News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 18, 2026
Local News
Largest marijuana bust in New Kent to be heard in federal court
Federal authorities have taken over a case that has been deemed the largest marijuana bust in New Kent. Danny Ray Norwood, 54, of the 1400 block of South Waterside Drive, Lanexa, was indicted on May 12 during federal grand jury proceedings in Richmond. With federal authorities now handling the case, New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory is dropping local charges as required by law. Norwood was charged with one count each of manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana (more than five pounds) with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana. Last Dec. 15, Twin Rivers…
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New Kent supervisors approve FY2015-16 budget
New Kent County will operate on a $55,649,986 budget for FY2015-16 after it passed 3-2 during the Board of Supervisors’ monthly work session on May 20. While supervisors took note of comments made from a May 11 public hearing, only one change was brought to their attention by county administrator Rodney Hathaway. Hathaway said current county practices were not uniform when it comes to providing healthcare benefits to directors and constitutional officers. “We are required to have uniformity across the board when offering health insurance across the board,” Hathaway said. “We have not done that for some of our directors…
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Rejuvenated Charles City school calendar focuses on parental involvement
With an emphasis on parental involvement in their child’s education, Charles City School Board members approved school calendars for FY2015-16 and FY2016-17 during their May 19 regular meeting. Representatives of a committee designated to create the school calendar presented proposals for the next two educational years. Superintendent of schools David Gaston spoke about the focus areas for the upcoming school years. “This staff worked hard to come up with a calendar that would improve parental involvement,” Gaston said. “We also wanted to have this calendar give us an opportunity to bring in family members for several occasions as well as…
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Fugitive in Charles City high speed chase that injured deputies captured
A fugitive who led Charles City deputies on a high speed chase on Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway) and sent two officers to the hospital as a result of his actions is now in custody. Authorities apprehended Andrew Leroy Williams shortly before 7 p.m. at Niceview Farms, located on South Lott Cary Road. According to sources close to the situation, around 1:30 p.m., Captain Jayson Crawley pulled over a vehicle after it was clocked for speeding. When he approached the suspect’s vehicle and asked for information, Williams responded that he didn’t have a license before taking off on Route…
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Restaurateur indicted on attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding charges in New Kent
A New Kent restaurateur accused of attacking two family members in a Jan. 20 confrontation now faces serious charges that include two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding. Sheng Jie Jen, 41, currently of Henrico Jail East, was indicted on five charges during New Kent Circuit Court grand jury proceedings on May 18. According to the indictment, Jin confronted his estranged wife, Yue Yue Zheng, outside Panda Garden restaurant, located in the New Kent Crossing shopping center on Route 249 in Quinton, both whom are co-owners of the restaurant. Jin allegedly threatened Zheng and her…
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Ordinance changes to special provisions in cluster subdivisions, floor plans, passed by New Kent boards
New Kent’s Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors approved ordinance changes to special provisions for open space or cluster subdivisions and “minimal final floor area” of residential dwellings at a special joint meeting and public hearing on May 18. Opening discussion targeted ordinance changes for Section 91-127 that focused on open spaces and cluster subdivisions. At issue was discussion on minimum acreage that would be required to execute the cluster subdivision . The proposal returned to the planning commission after supervisors ended in a deadlock 2-2 vote, resulting in the ordinance being rejected. Supervisors agreed during the April work session…
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Regulations for Bottoms Bridge Overlay District get favorable approval from NK commissioners; forwarded to board of supervisors
A proposed set of regulations aimed at governing the appearance of development along the main arterial highways (New Kent Highway and Pocahontas Trail) in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent has received a favorable recommendation from New Kent planning commissioners and now heads to the county’s board of supervisors. The May 18 public hearing addressed proposals that were made by county community development director Matthew Smolnik at New Kent Planning Commission’s monthly meeting in April. Smolnik said the proposed regulations are designed to protect the aesthetic and visual character of land, public health, safety, and welfare by managing growth…
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Woman receives no jail time from New Kent Circuit Court on reduced charge
A woman will serve no active time in jail after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor accessory after the fact to cocaine (originally possession of cocaine). Shannon Inez Shelton, 38 (address unknown), entered the plea during May 18 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence, last Oct. 5, New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a distress call on Farmers Drive concerning three missing children. The caller, Shelton, said she went out of town and left the kids with a babysitter and returned home to find them missing. While speaking to deputies, she had…
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Charles City schools announce hirings as part of restructuring for FY2015-16
As part of Charles City Public Schools FY2015-16 adopted budget, superintendent of schools David Gaston has announced the hiring of positions as part of the school board’s reorganization and restructuring plan effective July 1. Wendy Cauley has been named as Director for Teaching, Learning, and Accountability for the school division. She will be responsible for focusing on curriculum, assessment, and accountability measures for the school system. She has previously worked for Williamsburg-James City County and has 14 years of teaching experience. Tina Smith has been named as Director of Student Services and Federal Programs. Smith has worked in Charles City’s…
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New Kent undergoing patching, lane closures May 18-May 22
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced upcoming traffic projects for New Kent that will have road closures: Pothole patching on Interstate 64 on the following days: May 18-21: Right lane on I-64 East, 9 pm.-5 a.m. at mile marker 205. May 18-19: Alternating lanes on I-64 East, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. from mile marker 211 (Talleysville) to mile marker 220 (West Point). May 19-20: Alternating lanes on I-64 East, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. from mile marker 220 (West Point) to mile marker 225. Other projects: May 18-22: Route 60 east (Pocahontas Trail), 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. from Landing Road to Creeks End…
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