News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 2, 2026
Local News
Norment announces reelection bid
Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr., who represents New Kent, announced he will run for reelection for the Senate seat of the 3rd District. “I am honored to serve the people of the 3rd District in the Senate, to serve my caucus and my party as a Senate Majority Leader, and to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Norment said in a press release. “I have been continually honored with the trust and confidence of the voters I serve and represented.” Norment was first elected in 1991 and has served as Republican Floor Leader from 1998 to 2007 and as…
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New Kent, Charles City authorities join other localities, feds in smashing burglary ring
Law enforcement personnel in several jurisdictions, including New Kent and Charles City counties, working in conjunction with federal authorities have smashed a burglary ring that is said to have inundated the Richmond Metro area with multiple break-ins and thefts, firearms in particular. Three suspects already have been indicted by a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury that convened earlier in March. Now, federal indictments could be on the horizon since the ATF is involved in the matter, said New Kent Detective Lt. Joey McLaughlin. The trio allegedly sold stolen firearms on the streets of Richmond, he said. Both Benjamin Potter,…
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New Kent supervisors negotiating with Harris Corporation for emergency communications system
After negotiations to join a regional radio grid fell by the wayside in New Kent, supervisors elected to find another provider to bring emergency communications to the county. Not only did New Kent staff find another provider, they found one at nearly a $1.5 million cheaper rate. New Kent supervisors voted unanimously during their March 25 work session to negotiate a contract with Harris Corporation to install a $5.5 million emergency communications system. As part of approval to enter the contract, supervisors also voted to hire a federal engineer to help with the process. The decision comes after an offer…
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Juvenile inmate escapes in New Kent but apprehended a short time later
A juvenile inmate, who fled into nearby woods after escaping from a juvenile correctional facility van while the vehicle was stopped in New Kent County for gasoline, was taken back into custody after being sighted a short time later on Interstate 64. The incident took place around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday just after the van pulled into the Pilot convenience store located on Route 106 (Emmaus Church Rd.) near the Talleysville (mile marker 211) interchange. The van was carrying three male juvenile inmates, and was driven by a female correctional officer, the only officer on board. The van was returning to…
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Proposed four-cent tax increase to fund CIP, budget in Charles City for FY2015-16
A four-cent tax increase on the county’s real estate rate in an effort to support Charles City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was proposed during the Mar. 24 regular meeting of county supervisors. County finance director Michelle Johnson presented the county’s proposed local funding budget for FY2015-16 to county leaders and the public. Johnson and county administrator Zach Trogdon are proposing an amount of $13,799,224 in local dollars to execute county operations for the upcoming fiscal year. Johnson commented after the meeting that a final figure that includes state and federal dollars designated to Charles City had not been finalized, but…
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Charles City man charged with attempt to unlawfully film men in New Kent store’s restroom
A Charles City County man has been arrested after he allegedly placed a tablet computer above a toilet in the men’s restroom at a local store in an apparent attempt to film individuals using the facility. Asante Robert Cotman, 20, of Church Lane in Charles City, is charged with one count of attempted unlawful filming of another without permission. He was arrested on March 17, taken to Henrico Jail East, and subsequently released on $4,000 bond. According to a sheriff’s office report, an employee at the Dollar General store in Bottoms Bridge, where the suspect also worked, discovered the tablet….
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Home search leads to drug charges against New Kent man
A New Kent man faces two drug possession charges after county sheriff’s personnel searched the residence where the suspect lives. Inside, officers found marijuana and another illegal drug, believed to be cocaine. Authorities arrested Ronald Shawn Altizer, 28, of Carriage Road in Providence Forge, on March 21 following what a sheriff’s office report labeled a “consented search.” Detective Lt. Joey McLaughlin said the home’s owner granted permission for the search. Altizer is charged with one count each of possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was taken to Henrico Jail East where warrants…
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Roundabout construction to commence at Tunstall/Airport Road and New Kent Highway intersection
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin construction on a roundabout project at the intersection of New Kent Highway (Route 249) and Tunstall/Airport Road (Route 612) this week. The new roundabout, expected to cost $1.7 million, will improve traffic flow and provide increased safety at that intersection. Pavement will be also widened for pedestrians and cyclists. During construction, motorists can expect alternating lane closures. The speed limit will also be reduced to 35 miles per hour in the area as well. The project is expected to be completed by November. For more information on the project, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/roundabout_at_routes_249-612_in_new_kent.asp.
Assault with table on uncle nets Charles City man six years in prison
A Charles City man who assaulted his uncle last summer during a domestic dispute will serve a six-year prison sentence. Eric Karl Allen, 51, of the 4400 block of Old Union Road, was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 of those years suspended on one count of malicious wounding during March 20 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. He earned an additional year in prison as a result of violating probation. Allen also received a suspended one month jail sentence on misdemeanor possession of marijuana, but must pay a $100 fine and $270 in restitution. Last December, Allen…
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Malicious wounding charges lodged against New Kent man certified to a grand jury
With the help of interpreters, attorneys for both sides as well as the judge overcame not one, but two language barriers during a preliminary hearing for Sheng Jie Jin, a New Kent County restaurateur accused of attacking two family members. The defendant and alleged victims are Chinese and appeared to understand little if any English while a key prosecution witness, who is Hispanic, needed assistance from a Spanish interpreter. Testimony, at times, seemed almost lost in translation as Wednesday’s hearing wore on. Attorneys frequently encountered difficulty explaining questions to witnesses on the stand, but in the end, New Kent Juvenile…
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