News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 19, 2026
Local News
Colonial Downs files dispute in Richmond Circuit Court
Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) mandated Colonial Downs and its representatives to negotiate a contract with Virginia’s Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) for the 2015 season by a July 1 deadline. But Colonial Downs’ has decided to take the matters and place them into jurisdictional hands. Colonial Downs filed documents in Richmond Circuit Court on June 30 and will take the matter to be heard and decided through legal proceedings. According to Richmond Circuit Court documents, the motion specifically targets VRC’s authority to mandate a racing season by the set deadline. Over the past eight months, mediation between, VRC, VHBPA,…
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Three indicted in Charles City Circuit Court
A Charles City man who confiscated a dump truck has been indicted in Charles City Circuit Court. Terrell Wesley Williams, 21, of the 4500 block of Barnetts Road, was indicted with one count each of grand larceny and destruction of property during July 1 proceedings. According to the indictment, on July 19, 2013, Williams allegedly stole the aforementioned vehicle belonging to Waste Management. When attempting to leave the property with the vehicle, he rammed into the fence, triggering the destruction on property charge. Williams was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. In other circuit court proceedings: –Vernon Hugo Johnson Jr.,…
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Joe Morrissey indicted in Henrico County Circuit Court
Joe Morrissey, who represents Henrico and Charles City County in Virginia’s House of Delegates, has been indicted in Henrico County Circuit Court on several charges relating to inappropriate conduct with a minor. A special grand jury convened on June 30, returning indictments on five counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and one count each of electronic solicitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and distribution of child pornography. Morrissey has represented Charles City since 2007 as its delegate.
Norfolk man arrested for alleged abduction in Talleysville
New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Norfolk man for allegedly assaulting and abducting a female victim. Xavier Tyler Slayton, 19, of the 900 block of Little Bay Avenue, Apt. 2, was charged with one count each of abduction, assault and battery, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct stemming from a June 26 incident. According to the police report, deputies arrived at the Pilot Gas Station in Talleysville to find Slayton detained by store employees. Witnesses said Slayton tried to forcibly remove the victim from the store and put her into a vehicle. Deputies later discovered that the defendant knew the victim….
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Major resurfacing begins on eastbound Interstate 64 in New Kent; paving also on Route 60
Eastbound Interstate 64 in New Kent will receive an overhaul as part of Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) resurfacing project. Lee Hy Paving and VDOT will partner up to resurface nearly 16 miles of interstate in New Kent, beginning at mile marker 209 and concluding near mile marker 224. Phases of the construction have already begun, with underdrains being replaced on the shoulders of the interstate. Once drainage is complete, paving will begin in mid-July and conclude in October. An intermediate layer will be placed during that time frame, with a surface layer being added next year. Drivers can expect…
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NK supervisors search for ways to fund emergency radio system
New Kent supervisors have begun looking at options on ways to fund joining a regional radio system to improve emergency communications. Wednesday morning’s work session yielded prospective options for supervisors to address an ongoing issue. At May’s work session, the board received an overview of the radio system from representatives of the York, Poquoson, and Williamsburg Regional Emergency Communications group. At the June 25 meeting, financial consultant Ted Cole addressed supervisors on costs and methods to pay for the much needed system. “Motorola estimated $6.7 million at the high end to cover this project [as a worse case scenario],” Cole…
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Change of venue granted in Charles City, Waste Management civil suit
A motion for a change of venue in a civil lawsuit between Charles City County and Waste Management has been granted. Judge Thomas B. Hoover granted the motion to transfer trial proceedings to New Kent during a June 20 Charles City Circuit Court motion. Waste Management’s request for transfer came under the claim of an unfair bias influenced by various media outlets that may affect potential jurors. And while the motion was granted for the transfer, lawyers of McGuire Woods LLC, who represent Waste Management, continue to fight for a location other than New Kent. In court documents, McGuire Woods…
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Reluctant NK supervisors pass controversial stormwater ordinance
After nine months of bouncing between the county’s board of supervisors and planning commission, New Kent Supervisors approved a controversial stormwater ordinance. A special joint public hearing between the two parties on June 23 addressed the ordinance and the numerous concerns. After several revisions, it was presented once again to the planning commission. Several key factors played a major role into concerns launched by citizens at previous meetings. Among them included the authority of a designated “administrator” to enter a person’s property without permission to check for violations. Other concerns include the cost for land disturbance for land area greater…
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Thoroughbred racing at Colonial Downs unlikely for 2014, focus turns to 2015
After more than six months of negotiations and several attempts to come to an agreement, there may be no thoroughbred racing at Colonial Downs in 2014. In a June 23 meeting delegated by Virginia’s Racing Commission (VRC), Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA), and Colonial Downs, efforts to save the season remained at an impasse. Now, VRC is mandating that both VHBPA and Colonial Downs come to an agreement for the 2015 season by July 1. VRC chairman J. Sargeant Reynolds Jr. opened the meeting optimistically, speaking on three options. Option one consisted of continuing with a 5-week, 25-day…
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New Kent man accepts plea deal for grand larcenies
A New Kent man accepted a plea agreement during Monday afternoon New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. David Luther Holley Jr., 42, of the 8500 block of S. Quaker Road, entered guilty pleas to four counts of grand larceny. Three counts of intent to sell stolen property were dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Del Rossi, last October Holley Jr. stole an air conditioning unit belong to Robert Hedrick. Sometime over that span, he also stole a Stihl pole saw belonging to Criss Cross Properties LLC. Those items were sold to an antique shop and…
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