News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 7, 2025
Local News
SUV crashes into Lanexa business in New Kent County
A 2007 Mercury Mountaineer crashed into the entrance to All Creatures Animal Clinic located at 14700 Pocahontas Trail (Route 60) in the Lanexa area of New Kent County Friday morning. State Police Sgt. Steve Vick said the driver sustained injuries and was transported to MCV hospitals in Richmond. No other injuries were reported. Considerable damage was done to the building. The driver, 64-year old Lilton E. Harris Jr. of Lanexa, was charged with driving under the influence and failure to wear a seatbelt. This is the second time within a week that a business in New Kent has suffered damage…
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Charles City School Board adopts $9 million budget for FY2016-17
Charles City School Board members adopted a $9,002,390 operating budget for FY2016-17 during their May 17 regularly scheduled meeting. Board members had been convening in numerous meetings since county supervisors announced their budget for the upcoming year. Schools had asked county leaders for a $400,000 increase for the upcoming cycle, but only received $168,253 which is equivalent to the amount of money in reduced state funding. Members returned to the table on May 5 during a budget work session and received information on areas for making up a $231,747 shortfall. To compensate for the deficit, school board members elected for…
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New Kent Planning Commission sends favorable recommendation for solar facility to county leaders
New Kent’s Planning Commission unanimously approved a favorable recommendation to the county’s board of supervisors to grant a conditional use permit (CUP) to a Richmond company for the construction of a solar facility. Commissioners voted 10-0-1 (District 2 Supervisor Tommy Tiller abstained) to allow Virginia Solar/Sunworks LLC to bring the facility to the Barhamsville area. Only one change was made in the permit to restrict pile driving hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Virginia Solar/Sunworks representative Matthew Mears reiterated an April presentation to commissioners on the facility. The site is expected to occupy 250 acres of a 484-tract of…
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Two reach agreements in New Kent Circuit Court
Two men in unrelated cases accepted plea agreements as part of May 16 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Colton Jon Dearborn, 19, of the 17000 block of The Glebe Lane, Charles City, entered guilty pleas to two amended charges of misdemeanor accessory after the fact to possession of cocaine (originally possession of cocaine) and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (originally possession of heroin). In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Oct. 22, 2015, Dearborn was working at a local restaurant when his manager noticed erratic behavior and assumed he was under the influence of a…
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Ten tagged in indictments by New Kent grand jury
A New Kent grand jury certified indictments against 10 individuals during May 16 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. –Amy Michelle Carter, 39, of the 3600 block of George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, on a single count of possession of a controlled substance. Carter allegedly had heroin in her possession upon her arrest. –Christopher Erhan Catrell, 22, of the 8000 block of Brown Avenue, West Point, on a single count of possession of a controlled substance. The defendant allegedly had heroin upon his arrest. –Courtney Marie Collier, 20, of the 9000 block of Basswood Drive, Quinton, on a lone charge…
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VDGIF buys 2,600 acres of land in New Kent for $9.3 million
Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) purchased 2,600 of acres in eastern New Kent for the establishment of a new wildlife management area. A May 6 press release announced the acquisition of the area that includes two miles of frontage on the York River and five miles along the Ware and Philbates creeks for a total of $9.3 million dollars. “Our partners play a very important role in the acquisition and future conservation of these valuable coastal wetlands,” said VDGIF executive director Bob Duncan in the release. “The support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Wildlife…
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New Kent armed carjackers sentenced, each to serve at least five years in prison
Four men involved in an armed carjacking in New Kent last Nov. 27 will each spend at least five years in prison after receiving formal sentencing on May 13. Anthony Tyrone Williams Jr., 21 of the 23000 block of Cutbank Road, McKinney; Colin Ray Dugger, 21, of the 2500 block of Shady Side Drive, Petersburg; David Dewayne Jackson, 24, of the 25000 block of Shady Side Drive, Petersburg; and Javanta Lightfoot, 21, of the 15000 block of Allen Road, Dinwiddie, were each sentenced in federal court proceedings held in the United States District Court in Richmond. Last November, a victim…
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Amendment establishes first “no wake zone” in New Kent
After listening to residents about safety concerns along Diascund Creek during Monday night’s meeting, New Kent supervisors voted unanimously to amend an ordinance and establish a “no wake” zone in the county. The “no wake” zone becomes the first in New Kent, meaning boats cannot produce waves that affect shorelines or they may be fined and/or pay for damages to property. The amendment to the ordinance also establishes a process for other residents who wish to have the designation on waterways in the county. For Diascund Creek in particular, the area begins 370 yards south of the CSX bridge and…
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New Kent budget public hearing yields one speaker
New Kent supervisors opened the floor for citizen input on the county’s proposed $62.7 million budget that includes a one-cent tax increase for FY2016-17 during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. County leaders only heard from one resident who voiced her opinion. Kate Hanger addressed supervisors with her concern over school support. And while she didn’t lean towards the 83 or 84 cent rate, her perspective surrounded the support for county schools and the community. “I hear a lot of talk about this county becoming one for the aging community but also wanting to bring in businesses,” Hanger said. “I…
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Drivers advised of May 10 bike ride on Route 60 in New Kent
Motorists traveling Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) westbound in New Kent can expect slowdowns from 3:30-5:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon (May 10). The Law Enforcement Unity Ride will take place tomorrow as bicycles ridden by law enforcement officers from across the eastern portion of Virginia converge and ride in honor of brothers and sisters who have given their all protecting citizens in the state. Riders are scheduled to enter New Kent at 3:28 p.m. and will make a stop at Liberty Church. At 3:45 p.m., the ride will begin again, traveling westbound on Route 60. Cyclists are expected to travel through Providence…
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