News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | May 29, 2026
Local News
Charles City supervisors designate funds to kick off library construction
Charles City supervisors approved funds to initiate the engineering and design process for a proposed library during their Mar. 8 work session. County leaders voted unanimously to designate $205,350 to kick off the project. Those funds are part of $2.5 million expected to be borrowed as part of a referendum that was approved by county citizens in the 2015 November election. Chairman and District 2 representative Bill Coada said that funding for the 7,500-square foot building comes after much discussion with the library campaign committee. He also commented that the process is also behind schedule. During the board’s regular meeting…
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One indicted in Charles City
A Charles City man was the lone indictment during Mar. 7 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. George M. Smith, 38, of the 6300 block of Old Union Road, received one true bill certified by a grand jury on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. According to the indictment, Smith allegedly had about half a pound of the substance when a traffic stop was initiated on Sept. 2, 2016.
Hit-and-run on Interstate 64 results in 30-month jail term for Gloucester man
A hit-and-run accident on Interstate 64 last June has resulted in a 30-month jail term for a Gloucester man. Jared Earl Congleton, 36, of the 6700 block of Lemburn Lane, entered into a plea agreement during Mar. 6 morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Congleton entered Alford pleas of guilt to one count each of felony failure to stop at the scene of an accident, DUI malicious wounding, misdemeanor DUI (first offense), and misdemeanor driving revoked (third or subsequent offense). One charge of misdemeanor unauthorized use of a vehicle was dropped as part of the plea deal. Congleton’s Alford…
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Four juveniles arrested in relation to New Kent thefts
Four juveniles have been served with petitions in reference to Jan. 9-20 burglaries in New Kent County. A press release from New Kent Sheriff’s Office indicates the juveniles, ranging from the age of 16-17 years old, were investigated in relation to crimes throughout the county. All four juveniles have been charged with multiple crimes and two of the accused were issued detention orders and transported to Merrimac Detention Facility. Two of the juveniles are charged with three counts of grand larceny, and one count each of burglary, unlawful entry, and tampering with a motor vehicle. A third juvenile is charged…
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Lanexa man slammed with decade long prison sentence after abduction, attack on ex-girlfriend
A Lanexa man who held an ex-girlfriend against her will for nine hours will spend the next 10 years incarcerated in prison. Lee Alden Mooney, 50, of the 13000 block of Stage Road, was sentenced on one count each of assault and battery (third offense), abduction, and strangulation during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During an Oct. 17, 2016, contested trial, the victim testified that she found out about Mooney’s infidelity after seeing communication between him and former girlfriends. The victim told Mooney that she wanted to end the relationship. The defendant refused to let the victim…
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Juvenile arrested after alleged threats against New Kent schools
New Kent Sheriff’s Office has arrested a juvenile after threats were made against two of the schools in the county. A press release indicated that around 7:10 p.m. on Feb. 23, threats were made via social media against New Kent Middle and High School. The message advised students not to be at school tomorrow (Feb. 24). After notifying school administration, the sheriff’s office conducted interviews and an investigation to identify the sender. About 45 minutes later, the sheriff’s office identified a juvenile subject who was taken into custody. The sheriff’s office increased security at all four schools the following day…
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Departments pitch for additional funding in New Kent’s proposed budget
A number of departments involved in New Kent made one last pitch to county supervisors for additional funds in the upcoming budget cycle. New Kent leaders received inquiries from Heritage Public Library, county schools, and fire emergency services during supervisors’ Feb. 22 work session. After county administrator Rodney Hathaway provided a budget update to the board, a few departments received opportunity to speak in hopes of seeking additional funds. Among the entities was Heritage Public Library, which is seeking to work with an operational budget of $203,000, an increase of $39,000 from Hathaway’s proposal of $164,000 this year. “With the…
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Charles City school board reduces overall budget number for FY2017-18
Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston has announced first steps in adjusting a proposed budget for FY2017-18. Working through various departments, Gaston announced at the Feb. 21 school board meeting a new figure of $9,160,920 for the upcoming cycle. That number is $119,630 less than the original proposal ($9,290,550) presented in January. With the reduction, Gaston also commented that a request for local appropriations has also been lowered. First pegged at $5,380,465 (an increase of $403,000 compared to the current year’s budget), that number dwindled down to $5,287,621. The total request for new funds from county leaders is now…
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Hopewell man to serve three months for attempted burglary in Charles City
A Hopewell man will serve three months in jail after accepting a plea deal Feb. 17 in Charles City Circuit Court. Jalen Joell Johnson, 24, of the 1100 block of Butternut Drive, entered a guilty plea to one count of attempted burglary. One charge each of attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon, and misdemeanor driving suspended were dropped. In a summary of evidence, on July 1, 2016, Johnson and co-defendant Deandre Wilson drove to a residence on Cattail Road. The duo attempted to enter the garage, with one of the defendants climbing on top of…
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Increase in revenue, not taxes, part of New Kent’s $64.6 million proposed budget
At a 13.1 percent growth rate over the last five years, New Kent has emerged as the fourth fastest growing county in the state of Virginia. With that information in hand, county administrator Rodney Hathaway presented a proposed budget that reflected the residential growth. A $64,604,333 budget proposal made its way to county supervisors during Monday evening’s regular board meeting. As part of Hathaway’s recommendation, there are no tax increases in real estate (currently 83 cents per $100 of assessed value) or personal property ($3.75 per $100 of assessed value) for the upcoming fiscal year. Projected revenues for next year…
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