News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 7, 2025
Local News
New Kent High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian- Zhide “Andy” Jin
Zhide “Andy” Jin posted a grade-point average of 4.383 as valedictorian for New Kent High School’s Class of 2016. He was a member of the BETA club and the French Club. He also attended Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. Zhide will be attending Virginia Tech University and pursue his studies in engineering. He is the son of Yue Yin Zheng.
New Kent High School Class of 2016 Salutatorian- Jackson Gray
Jackson Henry Gray is salutatorian of New Kent High School’s Class of 2016 with a grade-point average of 4.31. He was a member of FCA and attended Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. He also participated on the high school’s wrestling and golf teams. Jackson plans to attend Virginia Tech University and pursue his studies in mechanical engineering. He is the son of Adam and Melissa Gray.
New Kent High School Class of 2016 Scholarships and Awards
Ebonee Allen- George W. Watkins Memorial, Hope Allen Johnson Memorial. Emily Angle- New Kent Educational Foundation Jacob Aulman Vick Memorial, New Kent High School PTSO. Ethan Ashford- Bottom of the Bridge LaSertoma, Teacher Education. Christian Babin- Bridging Communities Regional CTE Foundation, New Kent Junior Woman’s Club, West Point/Tri-Rivers Chamber of Commerce Community Service. Cameron Baldwin- New Kent Chamber of Commerce. Davion Barnes– AER-Army Emergency Relief. Ashleigh Bedwell- New Kent High School Principal’s, New Kent High School PTSO, Martha Dandridge Woman’s Club, New Kent Woman’s Club. RaShonda Bentley- Chris Clark Memorial, George W. Watkins Memorial, Jenna Grace King Memorial, NAACP, Thelma…
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New Kent High School Class of 2016
Ebonee LaShea Allen Emmarose Virginia Anderson Renee Hope Anderson Emiley Diane Angle Ethan Kane Ashford Sarah Michelle Atkinson Christian Craig Babin Cathryn Sara Back Cameron James Baldwin Shane Joel Barker Ryan Matthew Barlow Davion Tyler Barnes Hunter Logan Bartells Jalyn Mariah Batkins Ashleigh Marie Bedwell Khayri Divine Bell Rahael Anne-Marie Bello Jordan Ivey Belvin Emily Mason Benet RaShonda Dar’nae Bentley Katherine Jessica Arlean Best Megan Kelsey Bland Michaela Ashley Borszich Jonathan Luke Bottoms Dylan Trevor Bowman Elizabeth Marie Brewer Tyler Mackenzie Brightwell Sasha Lynn Bronder Brianna Nicole Brown Sara Jo Patricia Buchanan Nicholas Will Buchman Christopher Davis Lee Burruss Jacob…
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Charles City man receives 33-month sentence for 2015 high speed chase
Despite pleas for leniency to be sentenced towards the lower end of recommended guidelines, a Charles City man will spend nearly three years in prison stemming from a 2015 high speed chase in the county. Andrew Leroy Williams, 35, of the 7000 block Church Lane, received a five-year sentence with two years, three months suspended on one count of felony eluding of police charge (two years, nine months to serve). Ten years on felony hit and run, and one year each on misdemeanor reckless driving and driving revoked were suspended. On Mar. 25, Williams accepted a plea deal presented by…
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Despite some reservations, New Kent leaders green-light solar facility project
New Kent supervisors unanimously approved the construction of a solar facility in the Barhamsville area of the county during the board’s June 13 monthly meeting. Virginia Solar/Sunworks LLC first presented the proposal at the April meeting of the county’s planning commission. After receiving feedback from community meetings and a May public hearing by commissioners, recommendation for approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) was sent to county leaders. A public hearing at the supervisors’ monthly meeting yielded no speakers, but questions and concerns about the proposal were raised by the county leaders. Chairman and District 4 representative Ron Stiers challenged…
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Man pleads guilty to ammunition possession after execution of search warrant
Resulting from a search warrant executed on his home by Henrico County’s Sheriff’s Office, a Quinton man accepted a plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court for possessing ammunition in his residence. James Earl Glenn, 35, of the 5700 block of Pine Fork Road, pled guilty to an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a nonviolent felon (originally possession of a weapon by a nonviolent felon) during June 13 morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on July 22, 2015, a New Kent deputy received from Henrico Sheriff’s…
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Charles City High School Class of 2016 Scholarships and Awards
Tyler Allen- Ruthville Class of 1963, Virginia Tech Academic Award. Tyrus Allen- Little Elam Baptist Church. Austin Baldwin- FBLA, Johnson & Wales Award. Victoria Banks- Parrish Hill Baptist, Ruthville Class of 1963, Herman E. Smith Sr., GRASP Last Dollar, NAACP, Mt. Calvary International Church. Meryah Bates- Ruthville High School Alumni Association, Cumberland Health Career. Chynna Berry- Bridging Communities Career & Technical Education. Michael Callahan- Newport News Apprentice School. Alizae Carter- Virginia Union Incentive. Terrell Charity- Ruthville High School Alumni Association. Christopher Copleand- GRASP. Jasmine Dabney- Marian Brown Randolph, New Kent Lions Club Memorial. Michael Grubbs Jr.- Charles City Educational Foundation….
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Lasting bond, loyalty to class highlights 2016 Charles City graduation ceremony
Even though Charles City’s Class of 2016 recognized that each class member would be heading their separate ways at the conclusion of their June 11 ceremony, parallel messages revolving around bonds highlighted the celebration. Fifty-six members of the graduating class crossed the stage in front of a capacity-filled Leon C. Miles Memorial Stadium during the morning commencement ceremonies. This was the first time in nearly two decades that the high school graduation was held outdoors. Senior class president Victoria Banks emceed the ceremony, speaking to classmates about the difficult year that many endured just to make it to graduation. “We’re…
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Charles City High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian- Sydney Richard
Sydney G. Richard posted a grade-point average of 4.4 as valedictorian for Charles City High School’s Class of 2016. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, has served as a student ambassador, participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball, and was elected Miss CCHS Homecoming Queen 2015. Sydney will attend Old Dominion University and pursue her studies in biology. She is the daughter of Amy and Derrick Richard Sr.
