News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 13, 2026
Local News
Despite opposition from residents, Charles City leaders approve rezoning of land for subdivision
A request for the rezoning at one of the few subdivisions located in Charles City County was granted Tuesday night, much to the dismay of current residents. Charles City Supervisors voted 3-0 to approve the rezoning of 31 acres of land from agricultural (A-1) to residential (R-1) at the Trevor’s Bend subdivision. Charles City’s Director of Community Development Gary Mitchell spoke about applicant Corey Cotman’s request for the expansion. When the project was presented to the county’s planning commission, they recommended denial based on factors that included spot zoning, the area being too dense to develop, the concern of neighbors…
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Charles City Board of Supervisors adopt $22.5 million budget for FY2024-25
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors adopted their FY2024-25 budget as part of Tuesday night’s regular meeting. County leaders unanimously adopted the $22,583,720 budget for the upcoming cycle. That amount is slightly higher than the original $22.4 million projection, but still includes the three-cent tax increase. The three-cent tax increase to 69 cents per $100 of assessed value will add $316,890 to the budget. County Administrator Michelle Johnson indicated that those funds would be used to hire three additional firefighters, two new deputies, and purchase one new sheriff’s vehicle. Johnson cited her previous comments from the March meeting, saying that nearly…
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New Kent grand jury certifies several indictments during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court
A New Kent grand jury certified several indictments as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court: –George Michael Adams II, 34, of the 6300 block of Hickory Fork Road, Gloucester, on one count each of driving under the influence while suspended (third within 10 years) and driving revoked (felony related-second or subsequent offense). The offenses allegedly took place on May 1. –Willard Lionel Maurice Chapman, 48, of the 8500 block of Courthouse Road, Providence Forge, on a lone charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug. The defendant allegedly possessed cocaine on Feb. 13. –Shawn Lamarcus Chavious, 47,…
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Virginia Beach man receives 17 months for illegally possessing ammunition, driving under influence of drugs in New Kent
A Virginia Beach man will spend 17 months in jail for several crimes after pleading guilty during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Chad Jacob Turner, 35, of the 2300 block of Ft. Chesapeake Quay, entered guilty pleas to possession of a Schedule I/II drug, an amended charge of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (originally possession of a gun by a convicted felon), misdemeanor obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense). In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 2, 2023, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received…
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Mechanicsville man receives year in jail for hit and run in New Kent, kicking Virginia State Trooper
A Mechanicsville man who operated a vehicle under the influence and fled the scene of an accident in New Kent will spend a year in jail. John Alexander Wells, 20, of the 9100 block of Minglewood Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of assault on a law enforcement officer, felony hit and run, misdemeanor driving under the influence after illegally consuming alcohol, and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a Misdemeanor charges of obstruction of justice, providing a false identification to a law enforcement officer, and destruction of property were dropped as part of the agreement. In a…
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Revised $112.8 million proposed New Kent budget now sees two-cent tax hike, down from seven cents
After hearing community mumbles from the public about a possible seven-cent increase, New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway returned to county leaders with a new budget that drastically reduces the tax hike. Hathaway proposed a new budget of $112,844,288 for FY2024-25 operations in New Kent County at the May 6 regular board meeting and public hearing. The new proposed real estate rate would be 59 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from the original 64 cents per $100 of assessed value. With the county’s equalized rate sitting at 57 cents per $100 of assessed value, the tax increase would…
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Three indicted in Charles City Circuit Court
Three individuals were indicted by a grand jury as part of Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Antonio Pierre Green, 37, of the 300 block of Brown Street, Petersburg, on a solo charge or possession of a weapon by a violent felon. The offense allegedly took place on Dec. 25, 2023. –Rayshawn Long, 38, of the 400 block of Cox Landing, Newport News, on one count each of possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon, misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member, and misdemeanor destruction of property. The offenses allegedly took place on Feb. 9. –Shauntae…
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North Carolina man receives three life sentences for having sex with New Kent minor
*Editor’s Note: This story may contain content that some readers may find disturbing. A North Carolina man who traveled to New Kent and had sex with an underage girl will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jose Joan Martinez Marmolejo, 27, of Fayetteville, received three mandatory life sentences plus an additional 60 years of incarceration during Monday morning sentencing in New Kent Circuit Court. During a February trial, Marmolejo was found guilty of 16 charges by a jury. At the trial, it was discovered that in Jan. 2022, Marmolejo had started having conversations with the victim through an…
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Charles City woman killed in New Kent motor vehicle accident
The Virginia State Police is investing an accident in New Kent that claimed the life of a Charles City woman. According to a press release, shortly after 4 p.m. on May 2, Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at the 3800 block of Pocahontas Trail in New Kent. The report says that a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country was traveling eastbound when it struck a 2013 Chevrolet Cruz in the rear. The Chrysler vehicle ran off the road to the left and struck several trees. The driver of the Chrysler, identified as E. Marie Butler Austin, 66, was…
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Former Cumberland Hospital Director cleared of wrong-doing involving sexual acts with minors
A week-long trial that involved a former doctor of Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents in New Kent County has resulted in not guilty verdicts. Daniel Davidow was found not guilty on two counts each of indecent acts with a child by a custodian and sexual penetration with an object stemming from alleged incidents in 2018 to 2019. The trial revolved around allegations that Davidow had committed acts against minors at the troubled hospital. As the trial played out, the defendant testified that he did not recall any of the accused events. However, he resigned in 2019 after being notified…
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