News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | November 2, 2026
Local News
CC boards accept efficiency study, pledge cooperation
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors and School Board have jointly agreed to accept and endorse results of an efficiency study that is to serve as a platform for the two boards to move forward in a spirit of cooperation. Supervisors unanimously approved the DECIDESMART study while school board members approved it 4-0 during a joint meeting held Dec. 20. School board District 3 representative Martha Harris was absent due to illness. Bill Bosher and Lane Ramsey of DECIDESMART presented study material and research conducted over the past several months involving the two boards. The evaluation critiqued 10 areas, as well…
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Wheelman in multi-county burglary ring handed time
The wheelman of a multi-county burglary ring will be spending the next two years in jail. Joseph Christopher Pitts, 31, of 21st Street, West Point, received a total of 40 years incarceration with 38 suspended on Dec. 17 in New Kent Circuit Court for his role in multiple burglaries last March and April in the county. Pitts admitted in September during his trial that he was the driver of a vehicle carrying Antoine Maurice Burrell, 29, and Lopear Vorice Burrell, 31, both of 16th Street, West Point, to homes that the pair burglarized. Pitts said his actions stemmed from his…
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Defendants accept plea deals
Two defendants accepted plea deals presented by the commonwealth during Charles City Circuit Court on Dec. 21. Lisa Ann Jordan, 37, of 202 Patriots Village Court, West Point, accepted an agreement to plead guilty to two counts of credit card larceny and one count of credit card theft. Another count of credit card theft was dropped. Jordan admitted that on a variety of dates from Dec. 23, 2011 to April 1, 2012 she used cards belonging to Servpro owner David J. Butler, Nina Butler, and Barbara Lucy. Jordan said she paid personal bills using the cards. Those bills included paying…
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Briefly… for Jan. 3-16, 2012
Morrissey pushing for weapon ban Del. Joe Morrissey, who represents Charles City County in the General Assembly, plans to introduce a bill to ban the sale of both assault style weapons as well as large capacity magazines in the upcoming session. “The Federal Assault Weapons Ban (FAWB), expired on Sept. 13, 2004. Despite multiple attempts to renew such bans, no federal bill to restore the ban has reached the floor of the United States Senate or House of Representatives,” said Morrissey in a press release. Noting what he termed “glacier-like” movement in Congress, he said, “Virginia should not wait for…
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NK, CC schools ramp up security in aftermath of Connecticut tragedy
Last Friday’s horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn. has spurred immediate action by sheriff’s offices and school personnel in New Kent and Charles City counties to heighten the level of security at local schools and raise the comfort level of students, faculty, and parents. And the incident could provide impetus for finding budget money to install a School Resource Officer (SRO) in Charles City, where none exist now, and hire additional officers in New Kent. Currently, New Kent schools have two officers, one each at the middle and high schools, but none at the two elementary schools. Of chief concern…
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Proposed new railroad would cross New Kent
A new railroad line crossing part of New Kent County appears to be in the works, but thus far, local officials have little to go on as far as details regarding the proposal. New Kent officials learned last week that a private company is behind the proposal. When contacted, county administrator Rodney Hathaway declined to identify the company except to say the concept originated from a business in neighboring King William County. Speculation, however, abounds that owners of a King William plant that produces cat litter could be advancing the new rail line concept. “[The railroad line] is still in…
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Colonial Downs sued over Strawberry Hill Races name
New owners of the Strawberry Hill Races name are suing Colonial Downs over what they allege to be trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising on the part of the New Kent County racetrack’s owners. Counsel for Colonial Downs is expected to file a response this week. That response could be in the form of a demurrer, which basically states the lawsuit lacks merit and the plaintiffs have no case. The lawsuit stems from Colonial Downs’ use of the Strawberry Hill name during a steeplechase event last June 2 and racetrack officials’ effort since to schedule a similar event, dubbed…
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Hathaway elevated to administrator
A familiar face to New Kent County has been named as the new county administrator. New Kent’s Board of Supervisors removed the interim tag and appointed Rodney Hathaway to the position during its regular session this past Monday. “I want to thank the board for this opportunity,” said Hathaway. “I have been stopped at gas stations and grocery stores and given words of encouragement.” Hathaway has maintained the duties on an interim basis since July 23 when Cabell Lawton was terminated from the position. Many board members commented that his work up to this point in time and in the…
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NK native out to change culture at first college head coaching post
After his team’s victory last Friday night over the visiting Navy Midshipmen, Mount St. Mary’s University head basketball coach Jamion Christian waved to the crowd, addressed the media, and hugged his wife and son. The New Kent County native isn’t just coaching a basketball team– he’s changing the culture. Christian’s impact on his college alma mater is impacting several lives on the university’s campus and in the community. He arrived on campus to fanfare of those who knew of his tenure as a player for the Mountainers from 2000-04. Now, he returns to bring back life to a program that…
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Landfill contract extended temporarily in Charles City
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors has agreed to a temporary extension of a contract with Waste Management of Virginia. Supervisors agreed to a 90-day extension with the services at its Dec. 5 work session as they attempt to work out a new contract with the company. The county and Waste Management have been working on a previous 18-month interim agreement due to the decline of refuse taken in at the landfill. The original agreement signed by the parties called for a minimum of 2,000 tons per day. With the declining economy over the past two years hitting the county, each…
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