News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
Duo arrested on grand larceny charges in New Kent
Two men have been arrested in connection to an incident in which numerous items were stolen from a New Kent residence. Matthew R. Turley, 21, of the 1500 block of Elm Avenue, Chesapeake, and Ryan D. Chenault, 28, of the 100 block of Oakdale Terrance, Suffolk, were arrested on July 24. According to the arrest report, both suspects allegedly stole several items worth more than $1,000 from a home on Polish Town Road. After an investigation, both suspects were located in Portsmouth and subsequently arrested, each being charged with one count of grand larceny. Turley’s arraignment was set for July…
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Second suspect in armed robbery at Bottoms Bridge McDonald’s sentenced
A second suspect involved in an August 2013 armed robbery of the Bottoms Bridge McDonald’s in western New Kent has been sentenced in federal court. Cornelius Clayton Jr., 20, of the 600 block of Fritz Street, Henrico, received a 34-year sentence in federal prison during July 7 proceedings in the United States District Court of Eastern Virginia in Richmond. Clayton accepted the term as part of a plea deal. Last Aug. 26, two suspects entered the Bottoms Bridge McDonald’s shortly before 3 a.m. wearing masks and carrying firearms. Clayton and the other suspect, Robert James Priester, 16, of the 2200…
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CC chairman addresses ‘rainy day’ fund issue
During the April 2014 Charles City Board of Supervisors meeting, county resident Micheal Jones questioned representatives about the lack of money in the “rainy day” fund, more commonly known as the general fund balance. Chairman Bill Coada addressed the issue at the board’s July 21 meeting. During board directives, Coada responded to Jones’ concern with a 10-minute presentation, indicating his personal stance on the issue. The chairman defined his viewpoint of the fund balance, before revealing numbers from his independent research. According to Coada, Charles City had $9.8 million in the fund balance account in 2002. By 2013, that number…
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Drug possession, thievery nets woman seven indictments in NK Circuit Court
A New Kent woman received numerous indictments relating to multiple drug possession and burglary charges during Monday morning New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Samantha Nicole Rigdon, 21, of the 9000 block of Shewsbury Drive, New Kent, received a total of seven indictments after a New Kent grand jury convened. Rigdon received three indictments relating to possession of a controlled substance (heroin, Fentanyl, hydrocodone), three indictments on grand larceny relating to the theft of gold chains, necklaces and jewelry in three separate incidents (from Ashley Flescher, Natalie Battilana and Gina Trimmer), and one indictment on burglary from the home of John…
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Pine Fork Park conceptual plans earn praise from New Kent commissioners
When New Kent County announced the acquisition of land on Pine Fork Road in July 2013 to build a new park, parks and recreation director Kim Turner worked diligently to come up with ideas based on community input. If it makes Turner happy, at least one group of people voiced high praise for her work. New Kent Planning Commission members expressed delight over Monday evening’s meeting during Turner’s presentation on visual concepts for the proposed Pine Fork Park. Approximately 55 acres have been designated for the new park. Of that number, 16 acres were the result of a proffer, with…
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Doubt about driver’s identity key in dismissed charges
A Quinton woman will face no time in jail after felony charges were dismissed in New Kent Circuit Court. Carrie Ann Yates, 34, of the 7800 block of Woodbrook Road, was found not guilty on one charge each of forgery of a public record, uttering, misdemeanor false identity, misdemeanor driving without a license, and passing on the shoulder of the road during Monday morning’s contested trial. Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory opened proceedings, saying that on Sept. 2, 2012, Virginia state trooper Bradley Fleenor was responding to an accident on Interstate 64 eastbound near the Bottoms Bridge area. Fleenor testified, saying…
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Williamsburg man arrested on alleged burglary in Lanexa
A Williamsburg man has been arrested in relation to a break-in on Waterside Drive in the Lanexa area of New Kent. Richard Timothy Lemaster, 20, of the 100 block of Great Glen Drive, was taken into custody on July 14 and charged with one count each of grand larceny, burglary, intent to sell stolen property, and destruction of property, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. According to the report, a New Kent deputy was dispatched to the 1600 block of S. Waterside Drive, responding to a call of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, an exterior wall…
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NK authorities seek information on daytime burglaries
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information involving two daytime burglaries in the county. The burglaries took place on Paige Road and Olivet Church Road in the county on July 14. If you have any information or have seen any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area, call the sheriff’s office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
One dies in Saturday morning crash
One person has died as a result of an early morning vehicle crash in western New Kent County near the Hanover County line. Rodney B. Flesher Jr., 21, of North Chesterfield, was pronounced dead at the scene at an accident on Old Church Road, just half a mile east of Old River Road. State police sporkesman Sgt. Steve Vick said around 6:36 a.m., Flesher was driving a 1998 Ford Mustang, traveling southbound when the vehicle swayed off the left side of the road and hit a tree. Flesher was wearing a seatbelt. An investigation on the cause of the crash…
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New Kent supervisors asked to oppose proposed sludge permit to DEQ
Citizens from New Kent and surrounding counties are asking supervisors to oppose a proposal from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow Synagro Central LLC to obtain a permit to bring sludge and other waste products into the county. Concerned about the quality of water and hazardous smell, four people asked county leaders at the July 14 meeting to draft a resolution to deny Synagro the permit. The individuals addressed supervisors, providing documents in which Synagro allegedly endangers New Kent based on offenses that have occurred in other localities. Documents provided to New Kent supervisors by opponents of…
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