News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 27, 2025
Local News
Strickland elevated to role as new principal of New Kent High School
Allison Strickland has been elevated to the position as the new principal of New Kent High School. School Board members made the announcement during Monday evening’s regular board meeting. Strickland, who previously served as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal, has been in the school system for the past 12 years. Strickland commented that she is thankful for the opportunity and looks forward to working with the best faculty and staff at New Kent High School. The appointment of Strickland comes as the result of a pending allegation that former New Kent High School Christopher Valdrighi had an open container…
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New Kent School Board adopts $50.5 million budget for FY2024-25
New Kent’s School Board adopted their FY2024-25 budget following Monday evening’s regular meeting. Board members approved a $50,596,117 budget for operations in the upcoming cycle. Last April, New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols revised their budget based off figures provided to him by New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway. More than $741,866 in cuts were made from the original $51.1 million originally requested. New Kent’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was amended by $200,000 to accommodate an increase for the one-to-one initiative that will move into the general operating fund. The school’s CIP totals $4.03 million for the year. Nichols…
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Accusations may lead to shake-up of Charles City Electoral Board
A shake-up to Charles City County’s Electoral Board may be on the way after accusations of illegally sharing information from a voting machine. According to information received and a letter received by the Chronicle, the Virginia Board of Elections have been asked by two members of Charles City County’s Electoral Board, Gerald Barnes and Kermit White, to have asked for a third member, Maria Kinney, be removed. Charles City County Registrar Denay Harris also signed the letter. Claims by the board members shared during a public meeting with Virginia’s Board of Elections state that Kinney disregarded implemented election parties, claiming…
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Despite opposition from residents, Charles City leaders approve rezoning of land for subdivision
A request for the rezoning at one of the few subdivisions located in Charles City County was granted Tuesday night, much to the dismay of current residents. Charles City Supervisors voted 3-0 to approve the rezoning of 31 acres of land from agricultural (A-1) to residential (R-1) at the Trevor’s Bend subdivision. Charles City’s Director of Community Development Gary Mitchell spoke about applicant Corey Cotman’s request for the expansion. When the project was presented to the county’s planning commission, they recommended denial based on factors that included spot zoning, the area being too dense to develop, the concern of neighbors…
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Charles City Board of Supervisors adopt $22.5 million budget for FY2024-25
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors adopted their FY2024-25 budget as part of Tuesday night’s regular meeting. County leaders unanimously adopted the $22,583,720 budget for the upcoming cycle. That amount is slightly higher than the original $22.4 million projection, but still includes the three-cent tax increase. The three-cent tax increase to 69 cents per $100 of assessed value will add $316,890 to the budget. County Administrator Michelle Johnson indicated that those funds would be used to hire three additional firefighters, two new deputies, and purchase one new sheriff’s vehicle. Johnson cited her previous comments from the March meeting, saying that nearly…
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New Kent grand jury certifies several indictments during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court
A New Kent grand jury certified several indictments as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court: –George Michael Adams II, 34, of the 6300 block of Hickory Fork Road, Gloucester, on one count each of driving under the influence while suspended (third within 10 years) and driving revoked (felony related-second or subsequent offense). The offenses allegedly took place on May 1. –Willard Lionel Maurice Chapman, 48, of the 8500 block of Courthouse Road, Providence Forge, on a lone charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The defendant allegedly possessed cocaine on Feb. 13. –Shawn Lamarcus Chavious, 47,…
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Virginia Beach man receives 17 months for illegally possessing ammunition, driving under influence of drugs in New Kent
A Virginia Beach man will spend 17 months in jail for several crimes after pleading guilty during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Chad Jacob Turner, 35, of the 2300 block of Ft. Chesapeake Quay, entered guilty pleas to possession of a Schedule I/II drug, an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (originally possession of a gun by a convicted felon), misdemeanor obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense). In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 2, 2023, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received…
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Mechanicsville man receives year in jail for hit and run in New Kent, kicking Virginia State Trooper
A Mechanicsville man who operated a vehicle under the influence and fled the scene of an accident in New Kent will spend a year in jail. John Alexander Wells, 20, of the 9100 block of Minglewood Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of assault on a law enforcement officer, felony hit and run, misdemeanor driving under the influence after illegally consuming alcohol, and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a Misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice, providing a false identification to a law enforcement officer, and destruction of property were dropped as part of the agreement. In a…
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Revised $112.8 million proposed New Kent budget now sees two-cent tax hike, down from seven cents
After hearing community mumbles from the public about a possible seven-cent increase, New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway returned to county leaders with a new budget that drastically reduces the tax hike. Hathaway proposed a new budget of $112,844,288 for FY2024-25 operations in New Kent County at the May 6 regular board meeting and public hearing. The new proposed real estate rate would be 59 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from the original 64 cents per $100 of assessed value. With the county’s equalized rate sitting at 57 cents per $100 of assessed value, the tax increase would…
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Three indicted in Charles City Circuit Court
Three individuals were indicted by a grand jury as part of Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Antonio Pierre Green, 37, of the 300 block of Brown Street, Petersburg, on a solo charge or possession of a weapon by a violent felon. The offense allegedly took place on Dec. 25, 2023. –Rayshawn Long, 38, of the 400 block of Cox Landing, Newport News, on one count each of possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon, misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member, and misdemeanor destruction of property. The offenses allegedly took place on Feb. 9. –Shauntae…
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