News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 28, 2026
Local News
Charles City High School Class of 2018 Valedictorian- Shania King
Shania King posted a grade-point average of 4.1 as valedictorian for Charles City High School’s Class of 2018. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Shania plans to attend Thomas Nelson Community College to pursue her studies in dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Michael and Tracy King.
Charles City graduates instructed to dream big, overcome negativity
The message to 39 graduates of Charles City High School’s Class of 2018 was simple: Don’t let negativity derail your dreams. Family, friends, educators, and supporters filled Charles City High School’s gymnasium Saturday morning to send the Class of 2018 off in style. After a welcome from senior class president Charles Brown III, salutatorian Matthew Bartle recapped the path taken by his classmates to arrive at commencement ceremonies. “We definitely had something special here at Charles City High School,” he said. “We did not make this journey alone. We had our parents, teachers, and supporters. “Wherever the journey takes you…
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New Kent town hall provides information, addresses concerns about possible casino
After the purchase of 600 acres in the Quinton area of New Kent and the announcement of a possible casino by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe bringing it to that location, county residents raised concerns through social media, word of mouth, and to the county’s board of supervisors over the past few weeks. And what started out as a proposed town hall meeting by District 1 leader Thomas Evelyn attracted so much interest, other local leaders followed suit to orchestrate a county-wide town hall on May 24 at New Kent Middle School. With every seat filled and a standing-room only capacity,…
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Colonial Downs expected to reopen in 2019
A feel-good story kicked off the May 24 New Kent Town Hall as information emerged about the future of Colonial Downs. After four years of closure, Revolutionary Racing purchased the race track this past month. The track had provided several jobs to local county residents and provided business and revenue to the county before operations ended after Jeffrey Jacobs surrendered his track license on Oct. 15, 2014. Stephan Huba, who is representing Colonial Downs, said that the grounds will undergo a makeover in preparation for a 2019 reopening. “This track is coming back in full force,” the representative with 20…
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New Kent budget of $98 million for FY2018-19 receives supervisors’ approval
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors adopted its FY2018-2019 budget of $98,022,891 at Wednesday morning’s work session. Members voted 4-0 to move forward with the proposed figure, with District 2 representative Tommy Tiller absent due to an earlier obligation. Approximately $64,791,638 will go to school and governmental operations for the fiscal year. Schools will receive $32,006,377 for day-to-day operations, a decrease of $180,000 after school officials advised county leaders of savings in insurance. Of that $180,000, an additional $60,000 was added to the general fund, making it a grand total of $19,207,622. The other $120,000 will be placed in the school…
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Charles City Board of Supervisors adopt 2018-19 budget
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors adopted its FY2018-19 budget at Tuesday night’s regularly board meeting. County leaders approved the $21,010,451 plan recommended by County Administrator Michelle Johnson and her staff. Of that amount, approximately $14,330,557 are local dollars. The general fund accounts for $7,481,251 of the local figure. Charles City’s schools will have an operating budget of $5,504,573 for the upcoming year. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is listed at $1,766,464. Of that amount, approximately $665,000 in local dollars will support the school’s request to address issues at the complex, including concerns involving the HVAC system. On the county’s side,…
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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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