News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 4, 2025
Local News
Two men indicted on 11 charges stemming from robbery in Charles City
Two men who allegedly robbed a Charles City man each received 11 certified indictments by a grand jury during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Michael DeVaughan Gordon, 40, of the 500 block of Deter Road, Richmond, and Ahmad Amir Hutchins, 22, of the 9800 block of Tunstall Road, New Kent, were indicted on three counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of robbery, two counts of grand larceny, and one count each of abduction, malicious wounding by shooting into an occupied building, attempted malicious wounding, and possession of a firearm…
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Drugs, gun found in car after chase send Richmond man to prison for seven-and-a-half years
A Richmond man will spend the next seven-and-a-half years in prison after entering Alford Pleas of guilt to multiple charges stemming from a Nov. 18, 2017 high-speed chase in New Kent. Derrell Keith Williams, 34, accepted a plea agreement during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Williams entered Alford pleas of guilt to one charge each of possession of a weapon by a violent felon, felony eluding of police, an amended charge to possession of cocaine (originally possession of cocaine with intent to distribute), an amended charge of possession of cocaine while in possession of a gun (originally…
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Colonial Downs sold to Chicago-based organization
Colonial Downs race track has been sold to a Chicago-based group after the completion of a sale Wednesday afternoon. With the recent General Assembly bill of slots-like betting terminals for historic racing passing, Revolutionary Racing struck a deal with Jacobs Entertainment, the deal exceeded more than $20 million according to a press release. Also, the release said that JNB gaming and Peninsula Pacific were also investors in making the acquisition. On Oct. 15, 2014, Jacobs surrendered his track license to the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) after an agreement could not be reached with the Virginia Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association…
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SCS Broadband provides update to localities at regional meeting
SCS Broadband representatives met with officials from several localities, including Charles City and New Kent, during a regional meeting last week. Requested by local government representatives, SCS Broadband provided information regarding Internet and infrastructure in rural counties. According to New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway, some progress was made at the meeting. “They provided us with some updates and addressed some of our concerns,” said Hathaway Wednesday morning. “They have been giving us updates about their plans and intentions, as well as progress they have made and steps to address some issues.” Among one of the major steps taken by…
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Bridge replacement among projects listed on VDOT secondary six-year plan in New Kent
A plan to replace the Route 155 (Courthouse Road) bridge at the border of Charles City and New Kent Counties is part of Virginia Department’s of Transportation (VDOT) six-year secondary plan in New Kent. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway presented a list of proposed VDOT projects at Wednesday morning’s Board of Supervisors’ work session. Hathaway advised county leaders that while no solid information had not been received from VDOT, an estimation of $75,000-$80,000 in funds for the six-year plan are expected based off past history. Currently, there is approximately $170,000 designated for projects based from fiscal year 2017-18 funding. Funding for…
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General fund decreases by nearly $500,000 in Charles City’s proposed FY2018-19 budget
Charles City supervisors received numbers of the reduction in expected general funds as part of a look at the first proposed budget for FY2018-19 at Tuesday night’s board meetings. While the projection did not include all of the state and federal funding due to the ongoing session, Charles City County administrator Michelle Johnson presented a budget of $14,330,557 to county leaders. The general fund is projected to be $7,505,751, down $492,479 compared to this year’s figure. New expenses in the general fund include reflecting a raise in staff based on performance ($66,181), community engagement funding ($49,500), absorbing the cost of…
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Pamunkey Indian Tribe purchases 600 acres of land in western New Kent
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, based out of King William, has purchased 600 acres in western New Kent County. The land, located just north of Interstate 64 in the Bottoms Bridge area, has been rumored as a site of interest for the tribe’s desire to create a casino. While no definitive plans have been sent in motion about the plans, according to information the Chronicle has received from several sources familiar with the situation, the construction of the facility would create approximately 4,000 jobs and could generate as much as $10 billion within ten years. The Pamunkey Tribe became the first…
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Man pleads guilty to felony hit and run in Charles City
A Charles City man accepted the terms of a plea agreement during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Warren Arturo Smith, 40, of the 8500 block of Lewis Tyler Road, entered a guilty plea to a single count of felony hit and run. One charge of bribery was dropped as part of the deal. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on June 24, 2017, Smith’s vehicle drifted over the center lane on Roxbury Road in the western part of the county. When Smith attempted to get back over, his mirror hit another car’s…
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Charles City Sheriff’s Office seek information regarding restaurant burglary
Charles City Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding a burglary at Cul’s Courthouse Grille. On Apr. 18, entry was made into the restaurant during the early morning hours. Items stolen include televisions, laptops, and scholarship money as part of the establishment’s annual contribution to graduating students of Charles City High School. If you have any information regarding the burglary, contact the sheriff’s office at 829-9265 or CrimeStoppers at 780-1000.
Williamsburg man sentenced to 15 months in jail after driving illegally
A Williamsburg man will spend the next 15 months in jail stemming from an incident after wrecking his car in Eltham. Sean Scott Harrelson, 30, of the 100 block of Old Field Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of driving revoked after being convicted of a similar felony, and DUI (third offense within ten years) as part of a plea deal reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of misdemeanor reckless driving was dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Jan. 3 Virginia State Police responded to a single car…
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