News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 31, 2026
Local News
Slew of charges facing three suspects in NK meth lab raid
New Kent SWAT team officers and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) descended early Monday afternoon on a ramshackle trailer parked at a New Kent County campground, taking down a methamphetamine lab along with a marijuana growing operation found inside. Authorities have arrested Jason Andrew Meade, 25, of the 6300 block of Hopewell Road, New Kent; Whitney Renee Marciniak, 23, of the 200 block of North Ivy Ave., Highland Springs; and Nathaniel Blake Atkins, 23, (address unavailable). Thus far, none of the charges faced by the trio relate to the meth lab and marijuana grow found inside the trailer,…
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Two suspects in Eltham 7-Eleven armed robbery taken into custody
Just over 48 hours after two men robbed the 7-Eleven store in the Eltham area of New Kent at gunpoint, county sheriff’s personnel have a King William County man and a King & Queen County man in custody. Michael Sylvester Robinson, 38, of the 4300 block of Custis Mill Pond Rd. in King William County, and Trey Daquan Smith, 19, of the 200 block of Clancie Road, Shacklefords, in King & Queen County, are charged with one count each of robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and conspiracy to commit robbery. The suspects are uncle and…
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New Kent supervisors reject Liberty Landing’s latest proposal
Despite proffers offered by David Rudiger and Kenneth Merner of Bridgewater Crossing Incorporated for rezoning 88 acres of land, New Kent supervisors voted 3-2 to reject a rezoning application that would pave the way for development of Liberty Landing subdivision in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent. Supervisors heard the proposal from Rudiger at Monday night’s public hearing. The developer emphasized that 450 residential units would consist of townhomes, one room, and two room apartments. Incentives pushed by Rudiger for the development of Liberty Landing included cash proffers of $4,500 per unit (that would generate $15,000 per student in…
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New Kent School Board members voice concerns over $200,000 budget reduction for FY 2014-15
With New Kent County’s budget estimated to have a shortfall of $402,000 due to Colonial Downs’ stance of not hosting a thoroughbred season, school officials met with supervisors concerned with once designated revenues for the upcoming fiscal year being reduced by $200,000. School board members met with county representatives Monday afternoon in an attempt to grasp new budgetary numbers proposed by county administrator Rodney Hathaway. Hathaway pegged the new county budget for FY2014-15 at $64,807,108 during the board’s regular meeting later that night. But school board members received word that an initial increase of $570,000 more this year for their…
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Myers hired as new superintendent of New Kent schools
New Kent’s School Board announced at its May 5 meeting that Dr. David A. Myers will become the new superintendent of schools. The board unanimously approved Myers’ hiring after the completion of a six-month search. Myers is currently the assistant superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools and brings 18 years of experience with him to New Kent. He also currently works as adjunct faculty at the University of Richmond. “It’s been a natural progression to get to where I am today,” Myers said in a Monday night interview. “New Kent has always had my eye and I thank the board…
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Jury convicts Maryland man on felony eluding charge
A jury of nine women and three men took only 15 minutes to convict a Maryland man for eluding authorities last November. Jose Angel Santiago, 32, of the 900 block of Ashbridge Drive, Essex, Md., received a guilty verdict on one count of felony eluding police during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday morning. Last Nov. 27, New Kent Deputy Christopher Bristow responded to a call about an erratic driver in the Tallysville area of the county. Bristow located the suspect vehicle on New Arbor Drive in one of Tallysville’s subdivisions. The deputy observed the car come to a stop…
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Strand of hair on drink can leads to plea deal for Lanexa man
A Lanexa man connected to a 2012 grand larceny accepted a plea deal Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. Kenneth Barnhardt IV, 32, of the 5000 block of Good Hope Rd., will receive no active time behind bars after he accepted an agreement. Barnhardt, however, will have to pay a fine of $7,020 in restitution. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, between the dates of July 5-12, 2012, an air conditioning unit was stolen from the residence of John Gaban Tarjan. Gregory said the victim was attempting to sell or rent the home and…
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Despite VRC mandate, Colonial Downs ends talks with VHBPA
Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) has placed a deadline for Colonial Downs and Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) to sign an agreement for a 25-day thoroughbred race season. Commissioners ordered that both parties reach an agreement by a May 19 deadline during their May 7 meeting. But Colonial Downs officials have elected to go another route after talks once again broke down, this time resulting in Colonial Downs terminating all relationships with the VHBPA. Through a May 13 press release, Colonial Downs announced that it will seek a new horsemen’s group to hold thoroughbred racing for the 2014 season….
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Grading scale, longer school day under consideration in New Kent
New Kent School Board members will be considering issues that may bring significant changes to education in the county schools after hearing two proposals at their May 5 regular meeting. School board officials will ponder over the next few weeks on the possibility of a 10-point grading scale and a permanent extension of the school day. A decision may be rendered at the school board’s May 19 work session. Director of curriculum and instruction Nate Collins brought up the possibility of the changes after additional research conducted by an organized committee said those changes could benefit students in the long…
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Briefly… for May 15-28, 2014
Comprehensive plan meetings in CC Charles City planning staff have scheduled three meetings, one in each district, over the next week to receive public comments on the proposed draft of the countys’ Comprehensive Plan. The first meeting will take place Monday, May 19, 7 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church. A second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m. at Parrish Hill Baptist Church, with a third meeting on Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m. at the Government and School Board Administration building auditorium. The plan can be accessed and reviewed on the county’s webpage at www.co.charles-city.va.us or by…
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