News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 6, 2025
Local News
Animal cruelty charges dismissed after conflicting testimony, lack of timeline
Two misdemeanor charges lodged against a former Charles City woman have been dismissed after questions arose involving a timeline surrounding the circumstances and conflicting testimonies proved unreliable to support a case to be heard by a jury. Rhiannon Renee Vitiello, 31, formerly of the 9500 block of Sturgeon Point Road, was acquitted on two animal cruelty charges during Sept. 29 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Around June 7, 2015, former Charles City animal control officer Brandy Colgin went to Vitiello’s home as part of a welfare check on horses. Colgin and Vitiello engaged in conversation, with the defendant saying…
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New Kent boards meet to address population increase
In a recent study conducted by the University of Virginia, New Kent County was identified as the fifth fastest growing locality in the state. With the continued influx of new residents along with future suggestions forecasting more future growth, both county leaders and school leaders elected to take a proactive approach to assess future needs. New Kent’s Board of Supervisors and New Kent’s School Board held a joint meeting on Sept. 28 to talk about the spike in population in the locality. Superintendent of schools Dave Myers’ opening statements revealed the school has acquired 110 more students than projected in…
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Charles City broadband expects to trickle in beginning in November
Charles City supervisors received an update on access to high-speed internet for county residents during their Sept. 27 regular meeting. SCS Broadband representative Lon Welcher appeared by request in front of county leaders to address concerns about ongoing delays in the project, which had high expectations for completion in Dec. 2015. “The equipment has been installed and now companies will run internet to the towers,” the spokesman said. “We already have 200 people who signed up so far.” Welcher said he hopes access to the internet will be available on Nov. 3, but when District 2 supervisor Bill Coada asked…
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Library’s location leads public discussion at Charles City forum
Location, location, location. Normally when a person hears that word, they think of infomercials that advertise a place to go on vacation or a business that is within their community. At the Sept. 26 public forum that provided an update on construction of a library in Charles City, it was the primary concern among most speakers. Fifty people attended the hour-long meeting that presented the initial plans for the construction of a library in the courthouse complex of the county. After a 2015 bond referendum passed during last November’s election, supervisors created a timeline to stay on track with the…
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Man enters guilty pleas to forgery as part of agreement
A New York man who forged fake money in a number of jurisdictions, including New Kent, accepted a plea deal during Sept. 26 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Jermaine O. Yancey, 43, of the 400 block of Valley Drive, Syracuse, entered guilty pleas to four counts of forging of coins and bank notes. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on June 1 New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call from neighboring West Point authorities to assist on a stop for a Nissan Maxima heading towards Interstate 64. New Kent deputies were able to locate…
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Motorcyclist’s 108 miles-per-hour speed in Charles City leads to chase, arrest
A Hopewell man has been arrested after leading a state trooper on a high speed chase that started in Charles City during the early morning hours on Sept. 23. Tommie M. Vanderhoff, 22, has been charged with one count each of felony eluding police, reckless driving, driving while revoked (fourth offense), improper registration, driving without insurance, driving without state inspection, driving without a motorcycle license, and improper passing. In a press release from Sgt. Stephan Vick of the Virginia State Police, a motorcycle passed Trooper Jonathan Miles shortly before 2 a.m. at the intersection of Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial…
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New Kent sheriff completes FBI academy
New Kent County Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. was one of 21 participants to complete the second Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and Regional Command College. Held from Aug 22-26, the weeklong training sponsored by the FBI through the Henrico Division of Police Training Academy, covered topics that included fair and impartial policing, color of law, ethics in leadership, crisis intervention training, emotional intelligence, and leading the next generation. Instructors of the academy included current and retired FBI special agents.
Charles City schools exceed enrollment projection numbers
Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston announced that enrollment for the county schools have exceeded their budgeted projection. Gaston said that 686 pupils are currently entering the doors of county schools as of Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. That number exceeds the 647 projected for budgeting by nearly 40 students. Of the current enrollment, 367 students occupy the hallways of the elementary school (grades K-6) while 319 students occupy seats in the high school (grades 7-12). The superintendent said he is pleased with the enrollment numbers and the increase, but noted that the figure is 23 less than last…
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New Kent man enters guilty pleas for Deer Lake subdivision burglaries
A New Kent man entered guilty pleas to several thefts from the Deer Lake subdivision on Feb. 19. Brian Matthew Harlow, 20, of the 5800 block of Deer Path Drive, admitted guilt to two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of misdemeanor entering a vehicle without permission, and one count each of possession of cocaine, grand larceny, and misdemeanor petty larceny. One count of possession of a controlled substance (Zanax) was dropped. In a summary of evidence, New Kent investigator J. Joseph McLaughlin III responded to complaints in the Deer Lake subdivision about an individual entering vehicles. After one…
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Two involved in forgery ring among indictments handed up by New Kent grand jury
Two individuals who used fake money in New Kent County have been formally indicted by a New Kent grand jury. Jermaine O. Yancy, 43, of the 400 block of Valley Drive, Syracuse, NY, and Willonda J. Scott, 21, of the 1500 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue, Portsmouth, were each indicted for offenses that allegedly took place on June 1 in New Kent. According to the indictment, Yancy and Scott allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase items from local stores. Yancy received four indictments of forging coins and bank notes while Scott was indicted on one charge of the crime. The…
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