News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
May 30 VRC meeting tabbed as effort to save race season
An air of optimism hovered over the Virginia Racing Commission’s May 19 meeting. Perhaps this would be the day the bitter contract dispute between Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association would be settled, thus salvaging this summer’s thoroughbred racing season. Commission members recessed the meeting shortly after its 10 a.m. start, citing how both sides seemed close and giving the warring parties until 1 p.m. to come to an agreement. Unfortunately, that atmosphere of hope quickly dissipated when the VRC reconvened. While both sides appeared to deem the private session as “very productive,” matters such as…
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Former Company 2 treasurer indicted for embezzlement; Lanexa man indicted on sex crimes involving girls
A longtime member and past treasurer of Quinton Volunteer Fire and EMS Inc. (Company 2) faces felony embezzlement charges in connection with more than $1,700 allegedly taken from the organization over a 16-month span. And in another, unrelated case, a Lanexa man is charged with three felony sex crimes stemming from alleged incidents involving a pair of underage girls. A New Kent Circuit Court grand jury indicted both individuals on May 19. Those indictments were promptly sealed pending the suspects’ arrests. Lucinda Marciniak Crump, 48, of the 9000 block of Essex Hills Road, New Kent, is charged with three counts…
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Gaston gets nod as new Charles City school superintendent
Charles City’s School Board announced the hiring of Dr. David S. Gaston as its new superintendent of schools beginning July 1. The announcement came at a May 23 special meeting in front of an audience of 50 people, including teachers, students, and county employees. “We are very thrilled with our selection,” said board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones. “Our interview with him was just phenomenal.” Gaston’s tenure in education spans 24 years in the school divisions of York, Hampton, and Williamsburg-James City County. With three degrees from the College of William & Mary, the incoming superintendent already seemed thrill about the tasks…
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Improvements in emergency equipment become focus in NK
New Kent supervisors are taking serious consideration in upgrading the county’s emergency radio communications after a May 28 presentation. Michael McGannon, a manager of Wireless Systems at Consulting Engineering Associates Inc., addressed the board on concerns after a needs assessment conducted over a three-month period. Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin played three audio clips of recent situations in New Kent that involved radio communication. Those clips were nearly inaudible, with transmissions fading in and out throughout the call. “On your current system, only 50 percent of the portable radios and 80 percent of the mobile radios are covered in this county,”…
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Effort by BCCTC, Matthew’s Haven works to push cause
Bridging Communities Career and Technical Center (BCCTC) web and game design class has teamed up with Matthew’s Haven to provide a more interactive web site to promote the organization. With a low amount of funds available to Matthew’s Haven, BCCTC students began working on the web page under the direction of instructor Paula Canaday. Now, the website, donated free to the organization, is managed and maintaned by students who volunteer hours and continuously update the web page. Matthew’s Haven began in 2001 as a community outreach program at St. Peter’s Parish Church. In 2008, the program became incorporated and received…
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Two in meth lab bust indicted by New Kent Circuit Court grand jury
A man and a woman involved in a May 12 methamphetamine/marijuana operation received true bills from a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury during May 19 proceedings. Whitney Renee Marcinak, 23, and Jason Andrew Meade, 25, both of the 6300 block of Hopewell Road, New Kent, each garnered seven identical charges in relation to the raid. Both are charged with one count each of the following: manufacturing methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (heroin), and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. On…
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Historic School no longer in play as third elementary
New Kent’s Historic School is no longer considered a viable option for a third elementary school. After Marengo Management, the original contractor for the second phase of project, submitted a letter to withdraw on Apr. 28, New Kent supervisors were tasked to find an alternative for the building. Supervisors emerged from their closed session on May 28 in casual discussions about what to do with the building. “Now that the building isn’t going to be used for an elementary school, I believe it would be a great place to move the library into,” said District 4 representative Ron Stiers. “I…
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Charles City School Board to ponder cuts at future work session; receives relief on current budget
Charles City’s School Board elected not to approve a final budget at its May 20 work session after receiving a list of cuts to help save a guidance counselor position at the middle school. With District 2 representative Barbara Crawley and District 3 representative Martha Harris absent, school board members expressed concern on the impact of the decision without the other members’ input. Superintendent of schools Janet Crawley was tasked with finding $60,000 for the position after board members voiced concern at a May 14 work session. Crawley returned with a list of cuts to keep the position. Among them…
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Grading scale, longer school day gets go-ahead from New Kent school board
New Kent County School Board members followed through on recommendations made by director of curriculum Nate Collins and implemented both a longer school day and 10-point grading scale for next year. Members approved both actions at their May 19 work session after hearing preliminary discussions at the regular May meeting. Under the new grading scale, elementary school students will be on a straight, 10-point scale, while secondary students will have a plus/minus grade available. “We feel this will make our kids more competitive to get into colleges and for scholarships,” reiterated Collins. “I know that some jurisdictions have a scale…
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New Kent supervisors approve $64.8 million 2014-15 budget
New Kent supervisors approved a $64,807,108 budget for FY2014-15 at yesterday’s (May 28) morning work session. The budget calls for a one-cent reduction in real estate tax to 84 cents per $100 of assessed value. A couple of changes were noted by county administrator Rodney Hathaway prior to the budget being approved. Hathaway noted that a proposed fee on fireworks will remain the same for the upcoming year, and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) will be reduced by $175,000 after removal of the replacement of a tank at George Watkins Elementary School. The CIP is now $9,190,500 for the next…
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