News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 2, 2026
Local News
Restaurateur indicted on attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding charges in New Kent
A New Kent restaurateur accused of attacking two family members in a Jan. 20 confrontation now faces serious charges that include two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding. Sheng Jie Jen, 41, currently of Henrico Jail East, was indicted on five charges during New Kent Circuit Court grand jury proceedings on May 18. According to the indictment, Jin confronted his estranged wife, Yue Yue Zheng, outside Panda Garden restaurant, located in the New Kent Crossing shopping center on Route 249 in Quinton, both whom are co-owners of the restaurant. Jin allegedly threatened Zheng and her…
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Ordinance changes to special provisions in cluster subdivisions, floor plans, passed by New Kent boards
New Kent’s Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors approved ordinance changes to special provisions for open space or cluster subdivisions and “minimal final floor area” of residential dwellings at a special joint meeting and public hearing on May 18. Opening discussion targeted ordinance changes for Section 91-127 that focused on open spaces and cluster subdivisions. At issue was discussion on minimum acreage that would be required to execute the cluster subdivision . The proposal returned to the planning commission after supervisors ended in a deadlock 2-2 vote, resulting in the ordinance being rejected. Supervisors agreed during the April work session…
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Regulations for Bottoms Bridge Overlay District get favorable approval from NK commissioners; forwarded to board of supervisors
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 received a favorable recommendation from New Kent planning commissioners and now heads to the county’s board of supervisors. The May 18 public hearing addressed proposals that were made by county community development director Matthew Smolnik at New Kent Planning Commission’s monthly meeting in April. Smolnik said the proposed regulations are designed to protect the aesthetic and visual character of land, public health, safety, and welfare by managing growth…
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Woman receives no jail time from New Kent Circuit Court on reduced charge
A woman will serve no active time in jail after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor accessory after the fact to cocaine (originally possession of cocaine). Shannon Inez Shelton, 38 (address unknown), entered the plea during May 18 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence, last Oct. 5, New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a distress call on Farmers Drive concerning three missing children. The caller, Shelton, said she went out of town and left the kids with a babysitter and returned home to find them missing. While speaking to deputies, she had…
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Charles City schools announce hirings as part of restructuring for FY2015-16
As part of Charles City Public Schools FY2015-16 adopted budget, superintendent of schools David Gaston has announced the hiring of positions as part of the school board’s reorganization and restructuring plan effective July 1. Wendy Cauley has been named as Director for Teaching, Learning, and Accountability for the school division. She will be responsible for focusing on curriculum, assessment, and accountability measures for the school system. She has previously worked for Williamsburg-James City County and has 14 years of teaching experience. Tina Smith has been named as Director of Student Services and Federal Programs. Smith has worked in Charles City’s…
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New Kent undergoing patching, lane closures May 18-May 22
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced upcoming traffic projects for New Kent that will have road closures: Pothole patching on Interstate 64 on the following days: May 18-21: Right lane on I-64 East, 9 pm.-5 a.m. at mile marker 205. May 18-19: Alternating lanes on I-64 East, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. from mile marker 211 (Talleysville) to mile marker 220 (West Point). May 19-20: Alternating lanes on I-64 East, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. from mile marker 220 (West Point) to mile marker 225. Other projects: May 18-22: Route 60 east (Pocahontas Trail), 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. from Landing Road to Creeks End…
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Alert sent out for missing New Kent teenager
New Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has issued an alert for a missing New Kent Teenager. Mia Colaluca, 17, was last seen May 11 according to NCMEC. The teenager is described at a 5’6”, 125 pound white female with green eyes and brown hair. In a press release, New Kent detective Farrar Howard said Colaluca is in the middle of a custody battle between family members located in Louisiana and New Kent. He believes that Colaluca is alive and not in danger, saying he determined the case to be considered a…
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Resurfacing to close lanes on Benjamin Harrison Bridge
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will be closing alternating lanes for resurfacing on the Benjamin Harrison Bridge beginning on Monday, May 18, 7 a.m. and ending Saturday, June 19, 12 p.m. There will be a flagging operation in place with an 11-foot lane restriction for the duration of the project. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes during the flagging operation as a pilot car leads traffic across the bridge. Marine traffic will remain unaffected.
Adkins to seek new term on Charles City School Board
Preston Adkins has announced his candidacy for a third term on Charles City’s School Board as an at-large member. “I am thankful to have served the parents and children of Charles City for the last eight years,” said Adkins in a press release. “I am hopeful that I will get the opportunity to serve this community an additional four years. “I want to continue to watch our schools grow and our children succeed,” he concluded.
Charles City School Board adopts budget, adjusts salary scale for FY2015-16
Charles City School Board members formally adopted their FY2015-16 budget during a special meeting Tuesday evening. Representatives adopted $4,806,568 in local dollars as part of the total $10.1 million budget. As part of the adoption, school board members went into discussion on how to allocate a two-percent pay raise for teachers and solve issues on compression on the school’s salary scale. Options for application of those funds were first addressed during an Apr. 21 meeting by interim finance director Sheila Minor. She presented four options that included a straight two-percent raise for employees, an option for a one-percent raise at…
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