News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 16, 2026
Local News
Redistricting plan for New Kent County heads to December public hearing
New Kent County Board of Supervisors have selected an option for a redistricting plan that will head to public hearing in December. With a population clocking in just over 23,000 according to the 2020 census, county leaders considered recommendations regarding redistricting at its October 2021 meeting. From there, County Administrator Rodney Hathaway recommended a proposal at Tuesday morning’s work session. The proposal recommended by the county administrator include District 3 losing residents on Farmer’s Drive and most of Polish Town Road (to District 5), most of the area to the southeast of Interstate 64 (with Mt. Pleasant Road serving as…
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Motorcyclists involved in pursuits among nine indicted in New Kent Circuit Court
Several individuals, including a pair allegedly involved in unrelated felony eluding pursuits while riding motorcycles, were indicted by a New Kent grand jury during Monday morning circuit court proceedings. –Bryant Maurice Brooks, 36, of the 7400 block of Courthouse Road, Providence Forge, on one count each of felony hit and run and misdemeanor DUI (first offense). The offenses allegedly took place on Aug. 21. –Tracey Bunting Jr., 31, of the 400 block of North Trellis Court, Newport news, on a lone count of felony eluding of police. Bunting allegedly fled from the police on a motorcycle while traveling on Interstate…
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Lanexa man enters guilty plea to murder of New Kent businessman
What started off as a robbery attempt of a well-known New Kent businessman has resulted in a Lanexa man a guilty plea to second degree murder. Michael Anthony Jenkins, 40, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, entered the plea during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court as part of a plea agreement. Jenkins also entered straight guilty pleas to two counts of firearm larceny, and one count each of grand larceny, breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent convicted felon. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick,…
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Inconsistency in testimony leads jury to render not guilty verdicts lodged against Lanexa man
Inconsistent stories stemming from a marriage that lasted approximately three days has resulted in a jury finding not guilty verdicts on five charges lodged against a Lanexa man. Charles Daniel Cochrane, 40, of the 9800 block of Crossover Road, had verdicts of innocence returned on one count of breaking and entering, abduction, misdemeanor assault and battery, misdemeanor destruction of property, and misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member during Monday’s trial in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of unlawful wounding was dismissed. Cochrane met Amanda Hornbeck in late 2020. After two weeks of getting to know each other,…
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Adkins, McBeath retain seats in special election
Byron Adkins Sr. will remain as the District 3 supervisor in Charles City County and Margaret “Molly” McBeath will continue to serve as New Kent School Board District 5 representative after a special election took place Tuesday evening as part of the general election. Adkins, who ran unopposed or his seat, accumulated 96.2 percent of the votes to serve out the remaining two years as the District 3 leader in Charles City. McBeath, who also ran an uncontested race for her District 5 school board chair seat in New Kent, notched 96.3 percent of votes to remain in that position….
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Lanexa woman enters no contest plea to three counts of firearm larceny
A Lanexa woman has entered no contest pleas to three counts of firearm larceny. Misty Nicole Jenkins, 45, of the 15000 block of Pocahontas Trail, entered the pleas as part of an agreement reached during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. One count each of robbery and second-degree murder were dropped as part of the deal. A no contest plea indicates that evidence presented during the trial would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Dec. 4, 2019, a deputy from New Kent Sheriff’s…
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Local departments pitch CIP needs to New Kent supervisors at retreat
The growth of New Kent County is having adverse effects when it comes to future of supporting the needs of citizens. Friday morning’s work session at the New Kent Forestry Center consisted of discussion when it comes to Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that several departments are hoping to receive support for within the upcoming years. New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols began the meeting, speaking about the enrollment bounce back after a year of buildings closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nichols expects the growth to continue, saying that five new buses will be needed for the future. He…
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School doors closed in Charles City for Thanksgiving week
Charles City County Public Schools will have the entire week off for Thanksgiving. Citing the mental health and wellness of students and staff, Charles City Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy made the announcement through an email that schools will be closed on Monday, Nov. 22, and Tuesday, Nov. 23. Schools were already slated to close Nov. 24-26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Redistricting becomes next priority for New Kent supervisors to address
With New Kent’s population clocking in at 22,945 according to the 2020 census, county leaders looked at recommendations regarding redistricting within county borders. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway presented four proposals to New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors at the Oct. 27 morning work session. By law, all localities within Virginia must redistrict based on population. Set criteria is also required as part of the redistricting process. Hathaway’s first recommendation was also the one he preferred the most. Among the changes proposed according to his comments and his slideshow presentation include District 3 losing residents on Farmer’s Drive and…
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Selection process of library books elaborated at New Kent School Board work session
After a controversial book was pulled from the shelf of New Kent Middle School, parents and community member questioned how the literature was able to make its way into the media center in the first place. New Kent Public School staff and school board members addressed that issue at Monday night’s work session. The opening presentation of the night centered around the process of how library books are chosen for their respective schools. “We have very passionate library and media specialists,” said Ross Miller, Director of Innovation and Development. “Most of the information can be found in our policy manual.”…
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