News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 20, 2026
Local News
UPDATE: Driver in Charles City fatal crash identified as New Kent resident
State Police have officially released the name of the driver of a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck that struck a tree and burst into flames early Sunday morning on Route 5 in Charles City County, killing both the driver and a passenger. The driver has been identified as Warren M. Lewis, 38, of the 9000 block of Old Church Road in New Kent. State Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Molnar said the state medical examiner’s office has yet to release identity of the passenger, but community members say the passenger was Lewis’ son, Jayme S. Street, 19, a 2012 graduate of…
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Two New Kent men charged with marijuana possession with intent to distribute
Two New Kent men each face a felony drug charge following a traffic stop conducted by a county deputy sheriff. Nicholas David Schweickert, 19, of the 4000 block of Virginia Rail Drive, Providence Forge, and Joshua Adam Grey, 18, of the 7000 block of Leyland Cypress Lane, Quinton, are charged with one count each of possession with intent to distribute more than one-half ounce of marijuana. Deputy Wyatt Johnston stopped the vehicle in which the two suspects were riding on North Courthouse Road (Route 155) near the Interstate 64 interchange on March 4. A sheriff’s office report said the deputy…
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Two men die in Charles City crash
Two men are dead after the pickup truck in which they were riding left the road in Charles City County, struck a tree, and burst into flames early this morning. State Police investigators are not releasing the victims’ names, pending positive identification by the state medical examiner’s office and notification of next of kin. State Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Molnar said the accident occurred around 3 a.m. today (March 9) on Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway), just west of the Wilcox Neck Road (Route 623) intersection in the county’s eastern end. Molnar said the 2004 Ford F-150 was traveling…
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New Kent schools release survey results for superintendent search
New Kent County public schools have released results from its survey conducted Feb. 5-24 on preferred criteria for the incoming superintendent. Approximately 286 surveys were returned with the following results and preferences: 1. Education and Training – majority vote (if the vote was less than a difference of 5%, percentages are noted) • An earned doctorate: preferred – 43.4%; required – 40.7% • Experience as a Superintendent: preferred • Experience as an Associate / Assistant Superintendent: preferred • Experience as a Central Office Administrator: preferred • Experience as a principal: required • Experience as a CEO other than school district:…
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Three indicted in Charles City Circuit Court
A Charles City Circuit Court grand jury indicted three individuals during Mar. 4 afternoon proceedings: –Jason McCoy Bell, 41, of the 4900 block of Shop Street, Chester, on one count of grand larceny. Bell allegedly stole a firearm belonging to David Bowling last July 11. –Lisa Marie Groffel, 35, of the 3000 block of Barnetts Road, Providence Forge, on one count of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. According to the indictment, last Oct. 2 Groffel assaulted Deputy V.N. Byrd as the officer engaged in public duties. –Xavier Marquis Wallace, 20, of the 6100 block of Sturgeon Point…
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Charles City makes first cuts for $900,000 revenue shortfall for current fiscal year
Charles City supervisors have taken the first steps toward solving a projected $900,000 revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year. Board members unanimously voted to transfer $463,268 from county departments and the social services department into contingency funds during their Feb. 25 regular meeting. County finance director Michelle Johnson addressed supervisors about the dwindling revenue provided to the county from Waste Management of Virginia. After monitoring the company since the fall, Johnson indicated that the county’s revenue is $489,000 less than at this point last year, mostly due to the landfill issue. The county entered into a legal battle with…
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CC schools honor historian, marchers for Black History month
Charles City resident Richard Bowman gained the moniker of “unofficial county historian” for a reason. Still vibrant at the age of 85, Bowman, along with former students of Ruthville High School who walked out of school for equal rights, were honored at Charles City’s High School black history program last Friday. Bowman addressed middle and high school students about his numerous attempts to get his children enrolled in Charles City High School, an all-white school at the time. “My interest began in 1958,” said Bowman, commenting about the federal ruling of Brown vs. The Board of Education. “Even though it…
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After jury’s stalemate, judge dismisses charges against New Kent man
After six and a half hours of deliberations and with the jury unable to come to a unanimous verdict, a New Kent Circuit Court judge granted a defense motion to dismiss two felony charges involving a county man. Judge Thomas B. Hoover dismissed charges of abduction and inanimate object sexual penetration, both in connection with an underage girl, lodged against Jeremy Wayne Hall, 35, of the 13800 block of Cypress Drive, Lanexa. The judge’s decision followed a Feb. 27-28 trial in New Kent Circuit Court. With the jury deadlocked, Hoover ruled in favor of defense attorney Susan Allen’s motion to…
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Incoming superintendent must take New Kent schools to next level, says public
An innovative, forward-looking, and dedicated community member were qualities echoed by speakers at New Kent School Board’s public hearing on Feb. 24 that focused on a search for a new superintendent of schools to replace Rick Richardson who is retiring July 31. School board members listened as six people spoke during the 35-minute session. And while speakers maximized the time allotted to comment, it was perfectly clear that each one of them were on the same accord. Addressing the school board, parents and community members expressed delight with the current operations and education provided in the school system, but pushed…
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CC sheriff’s office warns of new credit card scam
Charles City’s sheriff office is advising local residents to be aware of an ongoing credit card scam by telephone that is sweeping quickly across the nation. What makes the scam unique is that the caller already has the intended victim’s VISA or MasterCard number. The objective of the call is to get the victim to reveal the three-digit security code listed on the card’s back. The scammer’s dialogue consists of the following script: “This is (name) and I’m calling from the security and fraud department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual…
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