News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 16, 2026
Local News
Overnight paving projects to occupy Interstate 64 in New Kent
Two paving projects targeted along Interstate 64 eastbound in New Kent will occupy overnight hours on the highway. On Sept. 27-Oct. 1, there will be alternating lane closures between mile markers 209 and 224 from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. On Monday, Sept. 28, the eastbound exit ramp at mile marker 205 (Bottoms Bridge) will be closed from 8:30 p.m.-7 a.m. for paving. A detour will be in place to direct motorists who had planned to use the exit. Motorists are cautioned to use alternative routes and expect delays during the overnight hours.
Missing New Kent teenager located
New Kent Sheriff’s Office has located a teenager who has been missing since late August. Alicia Marie Flores, 15, was found by authorities after they received a tip. New Kent Sheriff’s Office has not released any further information as of this time, but is expected to do so within the next few days. Alicia is expected to be reunited with her family.
North Carolina man pleads guilty to grand theft auto in Charles City
A North Carolina man who stole a car in 2011 admitted to the crime during Charles City Circuit Court on Sept. 25 Michael James McCord, 28, accepted a plea agreement to one count of grand larceny of an automobile during Friday morning proceedings. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on Dec. 4, 2011, Rebecca Meadows heard her truck start during the night hours. When she looked outside, she witnessed the car driving away. Charles City deputies later found the vehicle after it had crashed, discovering blood inside. A DNA analysis was run, with a match…
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Man involved in deadly I-64 accident indicted on manslaughter charge in New Kent
A North Carolina man whose tractor-trailer crashed and triggered a multi-vehicle accident that left a woman dead is among 11 individuals indicted by a New Kent grand jury during Monday morning proceedings. Ira Dean Vestal, 39, of the 5800 block of Springs Road, Conover, North Carolina, was indicted on one charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jennifer P. Wilson and one charge of misdemeanor reckless driving. According to the indictment, Vestal was allegedly operating a tractor-trailer on Interstate 64 eastbound on March 11 when he struck a pick-up truck as traffic slowed down due to a disabled vehicle….
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Eluding police nets New Kent man 15-month jail term
A New Kent man will spend the next 15 months behind bars for felony eluding police after receiving formal sentencing during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. William Henry Winston Jr., 64, of the 6300 block of Emmaus Church Road, received a three-year sentence with all but one year, three months suspended for eluding an officer last January. In a contested trial this past July, Charles City deputy James Clements said he observed Winston speeding north on Route 106 (Roxbury Road/Emmaus Church Road) in Charles City. After activating his lights, the defendant increased his speed as he crossed…
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Charles City, New Kent schools boast enrollment above projection
Charles City and New Kent county schools are both above their projected enrollment numbers for the 2015-16 school year. Superintendent of Charles City schools David Gaston presented to school board members the schools’ first average daily membership (ADM) numbers at the Sept. 15 regular meeting. Numbers indicate that enrollment in Charles City schools is 675. That number is five more than the schools’ ADM projection of 670. In New Kent, superintendent Dave Myers announced during Monday evening’s work session that student enrollment comes in at 3,007. New Kent schools had budgeted for an ADM of 3,000 for the year. That…
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New Kent school board heeds comments on restroom issue for transgenders
During most New Kent School Board work sessions, only a handful of people are in the audience to hear business conducted. But at Monday night’s meeting, a relocation change to address a growing issue not only drew the board’s largest audience at a work session, but also took into account recent situations regarding restroom options for transgender students. School board members listened as 23 members of the public spoke on the issue inside New Kent High School’s auditorium. In light of recent legal proceedings occurring in a nearby jurisdiction involving a transgender student being denied use of a public restroom,…
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One dies in Charles City vehicle accident
One man has died as the result of an early morning accident in Charles City. James Reece, 36, of Henrico, died at the scene of the accident on John Tyler Memorial Highway (Route 5). According to a state police report, a van was traveling westbound on the highway when it veered off the road and struck a tree. A tow truck driver who responded to the crash told police that a child emerged from wreckage and called 9-1-1. The child was taken to a local hospital and released after receiving stitches for cuts sustained in the crash. Cause of the…
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Eltham fire currently under control by New Kent personnel
A fire that broke out during the early morning hours of Sept. 20 is now under control. In a Sept. 21 press release from New Kent Fire and EMS, fire crews responded to 911 calls after heavy smoke was detected in the Eltham area of the county. The smoke was emitting from a scrap woodpile located in the 15000 block of Eltham Road. Smoke and fire is continuing to burn from the inside of the pile. Fire personnel are working around the clock and continuing to monitor the situation and to prevent any further spreading of the flame. “There are…
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New Kent leaders approve transfer of funds for tennis courts construction
New Kent County’s board of supervisors bestowed their blessing for the construction of tennis courts for the high school during their regular monthly meeting. Voting unanimously 5-0 on Sept. 14, county leaders approved the transfer of $345,000 from the school’s set aside account to its capital improvement funds account. Superintendent of schools David Myers addressed the supervisors during the regular meeting, speaking on the process and the approval of school board meetings at the Sept. 10 regular meeting. “I come before you to ask for the transfer of funds for this project,” Myers said. “The school board has approved the…
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