News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 18, 2026
Local News
Payne-Jones seeks new term on Charles City School Board
Helen Payne-Jones has announced her bid for re-election to represent District 1 on Charles City’s School Board. Payne-Jones is completing her first term with the Charles City County Public School system and is excited to continue serving families in District 1. “We have an innovated plan and structure in place for the first time that will provide our children with a quality education,” she said in a press release. “Our plan has strong leadership with incredible experience and accountability. “With our dedicated teachers and staff, we will implement our new school configuration,” she continued. “I look forward to being part…
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Dwindling number of volunteers for CC firefighters becomes major concern at town hall
A June 3 joint town hall meeting gave citizens the opportunity to ask questions to either Charles City’s Board of Supervisors or Charles City School Board members. And while very few took advantage of the open forum, it was a question from one resident to county leaders that continues to haunt the county. Linda Maines approached the podium with concerns over the county’s fire department. Her inquiries about county involvement to address the issue led to her asking questions to county supervisors. “I saw a house burn down recently,” she said, commenting on a May 1 fire on Adkins Road….
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Bowman seeks votes to regain District 2 seat in Charles City
Sherri Bowman, who served on Charles City’s Board of Supervisors from 2008-2011 as the District 2 representative, has announced her intentions to run for the seat in the upcoming election. “As a life-long resident, graduate of Charles City school system, and the mother of a teenager attending Maggie Walker Governor’s School, I believe I understand our community, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its challenges,” Bowman said in a press release. “Charles City is a rapidly aging community and we need to find ways to attract and retain young people. “If elected, I will be an attentive listener, a bridge builder,…
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Bradby seeks re-election as Charles City treasurer
Mindy W. Bradby is seeking reelection as treasurer for Charles City County. “As a proud, lifelong resident of Charles City County, I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as your county treasurer since 2012,” Bradby said in a press release. “I ask for your continued support in the upcoming election. “If re-elected, I plan to remain accountable to and be respectful of the citizens of Charles City and continue to successfully lead the Treasurer’s office in a professional, courteous, and transparent manner,” she concluded. Bradby has more than 13 years collectively in the treasurer’s office…
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Orrell enters race for Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney position
Wayne H. Orrell has announced his bid for election to the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney for Charles City County. Orrell is a trial attorney who has practiced in the local area for the past 15 years. His law practice focuses on criminal defense and litigation, working previously with Goodwin, Sutton, and Duval, as well as Tucker and Marsh before opening his office in Charles City in 2010. “I hope that I can be fair and recognize the needs of justice and yet not lose perspective on the impact that a prosecution carries,” Orrell said in a press release. “My hope…
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Ledbetter challenges for District 3 seat in Charles City
David O. Ledbetter has announced his candidacy to represent District 3 on the Board of Supervisors in Charles City. Ledbetter, a retired attorney who practiced environmental law, recently chaired the county’s board of equalization. He has served for many years on the county’s career and technical education advisory council. He is a long-standing member of Memorial United Methodist Church, John Tyler Community College Foundation, and the Charles City Ruritan Club. “Charles City has given my family a wonderful home,” Ledbetter said in a press release. “If elected, I will devote myself to strongly supporting the public education, promoting economic development,…
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Four arrested by New Kent Sheriff’s Office
New Kent Sheriff’s Office has arrested four individuals in unrelated incidents that have occurred in the county within the month of May. Sheriff’s personnel charged: –Jesse Harmon Cheadle, 37, of the 4300 block of Old Union Road, Charles City, with one count each of public intoxication, driving revoked (DUI related), and driving with an open alcoholic container. According to the arrest report, on May 30, Cheadle was pulled over during a traffic stop where alcohol was found in his car. After a background check, it was revealed his license was revoked. He was held in Henrico Jail East and released…
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Charles City High School Class of 2015 scholarships and awards
Vanessa Adkins- Anne Trevarthen Memorial, Heather Dayton Memorial, Omega Psi Phi National Essay Contest, William & Mary Scholars, Charles City Educational Foundation. Jesse Bradby- Virginia Union University merit, Little Elam Baptist, Virginia Union University Marching Band. Taylor Bradby- 1963 Class of Ruthville High School, Clark Atlanta University Undergrad Admissions. Ja’Kara Brown- Chowan University, New Vine Baptist. Brandon Collie- United States Military Academy, Military Officers Association of America, America’s Propane. Tamea Delaney- Mt. Zion Baptist. Stephen Gallmeyer Jr.- Old Dominion University Academic Scholars Award. Walter Gordon III- Charles City Ruritan, Charles City Public Schools Class of 1967 in Honor of Janet…
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Man killed in wrong way accident on Interstate 64 in New Kent
A Richmond man was killed during a May 31 early morning accident at mile marker 209 in New Kent after reports of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 64 in New Kent. Michael S. McCall, 40, died at the scene of the crash. According to a press release, state police received a report of a driver entering the interstate near mile marker 214 (Providence Forge) around 3 a.m. McCall, who was driving a 2004 Buick Park Avenue, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. His car collided head-on with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer carrying household goods. McCall was pronounced dead at…
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New Kent man, suspect in double murder, killed in wreck; two others dead, two injured
A New Kent man who was a suspect in a double murder in Chesterfield, died after a wreck on Interstate 295 that killed two other people and injured two additional victims. Stafford L. Shaw Sr. 46, of the 9000 block of Shewsbury Drive, New Kent, was killed after his accident caused a four-car chain-reaction on May 29 on Interstate 295 in Mechanicsville. According to the state police report, Shaw was a suspect in the murder of Morgan R. Rogers, 34, and Leah Rogers, 1, of Chesterfield. Shaw was Rogers’ estranged boyfriend and was wanted for two counts each of second…
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