News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | November 2, 2026
Local News
Trash driving new railroad, claims Davis
New Kent Board of Supervisors members apparently have no interest in supporting construction of a new railroad line across the county. During their Monday work session, board members declined to sign a resolution in support of exploring the addition of new freight rail lines in the county. The resolution also called for the board to support an analysis of more freight rail service as part of a statewide rail plan update under development by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and support seeking federal/state money to pay for studies to justify building new rail lines. And while officials…
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Virginia State seeking dual enrollment program with NK
New Kent school officials are studying an offer by Virginia State University to partner in a dual enrollment program whereby county students can earn college credit while still in high school. If New Kent accepts the proposal, which would go into effect starting with the next school year, it would mark county schools’ first dual enrollment venture with a four-year college. New Kent currently has a partnership with Rappahannock Community College, a two-year institution, which also involves the Bridging Communities Regional Career and Technical Center. “VSU has made a real strong pitch,” New Kent school superintendent Rick Richardson told county…
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CC grand jury indicts four
Two Henrico County men who were involved in a shooting near Charles City’s old elementary school have been formally indicted by a Charles City Circuit Court grand jury. Joquan W. Hawkins, 20, of 2 West Gerald Street, and Jege L. Jefferson, 19, of the 6400 block of Blossom View Lane, received the indictments as a result of an incident last Sept. 11. According to police reports, Justin Brown, 18, of Charles City, received multiple gunshot wounds to the chest as a result of an argument that stemmed from a conversation on a social network site. Hawkins received most of the…
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Hospitalization excuse carries no weight in court
A Lanexa man with a history of drunk driving will now serve a number of years in prison after being sentenced Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. Stephen Michael Hoskins, 37, of 48 Ed Allen’s Campground, will serve four and a half years in prison after being sentenced on one count each of DUI (4th offense), driving on a suspended license (2nd offense), and failure to appear in court. Hoskins pleaded guilty last October to DUI and driving on a suspended license, but had his case continued to November for sentencing because of health issues. After another medical setback, sentencing…
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Nine indicted by NK grand jury
Nine defendants received indictments handed up by a New Kent Circuit Court grand jury on Jan. 14, including a trio who have been linked to several break-ins at Dominion Virginia Power substations. Angela Leighann Anderson, 25, and Kenneth Barnhart IV, 30, both of 5001 Good Hope Road, Lanexa, received multiple indictments relating to theft and entry onto Dominion property on a variety of dates from July to September of last year. Barnhart’s 11 counts include four grand larceny, four destruction of property, and three trespassing charges. Anderson is charged on three counts each of grand larceny and destruction of property….
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Briefly… for Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2013
NK road project on governor’s plan A New Kent County road improvement project is among 158 projects statewide being recommended today (Jan. 22) by Gov. Bob McDonnell for passage by the General Assembly. McDonnell is recommending $734,160 be designated for unpaved road improvements in New Kent. The figure is part of an overall $1.28 billion long-term road improvement package, dubbed “Virginia’s Road to Improvement,” that the governor is forwarding to state lawmakers. There is also $64 million recommended for reconstructive paving on Interstate 64, but it is unclear if the amount pertains to the section of I-64 that traverses New…
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Residents dismayed over racetrack president’s absence
Residents from New Kent’s Brickshire and surrounding communities gathered at the Brickshire Proprietor building on Jan. 23 with concerns for Colonial Downs president Ian Stewart and the racetrack’s permit request to host motorcycle racing. But instead of speaking with citizens, Stewart opted to forgo the meeting, leaving more than 60 residents upset and angry over his no-show appearance. An announcement by District 4 New Kent Board of Supervisors representative Ron Stiers added more fuel to the fire. “I received an e-mail from Ian and in it he said he would not be attending,” said Stiers. “Also, he said his lawyer…
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Supervisor targeting New Kent’s Planning Commission
A New Kent supervisor, who campaigned on targeting the jobs of several county Planning Commission members on the way to winning election in 2011, is striving to make good on his election promise. District 4 Supervisor Ron Stiers told fellow board members during the group’s Monday work session that the board should examine the commission’s makeup with an eye toward reducing its membership. “Several on the Planning Commission don’t do their jobs,” he said without revealing specific names. “Some don’t look at the materials and some wait until the day of the meeting to pick up their [agenda] packets.” His…
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New Kent capital improvement plan totals $5.6 million
A $5.6 million capital improvement plan (CIP) for the next fiscal year in New Kent is now in the hands of county officials for their perusal. County administrator Rodney Hathaway unveiled the plan, which includes $3.6 million in countywide projects and $2 million designated for utilities, tonight (Jan. 22) before county Planning Commission members. Commission members are charged with holding a public hearing on the plan and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. That hearing is expected to take place at the commission’s Feb. 19 meeting. None of the projects, meanwhile, are set in stone. Supervisors will have final…
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New Kent road project among governor’s plan
A New Kent County road improvement project is among 158 projects statewide being recommended today (Jan. 22) by Gov. Bob McDonnell for passage by the General Assembly. McDonnell is recommending $734,160 be designated for unpaved road improvements in New Kent. The figure is part of an overall $1.28 billion long-term road improvement package, dubbed “Virginia’s Road to Improvement,” that the governor is forwarding to state lawmakers. There is also $64 million recommended for reconstructive paving on Interstate 64, but it is unclear if the amount pertains to the section of I-64 that traverses New Kent. Another $85 million is targeted…
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