News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 29, 2025
Local News
Yorktown man enters guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter after high speed chase in New Kent leads to death of passenger
A Yorktown teenager who led a pursuit in New Kent County that resulted in the death of his passenger entered a guilty plea to three charges including involuntary manslaughter. Jahreese Watson-Ricks, 19, of the 500 block of Arabian Circle, entered guilty pleas to one count each of involuntary manslaughter, felony destruction of property, and felony eluding as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Oct. 24, 2021, around 12:45 a.m., a Virginia State Trooper noticed a Sedan traveling over 100…
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New Kent County Public Schools expected to be fully accredited
New Kent County Public Schools are expected to be fully accredited as they begin the 2022-23 school year. Executive director of innovation and management Ross Miller spoke at Monday’s New Kent School Board work session and provided preliminary information regarding accreditation. According to Miller, all four schools are expected to be fully accredited with official information is released next month. Miller said that accreditation criteria for this past year include academic achievement in English, closing the achievement gap in English, academic achievement in mathematics, closing the achievement gap in mathematics, academic achievement in science, and chronic absenteeism. He added that…
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Lancaster man handed three years for possession of illegal drugs, gun in New Kent
A Lancaster man who eluded a Virginia State Trooper during a chase in New Kent County will spend the next three years in prison after entering a no contest plea as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Ralph Antonio Waller Jr., 22, of the 100 block of Reynolds Farm Road, entered no contest pleas to one count each of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of a Schedule I/II substance with intent to distribute, possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance, and felony eluding of police as part of…
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Supervisors approve speed zone ordinance, agree to purchase Makemie Woods
An ordinance to allow speed cameras to capture violators in school and work zones in New Kent County passed anonymously Monday night. New Kent County supervisors approved the measure 5-0 at the regular board meeting yielded only two individuals at its public hearing. Both speakers favored the measure. At the July 27 work session, New Kent Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. recommended the proposal as part of safety measures on the highway. In particular, he focused on school zones as Quinton Elementary School in the western part of the county will be operational this fall. The sheriff is working with…
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Richmond teenager pleads guilty to grand theft auto, eluding police in New Kent
A Richmond teenager has entered guilty pleas stemming from an incident where he stole a vehicle and caused damage to other property in New Kent. Fernando Eugene Temple III, 19, of the 1300 block of N. 26th Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding of police, felony destruction of property, grand theft auto, and credit card larceny as part of an agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. One count of grand larceny, an additional charge of grand theft auto, two additional charges of credit card larceny, and eight counts of misdemeanor petty larceny…
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Williamsburg man found guilty for signing brother’s name on summons in Charles City
A Williamsburg man has entered guilty pleas to two felonies as part of an agreement reached Friday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. Michael Dwayne Gibson, 39, of the 100 block of Burgess Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of forgery of a public record and forgery/uttering as part of a plea deal. In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 11, a Virginia State Trooper responded to a single car crash on Wilcox Neck Road. When he arrived and learned of the accident, the trooper asked for the driver’s name. The name signed on the summons was Bobby…
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Another solar project proposal hits table for New Kent supervisors to consider
Solar facilities have been popping up with proposals within the Central Virginia area, especially in the counties of Charles City and New Kent. And another one hit the table of New Kent County supervisors during the July 27 work session. Energix Reneweables was the latest to propose bringing a solar facility to the county. The group indicated they are looking to acquire 472 acres, with 200 of it being used for the structure itself. Representatives of Energix said that they were the leading solar power company in Virginia. Based out of Arlington, the company said they are looking to purchase…
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Speed camera ordinance heads to public hearing in New Kent
With a new elementary school slated to open this Fall in New Kent, safety continues to be one of the top priorities for the return of students to the classrooms. A proposal from New Kent County Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. is focusing on making sure it starts on local highways. McLaughlin made a recommendation to New Kent County leaders during the July 27 work session on the possibly of place speed cameras in school and work zones to capture those breaking the law. The sheriff has been working with Blue Line Solutions, a company established in 2010 by Mark…
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Charles City man charged with federal crime connected to illegal dogfighting operation
A Charles City County man has been formally charged by the federal government with conspiracy as part of an interstate dogfighting operation. Royal T. Washington was charged for crimes stemming from Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2020 that include breeding, training, and conditioning pit bulls to fight. The charges stem from 2020 when animals were seized from the 4900 block of Old Union Road after a warrant was issued. Washington allegedly kept several animal items that have been connected to dog training including weighted collars, shock collars, and a treadmill. Allegations also say that Washington used his phone for calls and…
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Attempted armed robbery committed at Dollar General in Charles City
*This story will be updated as more information comes in. A suspect is on the run after an attempted armed robbery in Charles City. Law enforcement officers swarmed outside of the Dollar General Store just before 7 p.m., located at the 10000 block of Courthouse Road in Charles City County. According to information, gunfire was exchanged with one sheriff’s deputy struck in the back. That officer is expected to be okay as they were wearing a ballistic vest. The suspect fled the scene on foot and is considered to be armed and dangerous. The suspect is described as a 6’1″…
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