News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 7, 2025
Local News
Quinton woman killed in Richmond crash
A Quinton woman was killed in a Richmond crash early Friday morning. Jillian W.E. Little, 26, of the 3100 block of Brook Boulevard, died at the scene of the accident. According to the police report, Little was operating a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier on Brook Road in Richmond when it was rear ended by a 2008 Honda Civic. The force of the impact pushed the Cavalier into a utility pole. The driver of the 2008 Honda Civic was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Charges are currently pending as the crash remains under investigation.
Charles City man accepts plea deal after assaulting family member
A Charles City man who assaulted a family member accepted a plea deal during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Curtis William Cole Jr., 42, of the 5100 block of Old Union Road, entered guilty pleas to one count of assault on a family member (third offense) and eight counts of misdemeanor violation of a protective order. One count each of malicious shooting, felony possession of a weapon, misdemeanor reckless handling of a firearm, and an additional 11 counts of misdemeanor violation of a protective order were dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob…
Read Full Story
CCSB announces new start time for meetings in FY2016-17
Charles City school board members approved a new start time for meetings beginning in FY2016-17. Public meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a closed session for the board commencing at 6 p.m. Meetings days will continue to be on the third Tuesday of each month with the exception of Dec. 13, 2016 and Apr. 11, 2017 to accommodate students, faculty, staff, and parents for both winter and spring breaks.
Fire/EMS concerns trump talks at Charles City budget public hearing
With a four-cent tax increase as part of a proposed $22.4 million budget for Charles City operations in FY2016-17, citizens had the opportunity to weigh-in on the issue during an Apr. 19 budget hearing. And when the constituents voiced their opinions, supervisors received an earful of items to ponder. Sixteen speakers approached the microphone at the Tuesday evening meeting. One of the major themes of the night revolved around fire/EMS support for the county and why more funds weren’t focused on that area that many residents expressed concern about. “I live five miles from Station 3 and it’s a vacant…
Read Full Story
Solar company requests CUP for facility in New Kent
A Richmond-based company has requested a conditional use permit (CUP) to bring a solar facility to eastern New Kent County. Virginia Solar/Sunworks LLC made a presentation to New Kent’s Planning Commission on Apr. 18 with the request for the permit. “Solar energy is becoming economically competitive,” said Matthew Mears, a representative of Virginia Solar. “It is becoming very appealing and with regulations, a lot of power companies are looking into another source of energy.” Mears said in his presentation that New Kent was identified as a location of interest for its good electrical infrastructure, its A-1 (agricultural) zoning, and the…
Read Full Story
Providence Forge man killed in Norge grocery store shooting
A Providence Forge man is dead after a shooting at a grocery store in the Norge Shopping Center of James City County. Gabriel Ryan Maness, 34, was identified by local authorities as the victim of a Apr. 17 Sunday morning shooting at Farm Fresh. Reports say police received a call shortly after 8 a.m. of a shooting inside the store. When authorities arrived, they arrested Brian Alexander Hicks, 55, who allegedly was carrying a .45 caliber handgun and was in possession of other ammunition. Hicks was charged with one count of second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit…
Read Full Story
CC high school sweep yields no drugs
Charles City County Sheriff’s Office conducted a drug sweep of Charles City High School Tuesday morning. With utilization of K-9’s from Virginia’s Department of Corrections, the search revealed no drugs on the premises.
New Kent supervisors to advertise 84-cent rate, but no clearcut decision to maintain it
Even though New Kent supervisors are electing to advertise an 84-cent real estate tax rate for a scheduled public hearing in May, it remains evident that there is still no clear-cut direction the board is leaning towards. Supervisors returned to the discussion table Wednesday morning as part of a budget work session. Needless to say, more discussion is yet to come after an hour of talks resulted in more questions than answers. County administrator Rodney Hathaway presented a trimmed version of recommendations to county leaders, narrowing what was once eight options varying between the 83-cent and 84-cent tax rate to…
Read Full Story
New Kent leaders approve purchase of former bank building to become new home for Heritage Public Library
Heritage Public Library will receive a new home in the Maidstone Development in New Kent. Supervisors approved by a 4-1 vote Wednesday morning authorizing county administrator Rodney Hathaway to execute an agreement to purchase the former Colonial Virginia Bank building for $950,000. District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller casted the lone dissenting vote. “The purchasing of this building will not increase taxes on county citizens,” said District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn. “It is in a centralized area and closer to the schools.” Talks about purchasing the building emerged at the September 2015 work session. There, a proposal to lease the facility…
Read Full Story
Bridge repairs to slow traffic on Interstate 64 eastbound during overnight hours
Travelers on Interstate 64 eastbound in New Kent can expect delays overnight for bridge repairs. Traffic overnight is expected to slow beginning late Thursday night on April 14 until Friday, April 15, 4 a.m. near mile marker 220 as Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews conduct repairs to structural steel of a bridge at the Good Hope Road (Route 627) overpass. The slow rolls will consist of several delays that will last approximately 15 minutes long each. Drivers are to pre-plan their travel time accordingly to account for the traffic slowdowns or use alternative roads during the overnight hours.
