News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 19, 2026
Local News
Change, consolidation part of Charles City superintendent’s $10.1 million proposed budget
Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston presented his first proposed budget for fiscal year 2015-16 during Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting. Needless to say, recommendations by Gaston will have a major impact on education in the county. As part of a $10,160,996 proposed budget, the superintendent suggested major overhauls and changes in a number of areas. Among the most eye-catching changes is consolidating schools to reduce administrative staff. The proposal calls for sixth grade students to be educated in the current elementary school. Grades 7-12 would be deemed all high school students, with grades 7-9 housed in the…
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Rose & Crown Tavern in New Kent under new management effective Jan. 1
Back in October, John Crump said he hoped to walk away by Dec. 1 from his job of managing the Rose & Crown Tavern at New Kent Courthouse. The task at hand in the meantime — finding someone interested in buying the restaurant business. Crump’s timetable didn’t quite hold to form, but now that a new owner is on board, he doesn’t mind postponing his plans for just one more month. As of Jan. 1, the Rose & Crown changes hands. New Kent resident and county native Sam Mula assumes the reins on that day. “I’m happy someone from New…
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NK Planning Commission favors Patriot’s Landing PUD, motorcycle racing CUP
New Kent’s Planning Commission has recommended approval of an amendment to a Planned Use Development (PUD) permit for Patriot’s Landing Management Corporation and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Colonial Downs to host a May motorcycle race. The decisions to forward favorable recommendations for both permits came at the commission’s December monthly meeting Monday night. Commissioners approved the PUD amendment for Patriot’s Landing Management Corporation after five months of discussion. The request is to allow private roads in Phase II of Patriot’s Landing development. At issue for the delayed approval were concerns from the Patriot’s Landing Homeowners’ Association over responsibility…
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Drug raid nets largest marijuana seizure in New Kent County history
Law enforcement officers raided a house in the Lanexa area of New Kent around 9:45 this morning (Monday), uncovering what is being described as a “professional” marijuana growing operation and the largest illegal drug seizure of its kind in county history. Inside the residence at 1476 South Waterside Drive, authorities discovered a sophisticated, complex operation complete with hidden doorways and grow rooms in the home’s basement. They also seized more than 500 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Street value has not been ascertained at this time. “As far as the number of plants and the quality of the…
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New Kent sheriff injured in freak accident while directing traffic
New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. suffered broken bones in two places in his right ankle along with other minor injuries when he attempted to divert a vehicle while on duty directing traffic entering a local church’s drive-thru Nativity scene. The mishap occurred after dark last Wednesday in a median strip crossover on Route 60 in Lanexa, directly across from the entrance to Liberty Baptist Church. Howard was on traffic duty to assist with the church’s annual outdoor Nativity event, something he has done regularly for the past several years. In an interview, Howard said he had just moved…
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State Water Control Board approves DEQ permit for sludge disposal in New Kent
A panel of members on the State’s Water Control Board (SWCB) approved a Dec. 11 recommendation from Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to allow industrial sludge on farmland in six Virginia counties, including New Kent. With a 5-2 vote, the recommendation passed to allow Synagro Incorporated, based out of Baltimore, Md., to spread the sludge over approximately 712 acres in northeastern New Kent County, located on the Pamunkey River. The sludge disposed by the company is a result of waste from Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, and RockTenn paper mill. At the county’s board of supervisors July regular meeting, opponents…
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Charles City Middle School launches new app
In partnership with SchoolInfoApp, Charles City Middle School announced the launch of the Charles City Middle School app on Dec. 8. The app enables parents, students, alumni, faculty and staff to quickly access all of the who, what, when, and where for Charles City Middle School. The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads, Android, Blackberry, and Windows devices. “We are very excited about the opportunity to offer this new app to our families,” said middle school prinicipal Dr. Brenda Petteway. “This will be a great way for our students and their families to stay current with up-to-the-minute information on important…
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NKSO seek information on early December crimes
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on two separate incidents that occurred recently in the county. During the nighttime hours of Dec. 2 to the early morning hours of Dec. 3, someone attempted to break into Village Veterinarian Hospital. Minor damage to the building resulted from the attempted burglary. On Dec. 4, a power tool was taken from Woodhaven Shores Water Company. According to an incident report, someone made entry into the locked fence area and confiscated the item. If anyone has any information on either event or observed a suspicious vehicle or persons in the area, please call…
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Three arrested in connection to vehicle break-ins in Brickshire
Three men have been arrested in connection to thefts from a number of vehicles in the Brickshire subdivision of New Kent. Aaron Scott Lee, 21, of the 3100 block of Chickahominy Road, Toano, Austin Curtis Peterson, 19, of the 3900 block of Penzance Place, Williamsburg, and Terrance Terrell White, 21, of the 3000 block of N. Riverside Drive, Lanexa, were placed into custody after an investigation by New Kent Sheriff’s Office. According to the arrest report, last Aug. 30 the three suspects entered into the Brickshire area of New Kent. The trio allegedly rummaged through unlocked cars, stealing coins, credit…
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Williamsburg couple arrested on New Kent drug charges
A husband and wife team has been arrested on multiple charges stemming from a Feb. 26 incident in New Kent. JoAnn Boyd, 53, and Simon Monroe Boyd, 51, both of Williamsburg, were arrested on Nov. 9 on one count each of distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and child endangerment. According to the arrest report, both suspects allegedly sold cocaine last Feb. 26 to an informant during a Twin Rivers Drug Task Force controlled drug buy. Children were present inside the couple’s vehicle at the time of the drug sale, authorities say. The suspects could not be located after…
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