay & Play Child Care continue to be bright business spots for the complex. Now, other companies are looking…
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CC supervisors award fiber contract, turn focus to potential library costs
Charles City supervisors unanimously approved the awarding of a dark fiber installation contract during its Sept. 2 quarterly work session. While the name of the winning bidder has not been announced, county administrator Zach Trogdon said the supervisors will enter into a labor contract of $302,216.64. Trogdon also mentioned that by entering into the labor-only bid, the county will spend just over $105,000 to purchase materials for the construction. “By doing this major change, it gets us under our budget for the project,” said the county administrator. “The original target date of completion in October may be pushed back by…
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