News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | November 1, 2026
Local News
Colonial Downs submits CUP for 2014 motorcycle race
Motorcycle racing could be returning to Colonial Downs after supervisors agreed to have a conditional use permit (CUP) forwarded to New Kent’s Planning Commission for consideration. Ian Stewart, president of Colonial Downs, submitted an application for a permit allowing the American Motorcycle Association’s (AMA) Virginia Mega Mile to return to the New Kent County racetrack on Aug. 23, 2014. Stewart said conditions for the new CUP would be similar to last year’s with the exception of the time of the event and the implementation of a rain date. According to the president, the event would commence at 4 p.m., instead…
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Emergency vehicle storage facility considered in NK
New Kent supervisors unanimously approved a request made by emergency personnel to seek proposals for a vehicle storage facility at New Kent’s Courthouse. A 15-minute presentation by Sheriff F. W. “Wakie” Howard Jr., fire chief Rick Opett, and chief deputy Joe McLaughlin Jr. at Wednesday morning’s work session highlighted the number of incidents responded to within the half-mile radius shared by three county schools, as well as the courthouse complex. “Over the last year, deputies responded to 1,200 calls and fire/EMS responded to 100 calls in the courthouse area,” said Howard. “During the peak months of September to June when…
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Juvenile indicted as adult in McDonald’s armed robbery
A Henrico County juvenile received four indictments from New Kent Circuit Court stemming from an armed robbery that occurred at the McDonald’s restaurant located in Bottoms Bridge. Robert James Priester, 16, formerly of the 2200 block of Kingsbrook Drive, received indictments on three counts of armed robbery and one count of using a firearm to commit a felony during Monday’s proceedings. According to the indictments, Priester allegedly joined Shatik U. Jackson, 19, of the 300 block of Shetland Court, Henrico; London Shi-Anne Cotman, 19, of the 300 block of North Airport Drive, Henrico; and Cornelius Clayton Jr., 19, of the…
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New Kent supervisors fire back at proposed ordinance
When John McCutchen of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) pushed the fact that the new proposed stormwater ordinance mandated by the state needs to be adopted by local jurisdictions such as New Kent, it seemed similar to a car salesman selling a vehicle that everybody must have. New Kent supervisors weren’t buying it. In fact, they countered the proposal. Supervisors unanimously voted at their Nov. 13 meeting to send the stormwater ordinance back to New Kent’s planning commission. The move comes as a result of information provided by county attorney Michele Gowdy earlier in the meeting. (Supervisors approved to…
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Fourth DUI garners 16-month jail sentence in NK court
A Newport News man will serve the maximum sentence recommended by state guidelines stemming from a Sept. 30 trial. Darren Wright Snyder, 42, of the 500 block of Dartmoor Drive, Apt. 201, Newport News, received a 16-month jail sentence on one count of driving under the influence (fourth offense) during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday morning During a Sept. 30 trial, Snyder confessed that he was intoxicated when a state trooper pulled over his vehicle on Interstate 64 on April 6 after seeing the vehicle on fire. Upon investigation, a breathalyzer test revealed Snyder’s alcohol level to be nearly…
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Longtime New Kent historian Jackie Pomeroy succumbs
Jackie G. Pomeroy, a native of New Kent, passed away on Thursday, October 24, in Bentonville, Arkansas. S he was born in Richmond in 1929 and spent most of her life in New Kent County. She was one of six children born to Clarence Alderbert Pomeroy and Mary Beverly Rice. She attended New Kent Elementary and High School, and also attended the College of William and Mary before transferring to a business school in Richmond where she completed a nine month course in bookkeeping and secretarial skills. She began her career at the Medical College of Virginia and Tredegar Ironworks….
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Briefly… for Nov. 21-Dec. 4, 2013
Dogwood Classic set for April 5 A day of world class steeplechase racing and trackside tailgating will return to Colonial Downs on Saturday, Apr. 5, as the second annual Dogwood Classic helps usher in the area’s spring outdoor festival season. The ’14 Dogwood Classic will play host to a day of National Steeplechase association (NSA) sanctioned jump races held over the Secretariat Turf Course, all while vehicle tailgating takes place on the 1 1/4 mile dirt track, which is positioned just outside of the turf course. Reserved vehicle tailgating spaces are $200 for a spot along the home stretch, or…
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NK student-athlete remembered
Teammates, fellow students, friends, and even those who didn’t know Jacob Vick filled New Kent High School’s 1,275-seat gymnasium nearly to capacity Saturday afternoon for a memorial service honoring the fallen linebacker. Students then led a memorial/birthday vigil inside the school on Tuesday (Nov. 5), the day their schoolmate and friend would have turned 16 years old. Vick, a starting linebacker on the Trojan football team, collapsed Oct. 29 on the practice field and later died, sending shockwaves through the New Kent community. Saturday’s memorial service celebrated the life of the sophomore honor student who touched many during his all…
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Feds assume prosecution of McDonald’s robbery suspects
Federal authorities have taken over prosecution of the three adults charged in connection with the Aug. 26 armed robbery at the McDonald’s restaurant on Route 60 (2138 Pocahontas Trail) near Bottoms Bridge in New Kent County. Convening Tuesday in Richmond, a federal grand jury indicted Shatik U. Jackson, 19, of the 300 block of Shetland Court, Henrico; London Shi-Anne Cotman, 19, of the 300 block of North Airport Drive, Henrico; and Cornelius Clayton Jr., 19, of the 600 block of Fritz Street, Highland Springs. New Kent commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory said local charges against the trio have been dropped, but…
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Cary Hill Plantation offers a blend of past and present
It’s often said that the best places in life are often right under a person’s nose. Cary Hill Plantation in eastern Charles City County probably fits that bill very well. Located at 11401 Eagles Nest Road, the historical plantation sits on 60 acres of land as part of the James River Plantation District of the county. Now, the facility has opened its doors to the public for small social events after nine years of restoration and renovations. After owner Kip Kephart passed away in 2005, Steve Rula and Robin Schreiber contemplated what to do with the grounds after the estate’s…
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