News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 27, 2025
Local News
New Kent School Board solidifies $4.4 million CIP request for FY2025-26
New Kent’s School Board had narrowed down a list of requests of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that they will present to county leaders for the upcoming budget. Monday night’s meeting yielded a recommendation totaling $4.4 million in campus upgrades school leaders would like to see funded in FY2025-26. The biggest ticket item on the list is upgrading the high school athletic stadium. The stadium would receive a mid-level track along with a turf field. The upgrades would put New Kent High School in line with Bay Rivers District rivals’ facilities, as well as reduce maintenance to the fields over time….
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Shacklefords man who nearly struck New Kent deputy pleads guilty to driving illegally
A Shacklefords man whose erratic driving almost resulted in tragedy has entered guilty pleas to two offenses. Vincent Lee Richardson, 58, of the 2900 block of Stratton Major Road, entered straight guilty pleas to one count each of driving revoked (felony related) and misdemeanor reckless driving as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on April 16, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle on the Eltham Bridge at the northern border of the county. While the officer was dealing with that…
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Citizens express concerns about recent actions taken by Charles City County leaders
Over the last month, several actions taken by Charles City’s Board of Supervisors have caught the ears of many residents and the eyes of citizens. At the Oct. 22 regular meeting, a packed auditorium became a dialogue battleground where questions lodged at county leaders were ammunition. Three areas of discussion centered around the public comment period portion of the agenda. Citizens approached the podium addressing one of three issues: Why did the county borrow $5.2 million, why was former District 2 supervisor Bill Coada tabbed as the interim county administrator, and why was a letter of intent (LOI) entered into…
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Quinton man receives three-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography
A Quinton man who stored images of underage children in a drop-box on electronic devices will serve three years in prison. Nicholas Will Buchman, 26, learned of his sentence during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday afternoon. At an Aug. 19 trial, Buchman entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of child pornography (first offense) and possession of child pornography (second offense). At the August trial, evidence revealed that New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip of a home in the area that possibly had child pornography. The IP address was traced to the home where Buchman was…
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Hopewell teenager dies in Charles City car accident
A Hopewell teenager has died as the result of an Oct. 17 morning accident in Charles City County. According to a Virginia State Police Report, at 7:40 a.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on John Tyler Memorial Highway (Route 5) about a half-mile east of Wilcox Neck Road (Route 623). A preliminary investigation reveals that a 2017 Ford Fusion was traveling westbound on John Tyler Memorial Highway when it ran off the right side of the road, struck trees and a culvert, before overturning and striking more trees, eventually coming to rest on its roof. The driver, identified as…
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New Kent Board of Supervisors grant PHLLC request to refinance bonds for FONK
After a year of divulging documents, exchanged dialogue, and negotiations, Preston Hollow LLC (PHLLC) finally received an answer from New Kent’s Board of Supervisors when it comes to refinancing bonds. County leaders voted 5-0 in favor of the reissuance of bonds for the Farms of New Kent, paving the way for further development in the area. In October 2023, PHLLC proposed $97 million in bond refunds, with $45 million as new money. During a follow-up meeting in Nov. 2023, District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn wanted more solid numbers to prevent New Kent County from going into a financial hole. Over…
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Former Charles City supervisor appointed interim county administrator
A former member of Charles City’s Board of Supervisors has been tabbed as interim county administrator. Bill Coada, who served from 2012-2023 as the representative of District 2, will fill-in on a temporary basis for Charles City County Administrator Michelle Johnson who will be out on medical leave. The interim status is expected to last two months. The decision came during Tuesday night’s Board of Supervisors work session. County leaders went into closed session shortly after the commencement of the meeting and returned with the announcement. In a statement, Coada said that he is focused on cutting costs to prohibit…
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New Kent School Board gets first look at proposed CIP recommendations for FY2025-26
Even though New Kent County Public Schools are barely into the new year, plans are already underway to improve facilities in the next fiscal year. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jonathan Hochman presented New Kent County’s School Board a first look at facility upgrades for consideration in the FY2025-26 cycle during Monday night’s regular board meeting. Hochman’s plan was broken down by category, as well as short-term and long-term considerations. Among early recommendations for transportation include the purchase of four school buses ($640,000), and a car and van for school transportation ($99,000). Operation upgrades include $1.4 million to finalize New Kent…
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Train strikes trailer pulling boat in New Kent, no injuries reported
A collision between a train and a vehicle in New Kent County closed a railroad crossing on Oct. 3 in New Kent. According to a press release by New Kent Sheriff’s Office. Virginia State Police responded to a call for service at the railroad crossing at Riverside Drive and South Waterside Drive around 10:45 a.m.. The report indicates that a pick-up truck hauling a boat on a trailer had stalled on the tracks, with the latter unable to move. An Amtrak train heading to Williamsburg and Newport News struck and damaged the truck. However, there were no injuries to the…
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New Kent man driving intoxicated for third time sentenced to jail for three months
A New Kent man who drove a vehicle while intoxicated will spend the next three months in jail. Alex Michael Kahl, 38, of the 10000 block of Tunstall Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of driving while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense) and felony hit and run as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge each of felony destruction of property, misdemeanor driving suspended, misdemeanor obstruction of justice, misdemeanor refusing to take a breathalyzer test (second offense), and felony violating pretrial conditions were dropped. In a summary of evidence, on Nov….
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