News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 4, 2025
Local News
New Kent eliminates requirement of county decal on vehicles
As of June 1, the New Kent County decal will no longer be a requirement for vehicles registered in the county. Supervisors unanimously elected to do away with the requirement at Monday night’s regular board meeting. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway first approached supervisors at the February work session with the proposal. With new state law requiring inspection stickers to be moved to the left side of the windshield, Hathaway said that previously written county code would require the locality’s decal to be placed adjacent to it. One of the issues that raised concerns was the use of refuse sites and…
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Back road high-speed chase results in one-year jail term for Highland Springs man
A Highland Springs man will spend a year in jail after leading a New Kent officer on a high-speed chase on county backroads. Christopher Samuel Causway Jr., 20, of 21 S. Beech Avenue, entered a straight guilty plea to a single count of felony eluding of police as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Dec. 17, 2017, Cpt. Joey McLaughlin was monitoring traffic on Dispatch Road when a vehicle entered his radar traveling 67 miles per hour in a 45-mile per hour zone. The…
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Highland Springs man guilty of stealing sneakers from Charles City
A Highland Springs man entered guilty pleas to two charges in relation to stealing from a Charles City man’s home. Randy Travon McQuinn Jr. 25, of the 5900 block of Queen Thorpe Court, Apt. 206, entered guilty pleas to one count each of burglary and grand larceny as part of a plea deal reached in Charles City Circuit Court on Apr. 6. One charge of intent to sell stolen property was dropped as part of the agreement. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on Aug. 28, 2017, Welton Smith Jr. returned to his home and…
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Charles City car accident claims life
A man is dead after a fatal accident in Charles City Wednesday evening (Apr. 4). Around 6:30 p.m. Virginia State Police and emergency personnel responded to the area of Courthouse Road (Route 155) one mile north of Green Oak Road. According to a press release from Virginia State Police, a 2006 Ford Taurus was traveling northbound when it ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle struck the ditch and then the embankment, causing it to overturn and strike a utility pole. The driver has been identified as Granton H. Adkins, 49, of Providence Forge. The crash remains…
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New Kent supervisors elect to reduce proposed tax rate by one cent
After offering budget recommendations to County Administrator Rodney Hathaway at February’s work session retreat, New Kent supervisors have elected to reduce the proposed tax rate by one cent. Wednesday morning’s discussion centered around the proposed FY2018-19 budget after county leaders offered suggestions for the upcoming cycle. While the overall budget will remain at $98,320,889 (with $64,191,500 designated for operations), options remained on the table on what to do with more than $500,000 of additional dollars after cuts and more revenue was discovered at the budget retreat. At that February meeting, additional assessments yielded $243,951, while the elimination of four proposed…
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Five phase plan centerpiece to bring paid fire and EMS to Charles City
Charles City leaders continue to heed insight and plans to bring paid fire and EMS (emergency medical services) to county citizens. On Tuesday night, a five-phase plan provided guidance to addressing the emergency needs. County Administrator Michelle Johnson presented the plan to supervisors and the public for the first time. Johnson acknowledged that implementation of the plan won’t take place overnight, but it is a step into the right direction. Phase one presents advertising an RFP for EMS to see if the county is getting the best price, including volunteer information in real estate bills to citizens, updating all mutual…
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Woman receives two years in jail for attacking tow truck driver in Charles City
A Charles City woman who attacked a tow truck driver in June 2017 will spend the next two years in jail. Carrie Faye Neal, 30, of the 6700 block of Church Lane, received formal sentencing during Mar. 23 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. During a contested trial last January, Duane Hardy was repossessing a vehicle belonging to Thomas Quigg, who is Neal’s fiancé. After hooking up the car, Hardy approached the door to inform Neal that he was taking the car. Neal responded by screaming obscenities and Hardy retreated to his truck. While in his truck, Hardy called Charles…
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New Kent school leaders recognized by colleagues
New Kent school leadership has been recognized for their accomplishments by their regional peers. Superintendent of Schools Dave Myers was named Region I Superintendent of the Year by his colleagues. School board chairwoman and District 5 representative Gail Hardinge was chosen as Regional School Board member of the year.
Woman selling imitation drugs to help incarcerated boyfriend hit with felony conviction
Sometimes being in love makes a person do questionable things. For a Richmond woman, her commitment to a relationship placed a felony on her criminal record. Darian Ivory McElfresh, 20, of the 2400 block of E. Franklin Street, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of an imitation schedule I/II substance as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney C. Linwood Gregory, on July 6, 2017, the Twin Rivers Task Force set up a potential drug buy with McElfresh. A confidential informant exchanged texts…
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Half-dozen drivers among eight indicted by New Kent grand jury
Eight individuals were indicted by a New Kent grand jury during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court: –Mikel William Apperson, 29, of the 14000 block of Antler Road, Fredericksburg, on a solo charge of DUI (third offense). The defendant allegedly committed the offense on Nov. 12, 2017. –Christopher Samuel Causway Jr., 20, of 21. S. Beech Avenue, Highland Springs, on one count of felony eluding of police. The alleged offense took place on Dec. 27, 2017. –Michael James Cunningham, 19, of the 400 block of Ninth Street, Virginia Beach, on a single count of possession of cocaine. The…
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