News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 8, 2025
Local News
Eight earn indictments from New Kent grand jury
A New Kent grand jury handed down indictments to eight individuals after deliberations in New Kent Circuit Court Monday morning. –Ronnie Gaspuras, 55, of the 3900 block of Moores Lane, Lanexa, on a single count of grand larceny. The indictment alleges Gaspuras stole property from Makemie Woods on July 31. –Ramann L. Harris, 26, currently of Henrico Jail East, on a charge of assault on a law enforcement officer. The offense allegedly occurred on Oct. 16 while he was incarcerated in the facility. –Mason Andrew Hudson, 23, of the 7600 block of Cheshire Road, Richmond, on one count of possession…
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Drive-by shooting leads to arrest in New Kent
A Barhamsville man was arrested after he allegedly took part in a drive-by shooting on Nov. 10. Charles W. Lipscomb, 46, was arrested on one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, shooting at an occupied dwelling, shooting from a vehicle, and misdemeanor reckless handling of a firearm. According to the police report, New Kent Deputy Wyatt Johnston responded to a call of reported gun shots in the area of the 15000 block of Rockahock Road. The deputy interviewed witnesses at the scene and recovered physical evidence. After concluding the interview and an investigation, Johnston arrested…
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New Kent Sheriff Howard honored during retirement ceremony
As accolades poured in, New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. sat quietly on stage inside New Kent High School’s auditorium, at times appearing humbled by the mountains of praise while often breaking into laughter over amusing anecdotes delivered by a multitude of speakers. On the occasion of his retirement, a crowd of close to 300 — family members, sheriff’s office staff, fellow law enforcement officers, county officials, friends, and county residents — gathered Sunday afternoon to honor Howard, who has served nine terms (36 years) as New Kent’s sheriff. He chose not to run for a 10th term and…
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Repairs slated on Interstate 64 in New Kent
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be conducting repairs on Interstate 64 westbound in New Kent for the upcoming week. Nov. 15- Interstate 64 westbound at the exit of Route 33 will have the right lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for overhead sign repairs. Nov. 16-17- Interstate 64 westbound between mile markers 204-205 (Bottoms Bridge) will have the left lane closed from 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for guardrail repairs.
Drunk driving in cornfield nets Providence Forge woman guilty convictions
A Providence Forge woman who drove behind the wheel through a cornfield while intoxicated was found guilty during a contested trial on Nov. 10 in Charles City Circuit Court. Kelly Marie Fuqua, 40, of the 11000 block of Green Oak Road, received guilty verdicts on one count each of driving under the influence (third offense) and misdemeanor destruction of property. On the afternoon of June 5, Brandi Curtin was inside her residence on Green Oak Road when she heard the sound of a vehicle. When she stepped outside, Curtin saw a black vehicle driving erratically in a field of recently…
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Four men indicted by Charles City grand jury
A grand jury certified indictments against four men during Nov. 10 Charles City Circuit Court proceedings. –Curtis William Cole Jr., 42, of the 5100 block of Old Union Road, on one count each of malicious shooting in an occupied building, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, assault and battery on a family member (3rd offense), and five misdemeanor charges that include violating protective orders, brandishing of a firearm, and reckless handling of a firearm. The alleged offenses occurred on Sept. 23. –Curtis Roy Murphy, 19, of the 1900 block of Betner Court, Sandston, on one count of burglary. Murphy…
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Public hearing on truck stop moved to November meeting
A meeting to hear about a proposed truck stop at the corridor of Interstate 64 and Route 106 (Emmaus Church Road) has been moved to November. New Kent’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Nov. 16 for the proposed Love’s Truck Stop in the Talleysville area of New Kent. Commissioners heard the proposal from Love’s representatives during an Oct. 19 regular scheduled meeting. That meeting presented details on the truck stop that included 73 parking spaces and 14 fuel stations for automobiles. Diesel trucks would have fueling stations on the most western part of the property. Layout for…
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Eltham Bridge overnight openings part of VDOT projects
The Eltham Bridge connecting New Kent and West Point will be opening as part of training exercises for Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT). The bridge is scheduled to be opened from 12-1:30 a.m. beginning Monday, Nov. 9 and ending Wednesday, Nov. 11, and again on Monday, Nov. 16 and concluding Wednesday, Nov. 18. The bridge will be opened and closed for 15-minute increments over the 90-minute span. Motorists are to expect delays during this period. In other VDOT projects, move paving is scheduled for Interstate 64 eastbound on Nov. 10. Beginning at mile marker 200 and ending at mile marker…
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Swynford, Staskiel win school board seats in New Kent
Kristin Swynford and Andrea Staskiel have respectively won election to the District 2 and District 3 school board seats in New Kent as a result of write-in campaigns. Results released Friday morning show Swynford tallied 58 votes to be named to the position as she ran unopposed in District 2. In District 3, a three-woman race resulted in Staskiel’s victory with 162 votes. Sylvia Hathaway’s 109 and Robin Burrell Smith’s 93 rounded out the number of certified votes. In another write-in campaign, Charles Evelyn and Robert Jeremiah won election to the Soil and Water Conservation Board. Evelyn tallied the most…
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Jones elected new sheriff of Charles City; library referendum wins citizen approval
What began as a four-way race for sheriff in Charles City quickly emerged into a two-man battle between incumbent Javier Smith and challenger Alan Jones Sr. And in the end, it would be the newcomer who would emerge victorious by the slimmest of margins. Jones received 1,186 votes from county residents, just 80 more than Smith’s 1,106 to win during Tuesday’s general election. Smith has served as sheriff for the past eight years after winning a four-way race in 2007 and topping a single challenger in 2011. “I want to thank Jesus Christ, my family, friends, poll workers, and especially…
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