News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 19, 2026
Local News
No evidence of leakages from landfill, CC report indicates
When county resident David Ledbetter addressed concerns about violations by Waste Management to Charles City supervisors at a Sept. 3 town hall meeting, some citizens lashed out at local representatives for not relaying information on the situation to the public. However, at the Sept. 23 regular board of supervisors meeting, concerns over the violation were clarified. Documents provided to the Chronicle along with confirmation from county administrator Zach Trogdon revealed that alleged leakages of hazardous materials from the Waste Management landfill into groundwater were misconstrued from earlier reports. During the town hall meeting, Ledbetter read a report provided by Virginia’s…
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New Kent schools fully accredited, improve on AMOs
All four New Kent schools have met the requirements to be recognized as fully accredited school for the 2013-14 academic year. Director of curriculum and instructor Dr. Byron Bishop made the announcement at New Kent school board’s Monday night work session. Bishop commented that each school passed the Standards of Learning test with above average scores and that New Kent was one of 22 school divisions in the state where all schools are fully accredited. District 5 representative Dr. Gail Hardinge commented about the success of the schools and the achievements to earn the recognition. “This is a testament to…
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Providence Forge man arrested on strangulation charge
A Providence Forge man has been arrested after allegedly strangling a man in his home. Rickey William Wright Jr., 21, of the 6400 block of Continental Can Road, was taken into custody on Sept. 20 by after an incident in which he allegedly strangled Anthony Shurkus. According to the police report, Shurkus filed a complaint that he was assaulted at the suspect’s residence. After an investigation, it was deemed Shurkus’ comments matched physical marks on his body. Warrants were obtained for the arrest of Wright and he was taken into custody. Wright is charged with one count each of felony…
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New Kent man arrested in aftermath of domestic dispute
A New Kent man faces several charges after New Kent sheriff’s deputies responded to a recent domestic disturbance. Colton John Dearborn, 18, of the 5000 block of Quinton Estates Drive, Quinton, is charged with one count each of threatening to burn an occupied dwelling, destruction of property, domestic assault, and underage possession of alcohol following a Sept. 11 incident. Deputies responded on that date to report of a domestic disturbance in progress at the residence of the suspect’s mother, said Detective Joey McLaughlin. Arriving at the scene, they determined the suspect to be the alleged offender. Dearborn, who was arrested…
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James City man charged with embezzlement in New Kent
Editor’s Note: An earlier story posted on this web site reported that the suspect, Chance Ean-Hunter Niles, was an employee of Stewart’s Grocery in Lanexa and allegedly embezzled money from the business. That is incorrect. The corrected story follows. Information supplied to the Chronicle by the New Kent Sheriff’s Office was in error. A James City County man is charged with one count of felony embezzlement (more than $200) after his employer discovered a number of unauthorized purchases made at a New Kent County grocery store. Chance Ean-Hunter Niles, 18, of the 9000 block of Ottoway Court, Toano, surrendered to…
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Charles City schools meet AMOs, improve SOL scores dramatically
Charles City School Board members were all smiles after receiving positive news at their Sept. 16 regular meeting. Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston announced that schools have met all federal annual measurable objectives (AMOs) and improved dramatically on the state’s Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores. Charles City Elementary and Charles City High School received full accreditation, while Charles City Middle School is accredited with warning in reading and mathematics. However, Gaston said the middle school missed accreditation by nine and six points respectively, compared to nearly 18 and 20 points the year before. District-wide, school SOL scores…
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Responsibility of road, dam defers action by New Kent planning commission
New Kent’s Planning Commission has deferred action regarding an application for a developer to maintain a private road in the Patriot’s Landing subdivision. Patriot’s Landing Management Corporation applied for a Planned Use Development (PUD) permit to make one of the roads in the subdivision private after Virginia’s Department of Transportation and the county declined to take responsibility for any damages to the road due to its location on a dam. However, concern arose from the Patriot’s Landing Homeowners’ Association over the responsibility. “The homeowners are concerned over who would be responsible for the upkeep and maintaining the roadway,” said Susan…
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October dates announced for closing of Benjamin Harrison Bridge
Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced October 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 the week of Oct. 6-10, beginning at 7 a.m. on Oct. 6 and ending at 8 a.m. on Oct. 10. The bridge will also close at 8 a.m. on Oct. 20 and reopen at 8 a.m. on Oct. 24. The bridge is currently scheduled to close on Sept. 22, 7 a.m. to Sept. 26, 8 a.m. as well. Motorists are advised to take Route 5…
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NK planning commission favors 10-year CUP for Pilot
New Kent Planning Commission members have voted to send a favorable recommendation to county supervisors to allow Pilot LLC to continue operations under a new conditional use permit (CUP). Monday’s (Sept. 15) decision came as a result of the applicant’s request for a new permit. Pilot’s current CUP for its truck stop/convenience store on Route 106 near the Interstate 64/Talleysville interchange expires at the end of December. After a presentation from county planner Kelli De Luc, Pilot attorney Jack Wilson addressed commissioners on the permit. Wilson indicated that operations will remain the same, with the only exceptions being research into…
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Drug raid targets, 7-Eleven suspects among New Kent indictments
Three suspects who were arrested during a May 12 drug raid at a New Kent County campground have been indicted by a grand jury on new, unrelated charges during Sept. 15 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Jason Andrew Meade, 25, of the 6000 block of Hopewell Road, New Kent, and Whitney Renee Marciniak, 24, of the 200 block of N. Ivy Avenue, Highland Springs, each received 18 indictments relating to thefts of car batteries and wires that occurred in April and May of this year. According to the indictments, Meade and Marciniak allegedly stole a variety of items from homes…
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