News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 16, 2026
Local News
Charles City School Board approves $10.2 million budget for FY2022-23 cycle
Charles City’s School Board approved its proposed budget of $10.2 million for the FY2022-23 cycle. School board members followed the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy by a vote of 3-1-1 after a public hearing Monday night yielded one speaker. Joppy’s proposal requested an additional $250,000 in funding from the local level, making the total ask from the county of $6,268,997 for the cycle. Those funds are expected to assist with addressing issues of increasing minimum wage, employee salary, and fulfilling staff shortages. The superintendent is also requesting $130,356 in CIP projects for the new cycle. While the motion…
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Chesterfield man has New Kent charge dismissed after completing First Offender Program
A Chesterfield man will have a charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug dismissed after successfully completing the First Offender Program. Evans Bright Garrett IV, 53, of the 9800 block of Candle Lamp Lane, saw the charge dismissed after meeting the requirements of the program during his formal sentencing Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In Mar. 2021, Garrett had admitted to possessing amphetamine pills on Apr. 4, 2020. Garrett accepted a plea deal and went into the program as part of the conditions and terms.
Charles City man indicted for allegedly embezzling from Pilot Travel Center in Talleysville
A Charles City man who is a former employee at the Pilot in Talleysville has been indicted by a New Kent grand jury. Thomas Alexander Bevis, 28, of the 4500 block of Rockinghorse Lane, was indicted on a lone charge of felony embezzlement. The indictment alleges that Bevis stole more than $1,000 of goods and items while working at the Pilot Travel Center on Nov. 2, 2021. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Tra’Juan Antwone Bates, 23, of the 300 block of Pleasant Lane, Petersburg, on one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (greater…
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Plug pulled on proposed power plant in Charles City
A company that had plans to bring a power plant to Charles City County has now pulled out after multiple obstacles thwarted their efforts. Balico announced this past weekend that plans fell through for the creation of the Chickahominy Power Plant. Citing opposition from environmental groups and permit rejections, representatives said in a press release while they thanked all parties for their considerations but will now look to build it in another location. Talks between the county and Balico began in 2016. But when citizens found out about the plans, many came out in full force against it. Specifically leading…
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Providence Forge man receives nine months in jail for using vehicle, stolen credit card in Charles City
A Providence Forge man will spend the next nine months in jail after receiving formal sentencing stemming from a 2020 incident. Charles Lloyd White, 50, of the 7600 block of Courthouse Road, received judgement on four convictions during Monday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. On June 5, 2020, White entered guilty pleas to one count each of credit card larceny and credit card fraud. He admitted that on Feb. 27, 2020, he resided with a family member within the county and took out a credit card belonging to the family member. White traveled to the Dollar General within…
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Charles City superintendent proposed $10.2 million budget for FY2022-23 school year
With the goal to help Charles City students who want to go to college, the workforce, or the military after graduation, Charles City Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy presented her proposed budget in front of school board members Tuesday night. Joppy proposed a budget of $10,241,703 for the FY2022-23 fiscal year. Of that amount, the superintendent is requesting local funding of roughly $6.2 million, an increase of $250,000 from the current year’s budget. By comparison, the current year’s operations total $10,726,611, with the county contributing $6,018,997 in local dollars. The superintendent’s intent is to hire and retain good employees in…
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Budget of $90 million recommended for New Kent County FY2022-23 operations
The continuing influx of new residents and business coming into New Kent County has made it the second-fastest growing locality in the state of Virginia. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway’s proposed budget for FY2022-23 reflected that. Hathaway presented a budget of $90,462,839 for the upcoming cycle, marking more than a $10 million increase in this year’s budget. By contract, the FY2021-22 budget totaled $79,688,523. The growth of the county has also reflected on the county’s real estate tax rate. The rate is expected to drop to 69 cents per $100 of assessed value for the new year. The new rate is…
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Former New Kent County supervisor Stran Trout succumbs
Former New Kent County Board of Supervisors member Stran Trout has succumbed. According to reports, Trout was found in his home after a welfare check was conducted after no one was able to get in contact with him. Born on Sept. 30, 1942 in Staunton, Trout garnered his high school education in Richmond before officially relocating to New Kent in 1978. From that moment on, Trout’s imprint on the county was highlighted by service work and community outreach. Trout’s primary stent in county work began in 1992 as a member of New Kent County’s Planning Commission in 1992. After serving…
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Addressing issues with school system’s and county’s wastewater plant highlight dialogue at Charles City joint meeting
Dealing with items that need to be addressed by both Charles City’s School Board and Charles City’s Board of Supervisors, a joint Mar. 9 meeting was held in hopes that both groups could find solutions to capital improvement projects and budget concerns in the upcoming cycle. One of the primary focuses at the meeting in the high school’s media center were conditions of two wastewater treatment plants in the courthouse area. Plants at the Charles City Administration Building and Charles City school complex have both met their life expectancy and needs either upgrades or expansion. A presentation by Charles City…
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Juvenile arrested for bringing firearm to New Kent High School
A New Kent juvenile has been arrested after he allegedly brought a firearm to New Kent High School. In a Mar. 9 press release from New Kent Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 9 p.m. on Mar. 8, law enforcement received information concerning a student having a firearm in their possession during the school day while at New Kent High School. Members of the sheriff’s office interviewed several individuals throughout the night during the course of the investigation. New Kent Public School administration was alerted to the situation and continued contact throughout the on-going joint investigation. In cooperation with school administration and…
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