News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 18, 2026
Local News
Home search leads to drug charges against New Kent man
A New Kent man faces two drug possession charges after county sheriff’s personnel searched the residence where the suspect lives. Inside, officers found marijuana and another illegal drug, believed to be cocaine. Authorities arrested Ronald Shawn Altizer, 28, of Carriage Road in Providence Forge, on March 21 following what a sheriff’s office report labeled a “consented search.” Detective Lt. Joey McLaughlin said the home’s owner granted permission for the search. Altizer is charged with one count each of possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was taken to Henrico Jail East where warrants…
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Roundabout construction to commence at Tunstall/Airport Road and New Kent Highway intersection
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin construction on a roundabout project at the intersection of New Kent Highway (Route 249) and Tunstall/Airport Road (Route 612) this week. The new roundabout, expected to cost $1.7 million, will improve traffic flow and provide increased safety at that intersection. Pavement will be also widened for pedestrians and cyclists. During construction, motorists can expect alternating lane closures. The speed limit will also be reduced to 35 miles per hour in the area as well. The project is expected to be completed by November. For more information on the project, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/roundabout_at_routes_249-612_in_new_kent.asp.
Assault with table on uncle nets Charles City man six years in prison
A Charles City man who assaulted his uncle last summer during a domestic dispute will serve a six-year prison sentence. Eric Karl Allen, 51, of the 4400 block of Old Union Road, was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 of those years suspended on one count of malicious wounding during March 20 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. He earned an additional year in prison as a result of violating probation. Allen also received a suspended one month jail sentence on misdemeanor possession of marijuana, but must pay a $100 fine and $270 in restitution. Last December, Allen…
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Malicious wounding charges lodged against New Kent man certified to a grand jury
With the help of interpreters, attorneys for both sides as well as the judge overcame not one, but two language barriers during a preliminary hearing for Sheng Jie Jin, a New Kent County restaurateur accused of attacking two family members. The defendant and alleged victims are Chinese and appeared to understand little if any English while a key prosecution witness, who is Hispanic, needed assistance from a Spanish interpreter. Testimony, at times, seemed almost lost in translation as Wednesday’s hearing wore on. Attorneys frequently encountered difficulty explaining questions to witnesses on the stand, but in the end, New Kent Juvenile…
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Largest marijuana bust case could head to federal court
Federal authorities could be stepping in to take over prosecution of the case involving a New Kent man caught up in what has been labeled the largest marijuana bust in county history. New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory said on Wednesday that federal authorities are considering the matter concerning Daniel Ray Norwood, who was arrested following a raid last Dec. 15 in which more than 500 marijuana plants were seized from inside his Lanexa residence. But for now, an April 7 preliminary hearing for Norwood in New Kent General District Court remains on schedule. Should the case proceed through the…
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No tax hike proposed in New Kent draft $56.7 million next year budget
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors will begin studying a proposed county budget of $56.7 million for FY2015-16. County administrator Rodney Hathaway presented his recommended figure during the board’s March 9 regular meeting. That number, however, is expected to decrease slightly after Hathaway proposed the removal of a one-cent tax increase. Hathaway’s proposed budget totals $56,712,385 for the upcoming cycle. That figure is more than $7.6 million below the county’s current $64.8 million figure. According to the county administrator, the reduced number comes as the result of funds that were expected to be borrowed through a debt issuance for renovation of…
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Burglary trio indicted in New Kent Circuit Court
Three men who allegedly burglarized homes in New Kent received multiple indictments during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. William Lawrence Paige, 52, of the 1300 block of Burma Court, Richmond; Benjamin Potter, 37, of the 9300 block of Horsecastle Court, Glen Allen; and James Tracy Thomas, 50, of the 3300 block of Meadowbridge Road, Richmond, allegedly robbed homes from January to February of this year. According to the indictments, at least four residences were burglarized. Items stolen include jewelry, a generator, power tools, an XBOX video game system, knives, firearms, and credit cards. Paige is charged with…
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Criminal history leads to longer sentence for Windsor man in NK Circuit Court
A Windsor man who entered an Alford plea of guilty during a December trial as part of a plea agreement will spend more time incarcerated than anticipated after a review of his criminal background. Eric Wayne Gillard, 45, of the 23000 block of Andrew Court, will serve two years in jail on one count of grand larceny after receiving formal sentencing during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In December, Gillard stipulated that evidence presented by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory could link him to a burglary last May 26. During that trial, a New Kent deputy testified about…
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NK Planning Commission forwards favorable recommendations for CIP, land development fee increases
New Kent’s Planning Commission has favored a $1.9 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and land development fee increases, forwarding both recommendations to county supervisors. With no one from the public electing to speak during public hearings on either topic at Monday evening’s meeting, commissioners voted 8-0-1 on each to recommend favorable action by supervisors. County administrator Rodney Hathaway told commissioners that three modifications had been made to the CIP since the commission’s January meeting. New Kent County Airport reflects a new project titled “Disadvantage Business Enterprise Study”, which added $12,000 to the CIP (with most of the dollars supported by…
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Outcry over New Kent tennis court conditions prompts action by supervisors, school board
Outcry from the public over deteriorating conditions at New Kent High School’s tennis courts has resulted in county school board members and supervisors collaborating to find a solution sooner rather than later. Both boards commented about the matter at a March 12 retreat at New Kent Forestry Center. At the forefront is inability of the court’s structural integrity to be maintained under current conditions. At a February school board work session, superintendent of schools David Myers said the courts were in such bad shape that the high school’s tennis teams will have to play all matches at other schools this…
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