News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 7, 2025
Local News
Former Charles City sheriff candidate indicted on three new charges
A former candidate for the position of Charles City County sheriff received three new indictments after grand jury deliberation Tuesday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. Vance R. Richards, 46, received written accusations on three counts of writing false material on voter registration documents from last June. Richards, who attempted to secure the position of sheriff, was indicted previously on six other felony matters last September. Those charges also stem from the timeframe last June, alleging that he attempted to run for public office but was not a resident of Charles City. Richards case is being handled by special prosecutor…
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Third DUI nets Providence Forge woman 13 months in jail
A Providence Forge woman will serve 13 months in jail after receiving formal sentencing for DUI (third offense) during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Kelly Marie Fuqua, 40, of the 11000 block of Green Oak Road, learned of her punishment that stemmed from an incident last June 5. On that day, Fuqua drove a vehicle in a cornfield in circles, destroying recently planted corn crops. An investigation revealed that she was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. Subsequent testimony from witnesses during a Nov. 10 trial told about her actions that were observed that day. Judge B. Elliott…
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New Kent Sheriff’s Office arrests teen for burglary, thefts from motor vehicles
New Kent Sheriff’s Office personnel have arrested a New Kent teenager in relation to recent burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles and homes in the county. Brian M. Harlow, 19, of the 5800 block of Deer Path Drive, was taken into custody on Feb. 19 on one count of theft from a motor vehicle. He is also charged with burglary, grand larceny, and possession of a schedule I or II narcotic. According to the police report, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious male walking away from a vehicle in the Deer Run subdivision. Deputies responded and…
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Former New Kent supervisor, government official succumbs
Richard S. “Dick” Ellyson, 78, who served three terms on New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors and later stepped in as interim county treasurer and county administrator, passed away on Feb. 25. He first won election to the board’s District 2 seat in 1975, but lost four years later. He ran again in 1983, regaining the post which he held for the next eight years. He opted not to seek reelection in 1991. But Ellyson was never one to shy away from county service. He answered the call from supervisors to take over as interim county treasurer when then treasurer…
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Launch date for high-speed internet in Charles City pushed back to April
Ever since the awarding of a $600,000 grant to bring high-speed internet to Charles City was announced in December 2014, citizens and businesses alike have patiently waited for the day it would become a reality. Those citizens and businesses will have to wait a little bit longer. Charles City county administrator Zach Trogdon announced a new tentative date of early April for the launch of wireless internet service for the county. “This process is similar to being pregnant; you know it will come soon but just don’t know when,” the county administrator said during the Feb. 23 regular monthly meeting…
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Man receives year in alternative programs after eluding police on motorcycle
A Richmond man who fled police in a multi-county chase received formal sentencing in Feb. 22 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Nicholas Joseph Ciambor, 30, of the 5800 block of Westover Village Drive, will serve one year in the men’s Detention and Diversion Center programs. Ciambor entered Alford pleas of guilty (stipulating he maintains his innocence with his plea but evidence presented would convict him of the crime) to one count each of felony eluding police, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving without a proper endorsement during a Dec. 21 trial. During the original trial, a summary of events indicated…
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VDOT projects for New Kent (Feb. 20-26, 2016)
Here is a list of VDOT projects for the week of Feb. 20-26, 2016: Feb. 22-26- New Kent Highway (Rt. 249) will have alternating lane closures from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. to continue construction work on a roundabout at the intersection of Route 249 and Airport/Tunstall Road. Feb. 22-26- Stage Road (Rt. 627) between Clark Road and Evergreen Road will have alternating lane closures from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for bridge deck repairs. Feb. 23- Interstate 64 East between mile markers 220 (West Point) and 224 will have alternating lane closures from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. for pothole patching.
Commissioners favor $3.25 million Capital Improvement Plan for FY2016-17 New Kent projects; New Kent Elementary renovations not included
New Kent Planning Commissioners put a stamp of favorable recommendation on a $3.25 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2016-17 in the county. Tuesday evening’s public hearing presented no speakers as county administrator Rodney Hathaway introduced a $3,253,392 proposal to commissioners. Of that amount, $532,950 are self-sustaining funds to handle projects in the public utilities department. Of the remaining $2,720,442, state and federal grants total $983,528, something that Hathaway was proud to speak about. “When you look at this CIP, only half will be tax-funded,” the county administrator said, pointing to the figure of $1,736,914. “We were approached with more…
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Forestry division reminders for spring wildfire season
Spring wildfire season is now in effect for New Kent and Charles City. Between Feb. 15 and Apr. 30, burn restrictions are in effect for both counties. Here are some reminders during that time frame: –Open burning which is 300 feet of woods or grass which could carry the fire to the woods is banned before 4 p.m. (Open burning is burning which releases smoke and other products of combustion directly to the atmosphere without passing through a chimney or screen.) Otherwise permissible air burning is only allowed between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. (midnight). All other open burning regulations…
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‘Early College Scholar Academy’ open to New Kent High School students
Next fall, a handful of New Kent High School students will embark on a program where they can earn college credit leading to an associate’s degree in arts and science. College credit can then be transferred to other institutions of higher learning. And the best news is all can be accomplished at bargain basement prices. Dubbed the New Kent County Public Schools Early College Scholar Academy, the two-year program is a partnership between the local school system and Rappahannock Community College. Students enroll in college-level classes to be taken at RCC’s Glenns Campus and NKHS starting with their junior year…
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