News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 4, 2025
Local News
New Kent Planning Commission hears first pitch for tactical training facility in Barhamsville
New Kent’s Planning Commission received its first look at a proposed private driving and training facility to the Barhamsville area. Curtis Security Group made the proposal at Monday evening’s meeting to the commission. n Curtis Security Group president Kaitlin Curtis and consultant Chip Larkin presented an overview of the facility to commissioners. According to the presentation, the facility will allow government agencies, military units, law enforcement officers, and corporate entities to utilize the facility. The premises will serve as a training ground as well for possible situations. Opening the area could result in the hiring of 15 to 20 people….
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Lanexa teenager indicted on a dozen firearm related crimes
A Lanexa teenager who allegedly used a firearm to commit several offenses had charges certified by a grand jury during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Clifton Calvin Cook III, 18, of the 8800 block of Hick Island Road, was indicted on one charge each of possession of a firearm on school grounds, shooting a firearm from a vehicle, malicious shooting at a train or vehicle, credit card larceny, firearm larceny, robbery, malicious wounding, armed robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and misdemeanor petty larceny. He also was indicted on two counts of misdemeanor…
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CCSB explores cell tower location
Charles City School Board has approved the exploration of placing a cell phone tower on school property. Milestone Communications President Leonard Forkas pitched the proposal at the school board’s May 15 regular meeting. Under the plan, the tower will stand approximately 195 tall and sit on a location at the uppermost part of the school’s ground. Forkas said that the tower could bring revenue to the school ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 a year. School board members gave the go-ahead to finding an ideal location for the proposed tower.
Charles City educators lobby for more funding; county leaders address concerns
Tuesday night’s Charles City Board of Supervisors budget hearing drew a larger crowd than its regular board meeting. And when the public hearing concluded 90 minutes later, a combination of questions, answers, and possible solutions appeared as county educators lobbied for additional funding for schools. Charles City County’s budget is pegged at $21,010,451 for FY2018-19. Of that amount, approximately $14,330,557 are local dollars with schools being allocated $5,504,573. However, supporters of local schools lobbied for more money. Nineteen people spoke to county leaders about providing more financial support for the schools. The topics ranged from providing additional resources to assisting…
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Process established to allow golf carts, utility vehicles on roads in certain areas of New Kent
New Kent supervisors have approved an amendment to an ordinance that may allow golf carts and utility vehicles to be driven on designated roads or areas. County leaders voted 4-1 during Monday night’s regular meeting establishing a process for neighborhoods and subdivisions to apply the use of golf carts and utility vehicles on streets. District 3 supervisor Patricia Paige casted the lone vote of opposition, citing safety concerns. Under state law, golf carts and utility vehicles can only operate on roads with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less in approved areas. With the passing of…
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Judge denies request to reduce felony embezzlement to misdemeanor of former New Kent employee
A former New Kent County employee had a request to reduce a felony embezzlement charge reduced to a misdemeanor during formal sentencing in New Kent Circuit Court Monday morning. Andrew James Dorish Jr., 34, of the 5200 block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville, received a 10-year sentence with all time suspended on one count of felony embezzlement. Twelve months on each of four remaining charges of misdemeanor embezzlement were all suspended as well. While Dorish will not serve any active time in jail, he must pay restitution in the amount of $9,400.97. During a Mar. 12 trial, Dorish agreed to…
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Providence Forge woman ordered to pay more than $10,000 in restitution
A Providence Forge woman will have to repay more than $10,000 in restitution after receiving formal sentencing in Charles City Circuit Court Friday morning. Kittie Ann Curtiss, 36, entered a guilty plea to a single count of grand larceny as part of a plea deal accepted during her Mar. 9 trial. At that trial, she admitted to stealing power tools and chainsaws from Robert Woodall and his construction company. Curtiss received a 10-year jail sentence with all but one day suspended. She must also pay $10,765 in restitution. In an unrelated case, a Clover man entered into a plea agreement…
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Quinton men in unrelated cases indicted on multiple charges
Two men in unrelated cases have been indicted on several charges after indictments were unsealed in New Kent Circuit Court. –Junior Leroy Layman, of Quinton, was indicted on four charges of child abuse, two counts of aggravated sexual battery with a minor, and sodomy of a minor. The offenses allegedly took place on June 24, 2002 when the victim was a child. A tentative trial date is set for Sept. 28. –Robert Alan Partin, of Quinton, was indicted on 10 counts of possession of child pornography (second offense), and one count each of possession of child pornography (first offense), reproduction…
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Man receives year-long jail term for driving intoxicated on motorcycle in New Kent
A Fredericksburg man will spend a year in jail after pleading guilty to driving under the influence (third offense). Mikel William Apperson, 29, of the 14000 block of Antler Road, entered the plea as part of Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Nov. 12, 2017, a Virginia State Trooper was monitoring Interstate 64 eastbound traffic at the rest area when he noticed a yellow motorcycle passing vehicles on the emergency lanes. The trooper began pursuing the bike, with speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour before the…
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Job eliminations, reassignments part of reductions made by Charles City School Board in budget
Forced to cut nearly three-quarters of a million dollars from its 2018-19 proposed budget, Charles City’s school board adopted recommendations of cuts and reassignments presented by superintendent of schools David Gaston and his staff. Cuts at Tuesday night’s work session came as the result of receiving information from the Apr. 24 meeting of the county’s board of supervisors. At that meeting, County Administrator Michelle Johnson proposed a budget of $5,504,573 for the schools. By contrast, the schools had requested $6,018,471 in local funding. Gaston addressed the dilemma, saying he, along with director of finance Sue Salg and director of operations…
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