News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 20, 2026
Local News
Controversial ordinance sent to New Kent supervisors
A controversial proposed stormwater ordinance that dismays both public opponents and commissioners themselves, is headed to New Kent’s Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation for adoption. And the county appears to have little choice but to adopt the matter. The decision to forward the proposed ordinance came Monday night at New Kent’s Planning Commission meeting. County attorney Michele Gowdy gave an overview of the ordinance first presented at the September commission meeting. Gowdy spoke about changes to the ordinance and how it was revised to comply with state regulations. Among one of the areas of concern by commissioners and…
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Shirley Plantation celebrates milestone 400th anniversary
As a centerpiece of Charles City County, Shirley Plantation has served as a keen place for military history, agricultural development, architectural design, and a tourist attraction. And after 400 years, the celebration continued on Oct. 12. The historic milestone culminated with a wine festival and more than 150 guests to recognize the plantation. Among noted attendees were Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture Todd Haymore and Charles City District 1 Supervisor Gilbert Smith. Shirley Plantation’s history and growth originated in 1613 as land for a military fort. The importance of the location would only grow, according to plantation historian Julian Charity. “Shirley…
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Convicted Henrico man asks judge, court for new trial
A convicted man motioned for a new trial prior to formal sentencing during Oct. 18 proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Joquan W. Hawkins, 21, of 2 West Jerald Street, Henrico, made the request to Judge Thomas B. Hoover in a letter addressed to the court and Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler the day before sentencing had been scheduled. According to the letter, Hawkins claims that Tyler and his defense lawyer, Mufeed Said, collaborated in a way to render guilty verdicts from a two-day jury trial in August. The jury recommended 39 years in prison on seven felony charges that included…
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Carrollton man gets sturdy lesson, warning in NK court
Despite having his charges reduced in accordance to a plea agreement, a Carrollton man is learning the hard way on how driving under the influence has impacted the lives of children, as well as his pockets. Reginald Lamont Dickson, 37, of 13192 Windward Place, entered guilty pleas to two amended charges of misdemeanor simple assault and one charge of driving under the influence in New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday afternoon. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on March 8 around 9:30 p.m., Dickerson’s car struck the vehicle that the victims occupied which had stopped…
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Briefly… for Oct. 24-Nov. 6, 2013
Dozen injured in three-car crash Twelve people received injuries stemming from an Oct. 12 accident at an intersection in New Kent. According to a Virginia State Police report, at approximately 7:15 p.m. authorities responded to a three vehicle crash on Route 249 at the intersection of Tunstall Road. The crash occurred after the driver of a 2007 GMC Arcadia failed to stop and failed to yield the right-of-way at the stop sign and struck a 2004 GMC Yukon. The impact caused the Yukon to overturn and both vehicles struck a 2013 Ford Fusion that was stopped at the stop sign….
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NK supervisors strip managerial control of Historic School from school board
An Aug. 1 letter from Hunter Barnes, an architectural consultant for Virginia’s Department of Education, to New Kent’s Board of Supervisors is now a centerpiece on a closed session decision made on Sept. 25 that revoked management power from New Kent County Schools over the renovation of the Historic School. The act came to fruition at an hour long special meeting Tuesday morning between both parties, resulting in high tension, negotiations, and ultimately a postponement of restoring managerial authority to schools. At center of the controversy was a statement in the letter from Barnes, saying the school board overstepped boundaries…
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Suspects’ identities in New Kent McDonald’s robbery released
New Kent Sheriff’s Office has officially released the names of three adult suspects in relation to the Aug. 26 robbery of the Bottoms Bridge McDonald’s. –Shatik U. Jackson, 19, of the 300 block of Shetland Court, Henrico, is charged with four counts of armed robbery, four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and three counts of abduction. –Cornelius Clayton Jr., 19, of the 600 block of Fritz Street, Henrico, is charged with four counts of armed robbery, three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, three counts of abduction, and four counts of conspiracy…
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Criminal history helps land NK man 10-year prison term
A man with an extensive criminal history will now spend the next 10 years of his life behind prison walls after accepting a plea deal during Sept. 30 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings. Guy William Bilodeau, 53, of 3810 Ropers Church Road, Lanexa, entered Alford pleas of guilty to one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor as part of a deal that will sentence him to 10 years in prison, with a total of 20 years suspended. The 10-year prison term exceeds sentencing guidelines due to the defendant’s criminal background. In…
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Sex crimes in late 80s, early 90s, lands man prison time
A Richmond man will serve the next two and a half years in prison after accepting a plea deal to sexual crimes he committed with a minor in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Stacie Wallace Sr., 51, of 6029 Glen Way Court, entered guilty pleas to one count each of aggravated sexual battery with a minor and forcible sodomy with a minor during Sept. 27 Charles City Circuit Court proceedings. Eight additional aggravated sexual battery charges and three forcible sodomy charges were dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, a victim came to Charles…
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Unique quilt depicting New Kent history to be raffled
In an effort to raise money for New Kent Historical Society’s scholarship and educational programs fund, a special raffle is scheduled to take place on Nov. 2. Working with the New Kent Quilters, the society has donated more than 40 photos help with the construction of a unique quilt that displays the history of New Kent County. The wall hanging quilt’s twenty five panels artistically show photographs of several eras of the county’s history. The quilt measures 39 inches in height and 50 inches in width. Each of the photos were hand-sewned into the 25 panels of the quilt, with…
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