News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 6, 2025
Local News
Johnson elevated to county administrator for Charles City
Charles City County native Michelle Johnson has been announced as the new county administrator effective June 14. She takes over for Zach Trogdon, who resigned from the position to accept a job in Williamsburg. Johnson has worked for the county for 12 years as the deputy county administrator and county finance director. Her appointment to her new role is historic, as she not only becomes the first deputy county administrator to be elevated, but she becomes the first female from Charles City to hold the position. “I am greatly honored to represent Charles City,” Johnson said in a June 14…
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Judge upholds 14-year sentence recommended by jury in Henrico Jail East drug possession case
Judge B. Elliott Bondurant upheld the recommendation of a jury as a Henrico Jail East inmate will serve an additional 14 years in prison after June 12 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Bondurant sentenced Arain Wright, 50, to 10 years in prison with three suspended (seven to serve) on one count of delivering drugs to a prisoner. He also imposed the same sentence on a conspiracy charge to deliver drugs to a prisoner. A jury trial last April stemmed around Wright’s involvement with distributing heroin on Oct. 4, 2014 while he was a prisoner in Henrico Jail East. After…
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Four-year prison term imposed on Virginia Beach teen after leading high-speed chase in New Kent
A four-year prison term was imposed on a Virginia Beach teen who fled from New Kent and other law enforcement agencies during a high-speed chase last fall. Morris Von Westlove II, 18, received formal sentencing during June 12 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. His active four-year term will be served in the Youthful Offender Program at the prison. During an Apr. 15 trial, Westlove entered guilty pleas to two counts of felony destruction of property, one count of felony eluding, one count of obtaining a credit card without permission, and one count of assault and battery on a law…
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Rite Aid robber enters Alford plea in New Kent Circuit Court trial
A Lanexa man involved in stealing prescription drugs from a local pharmacy entered into a plea agreement during June 12 afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Richard Carlton May, 51, of the 300 block of Wahrani Trail, entered an Alford Plea of guilt to one count each of robbery of a business and possession of oxycodone. One charge of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony was dropped as part of the agreement. An Alford plea indicates that while May maintains his innocence to the crime, evidence presented during a trial would be enough to convict…
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Charles City High School Class of 2017 scholarships and awards
Nakoma Adkins- Charles City Educational Foundation, Ruthville High School Alumni Association. Kylee Brinkley- VCU Merit, Commonwealth Award. Veondra Brown- Shana Braxton Memorial, Ruthville High School Alumni Association. Raven Christian- Harman Scholarship, John Tyler PEER, GRASP 2+2, GRASP Last Dollar. Jada Cotman- National MS Society, Harman Scholarship, Rotary Club of Petersburg, Mount Calvary Baptist. Troy Crawley- Presidential Scholarship, Minority Leadership Scholarship, Roanoke College Award, Shana Braxton Memorial, Earl Scott Memorial. Ray Crump- Nathaniel Roy Banks Scholarship, Class of 1963, Gilfield Baptist. Dwayne Ghee- Red & White Scholarship, Aid Award, Cul’s Cycling, Jones Scholarship, GRASP Last Dollar, NAACP. Mason Jefferson- Bluefield Football,…
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No fear: Charles City graduates ready to conquer next phase in life
Even as 2017 commencement ceremonies took place on June 10 at Charles City High School, the outgoing class, as well as speakers, showed their intertwining bond by remaining on the same wavelength in messages received. Fifty-three members of the outgoing class were recognized during the Saturday morning graduation. The clear message given to the future alumni; no fear. “We did more than build our way up; we changed the journey in our school,” said class president Jada Cotman to open the ceremony. “We made history and succeeded in all that we did. “No matter what path we take, it’s not…
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Charles City High School Class of 2017 Valedictorian- Asia Prentiss
Asia Prentiss posted a grade-point average of 4.23 as valedictorian for Charles City High School’s Class of 2017. She is a member of the National Honor Society, FBLA, FCCLA, Robotics Team, and the student liaison to the school board. Asia will attend the College of William and Mary and pursue her studies in neuroscience. She is the daughter of Sharon Prentiss and Robert Edmonds.
Charles City High School Class of 2017 Salutatorian- Kylee Brinkley
Kylee Brinkley is salutatorian of Charles City High School’s Class of 2017 with a grade-point average of 4.11. She is a member of the National Honor Society, FBLA, FCCLA, and has participated as an athlete in the sports of track and field, volleyball, and soccer. Kylee plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a major in physics with a concentration in pre-radiation science. She is the daughter of Gerald and Tracy Brinkley.
Charles City County High School Class of 2017
Ka’Shawn R. Adkins Nakoma L.D. Adkins Nicole B. Allen Alexander L. Bradby John B. Bradby Kylee L. Brinkley Jaquan M. Brooks Veondra E. Brown Raven J. Christian Cheyanne M. Cotman Jada L. Cotman Troy D. Crawley Baylee T. Crew Steven P.M. Crewe Eugene R. Crump IV Paul W. Easter Jr. Dwayne H. Ghee Jr. Marissa S. Henderson Mason A. Jefferson Aaron D. Jones Charity Y. Jones Hunter A. Jones Krystle A. Jones Kyle A. Jones Miya N. Keeton-Smith Trevor O. Kelly Mark R. Loan Jr. Alexeus T.I.M. Lynch Jazmine M.G. Lynch Andre D. Mason Ashley R. McDermott Anthony D. Mercado…
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Norfolk woman pleads guilty to lottery ticket thefts in Charles City
A Norfolk woman entered a guilty plea to grand larceny as part of an agreement reached during June 9 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Tiffany Nicole Street, 36, accepted the deal that stemmed from an Aug. 23, 2015 offense. As part of the agreement, one charge of burglary was dropped. In a summary of evidence, Street and a co-defendant stopped at Haupt’s Country Store to gas up their vehicle. After leaving, the two returned later where the co-defendant allegedly threw a brick into glass panes, gaining access to the lottery bin container and stealing it. Video surveillance showed Street’s…
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