News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 29, 2026
Local News
Charles City man receives five-year minimum sentence for malicious wounding
A Charles City man will spend the next five years in prison for an August 2015 attack after receiving formal sentencing during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Todd Alfonzo Tabb, 52, of the 8900 block of Old Elam Cemetery Road, received the minimum sentence on a single count of malicious wounding. On March 15, a jury convicted Tabb for stabbing Marcus Tyler, the boyfriend of his daughter, at a family barbecue. At that trial, Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler presented evidence showing that Tabb stabbed the victim seven times in the chest with a knife. The defendant received…
Read Full Story
Lanexa man dies after vehicle overturns
A Lanexa man has died after a single vehicle accident during Memorial Day weekend. Calvin Martin, 86, was pronounced dead at the scene by Virginia State Police after a May 28 crash on Rockahock Road shortly before 3 p.m. According to the police report, Martin’s 2012 Ford Ranger was apparently leaving his residence when the vehicle went down the hill in front of the house. The vehicle crossed over Rockahock Road and struck an embankment, resulting in the vehicle overturning and partially ejecting the driver. The crash remains under investigation. Martin was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of…
Read Full Story
Van Dyke, Kennedy tabbed as principals for Charles City Elementary School
Charles City Public Schools have announced the hiring of a new principal and assistant principal for Charles City Elementary School effective July 1. Edward Van Dyke, a current assistant principal at Berkeley Middle School in Williamsburg-James City County, has been named as the elementary school’s new principal. Heather Kennedy, a current special education teacher in Chesapeake Public Schools, will assume the role of assistant principal. “Mr. Van Dyke and Mrs. Kennedy impressed the interview committees with their positive energy and emphasis on connecting with our families in Charles City,” said school board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones in a press release. “We…
Read Full Story
One cent tax drop part of New Kent’s $58.1 million adopted budget
Even after months of dialogue, conversation, and opinions, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors continued to weigh options on whether to leave the county’s tax rate at 84 cents per $100 of assessed value or reduce it to 83 cents, the current equalized rate. It wasn’t until a final “aye” locked in the reduction of the tax rate. Supervisors passed the resolution for an 83-cent tax rate by a vote of 3-2 during Wednesday morning’s work session. A budget of $58,184,352 was also adopted by the same margin. After county leaders received a recap of four proposed options from county administrator…
Read Full Story
New Kent juvenile arrested for stealing car
A New Kent 16-year old juvenile has been arrested after stealing a car on May 19. New Kent’s Sheriff Office responded to the Woodhaven Shores subdivision after they received information that a Nissan Versa had been stolen in the morning. A description of the suspect was developed and New Kent deputies began to search for the suspect. On May 21 around 6 p.m., the suspect was located on foot by York County Sheriff’s Office near the Walmart on Route 199. The two sheriff’s offices met, with the juvenile transferred to the custody of New Kent deputies. The 16-year old was…
Read Full Story
Providence Forge man to serve two months for drug possession
A Providence Forge man will serve two months in jail after receiving formal sentencing for possessing cocaine in 2014. Michael Lee Wallace, 44, of the 11000 block of Canora Lane, learned his sentence during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Last September, Wallace accepted a plea deal and entered guilty pleas to two counts of possession of cocaine. During a summary of evidence, Wallace was found to have the substance on him when he interacted with a confidential informant on Aug. 15, 2014. Wallace received 10-year sentences on each of the possession charges. Nine years, 10 months were…
Read Full Story
VDOT projects ramp up next week in New Kent
Several Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) projects are scheduled to take place in New Kent next week, including a few that will delay traffic. May 23-25: Interstate 64 eastbound at mile marker 219 will have the left lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for guardrail repairs. May 23-25: Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 206 will have the left lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for guardrail repairs. May 23-26: Alternating lane closures will continue on New Kent Highway (Route 249) at the intersection of Airport/Tunstall Road from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. as work continues on the roundabout. May 23-27: Alternating…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
