News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 18, 2026
Local News
DMV Select in New Kent becomes permanent office
After a six-month trial, New Kent’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Select will become a permanent fixture for residents. A pilot run that commenced in June 2014 resulted in nearly 900 DMV transactions, relieving customer traffic at the East Henrico DMV center. The result earned approval for New Kent’s branch to become the next permanent office in Virginia. “New Kent customers have been taking advantage of this convenient service during the pilot and we look forward to continuing this partnership,” said DMV commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. Citizens can conduct vehicle-related transactions at DMV Selects. Services include vehicle titles and registrations,…
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Proposed FY2015-16 budget for New Kent schools close to $29 million
New Kent superintendent of schools David Myers has announced a proposed budget of close to $29 million for county schools for FY2015-16. School board members heard the recommendation during Monday night’s regular board meeting. Myers’ proposal for the schools’ general fund comes in at $26,997,618. That amount is a $676,660 increase over this year’s budget, equivalent to a 2.6 percent addition. Projections for sustaining categories including the school textbook fund ($164,594), school grant fund ($936,388), and school nutrition fund ($947,506) bring the total recommended budget to $29,046,106. “We want to use the money and utilize the funds and do what’s…
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Lights inspection to cause delays on Eltham Bridge Feb. 2-6
Motorists commuting between New Kent and the town of West Point will experience delays next week (Feb. 2-6). Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced alternating lane closures on the Eltham Bridge to inspect the lights and structure spanning the Pamunkey River. The inspection is expected to occur between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Motorists are expected to experience delays during that time period.
New Kent authorities serve felony indictments charging Hanover man with alleged sex crimes involving young boy
Authorities in New Kent County have served felony indictments on a Hanover County man charging the suspect with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor and one count of forcible sodomy. The suspect, Darwin K. Noble, 72, of the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, is currently being held without bond in Pamunkey Regional Jail on those charges as well as similar counts incurred in Hanover. Charges in both jurisdictions allegedly involve an 11-year-old boy, who is not a New Kent resident, said New Kent Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin. The New Kent charges stem from last…
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Citing unknown costs, New Kent supervisors put temporary halt on joining regional radio grid
Citing advice from county attorney Michele Gowdy over unknown costs and language in a written contract, New Kent supervisors have placed a temporary halt on joining an emergency regional radio grid project for at least 45 days. Action taken at the Jan. 28 work session comes as no surprise since supervisors expressed concern after verbally agreeing to invest in the network during a September work session. However, contract negotiations with county staff, entities from Williamsburg-James City County, Gloucester County, York County, and Motorola representatives have forced New Kent leaders to freeze the process. “There are a lot of risks and…
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New Kent man arrested for felony eluding charge in Charles City
A New Kent County man has been arrested on several charges stemming from a Jan. 26 early morning pursuit in Charles City. William Henry Winston Jr., 64, of the 6300 block of Emmaus Church Road, is charged with one count of felony eluding police and one count each of misdemeanor driving on a revoked license, speeding, no vehicle registration, and no state inspection. According to the police report, a Charles City deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate a speed on northbound Route 106 (Roxbury Road). After initiating a traffic stop, the deputy exited his patrol car to…
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Charles City, Waste Management agree to $1.5 million settlement
After 15 months of legalities, motions, and mediation as part of a civil lawsuit between Charles City County and Waste Management, both parties have agreed to a $1.5 million settlement. Charles City Board of Supervisors chairman Gilbert Smith announced the settlement during the board’s Jan. 27 regular monthly meeting. “I’m pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Waste Management,” said Smith. “We will receive $1.5 million, with the agreement to span over the next five and a half years.” According to District 2 representative Bill Coada, the $1.5 million will be paid upfront for the settlement, with…
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Charles City animal control officer retiring Jan. 31
Charles City animal control officer Frank Bates will retire from his position effective Jan. 31. An announcement during the Jan. 27 Charles City Board of Supervisors’ meeting revealed that Bates will step down from his post. When taking action on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the county and New Kent Sheriff’s Office, it was revealed that the animal control officer will enter retirement after more than 30 years of service. The MOU was required to be adopted to have animal control services for Charles City. Effective Feb. 1 to June 30, New Kent Sheriff’s Office will handle a majority…
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Quinton man to serve no active time for drug possession
A Quinton man accepted a plea deal during Jan. 26 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings stemming from an April 2014 arrest. Winston Allen Kirby, 38, of the 3800 block of Poverty Hall Road, New Kent, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of heroin and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. In a summary of evidence, last Apr. 4 New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a vehicle stopped on the side of the road. When deputies arrived, they noticed two men sleeping inside the car, with Kirby being the passenger. After a subsequent investigation, it was determined…
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Charles City staff hosting NSA, RMU meetings on development
Charles City’s planning staff is scheduling three public meetings to receive input on the planning commission’s proposed Neighborhood Service Areas (NSA). At least one NSA is located in each district, with a NSA defined as “areas located around crossroads and other community anchors that provide limited space for high density residential development and associated neighborhood commercial activities.” The planning commission is also proposing to incorporate new Rural Residential Mixed-Use zoning (RMU-1), with the intent of encouraging development of residential-based, mixed-use NSAs in the Adkins Store and Ruthville communities. County planning staff is planning to present the proposed ordinances and receive…
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