News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
Final closings for bridge announced
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced expected final dates for the closure of the Benjamin Harrison Bridge connecting Charles City and Prince George County to replace the bridge’s auxiliary drive. The bridge will be closed Oct. 20-24, with a final closing expected to be Nov. 3-7 to complete replacement. Motorists are advised to take Route 5 westbound from Charles City to Interstate 295 southbound as an alternative route. Drivers may exit onto Route 10 eastbound (exit 13A) to return to Prince George. Travelers may also use the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry in James City County as another route.
Charles City leaders, Virginia’s First Lady open next section of Virginia Capital Trail
In front of an overflow crowd gathered inside Charles City’s government building boardroom for today’s (Wednesday) dedication and ribbon-cutting for the Sherwood Forest phase of the Virginia Capital Trail, county Board of Supervisors member Floyd Miles issued an invitation. “Bike riders — come on down!” he blurted from the podium, much to the delight of dozens of bicyclists along with county residents in attendance. Inclement weather forced today’s ceremony indoors, but failed to dampen spirits among the standing room only audience of close to 300. With the addition of the Sherwood Forest phase, bike riders, walkers, and joggers can take…
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Official: Colonial Downs to close doors Nov. 1
It didn’t take long to find out the fate of Colonial Downs; owner Jeffrey Jacobs made the decision himself. In probably one of the most shocking moves in the saga between Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) and Colonial Downs, Jacobs withdrew requests for thoroughbred and standard bred racing and surrendered the track’s license during the Oct. 15 Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) meeting inside the General Assembly Building in Richmond. The move ends 10 months of failed negotiations between all parties. Jacobs presented a timeline of events on the success of Colonial Downs 17 years of racing, but said…
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New Kent supervisors defer action on Pilot conditional use permit
New Kent supervisors have elected to defer action on a conditional use permit (CUP) for Pilot LLC until its Oct. 29 work session. The decision came at the board’s Oct. 14 regular meeting after supervisors received information on three additional conditions for the permit. Those conditions include allowing Pilot to conduct a study for additional parking space and a condition that would require Pilot LLC to conduct a traffic study if traffic is not alleviated upon the construction of the Wilco-Hess travel plaza and the Love’s Truck Stop plaza. Pilot representative Jack Wilson met with supervisor chairman Thomas Evelyn and…
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Parent concerned about side effects of school learning tool
A popular learning tool used by several school systems may have an unlisted side effect; and one New Kent parent is making sure the word is getting around to other parents. Holly Miller-Bopp spoke about the use of Promethean boards, a learning tool that takes computer images and displays them through light emissions onto a whiteboard. Her concerns arose when her son, a sixth grade student at New Kent Middle, came home with headaches. “They started last year,” said Miller-Bopp, referencing the headaches and other health conditions of her son. “We took him to a pediatrician and an optometrist and…
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NK Winery sale ‘substantially’ more than $1 million listed
A Northern Virginia couple has bought New Kent Winery, but at a price that a spokesman for the buyers said is “significantly more” than the $1 million figure listed in land transfer records kept by the county’s circuit court clerk’s office. The 18,000 square-foot winery is valued at more than $4 million. Court records show that Jo Anna and Joe Dombroski, operating under Dombroski Partners LLC, purchased the winery from New Kent Farms LLC on Sept. 8. When contacted by phone on Wednesday, Jo Anna Dombroski expressed excitement about becoming an owner, but said she “was not at liberty to…
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UPDATE: New Kent deputy recovering at home, no charges filed to date in bicycle event mishap
The New Kent deputy sheriff who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic during a bicycle-touring event through the county is recovering at home. Capt. Chris Hamlet sustained a broken arm and other unspecified injuries when he was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of New Kent Highway (Route 249) and Henpeck Road in Quinton around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 4. Hamlet was on foot directing traffic for the Martin’s Tour of Richmond bicycle event when he was struck by a 2001 Dodge pickup truck. State police said the pickup was proceeding through the intersection at the…
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McLaughlin announces candidacy for Sheriff’s position in New Kent
John Joseph McLaughlin Jr., the current chief deputy in the New Kent Sheriff’s Office, is announcing his candidacy for sheriff in the November 2015 election. He is seeking to replace nine-term Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. who recently announced plans to retire and not seek a 10th term. McLaughlin is a long time resident of New Kent since moving to the Tunstall area of the county at age 3. He is a life member of Quinton Volunteer Fire & EMS Company 2 having joined the company in 1972 and served as chief from 1981-85. He also served as a member…
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New Kent schools focus on future CIP; enrollment at Bridging Communities
With one month of the 2014-15 school year completed in New Kent, superintendent of schools David Myers is already working with his staff and other outside sources to get ahead of the curve for next year. Several presentations at Monday night’s school board meeting focused on future goals and plans for New Kent’s school system. Those presentations centered on FY2015-16 strategies, capital improvement plan recommendations for next year, and course offerings for adults for the current fiscal year. Financial director Haynie Morgheim addressed school board members on several high-dollar items for next year’s CIP recommendations. Included are replacing three buses…
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Two suspects face charges involving illegal drugs in New Kent
Two men face illegal drug-related charges following their arrests in connection with separate, unrelated incidents in New Kent County. Carroll William Lee Brown, 30, of the 6000 block of Lakeside Drive, Quinton, is charged with one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (more than one ounce but less than five pounds) and drug paraphernalia possession. In the course of serving an arrest warrant on Brown for domestic assault at the suspect’s residence on Sept. 21, Deputy Wyatt Johnston found green plant material and drug paraphernalia inside. Johnston obtained warrants on the drug charges, and Brown surrendered to…
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