News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
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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Charges dropped against Delvin Barnes in Charles City abduction case
A Charles City man, arrested for an alleged brutal attack on a teenage girl in the county and an alleged kidnapping in Philadelphia, has had all charges incurred in Charles City dropped. Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler elected to drop six charges filed against 37-year old Delvin Barnes. Barnes faced one count each of attempted murder, abduction, malicious wounding, malicious wounding with chemical, inanimate object penetration, and forcible rape stemming from an Oct. 1 incident in Charles City involving a 16-year-old female from Richmond. A conversation with Tyler indicated while legal action won’t be pursued at this time, the…
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Personal identification connects man to distribution of marijuana
To make sure precious valuables aren’t stolen, most people would place them inside a safe or in a secret, secure area of the home. For one Quinton man, keeping his personal identification with more than five ounces of marijuana has earned him a guilty conviction. Carroll William Lee Brown, 30, was found guilty on one count of distributing marijuana (more than one-half ounce) during a Dec. 8 contested trial in New Kent Circuit Court. The conviction is a felony due to the amount of the illegal substance. Last Sept. 21, Deputy Wyatt Johnston responded at 5 a.m. to the Woodhaven…
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Motorcycle racing could be returning to Colonial Downs in New Kent
New Kent County’s Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on a proposal that could bring motorcycle racing back to the Colonial Downs racetrack next year. Colonial Holdings Inc. is seeking a conditional use permit (CUP) to host one day of motorcycle racing, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 16 with a rain date the following Sunday (May 17). Racing is proposed to take place from 1-8 p.m. The public hearing is set for the commission’s Monday, December 15 meeting at 7 p.m. in the county administration building’s board room.
Nationwide IRS scam makes its way to New Kent
New Kent County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of a telephone scam where callers on the line are portraying themselves as representatives of the IRS. According to the report, the scammer will tell the citizen that he/she owes back taxes. The caller then states that if the citizen does not make arrangements to pay a portion of the tax debit, they will be arrested. In some instances, the caller has advised that an agent will be at the citizen’s home to take him/her into custody. The alleged representative will try to intimidate the homeowner to the point that they will…
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