NK schools, VSU forge dual enrollment partnership

New Kent School Board members have unanimously agreed to approve a partnership with Virginia State University to offer dual enrollment classes to high school students beginning next fall. Dr. Muriel Hawkins, an assistant provost at the university, and Tonnie Villines, an information staff member responsible for dual enrollment, gave a half-hour presentation to board members during a March 18 work session. Hawkins’ initial comments made the decision for New Kent to partner with Virginia State one that would benefit both sides. “Dual enrollment can earn as many as 30 credits towards college,” Hawkins said. “It also helps families financially by…
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Twelve indicted by New Kent Circuit Court grand jury

Twelve individuals, including a Richmond man accused of attempting to hire a hit man, two New Kent men implicated in a rash of car break-ins, and a Williamsburg woman who led police on a high speed chase in an alleged stolen car, have been named in indictments handed up by a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury on March 18. Clyde Cecil Armstrong, 34, of 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, has been indicted on two counts of solicitation of murder. On August 20 of last year and while being held in Henrico Jail East on charges incurred in Henrico County,…
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NK couple pleads guilty in circuit court to copper thefts

A husband and wife duo involved in copper thefts in New Kent County accepted plea deals on March 18 in New Kent Circuit Court. Angel Leighann Anderson, 25, and Kenneth Barnhart IV, 31, both of 5001 Good Hope Road, Lanexa, accepted the deals stemming from copper thefts occurring on a variety of dates from July to September in 2012. In a summary of evidence by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Anderson and Barnhart were individually involved in stealing copper from various locations in New Kent. Gregory said the pair stole copper to sell for cash. In turn, the defendants would use…
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NK schools adopt $28 million budget

New Kent’s School Board unanimously approved a $28,011,645 budget at its March 18 work session after hearing only one speaker at a public hearing held earlier during the day. Financial director Ralph Westbay’s new projected revenue is $24,432,150 for FY14 based on level funding from this year. Increased funds of $305,364 from state and other revenue outside the county, coupled with dismissal of items labeled as the least needed to be addressed, has reduced an overall deficit to $1,347,401. Board members intend to discuss reducing the deficit with county supervisors at a joint work session on March 27 (See related…
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CC school budget nears $11 million

Charles City School Board members have approved a budget totaling almost $11 million for the 2013-14 school year. Board members voted to adopt the budget during their work session on March 11. State revenue is $4,384,731 and federal revenue is $1,300,940. County revenue is listed as level-funded in the amount of $4,781,216, but that number could change once the county’s Board of Supervisors finalizes the overall county budget. Other local revenue is $226,732 to bring the total anticipated school revenue amount up to $10,723,619. Originally, budget expenses totaled $11,208,660, but board members made more than $300,000 in cuts to decrease…
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NKMS 6th grader remembered

“She was real.” Those three words uttered by teacher Kenneth Otey best exemplified the short life of Nichelle Christine Jones during a March 19 candlelight vigil held in memory of the New Kent Middle School student. The 12 year-old sixth grader lost her life on March 12, the victim of an asthma attack. More than 350 fellow students, teachers, family, and friends gathered on the football stadium bleachers to remember the straight “A” honor roll student with stories and in song. Sixth grader Jillian Schmid, who on one of the many posters lining the bleacher walkway wrote a tribute to…
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Honoring a classmate

Artist donates tapestries to HPL

Whether in the old Heritage Public Library building in Providence Forge or either of the two newer branches, somewhere along the way a patron may have seen the work of Lucy Sawyer. A resident of New Kent for 18 years, Sawyer continues to provide an array of artwork for the library. Her work, along with that of her students, has become décor to make patrons at the library feel welcomed. Sawyer donated four silk tapestries to the library last Saturday, just another addition from the versatile artist. Among other contributions are a variety of paintings and all of the window…
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Briefly… For March 28-April 10, 2013

Former NK School Board member dies Cynthia L. Gaines, a member of the first elected school board in New Kent County, died Sunday, March 17. The Rev. Dr. Gaines, 61, served three terms on the New Kent board starting in 1995 when Virginia made the change from appointed to elected boards. That year, she defeated Will Wallace 579-273 in the race for the District 3 seat. She won reelection in 1999 and 2003, running unopposed both times. While in office, she served several one-year terms as the board’s chairman and vice-chairman. In January 2007, she announced plans to retire, but…
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Campaign targets distracted truck, bus drivers in NK

Truck and bus drivers be warned: you had better think twice if you are holding your cell phone while driving in New Kent. DRIVE SMART Virginia, in partnership with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), will be conducting a distracted driving education and enforcement campaign this spring. Beginning April 8, truck and bus drivers traveling along Interstate 64 in New Kent will come across a serious message: Phone Down. Just Drive. The New Kent Sheriff’s Office will be enforcing the FMCSA regulation that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones by commercial…
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