News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 2, 2026
Local News
Charles City citizens speak on four-cent tax hike, CIP at public hearing
With a proposal of a four-cent tax increase to support the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Charles City citizens voiced displeasure over the move during an Apr. 7 public hearing on the county’s FY2015-16 budget. Charles City’s budget for the upcoming year is pegged at $18,901,016. Of that amount, $13,799,224 are local dollars to help fund a $2,468,100 CIP with support of a real estate tax increase from 72 cents to 76 cents. Each penny on the tax increase would generate $80,750 for a total of $323,000 to support the plan. That figure would be paired with $500,000 from the…
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Colonial Downs shuts down all betting venues
Through a press release, Colonial Downs officials have announced the shutting down of all betting venues in the state, including EZ-Horseplay. The action marks the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between the ownership of the New Kent County racetrack and the state’s thoroughbred horsemen. The complete text of the Colonial Downs press release follows: Citing legislation currently working its way through the 2015 Virginia Legislative Session which will deny Colonial Downs approximately $2 million of operating funds annually, Colonial Downs announced today the immediate shutdown of all its remaining pari-mutuel venues. Senate Bill 1097 will reallocate funds previously used…
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Preliminary hearing for suspect in New Kent’s largest marijuana bust postponed a second time
A preliminary hearing for the New Kent man at the center of the largest marijuana bust in county history has again been postponed. But the prosecutor in the case says the latest delay is to allow more time for federal authorities to consider taking over the case. Danny Ray Norwood had been scheduled for preliminary hearing today (Tuesday) in New Kent General District Court on one count each of manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana (more than five pounds) with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana. That hearing is now set for June 9,…
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UPDATE: Alleged animal cruelty nets Chester man 13 charges in New Kent
A Chester man faces animal cruelty charges in connection with malnourished hunting dogs that New Kent sheriff’s personnel discovered in a private kennel in the county. Authorities, acting on a complaint, seized 15 dogs on March 21 at the kennel located at the Woodbourne Kampground off Hopewell Road in the county’s western end. “We picked up the dogs and took them to our pound where we fed them and treated them for worms and other issues,” said Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. “Our vet did an assessment on each dog and all were in very poor health.” And those dogs…
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Jones announces candidacy for District 4 supervisor position in New Kent
Herbert Jones, former treasurer for New Kent County, has announced his candidacy for the District 4 supervisor position in the fall election. Jones served as the county’s treasurer for 12 years and is a retired colonel from the Iraq war. He is currently the founder and CEO of Pyramid Tehnologies LLC, a cloud computing and cyber security consulting firm. “I have decided to run for the board because the citizens of the fourth district and New Kent County need forward-thinking, common sense, and decisive leadership,” said Jones in a press release. “Over my 30-year career as a citizen, soldier, and…
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New Kent man faces charges involving forged checks
A New Kent man has been arrested on warrants of check forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses after county sheriff’s personnel executed a search warrant and seized evidence at the suspect’s home. Jason Carlisle Maybush, 36, of the 5000 block of Hemlock Road, Quinton, faces two counts each of check forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses. All four charges stem from an alleged incident on March 15. Authorities searched Maybush’s home on April 2 and arrested the suspect that same day. He was being held without bond in Henrico Jail East pending an April 7 appearance in New…
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Coada seeks reelection bid for District 2 seat in Charles City
William “Bill” Coada has officially announced his bid for reelection for the District 2 supervisor seat in Charles City. “I want to thank the constituents for allowing me to serve not only District 2, but Charles City as well for the last three plus years,” Coada said. “I desire to continue to work and serve the citizens of this great community and move Charles City forward to bigger and brighter goals.”
New Kent School Board approves budget, discusses new location for tennis courts
New Kent School Board members have unanimously approved their budget for fiscal year 2015-16. With no comments received during a March 16 public hearing, representatives approved the $29,478,021 budget recommended by superintendent of schools David Myers. The budget includes a 1.5% salary increase for school employees, as well as $300,000 for digital conversion to initiate a one-to-one technology initiative. At a March 9 meeting, New Kent county administrator Rodney Hathaway recommended that schools be fully funded for the next fiscal year. In other business, school board members have decided on a possible new location for tennis courts. Board members elected…
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Possession of child pornography lands Quinton man six and a half year prison sentence
A Quinton man who was a target of a Virginia State Police investigation for downloading child pornography will now spend the next six and a half years in prison. Forrest Blake Jones, 22, of the 7100 block of Lakeshore Drive, received formal sentencing during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In January, Jones accepted a plea deal to one count of distribution of pornography and six counts of possession of child pornography. The defendant accepted the deal after a summary of evidence revealed that he downloaded, possessed, and printed images between last June 18 and Aug. 8. Jones…
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NKSO seeks information involving thefts from vehicles in Five Lakes
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on a recent thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Sassafras Road neighborhood of the Five Lakes area. The entries took place overnight from March 17 to the morning of March 18. There are no signs of forced entry into the vehicles, but several items have been reported missing. If you have any information or have seen any suspicious vehicle or persons, contact New Kent Sheriff’s Office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
