News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 20, 2026
Local News
Briefly… for June 6-19, 2013
Heavy traffic expected for CC event Charles City Sheriff’s Office is issuing a traffic alert for June 8-9 when thousands of people are expected descend on Berkeley Plantation for Tough Mudder, which features hard-core, 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, 1 million inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is labeled the premier adventure challenge series in the world. Motorists are urged to avoid the area of Route 5 at Berkeley Plantation….
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Update: Route 618 Bridge at CC/NK border closed until Spring 2014
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the Route 618 (Adkins Road) bridge over the Chickahominy River at the border of Charles City and New Kent counties after a discovery of advanced corrosion and deterioration in a structural inspection on May 23. According to VDOT residency administrator Mike Cade, an emergency contract is being initiated for the bridge’s replacement. Cade said the entire deck will be replaced with a new deck, along with railings. Completion of the project is in expected by Spring 2014. Drivers are instructed to use Route 155 (S. Courthouse Road) and Route 60 (Pocahontas trail)…
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VDOT scheduling more work on I-64 in New Kent
VDOT has scheduled more work on Interstate 64 lanes and ramps for this week in New Kent County, thus motorists can expect delays or must seek alternate routes. The right lane on I-64 east between mile markers 219-224 is to be closed 9 p.m.-5 a.m. May 28-30 for paving. Also on May 28-30, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., alternate closures on both eastbound and westbound lanes as well as ramps from mile marker 205-224 are scheduled for pothole patching. The ramps on I-64 west at the Quinton/Bottoms Bridge exit (mile marker 205) are closing 9 p.m.-5 a.m., May 28-29 for paving. The…
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New Kent church conducting tornado relief drive
Hopewell Baptist Church in New Kent County is heading up a relief effort to collect supplies for the people affected by the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. A delegation from the church plans to travel to Moore on May 31 using tractor/trailers and other trailers to haul the supplies. Supplies needed include thermometers, plastic bandage strips, cotton swabs, dental floss, sports drinks, shoes of all sizes, medical ointments and creams, feminine hygiene products, razors, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, snack size chips, empty plastic travel containers, bottled water, underwear of all sizes, socks of all sizes, plastic trash and sandwich bags of…
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Attention turning from Historic School to new elementary
New Kent Board of Supervisors’ progress on the budget is like a cliffhanger: To be continued. And after viewing cost figures on elementary school construction, supervisors are now studying the prospect of building a new elementary school instead of renovating the county’s Historic School for elementary grades 4-5. If the board reverses direction, renovating the Historic School to accommodate the county’s school board offices and Heritage Public Library could come back into play. The new cost information provided to supervisors on Tuesday could affect the four-cent tax increase built into next year’s proposed budget. Supervisors had been planning to designate…
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NK School Board responds to band boosters’ allegations
New Kent School Board members addressed concerns from band boosters Monday night surrounding recent allegations regarding the fate of high school band director James Minnix and middle school band director Reba Marrs. During the board’s May 6 meeting, a delegation of parents and a few students took issue with what they perceived to be action by the board to not renew both band directors’ contracts. School officials have not commented publicly, saying the situation is a personnel matter. Minnix and Marrs have also remained silent on the issue. Monday night, school superintendent Rick Richardson said he has responded formally to…
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Action deferred one month on controversial truck stop
New Kent residents and representatives of three companies must wait a month after county supervisors deferred a decision on a conditional use permit application from a North Carolina-based company to build a truck stop on Route 106. Deferment became an option at New Kent supervisors’ May 13 meeting after uncertainty arose over the integrity of Route 106 in terms of withstanding increased traffic flow. Wilco Hess LLC proposes to build a “travel plaza” on the southeast corner of the Route 106/Interstate 64 interchange. Plans call for an 8,000 square-foot convenience store, 3,400 square-foot fast food restaurant, 12 fuel pumps for…
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Nine indicted by grand jury
A Carrollton man, allegedly driving under the influence, now faces felony maiming charges after being indicted by a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury on Monday. Reginald Lamont Dickerson, 37, of 13192 Windward Place, was indicted on two counts of DUI maiming and misdemeanor DUI. According to the indictment, Dickerson caused severe injuring to Hoyt Austin Cocke and Vincent Puccinelli during a March 8 accident. The grand jury indicted eight other individuals during Monday’s proceedings. The suspects and the charges they face are: –Simone Latrea Worrell, 20, of 223 West Oceanview Avenue, Apt. 5, Norfolk, on five counts of forging…
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Defendant learns from NK judge that crime doesn’t pay
Judge Thomas B. Hoover gave new meaning to the familiar phrase “crime doesn’t pay” after a New Kent man tried to gain a little money by pawning stolen goods. Robert Austin Payne, 19, of 11478 Oakrise Road, was convicted on one count each of grand larceny, burglary, and an amended charge of petty larceny during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings Monday. Commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory proceeded with evidence that Payne stole jewelry from the home of his stepfather, Scott Gala, between Dec. 13-19 of last year. Gregory also said the defendant stole a video game system and more jewelry from…
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Proposed $67.3 million NK budget draws little comment
A proposed four-cent real estate tax hike drew minimal comments during a May 13 public hearing after which New Kent supervisors decided to schedule a special meeting on May 21 to further consider the proposed FY2013-14 budget. (See related story, page 1.) During last week’s hearing, no one spoke on an eight percent water and sewer fee increase. County administrator Rodney Hathaway’s slideshow depicted that the average household’s cost for consumption of 10,000 gallons would rise from $149.97 to $161.95 bi-monthly. At that rate, the annual increase amounts to $71.88. When discussion arose on the proposed real estate tax increase…
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