News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | December 11, 2025
Local News
Virginia Department of Election releases unofficial numbers from 2025 general election
Virginia’s Department of Elections have released unofficial results from the Nov. 4 general election for Charles City and New Kent County. In Charles City County, the race for governor resulted in Abigail Spanberger garnered 1,975 votes (57.26 percent) while Winsome Earle-Sears received 1,469 votes (42.59 percent). Ghazala Hashmi earned 1,910 votes (55.80 percent) in the race for lieutenant governor, while John Reid II garnered 1,509 votes (44.08 percent). In the race for attorney general, Jay Jones received 1,842 votes (53.78 percent), while opponent Jason Miyares totaled 1,569 votes (45.81 percent). Finally, Delores McQuinn ran unopposed for the 81st seat in…
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Richmond man sentenced to three months after failing to complete First Offender Program in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend three months in jail after failing to meet terms of the First Offender Program. Zachary Eugene Taylor Jr., 55, of the 1000 block of Tallgrass Court, Richmond, was found guilty on one count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance after failing to complete the program during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. On Sept. 30, 2024, Taylor entered a plea agreement where he was placed in the First Offender Program. During that trial, on Mar. 9, 2024, a warrant for the defendant’s arrest was issued by a neighboring jurisdiction. When officers arrested…
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One detained after alleged road rage shooting in New Kent
The Virginia State Police is investigating a possible road rage shooting incident that occurred in New Kent County. The shooting took place on Oct. 30 at around 10:30 a.m. around the 1700 block of Pocahontas Trail (Route 60). According to the Virginia State police, a victim operating a white vehicle was shot several times. The victim drove their car seven miles to a gas station, where emergency personnel arrived. The victim was treated was transported to a hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Virginia State Police Public Relations representative Robin Lawson commented that the incident appeared to be…
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Tipping point reached as Charles City residents lash out at supervisors on county issues
Plaguing issues in Charles City County have resulted in questions from local residents on the financial status of the locality. Tuesday night’s Charles City Board of Supervisors’ meeting proved to be the tipping point for citizens. No subject was left safe at residents lashed out at county leaders and administration during a 60-minute public comment period. And even before the comment public period was addressed, some dissention with county leadership appeared to come to the surface. District 1 representative Ryan Patterson asked for the agenda to be amended to add items and to address appointments during the meeting. But a…
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Barnetts Road in Charles City closed due to railroad repairs
Barnetts Road (Route 609) in Charles City County near the intersection of Roxbury Road (Route 106) will be closed until the remainder of the week due to a train derailment that happened on Oct. 25 (see related story). The crash, which occurred in the southern portion of New Kent County near the Charles City border, resulted in approximately 53 coal cars and two engines coming off the tracks. To access the incident, Barnetts Road is closing so that CSX Police, investigators, and a recovery team can access the site. Emergency repairs are also underway for the tracks. Detour routes are…
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Sandston man receives five-year prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Sandston man will spend the next five years in prison for distributing drugs in New Kent County. Sean R. Barnaby Sr., 38, of the 4900 block of Regina Road, entered a guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine (more than 227 grams) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on May 3, 2024, the Virginia State Police conducted a control buy with a confidential informant at the Food Lion in Providence Forge. The buyer met the target, identified as Barnaby, and made…
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Train derails in New Kent, Charles City border
An investigation is underway after a train derailed in New Kent County near the Charles City border on Saturday afternoon. In a press release, around 3:10 p.m. on Oct. 25, approximately 53 coal cars and two locomotives derailed between Roxbury Road in Charles City County and Mountcastle Road in New Kent. Photos show coal from the trains spilled into the wetlands, as well as rails bent and shredded. No injuries were reported as a result of the accident. Emergency personnel from New Kent, James City, and Charles City responded to the scene, with CSX Police joining the investigation to find…
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Point One Data Centers approach Charles City leaders for direction, timeline
A company that wants to create the biggest development in Charles City County has urged local leaders for direction and information. Point One Data Centers addressed their concerns with Charles City’s Board of Supervisors during a Tuesday afternoon work session. Represented by Don Pollard and Steve Russell, Point One approached county leaders for information in five specific areas. Pollard first asked the board to create a tangible tax code to record data on personal property tax in regard to data centers. He said this information will be important when interacting with tenants who plan to invest in the data center….
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Lanexa man stipulates to evidence in New Kent strangulation case
A Lanexa man has stipulated to evidence relating to a strangulation charge in New Kent. Jessie Wayne Farmer, 31, of the 13500 block of Campground Road, stipulated to evidence on the strangulation charge as part of a plea agreement reached during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. An additional charge of strangulation, one charge of misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member, and one charge of misdemeanor damaging a phone line were dropped as part of the agreement. A stipulation to evidence means that while Farmer does not admit guilt, evidence presented in the case by the…
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New Kent School Board identifies CIP projects to meet future needs
New Kent County’s School Board received its first look at a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the FY2026-27 year. The proposed plan was broken down into three tiers based on priority. In the first tier, which New Kent County staff deem as the highest priority, the request for three school buses at a total of $529,131.60, one miniature bus ($128,250.10), one school van and one school car at a total of $95,468.50 highlighted transportation needs. Fan coil units at George Watkins Elementary ($415,506), replacement of the roof at New Kent High School ($240,000), and New Kent Middle School switchgear…
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