News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
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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More thefts from unlocked vehicles taking place in New Kent
Despite frequent warnings from the New Kent Sheriff’s Office that owners who leave their vehicles unlocked overnight are providing an open invitation to thieves, a number of county residents still have not gotten the message. Another round of thefts of items from unlocked vehicles occurred overnight on Sept. 9 in The Colonies subdivision in Lanexa and the Brickshire subdivision near Providence Forge. The incident marked the second time in recent weeks that thieves have struck in Brickshire. The sheriff’s office continues to urge all residents to develop a habit of locking their vehicles overnight. And authorities ask that if anyone…
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Hoover, circuit court judge for Charles City and New Kent, announces retirement
Thomas B. Hoover, honorable judge of Charles City and New Kent Circuit Court, is announcing his retirement effective Dec. 31 of this year. Hoover confirmed his decision during a Sept. 11 interview, saying it was time for him to try something new. “Twenty years on the bench is plenty of time to serve,” he said. Hoover’s career began as New Kent County Commonwealth’s Attorney from 1980-93. In 1993, he assumed the role as judge of New Kent Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. In 1997, Hoover was appointed as circuit court judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit in Virginia. Hoover reflected…
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New Kent to join regional communications emergency system
Emergency services in New Kent may be receiving a massive upgrade after supervisors unanimously approved to enter negotiations to join a regional radio communications grid. Wednesday morning’s decision comes on the heels of an eight-month study conducted by Mike McGannon, a manager of Wireless Systems at Consulting Engineering Associates Inc. McGannon, along with representatives from Motorola Inc., Gloucester County, York County, and Williamsburg-James City County, presented results of the study and recommendations to local supervisors. That study revealed New Kent is only covering about 80 percent of the county when it comes to emergency communications contact. By comparison, the proposed…
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Charles City schools receive after school program grants
Virginia’s State Department of Education has awarded Charles City County public schools two $188,000 21 Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grants. The three-year grants are used to serve students and families of the county. Director of Special Programs Dr. Patricia Alexander collaborated with nationally-recognized after school curriculum leader Global Learning to design the Children and Family Enrichment (CAFE) program model for the grant. “These grants will provide students and families in Charles City access to learning and enrichment experiences otherwise unavailable,” said the president of Global Learning. CAFE offers free after school and summer school programs that provide academic enrichment,…
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