News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 16, 2026
Local News
Richmond woman indicted on attempted murder charge in Charles City
A Richmond woman who allegedly tried to kill a person by running them over with a vehicle has been indicted by a grand jury in Charles City. Kallie Lynn Odell, 30, of the 6200 block of Glenway Drive, was indicted on one count each of attempted first degree murder, malicious wounding, felony hit and run, and felony destruction of property during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. According to the allegation and police warrant, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a residence on The Glebe Lane on Dec. 15, 2021 to find a person had been struck by a…
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Glen Allen man receives five months in jail for attempted aggravated sexual battery in New Kent
A Glen Allen man will spend the next five months in jail after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated sexual battery. Jason E. Crawford, 45, entered a guilty plea to one count of the amended offense (originally aggravated sexual battery) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. One count of aggravated sexual battery was dropped. When Judge B. Elliott Bondurant questioned why the plea deal was made, Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick commented that it was to not traumatize the victim by having them testify. In a summary of evidence, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received…
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Proposed Charles City FY23 budget of $20.9 million contains no tax increase
With a reassessment that saw a 10-cent drop along with the value of a penny increasing by 16.5 percent, Charles City’s Board of Supervisors received their first look of the proposed FY2022-23 budget that included no tax increase. Charles City County Administrator Michelle Johnson proposed a budget of $20,915,573 for the upcoming cycle. In comparison, that amount is $2,617,428 more than the current year’s budget. The reassessment process increased the property value of many areas in Charles City County, resulting in the equalized rate dropping to 66 cents per $100 of assessed value. With each penny taxed being the equivalent…
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New Kent County Public Schools to conclude year on June 15
Teachers and students in New Kent have an additional reason to celebrate; an earlier release for Summer break. New Kent County’s School Board unanimously approved to move up the last day of school during Monday evening’s work session. Students were originally scheduled to leave for Summer break on June 17, while teachers were scheduled to conclude on June 20 with LEAD teachers wrapping up on June 21. The school board’s approval now will let students out two days earlier on June 15, with teachers concluding duties on June 16 and LEAD teachers being finished by June 17. Superintendent of Schools…
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Former New Kent Pilot employee receives eight-month sentence for embezzlement
A Charles City man who embezzled several thousands of dollars while being employed at Pilot in New Kent will spend the next eight months in jail. Thomas Alexander Bevins, 28, of the 4500 block of Rockinghorse Lane, entered a guilty plea to one count of embezzlement as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence by New Kent Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Greg Overholser, on Nov. 17, 2021, a New Kent deputy responded for a call for service to the store located on Emmaus Church Road. The officer spoke with the general manager, who…
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Chase of 137 miles-per-hour in New Kent leads to four months of incarceration for Henrico man
A Henrico man who led a New Kent deputy on a high-speed chase for more than 20 miles will spend the next four months in prison. Kenneth Blad Espinoza Hernandez, 21, of the 5700 block of Trafalgar Park, received his formal sentence during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During a Feb. 15 trial, Hernandez entered guilty pleas to felony eluding and an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor (originally felony child abuse) as part of a plea agreement. At that trial, evidence was presented that showed that on Aug. 26, 2021 in…
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James Francisco, former New Kent County supervisor, succumbs
James “Jimmie” Calvin Francisco Jr., a former supervisor for New Kent County, succumbed at the age of 93 on Apr. 11. Francisco was born on June 10, 1928, in Elizabethon, Tennessee. After graduating from Christiansburg High School, he attended Emory and Henry College. From there, Francisco showed early signs of giving his love back to people, enlisting in the United States Marine Corp and then serving as a Virginia State Police Officer. His love with working with people spanned him into working more than 60 years in the real estate business, Francisco-Robinson, that is based in Providence Forge. Francisco served…
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Supervisors inquire about proposed three-megawatt solar plant in eastern New Kent
With several multimillion-dollar companies shifting to a net-zero carbon footprint goal, solar farms and locations are popping up over the country at a fast pace. Now, a private company wants to place another one in the eastern portion of New Kent County. Borrego Solar approached county leaders at the Mar. 30 work session to provide an outline on the facility that plans to be located on Polish Town Road (Route 634). The three mega-watt facility will be placed on approximately 23 acres of land and is located near Henrico Jail East. The plan has already received a positive response from…
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Lanexa man receives 35 years for murder of New Kent businessman
*Editor’s Note: This story may contain content unsuitable for some readers. A Lanexa man who broke into the residence of a well-known and beloved New Kent businessman will spend the next 35 years in prison for murder. Michael Anthony Jenkins, 40, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, learned his fate during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. On Dec. 4, 2019, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Carter Road. Upon entering the home, they discovered a body that appeared to have blunt-force trauma to the back of the head. After obtaining a warrant to…
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Federal grant provides funding for District 3 broadband expansion in Charles City
Broadband and internet connectivity has become a necessity instead of a luxury for today’s society. A federal grant presented to Charles City County Tuesday morning will provide more homeowners and businesses the opportunity to expand their services. United States House of Representatives Delegate A. Donald McEachin presented a $2,643,508 grant for broadband expansion in District 3 of the county. The grant is part of $19.1 million in projects granted to McEachin’s 4th Congressional District. Charles City was the recipient of the Virginia Technology Initiative (VATI) grant that saw Comcast install more than $5 million in fiber optic cables. Most of…
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