News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 28, 2025
Local News
Dillwyn woman receives year-long jail term for DUI in New Kent
A Dillwyn woman who drove under the influence of alcohol will serve a year in jail after pleading guilty during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Mimi Yvonne Dunkum, 49, of the 100 block of Old Route 15 Lane, admitted guilt to one count of DUI (third or subsequent offense) as part of a plea agreement. One count of misdemeanor driving revoked and driving with an open container of alcohol were dropped as part of the plea deal. In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on June 14, 2023, New Kent Sheriff’s Office…
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New Kent School superintendent recommends $51 million budget for FY2024-25
As New Kent County continues to grow in population, so does the enrollment in the school system. And the result of that growth has led to a proposed budget that tops $50 million. New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols and Director of Finance Haynie Morgheim recommended a budget of $51,145,884 for the FY2024-25 year. That number is approximately 11.01 percent more than the current year’s adopted budget of $46,075,167. The budget is based on an average daily membership (ADM) of 3,500 students. An increase in the Local Composite Index from .4244 to .4391 also means the locality will be…
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Motorcyclist receives two-year jail sentence for eluding police in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend two years in jail for eluding police officers on a motorcycle. Anthony Robert Pearson Jr., 47, entered guilty pleas to felony eluding, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor driving suspended as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge driving through a safety zone was dropped. In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 27, 2023, a Virginia State Trooper patrolling Interstate 64 westbound clocked a motorcycle traveling 130 miles per hour in a posted 65 miles per hour zone at mile marker 205. The operator of the bike failed to…
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Charles City School Board sends MOU to county leaders regarding regional wastewater treatment plant
Charles City County’s School Board is extending an olive branch to county leaders on the possibility of a regional wastewater treatment plant. Director of School Operations Jerome Tyler read a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to school board members at the Feb. 20 regular school board meeting. The possibility of a regional wastewater plant first came to light at a March 2022 meeting. With both the county and school facilities needing upgrades to their individual plants, a presentation was made by Charles City County Administrator Michelle Johnson to address the issue. At that time, Johnson’s presentation pointed out that a…
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No speakers as Charles City superintendent recommends $7.3 million operating budget for FY2024-25
Charles City’s School Board received no public feedback on the proposed FY2024-25 budget at Monday night’s public hearing. Charles City Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy presented a budget of $7,347,808 for operations in FY2024-25. That amount is $845,323, or 21 percent, more than the current year’s budget of $6,502,486. Joppy emphasized that the budget is one of need, but also spoke about positions that needed to be sustained. With ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds expiring in September of this year, the superintendent commented how those funds have been utilized to assist with learning loss caused by the…
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Charles City man receives year behind bars for illegally possessing ammunition in New Kent
A Charles City man will spend a year in jail for illegally possessing ammunition in New Kent County. Ryan Lamar White, 36, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (originally possession of a firearm by a convicted felon) and misdemeanor driving under the influence as part of an agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Sept. 10, 2022, a Virginia State Trooper responded to the scene of an accident where a red Dodge Durango had…
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North Carolina man found guilty of committing crimes against New Kent minor
Warning: This story may contain content unsuitable for some readers. A North Carolina man has been convicted of committing several crimes against a minor following a two-day jury trial in New Kent. Jose Joan Martinez Marmolejo, 27, of Fayetteville, was found guilty of sexual intercourse with a minor, two counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of proposing to have sex with a minor under the age of 15, sodomy, having indecent liberties with a minor, abduction, six counts of reproducing child pornography, sodomy with kidnapping of a victim 13 years or younger, and abduction with intent to defile….
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Glen Allen man traveling 175 miles-per-hour in New Kent slammed with one year jail term
A Glen Allen man who went three times over the posted speed limit while trying to outrun law enforcement officers will spend the next year in jail. Trevor Lee Tutwiler, 31, of the 10000 block of Gregory Avenue, Glen Allen, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of felony eluding as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on June 11, 2023, a Virginia State Police officer was traveling eastbound on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) in the area of Providence…
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New Kent man receives four-month jail term for causing accident on Interstate 64
A New Kent man who caused an accident on Interstate 64 while driving under the influence will spend the next four months in jail. Travon Terrell Gaines, 31, of the 7800 block of Upland Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony hit and run that resulted in an injury and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. One count each of felony hit and run and misdemeanor reckless driving (improper brakes) were dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney…
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Charles City man receives year in jail for possessing crack
A Charles City man who attempted to dispose of drugs while running away from police will spend a year in jail. Elliott M. Charity, 61, of the 12000 block of Mapisco Road, Charles City, entered straight guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II substance, misdemeanor fleeing from law enforcement, and misdemeanor obstruction of justice as part of Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on Apr. 27, 2023, Virginia State Troopers went to arrest Charity on an outstanding capias. When they…
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