News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 2, 2026
Local News
Orrell enters race for Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney position
Wayne H. Orrell has announced his bid for election to the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney for Charles City County. Orrell is a trial attorney who has practiced in the local area for the past 15 years. His law practice focuses on criminal defense and litigation, working previously with Goodwin, Sutton, and Duval, as well as Tucker and Marsh before opening his office in Charles City in 2010. “I hope that I can be fair and recognize the needs of justice and yet not lose perspective on the impact that a prosecution carries,” Orrell said in a press release. “My hope…
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Ledbetter challenges for District 3 seat in Charles City
David O. Ledbetter has announced his candidacy to represent District 3 on the Board of Supervisors in Charles City. Ledbetter, a retired attorney who practiced environmental law, recently chaired the county’s board of equalization. He has served for many years on the county’s career and technical education advisory council. He is a long-standing member of Memorial United Methodist Church, John Tyler Community College Foundation, and the Charles City Ruritan Club. “Charles City has given my family a wonderful home,” Ledbetter said in a press release. “If elected, I will devote myself to strongly supporting the public education, promoting economic development,…
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Four arrested by New Kent Sheriff’s Office
New Kent Sheriff’s Office has arrested four individuals in unrelated incidents that have occurred in the county within the month of May. Sheriff’s personnel charged: –Jesse Harmon Cheadle, 37, of the 4300 block of Old Union Road, Charles City, with one count each of public intoxication, driving revoked (DUI related), and driving with an open alcoholic container. According to the arrest report, on May 30, Cheadle was pulled over during a traffic stop where alcohol was found in his car. After a background check, it was revealed his license was revoked. He was held in Henrico Jail East and released…
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Charles City High School Class of 2015 scholarships and awards
Vanessa Adkins- Anne Trevarthen Memorial, Heather Dayton Memorial, Omega Psi Phi National Essay Contest, William & Mary Scholars, Charles City Educational Foundation. Jesse Bradby- Virginia Union University merit, Little Elam Baptist, Virginia Union University Marching Band. Taylor Bradby- 1963 Class of Ruthville High School, Clark Atlanta University Undergrad Admissions. Ja’Kara Brown- Chowan University, New Vine Baptist. Brandon Collie- United States Military Academy, Military Officers Association of America, America’s Propane. Tamea Delaney- Mt. Zion Baptist. Stephen Gallmeyer Jr.- Old Dominion University Academic Scholars Award. Walter Gordon III- Charles City Ruritan, Charles City Public Schools Class of 1967 in Honor of Janet…
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Man killed in wrong way accident on Interstate 64 in New Kent
A Richmond man was killed during a May 31 early morning accident at mile marker 209 in New Kent after reports of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 64 in New Kent. Michael S. McCall, 40, died at the scene of the crash. According to a press release, state police received a report of a driver entering the interstate near mile marker 214 (Providence Forge) around 3 a.m. McCall, who was driving a 2004 Buick Park Avenue, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. His car collided head-on with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer carrying household goods. McCall was pronounced dead at…
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New Kent man, suspect in double murder, killed in wreck; two others dead, two injured
A New Kent man who was a suspect in a double murder in Chesterfield, died after a wreck on Interstate 295 that killed two other people and injured two additional victims. Stafford L. Shaw Sr. 46, of the 9000 block of Shewsbury Drive, New Kent, was killed after his accident caused a four-car chain-reaction on May 29 on Interstate 295 in Mechanicsville. According to the state police report, Shaw was a suspect in the murder of Morgan R. Rogers, 34, and Leah Rogers, 1, of Chesterfield. Shaw was Rogers’ estranged boyfriend and was wanted for two counts each of second…
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Charles City High School 2015 graduates dubbed ‘Class of Conquerors’
Overcoming every obstacle from Standards of Learning (SOL) testing and a sharp change of curriculum, graduates of Charles City High School were deemed a “Class of Conquerors” by outgoing school principal Stephannie Crutchfield. Fifty members of Charles City High School’s Class of 2015 received advice from Virginia State Sentator A. Donald McEachin during May 29 commencement ceremonies. And even McEachin admitted that what he gave was already known by the graduates. “The things that took you here to graduate will get you through the rest of your life,” the state senator said. McEachin offered three points of emphasis in his…
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Charles City High School Class of 2015 Valedictorian- Caylin Stewart
Caylin O. Stewart posted a grade-point average of 4.68 as valedictorian for Charles City High School’s Class of 2015. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as a team manager for the boys’ basketball team. She also has participated in several other organizations and programs in the school. Caylin will attend Virginia Tech University and pursue her studies in agriculture. She is the daughter of Bobbie and Corey Stewart.
Charles City High School Class of 2015 Salutatorian- Vanessa Adkins
Vanessa Y. Adkins is salutatorian of Charles City High School’s Class of 2015 with a grade-point average of 4.4. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated on the girls’ softball team. She also served as the student liaison to the Charles City School Board. Vanessa plans to attend the College of William and Mary to pursue a degree in international relations. She is the daughter of Angela and Peter Adkins.
Charles City High School Class of 2015
Vanessa Y. Adkins Benjamin D. Benford Jr. Jesse B. Bradby Jordan I. Bradby Taylor C. Bradby Ja’Kara A. Brown Brandon S. Bulheller Shawn L. Burks Jr. Maryann A. Chargualaf Alisha K. Charity Kewan M. Charity Shea V. Clancy Brandon S. Collie Q’Nique A. Cotman Adam C. Daniels Alex L. Daniels Miranda E. Decker Tamea L. Delaney Stephen W. Gallmeyer Jr. Walter C. Gordon III Phylicia L. Green Demonte’ M. Greene Kemondre M. Greene Quinton E. Greene Haley N. Hargis Jessica C. Harris Jestin D. Harris John E. Hoffmann Jr. Hailey I. Holmes Eric T. Hula Da’Vondria L. Jefferson Tyler A….
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