News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | June 26, 2026
Local News
One cent tax increase part of $60 million proposed New Kent budget
A one cent tax increase on New Kent County’s real estate tax rate highlights a proposed budget of close to $60 million for the locality in FY2016-17. New Kent’s Board of Supervisors received their first look at the recommended figure during their Mar. 14 regular meeting. County administrator Rodney Hathaway’s proposed budget of $59,599,181 for the upcoming cycle is $2,886,796 more than the county’s current budget. As part of the increase, the county’s real estate tax rate is proposed to increase by one cent to 84 cents per $100 of assessed value. Hathaway explained that even though the current rate…
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Former Charles City athlete killed in Henrico accident
A former Charles City High School athlete died at the scene of an accident in Henrico. Shana Renee Braxton, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene on March 12. According to the Virginia State Police report, a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire was traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 when it ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree near the Laburnum Avenue exit. Sgt. Steve Vick said that Braxton was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Speed is being considered a factor of the crash. Braxton, a 2010 graduate, was a three-sport athlete for Charles…
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Charles City High School JROTC program continues to shine 20 years later
“To motivate young Americans to become better citizens.” That motto is plastered on the wall and every textbook of Charles City High School’s JROTC program, an organization that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this school year. But this local JROTC program’s growth and existence came to be unlike any others in the program. And yet, it is considered to be one of the main faces that is identified as being affiliated with Charles City High School. Charles City’s JROTC Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peters and Army Instructor Sergeant First Class Steward Greene spoke about the program, reminiscing the…
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Using sister’s ID lands woman one-year jail sentence
A Hampton woman who used her sister’s identification during a March 2014 traffic stop received formal sentencing during Mar. 7 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Laura Lee Carter, 33, of 17 Woodsman Road, entered a plea agreement on Oct. 19, entering Alford pleas of guilt to one count each of forgery of a public document, false identification (second offense), perjury, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving suspended. At that trial a summary of evidence revealed that Carter used the name and social security number of her sister, Rosa Paige, during a traffic stop. An investigation followed after Paige went…
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VDOT projects for New Kent from Mar. 5-11, 2016
Here are Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) projects in New Kent County for the week of Mar. 5-12, 2016: Mar. 5-11- 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. Mar. 7-11- New Kent Highway (Rt. 249) at the intersection of Airport Road and Tunstall Road will have alternating lane closures from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for roundabout construction. Mar. 8- Interstate 64 eastbound between mile marker 211 (Talleysville) and mile marker 214 will have alternating lane closures from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. for pothole patching. Mar. 10-11-…
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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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