News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | May 30, 2026
Local News
New Kent supervisors weigh funding options for school capital projects
After hearing concerns about population growth in the county and how local schools’ enrollment continues to rise, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors reconvened Wednesday morning to address financial options available to resolve the issue. As part of the continuation from the Oct. 11 regular meeting, county leaders met with financial advisor Ted Cole of Davenport and Company on addressing potential needs of both the county and school system. A packet distributed to supervisors contained information of different financial approaches to potential projects. Those potential projects include the construction of a new fire station (pegged at a funding of $2.2 million),…
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Charles City schools receive security grant
Charles City Public Schools accepted the awarding of a security grant during Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. In a press release, the $53,427 grand will be used to enhance school facility and safety measures. Superintendent of schools David Gaston says plans are already in place on how to use the funds. “The keyless entry systems will provide an additional layer of safety and assurance for our students and our community in the event of any emergency,” Gaston expressed in the release, mentioning an electronic access control system to the main entrances at the elementary and high schools. In addition to…
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Argument over PB&J sandwich sends man to jail for two years
A sandwich that has delighted kids for decades ended up costing a Lanexa man two years of freedom. Sidney Ryan Rich, 52, of the 3500 block of Good Hope Road, accepted a plea deal to one count of possession of a weapon by a nonviolent felon during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, around 11 p.m. on July 5, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence after a verbal altercation was reported. When deputies arrived, Rich’s wife said the two had gotten into an argument over…
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Lanexa man found guilty of abduction, strangulation, assault charges
A Lanexa man who held a woman captive for nearly nine hours in her own home has been found guilty on three felony charges. Lee Alden Mooney, 50, formerly of the 13000 block of Stage Road, received guilty verdicts on one count each of abduction, assault and battery on a family member (third offense), and strangulation during Monday afternoon’s contested trial. Misdemeanor charges of destruction of property and damaging a phone line were dismissed. Special prosecutor Clay Blanton only had three witnesses for the trial. But those witnesses painted a picture describing Mooney’s actions on May 14. “As we were…
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New Kent drug take back is October 22
New Kent Sheriff’s Office will conduct its annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Teaming with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the sheriff’s office will provide citizens another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by disposing their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. All disposed items will be incinerated and disposed of properly. Drop off locations this year will be the rear parking lot of New Kent Sheriff’s office and the rear parking lot of Quinton Volunteer Fire and EMS Station 2. The service is free and anonymous….
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Social media post lands Charles City man three years of incarceration
A Charles City man will spend the next three years in prison after a video of him discharging firearms was discovered during an investigation. Gary Odell Lowe Jr., 38, accepted a plea agreement to an amended charge of possession of a weapon by a nonviolent felon (originally possession of a weapon by a violent felon) during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, in October 2015 Williamsburg Sheriff’s Office contacted Charles City Sheriff’s Office in assistance to locate Lowe, a person of interest in a case in Williamsburg….
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Emergency communications system becomes operational in New Kent
An emergency communications system purchased by New Kent County is now operational. New Kent County Sheriff’s Office, rescue personnel, and county officials took part in an Oct. 12 morning ceremony. The event saw the transfer of emergency personnel equipment for the sheriff’s office move onto the Harris radio system. New Kent County Schools’ transportation department was successfully transferred on Oct. 4, and New Kent Fire-Rescue is expected to be transferred within the upcoming weeks. In April 2015, New Kent leaders opted to purchase the system at the cost of $5.5 million to improve the coverage area and assist emergency personnel….
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Quinton couple arrested for battery thefts
A married Quinton couple has been arrested in relation to several thefts from construction sites located in New Kent County over a one-month time period. Raymond Hampton Putze Jr., 37, and Amber Marie Schall, 29, both of the 8000 block of North Henpeck Road, were each arrested on four counts each of grand larceny, larceny with the intent to sell, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and conspiracy to commit a felony. According to the police report, from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3 heavy-duty batteries from construction machinery at various locations in New Kent were stolen. After an investigation, Putze and…
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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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