Survey puts CC school transportation issue at ease for now

Despite results from a 2013 efficiency study that revealed Charles City schools had saved $51,000 over a four-year span since switching to a two-tier school bus system, debate incorporated with public opinion wondered if the savings were worth alleged dissatisfaction from parents. However, results from a recent survey produced other public opinion. Charles City High School assistant principal Jerome Tyler’s 15-minute transportation presentation during Charles City School Board’s monthly meeting addressed concerns about the two-tier system. Receiving survey responses from 203 parents out of 585 polled (34 percent), more than 91 percent yielded favorable overall satisfaction for the current transportation…
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Former principal in New Kent school system succumbs

Jim Lanham, who served as an elementary school principal and held other administrative posts in New Kent schools, died Nov. 12 at the age of 60 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lanham served as principal at New Kent Elementary School, now George W. Watkins Elementary School, during the 1990s. He was at the helm when the school building was renamed in Watkins’ honor in 1998. Lanham left New Kent before the start of the 2000-01 school year to accept an assistant superintendent’s post in Dinwiddie County. He later moved on to the state Department of Education before returning to…
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Six individuals indicted in Charles City Circuit Court

Six individuals were indicted by a Charles City grand jury during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Eric Karl Allen, 51, of the 4400 block of Old Union Road, Charles City, on one count each of malicious wounding and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. According to the indictment, an Aug. 30 incident was the basis of each charge. –Rodney Edward Bradby Jr., 21, of the 8700 block of Little Elam Road, Charles City, on one count each of burglary, grand larceny, and intent to sell stolen property. Bradby allegedly stole guns and nearly 100 truck batteries and intended to…
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Alleged Brickshire burglars each receive 22 indictments from New Kent grand jury

Three men who allegedly broke into several cars in the Brickshire subdivision in New Kent each received 22 indictments as a result during Nov. 17 grand jury proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. 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 Terrence Terrell White, 21, of the 3000 block of North Riverside Drive, Lanexa, were directly indicted on all counts Monday morning. Each individual is charged with three counts of grand larceny, seven counts of credit card theft, 10 counts of misdemeanor tampering…
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“Bathroom break” leads to Norfolk man accepting plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court

A Norfolk man who burglarized vehicles in The Colonies subdivision in New Kent accepted a plea deal after realizing that answering “nature’s call” provided enough evidence to convict him. Joseph Adam Klesh, 20, of the 9600 block of Chesapeake Boulevard, Apt. 23, pled guilty to one count of burglary, two counts of misdemeanor petty larceny, and three counts of misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle as part of a plea agreement during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Jan. 8, Klesh and a juvenile defendant went into…
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Man convicted of burglary charge; found guilty for assaulting deputies in jail while awaiting trial

A Pennsylvania man who burglarized an Eltham store and subsequently attacked jail guards while awaiting trial has been convicted on all charges. Shevinah Purnell Johnson, 19, currently of Henrico Jail East, was found guilty on one charge of burglary and misdemeanor petty larceny during a Nov. 10 trial. A second trial that concluded on Nov. 14 convicted him on five counts of assaulting a police officer. In the contested burglary trial, on Dec. 1, 2013, Joshua Morgan and William Nixon were sitting on a porch at their home across from the Surf & Turf sporting goods store on Eltham Road….
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Bondurant appointed judge of 9th Circuit Court

B. Elliot Bondurant, an attorney based out of West Point, has been appointed by Virginia’s General Assembly to serve as presiding judge of the 9th Circuit Court of Virginia. The 9th Circuit Court covers the counties of Charles City and New Kent, as well as King William and King & Queen. Bondurant’s appointment came during a Nov. 10 meeting by the General Assembly in Richmond. He will replace current 9th Circuit Court Judge Thomas B. Hoover who will be retiring at the end of the year. “I feel very honored that the General Assembly has appointed me,” said Bondurant in…
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What happened to Delvin Barnes?

While a student at Charles City High School, Delvin Barnes made school history in the fall of 1993. He became the school’s first ever Mr. CCHS, the equivalent to homecoming king. Barnes, on the honor roll and said to be making straight A’s, told a student reporter for the “Panther Page,” a regular feature for the school appearing in the Chickahominy Journal newspaper, that he “felt shocked and elated” but also proud to be chosen for the honor. He was crowned during halftime of Charles City’s homecoming football game against New Kent High. “I am glad to be the first…
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Charles City man receives no active time for forgeries

A Charles City man will serve no active time in jail following a Nov. 7 Charles City Circuit Court proceeding. Vernon Johnson Jr., 44, of the 3900 block of Wayside Road, received formal sentencing on five charges of forgery stemming from a Nov. 8, 2013 incident in which the defendant forged stolen checks at Colonial Mart in Charles City and received cash. The defendant entered guilty pleas at a September trial. Under the sentencing, he received five years on each forgery charge with all time suspended on each charge on the condition he pays $881.68 in restitution.

Delvin Barnes’ homecoming photo