News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 1, 2026
Local News
Overnight guardrail repairs to slow westbound traffic on Interstate 64
Overnight repairs to guardrails will slow traffic on Interstate 64 westbound from July 13-16. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will be working from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. to fix guardrails on both sides of the westbound highway. Closings are as followed: –The left lane will be closed between mile markers 219 and 220 (West Point) on July 13-14. –The right lane will be closed at mile marker 214 (Providence Forge) on July 15-16. –The left lane will be closed between mile markers 222 and 223 on July 15-16.
Multi-county burglary ring duo indicted in Charles City
Two men who were involved in a multi-county burglary ring that terrorized four jurisdictions have now received indictments for crimes allegedly committed in Charles City. A grand jury returned true bills of indictment on William Lawrence Paige, 52, of the 1300 block of Burma Court, Richmond, and Benjamin Lee Potter, 37, of the 9000 block of Horse Castle Court, Glen Allen, during Tuesday morning Charles City Circuit Court proceedings. According to the indictment, the duo allegedly burglarized the home of Tiffany Sizemore as a part of their multi-county burglary spree on January 15. From Sizemore’s home, hunting apparel valued at…
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New Kent Historic School to become home of Rappahannock Community College satellite campus
In March 2013, New Kent supervisors voted to renovate the Historic School in hopes of converting it into an elementary school for the county. But with major snags in 2014 that included Marengo Management electing not to continue the second phase of the renovation project and eliminating the notion of a third elementary school, the building has sat vacant for nearly a year. Now, the Historic School will be the home of higher education after a unanimous vote of approval from New Kent leaders. A 5-0 vote to lease the newly renovated building to Rappahannock Community College (RCC) marks a…
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After amendments, Bottoms Bridge Overlay gets approval from New Kent leaders
A proposed set of regulations aimed at governing the appearance of development along the main arterial highways (New Kent Highway and Pocahontas Trail) in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent has been approved by county supervisors. Monday evening’s decision comes after a one-month reflection period to address areas of concern from county supervisors. The overlay district is designed to bring aesthetic and visual character to the land, public health, safety, and welfare. Exceptions to the color aspect include that nationally recognized trademarks, colors, and logos (such as McDonald’s bright yellow color) be exempted upon approval of the development director….
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Construction of roundabout in New Kent halted due to contract dispute
A project to improve a dangerous intersection in New Kent has hit a major snag. And it may be a while before it can be unraveled. Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of New Kent Highway (Route 249) and Tunstall/Airport Road (Route 612) has been idle for the last three months. Half of the $2.7 million VDOT project had occurred in April, when the contractor pulled out of the contract. Concerns about the lack of work prompted District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn to question VDOT maintenance superintendent Chad Baker about the issue during the board’s June regular work meeting….
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Old ordinance impacting recreational activity, says New Kent residents
An ordinance that has been unchanged for several years has caused two New Kent citizens to voice their displeasure about one particular recreational activity not allowed on Chickahominy Lake. Jonathan Edmonds and Daniel Moore addressed county leaders Monday evening during the supervisors’ meeting public comment period. At issue is a county ordinance that bans water skiing. Edmonds questioned the existence of the ordinance during his allotted time. “I don’t even know why this ordinance exists,” he said. “This is a public lake and I believe that no activity should be restricted by a county ordinance. “The law does not specify…
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Tsigaridas named new Charles City High School principal
Panagiotis K. Tsigaridas has been named as the new principal of the recently consolidated Charles City High School effective July 1. Tsigaridas served as an assistant principal at Denbigh High School in Newport News for seven years prior to his new appointment. He has also served as an assistant principal for the Summer Academy at Tabb High School, and taught science classes in biology and anatomy at Woodside High School. “We are very excited to have Mr. Tsigaridas join our leadership team,” said school board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones. “The school board is confident that he will bring new ideas, vision,…
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Eltham man arrested for alleged assault on minor
An Eltham man was arrested after getting into a domestic dispute with a minor at his residence in New Kent. James Leon Morris Jr., 42, of the 19000 block of Plumside Lane, was arrested on July 1 after New Kent Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a domestic dispute. Upon arriving, it was determined that Morris was the alleged aggressor in an altercation with a 14-year old boy. Morris was transported to Henrico Jail East and charged with one count each of strangulation and domestic assault and battery.
Amherst man admits guilt to multi-county high speed chase as part of plea agreement
An Amherst County man pleaded guilty to three felony charges as the result of an 85-mile police chase at speeds often in excess of 100 miles per hour over roads in New Kent and Charles City counties as part of a plea agreement in Monday morning New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Carl Byron Viar Jr., 26, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding of police, possession of a Schedule I or II narcotic, and ammunition possession by a convicted felon. Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory elected to drop one charge of firearm possession by a non-violent felon and…
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Pursuit leads to backup on Interstate 64; police search for driver
Virginia State Police along with authorities from West Point are looking for the driver that caused a seven-mile backup on Interstate 64 on Independence Day. According to the police report, a pursuit began around 10 a.m. in West Point and eventually led to the vehicle exiting onto Interstate 64 westbound. The chase continued with the suspects turning around into eastbound traffic at mile marker 211 (Talleysville). Officers terminated the pursuit due to a vast amount of holiday traffic and safety for other drivers. The vehicle was located eastbound at mile marker 219 later, with both the driver and passenger missing…
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