News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 29, 2026
Local News
Library’s location leads public discussion at Charles City forum
Location, location, location. Normally when a person hears that word, they think of infomercials that advertise a place to go on vacation or a business that is within their community. At the Sept. 26 public forum that provided an update on construction of a library in Charles City, it was the primary concern among most speakers. Fifty people attended the hour-long meeting that presented the initial plans for the construction of a library in the courthouse complex of the county. After a 2015 bond referendum passed during last November’s election, supervisors created a timeline to stay on track with the…
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Man enters guilty pleas to forgery as part of agreement
A New York man who forged fake money in a number of jurisdictions, including New Kent, accepted a plea deal during Sept. 26 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Jermaine O. Yancey, 43, of the 400 block of Valley Drive, Syracuse, entered guilty pleas to four counts of forging of coins and bank notes. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on June 1 New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call from neighboring West Point authorities to assist on a stop for a Nissan Maxima heading towards Interstate 64. New Kent deputies were able to locate…
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Motorcyclist’s 108 miles-per-hour speed in Charles City leads to chase, arrest
A Hopewell man has been arrested after leading a state trooper on a high speed chase that started in Charles City during the early morning hours on Sept. 23. Tommie M. Vanderhoff, 22, has been charged with one count each of felony eluding police, reckless driving, driving while revoked (fourth offense), improper registration, driving without insurance, driving without state inspection, driving without a motorcycle license, and improper passing. In a press release from Sgt. Stephan Vick of the Virginia State Police, a motorcycle passed Trooper Jonathan Miles shortly before 2 a.m. at the intersection of Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial…
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New Kent sheriff completes FBI academy
New Kent County Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. was one of 21 participants to complete the second Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and Regional Command College. Held from Aug 22-26, the weeklong training sponsored by the FBI through the Henrico Division of Police Training Academy, covered topics that included fair and impartial policing, color of law, ethics in leadership, crisis intervention training, emotional intelligence, and leading the next generation. Instructors of the academy included current and retired FBI special agents.
Charles City schools exceed enrollment projection numbers
Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston announced that enrollment for the county schools have exceeded their budgeted projection. Gaston said that 686 pupils are currently entering the doors of county schools as of Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. That number exceeds the 647 projected for budgeting by nearly 40 students. Of the current enrollment, 367 students occupy the hallways of the elementary school (grades K-6) while 319 students occupy seats in the high school (grades 7-12). The superintendent said he is pleased with the enrollment numbers and the increase, but noted that the figure is 23 less than last…
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New Kent man enters guilty pleas for Deer Lake subdivision burglaries
A New Kent man entered guilty pleas to several thefts from the Deer Lake subdivision on Feb. 19. Brian Matthew Harlow, 20, of the 5800 block of Deer Path Drive, admitted guilt to two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of misdemeanor entering a vehicle without permission, and one count each of possession of cocaine, grand larceny, and misdemeanor petty larceny. One count of possession of a controlled substance (Zanax) was dropped. In a summary of evidence, New Kent investigator J. Joseph McLaughlin III responded to complaints in the Deer Lake subdivision about an individual entering vehicles. After one…
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Two involved in forgery ring among indictments handed up by New Kent grand jury
Two individuals who used fake money in New Kent County have been formally indicted by a New Kent grand jury. Jermaine O. Yancy, 43, of the 400 block of Valley Drive, Syracuse, NY, and Willonda J. Scott, 21, of the 1500 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue, Portsmouth, were each indicted for offenses that allegedly took place on June 1 in New Kent. According to the indictment, Yancy and Scott allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase items from local stores. Yancy received four indictments of forging coins and bank notes while Scott was indicted on one charge of the crime. The…
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Man convicted of attempted arson in Charles City Circuit Court
A Charles City man who poured gasoline down the hallway of the home he was living in has been convicted for attempted arson. Steven Ray Smith, 37, of the 5800 block of Monguy Road, received convictions on the aforementioned charge as well as a reduced misdemeanor destruction of property charge (originally felony destruction of property) during Sept. 16 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. One charge of threatening to burn was dismissed. Friday morning’s contested trial stemmed from a May 31 incident at the residence on Monguy Road. Captain Jayson Crawley testified that as he arrived on the scene at…
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VDOT seeks input on proposed I-64 widening in western New Kent
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are seeking public comments for the widening of Interstate 64 that includes the westernmost portion of New Kent. The submitted proposal includes the addition of one lane in each direction on Interstate 64 from exit 200 (Interstate 295) to exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge). Comments are being accepted until Sept. 27 by VDOT’s Richmond District. Comments may be mailed to Mr. Palmer Stearns, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, Va. 23834 or via email (with the subject line “Comments on I-64 widening in Henrico and New Kent”) at palmer.stearns@vdot.virginia.gov. Phone…
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Two Providence Forge residents killed in Henrico crash
Two Providence Forge residents were killed during a Sept. 12 Monday evening accident in Henrico County. Gary Nathaniel Adkins, 24, and Jessica Breon Bradby 22, were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 5 p.m. The accident occurred at the intersection of Willis Church Road near New Market Road (Route 5) where police say a Ford Crown Victoria the two victims were passengers in ran off the road struck a tree. The driver of the vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby medical facility. The accident remains under investigation by police to determine if speed and alcohol…
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