News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | November 1, 2026
Local News
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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Briefly… for Mar. 6-20, 2014
Budget hearing for NK schools Mar. 17 New Kent schools will hold a public budget hearing on Monday, Mar. 17, 5:30 p.m. at the school board office. New Kent schools announced a $28,701,589 budget for the 2014-15 school year at its Feb. 18 work session. School board members and superintendent of schools Rick Richardson will be on hand to receive input from the community. CC man receives two months in jail A Charles City man will serve a two-month jail sentence for stealing scrap metal last April. Todd Alonzo Tabb, 50, was sentenced during Feb. 21 Charles City Circuit Court…
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Habitual offender receives year and a half incarcerated
A Weems man will spend at least a year and a half incarcerated after learning his fate during Feb. 25 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. John Milton Harris III, 50, of the 1600 block of Irvington Road, was sentenced to five years in jail, with all but six months suspended on driving as a habitual offender and also received a one month active sentence on DUI (second offense). In addition to the active time, Harris will also spend an additional year in custody as he will be placed in the detention and diversion programs. Harris entered guilty pleas on both…
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New Kent Academic Challenge team places third in state
New Kent High School’s Academic Challenge team finished third in today’s (Saturday) Group AA state tournament at the College of William & Mary, falling just short of defending their state title won a year ago. The team defeated Blacksburg, but dropped contests to Western Albemarle and Manassas Park. Earlier this season, New Kent won the Bay Rivers District and 3A Conference championships while finishing as runner-up in the Region 3A tourney. New Kent finished the season with a 24-5 record.
Larceny nets CC man two months in jail
A Charles City man will serve a two-month jail sentence for stealing scrap metal last April. Todd Alonzo Tabb, 50, was sentenced during Feb. 21 Charles City Circuit Court proceedings for his involvement in confiscating an old iron stove belonging to Douglas Roach. Tabb admitted last Aug. 23 to the crime during his trial and also agreed to pay $ $2,150 in restitution. While Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler didn’t ask for any active time, Judge Thomas B. Hoover disagreed, saying the defendant needed to learn a lesson. “If he had the energy to move the stove in his…
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