News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | April 3, 2026
Local News
Benjamin Harrison Bridge to close overnight for repairs
The Benjamin Harrison Bridge that connects Charles City and Prince George counties will be closed for repairs. Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close the bridge on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. to repair the bridge’s stop gate. The gate was recently damaged in a recent vehicular accident. The bridge is expected to reopen on Friday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 a.m. Motorists are expected to use the following detour: –From Charles City to Prince George: Take Route 5 West (John Tyler Memorial Highway) to Interstate 295 South. Take 295 South to exit 13A (Route 10 East) to return to…
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NKSO searching for suspect in Monday morning armed robbery
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in relation to an early Monday morning robbery. Between 8-8:30 a.m., a victim was approached by a black male near the intersection of Jefferson Road and Lakeshore Drive in the Woodhaven Shores subdivision. The suspect displayed a firearm and left in a black in color SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Blazer. No injuries were reported the incident. The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-to-late 20s, wearing a black stocking cap. If you were in the area during the time of the robbery and saw a suspicious person/vehicle or have any…
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Love’s Truck Stop reaches next phase as New Kent commissioners recommend CUP approval
After listening to concerns from citizens and hearing applicant representatives respond to questions, New Kent’s Planning Commission had little trouble forwarding a favorable recommendation to county supervisors for granting a conditional use permit (CUP), the first step in paving the way for construction of a Love’s Truck Stop on Route 106 at the Interstate 64/Talleysville interchange. Commissioners passed the permit recommendation 9-0-1 during the group’s regular monthly meeting Monday evening. A public hearing was held in conjunction with the meeting, being pushed up from an original December scheduled date to November. Developers say the proposed travel stop will be a…
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New Kent man slapped with decade behind bars for sex crimes with minor
Using a computer and cell phone to solicit sex from a minor has landed a New Kent man a decade in the state penitentiary. New Kent Circuit Judge B. Elliott Bondurant slapped a 10-year prison sentence on Thomas Moody Garner, 22, of the 8000 block of New Kent Highway, for his involvement with a then 14-year old minor during Monday afternoon proceedings. During an Aug. 10 trial, Moody entered guilty pleas to one count of proposing sex to a minor through the use of an electronic device and one count of indecent liberties with a minor. During that trial, prosecutor…
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Guilty convictions of attempted murder, malicious wounding rendered on New Kent restaurateur
A man that was involved in an argument with his estranged wife has received guilty convictions from New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Shing Jie Jin, 41, formerly of the 2700 block of Patriot’s Landing Drive, Quinton, was found guilty on two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and two counts of attempted murder after the conclusion of a two-day contested trial Monday afternoon. One charge of felony destruction of property was dismissed. All charges stemmed from an incident last Jan. 20 Jin and his estranged wife, Yue Yung Zheng, married in 1993 according to Chinese custom before being recognized in 1997…
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Eight earn indictments from New Kent grand jury
A New Kent grand jury handed down indictments to eight individuals after deliberations in New Kent Circuit Court Monday morning. –Ronnie Gaspuras, 55, of the 3900 block of Moores Lane, Lanexa, on a single count of grand larceny. The indictment alleges Gaspuras stole property from Makemie Woods on July 31. –Ramann L. Harris, 26, currently of Henrico Jail East, on a charge of assault on a law enforcement officer. The offense allegedly occurred on Oct. 16 while he was incarcerated in the facility. –Mason Andrew Hudson, 23, of the 7600 block of Cheshire Road, Richmond, on one count of possession…
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Drive-by shooting leads to arrest in New Kent
A Barhamsville man was arrested after he allegedly took part in a drive-by shooting on Nov. 10. Charles W. Lipscomb, 46, was arrested on one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, shooting at an occupied dwelling, shooting from a vehicle, and misdemeanor reckless handling of a firearm. According to the police report, New Kent Deputy Wyatt Johnston responded to a call of reported gun shots in the area of the 15000 block of Rockahock Road. The deputy interviewed witnesses at the scene and recovered physical evidence. After concluding the interview and an investigation, Johnston arrested…
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New Kent Sheriff Howard honored during retirement ceremony
As accolades poured in, New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. sat quietly on stage inside New Kent High School’s auditorium, at times appearing humbled by the mountains of praise while often breaking into laughter over amusing anecdotes delivered by a multitude of speakers. On the occasion of his retirement, a crowd of close to 300 — family members, sheriff’s office staff, fellow law enforcement officers, county officials, friends, and county residents — gathered Sunday afternoon to honor Howard, who has served nine terms (36 years) as New Kent’s sheriff. He chose not to run for a 10th term and…
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Repairs slated on Interstate 64 in New Kent
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be conducting repairs on Interstate 64 westbound in New Kent for the upcoming week. Nov. 15- Interstate 64 westbound at the exit of Route 33 will have the right lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for overhead sign repairs. Nov. 16-17- Interstate 64 westbound between mile markers 204-205 (Bottoms Bridge) will have the left lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for guardrail repairs.
Drunk driving in cornfield nets Providence Forge woman guilty convictions
A Providence Forge woman who drove behind the wheel through a cornfield while intoxicated was found guilty during a contested trial on Nov. 10 in Charles City Circuit Court. Kelly Marie Fuqua, 40, of the 11000 block of Green Oak Road, received guilty verdicts on one count each of driving under the influence (third offense) and misdemeanor destruction of property. On the afternoon of June 5, Brandi Curtin was inside her residence on Green Oak Road when she heard the sound of a vehicle. When she stepped outside, Curtin saw a black vehicle driving erratically in a field of recently…
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