News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 8, 2025
Local News
McLaughlin to take reins as elected sheriff in New Kent
After serving as second-in-command to outgoing sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. for 24 years, Chief Deputy J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. will get the opportunity to take the helm on Jan. 1, 2016. New Kent voters elected McLaughlin as the next sheriff during Tuesday’s general election by a margin of almost 2-to-1. McLaughlin accumulated 4,048 votes, defeating challenger Capt. Charles Gardner, another veteran of the county’s sheriff’s office, who totaled 2,097. “Very humbled,” McLaughlin said when asked about his election as the next sheriff. “I am thankful and blessed for the support I received from the citizens. “I look forward to…
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Charles City and New Kent Election Coverage 2015
Election updates will be updated every 30-45 minutes. All results are unofficial. Please refresh this screen if you do not see a change in results. A complete breakdown of votes by district will be published once 100 percent of reported votes are in. Last updated: 10:50 p.m. New Kent County District 1 Supervisor Thomas Evelyn- 1,132 (98.69%) Write-in- 15 (1.31%) District 2 Supervisor Tommy Tiller- 1,144 (97.69%) Write-in- 27 (2.31%) District 3 Supervisor Patricia Paige- 623 (97.50%) Write-in- 16 (2.50%) District 4 Supervisor Herbert Jones- 558…
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VDOE releases accreditation scores for Charles City, New Kent
Virginia’s Department of Education (VDOE) announced accreditation standards for schools for the 2015-16 year on Oct. 27. Accreditation is awarded for scores in the areas of English, Mathematics, History and Science. In New Kent, all four of the county schools received full accreditation, making the school system one of only 37 in the state to have all accredited. New Kent High School led the way, with no score less than 85 percent. George Watkins Elementary (83), New Kent Elementary (80), and New Kent Middle (79) also posted scores that surpassed the state average. All four schools also met federal annual…
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New Kent receives $75,000 grant for broadband planning
As the ninth fastest growing community in Virginia, New Kent continues to face challenges of addressing infrastructure to provide faster Internet services to local residents and businesses. Thanks to a grant through the Virginia Telecommunication Planning Initiative (VATPI), the county is now taking first steps to provide adequate services to improve the quality of life for local citizens and businesses. New Kent received a $75,000 grant as part of a Friday morning announcement held at New Kent’s Visitor and Commerce Center. The county is one of 14 communities awarded funding in the total amount of $500,000 to help plan for…
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New Kent leaders have little power in resolving duck blind dilemma
During the regular monthly meeting in October, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors were approached by homeowners in The Colonies subdivision in Lanexa about duck blinds they felt were too close to their homes. Unfortunately for those homeowners, there is little county leaders can do to resolve the situation. County administrator Rodney Hathaway addressed supervisors during the Oct. 28 work session about research and information he received from the department of Game and Inland Fisheries. And despite the closest hunting accessory being less than 200 yards from the nearest homeowner, according to the county administrator, he has done nothing illegal. “The…
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December date announced for wireless internet availability in Charles City
Ever since the awarding of a $600,000 grant for a high-speed broadband initiative, Charles City constituents have asked the question of when internet access will be available to their homes and throughout the county. A firm answer to that question was received during Charles City’s Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 28. County Planning Director Matthew Rowe announced the county’s partnership with SCS Broadband as the provider of wireless internet services to citizens of Charles City. Completion of the project is expected to be by the end of the year and as early as mid-December. “This is a tremendous step…
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Charles City man arrested for drug possession in New Kent
New Kent Sheriff’s Office personnel have arrested a Charles City teenager on drug possession after responding to a disturbance. Colton J. Dearborn, 19, was taken into custody by New Kent deputies on Oct. 22. According to the arrest report, deputies responded to a residence at the 2600 block of New Kent Highway on a disturbance incident. Dearborn, who was identified as one of the subjects involved, is alleged to have possessed cocaine and heroin. He was arrested on two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Dearborn was taken to Henrico Jail East and was being held on $1,000 bond.
Four-way battle for sheriff highlights Charles City candidate forum
With nearly every candidate in attendance, approximately 150 citizens converged on Charles City High School’s auditorium for an Oct. 23 forum sponsored by Charles City’s branch of the NAACP. Twenty-three individuals vying for votes addressed the audience during the two-hour Friday night forum. Headlining the event was a four-way race for county sheriff. Incumbent Javier Smith is being challenged by Ed Branch, Alan Jones Sr., and Vance Richards. Each of the candidates vying for sheriff agreed that community policing is needed, but each emphasized a personal spin on how to address the matter. “I come to you because of the…
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Charles City man dies in early morning car accident
A Charles City man was killed in a car crash in the county during the early morning hours of Oct. 20. Tracy Turpin, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on Charles City Road. Turpin graduated from Charles City High School in 2012.
Plans released on proposed Love’s Truck Stop in New Kent
After two years of development and planning, the Love’s Company presented its proposed plan for a travel stop off of Emmaus Church Road (Route 106) in New Kent to the county’s planning commission Monday night. The hour long presentation came before the planners to provide first insight of a Love’s Travel Stop just off the Exit 211 interchange from Interstate 64. The travel stop would be located on the westbound side of Emmaus Church Road, across from the current Pilot Truck Stop. The Love’s Corporation is based out of Watonga, Oklahoma, and currently has 240 stores in 40 states. “We…
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