News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 18, 2026
Local News
New Kent Middle School eighth grade trio spearheads care package project for soldiers
Taking the initiative to do something is a trait a person develops over time. But for three young ladies at New Kent Middle School, initiative has led them to orchestrate a huge project to support U.S. troops overseas, and they are seeking assistance from the community. Kylie Cargill, Shayla Forrest, and Madison Rowe, all eighth graders at the school, are spearheading a project to prepare care packages for military personnel stationed overseas. All three girls are part of the school’s Random Acts of Kindness Club. “The idea started after we watched a video in Mr. [Kenneth] Otey’s class,” said Kylie….
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Tax increase removed as Charles City supervisors approve $18.8 million budget for FY15-16
After county citizens voiced their opposition to a four-cent increase on the county’s real estate tax rate, Charles City supervisors elected to keep the rate the same in approving the FY2015-16 budget. Tuesday evening’s unanimous vote to operate the county on $18,882,493 for the next fiscal year came with two major changes in the proposal. With the first adjustment to keep the real estate tax rate at 72 cents per $100, the second major revision came as a proposal to transfer more money from a $1.5 million settlement with Waste Management to the budget to support the Capital Improvement Plan…
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Gowdy to resign as county attorney of New Kent
Michele Gowdy will be resigning as New Kent’s county attorney effective the end of April. The announcement was made during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the county’s board of supervisors. Gowdy has accepted a position to become the county attorney in neighboring James City County. “She has been a true asset to the county and she will be missed,” said District 5 representative Ray Davis. Gowdy served as the lead legal advisor for New Kent for the last six years. Among accomplishments include negotiations for the Historic School project and the current ongoing negotiations for the emergency communication system….
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Waterline project to cause service interruptions in Deerlake, Kentwood Farms, and Quinton Estates
Water service in the Deerlake, Kentwood Farms, and Quinton Estates areas of New Kent will have temporary service interruptions on Monday, Apr. 13. The waterline project on Route 249 (New Kent Highway) will cause the interruption in the aforementioned areas for upwards of four hours. Contractors will notify customers at least 48 hours in advance prior to the shutoff with an approximate time and date of the shutoff. Customers are advised to store water, turn off their water heater, and reschedule any chores involving water during this timeframe.
Charles City citizens speak on four-cent tax hike, CIP at public hearing
With a proposal of a four-cent tax increase to support the county’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Charles City citizens voiced displeasure over the move during an Apr. 7 public hearing on the county’s FY2015-16 budget. Charles City’s budget for the upcoming year is pegged at $18,901,016. Of that amount, $13,799,224 are local dollars to help fund a $2,468,100 CIP with support of a real estate tax increase from 72 cents to 76 cents. Each penny on the tax increase would generate $80,750 for a total of $323,000 to support the plan. That figure would be paired with $500,000 from the…
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Colonial Downs shuts down all betting venues
Through a press release, Colonial Downs officials have announced the shutting down of all betting venues in the state, including EZ-Horseplay. The action marks the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between the ownership of the New Kent County racetrack and the state’s thoroughbred horsemen. The complete text of the Colonial Downs press release follows: Citing legislation currently working its way through the 2015 Virginia Legislative Session which will deny Colonial Downs approximately $2 million of operating funds annually, Colonial Downs announced today the immediate shutdown of all its remaining pari-mutuel venues. Senate Bill 1097 will reallocate funds previously used…
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Preliminary hearing for suspect in New Kent’s largest marijuana bust postponed a second time
A preliminary hearing for the New Kent man at the center of the largest marijuana bust in county history has again been postponed. But the prosecutor in the case says the latest delay is to allow more time for federal authorities to consider taking over the case. Danny Ray Norwood had been scheduled for preliminary hearing today (Tuesday) in New Kent General District Court on 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. That hearing is now set for June 9,…
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UPDATE: Alleged animal cruelty nets Chester man 13 charges in New Kent
A Chester man faces animal cruelty charges in connection with malnourished hunting dogs that New Kent sheriff’s personnel discovered in a private kennel in the county. Authorities, acting on a complaint, seized 15 dogs on March 21 at the kennel located at the Woodbourne Kampground off Hopewell Road in the county’s western end. “We picked up the dogs and took them to our pound where we fed them and treated them for worms and other issues,” said Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. “Our vet did an assessment on each dog and all were in very poor health.” And those dogs…
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Jones announces candidacy for District 4 supervisor position in New Kent
Herbert Jones, former treasurer for New Kent County, has announced his candidacy for the District 4 supervisor position in the fall election. Jones served as the county’s treasurer for 12 years and is a retired colonel from the Iraq war. He is currently the founder and CEO of Pyramid Tehnologies LLC, a cloud computing and cyber security consulting firm. “I have decided to run for the board because the citizens of the fourth district and New Kent County need forward-thinking, common sense, and decisive leadership,” said Jones in a press release. “Over my 30-year career as a citizen, soldier, and…
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New Kent man faces charges involving forged checks
A New Kent man has been arrested on warrants of check forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses after county sheriff’s personnel executed a search warrant and seized evidence at the suspect’s home. Jason Carlisle Maybush, 36, of the 5000 block of Hemlock Road, Quinton, faces two counts each of check forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses. All four charges stem from an alleged incident on March 15. Authorities searched Maybush’s home on April 2 and arrested the suspect that same day. He was being held without bond in Henrico Jail East pending an April 7 appearance in New…
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