News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 16, 2026
Local News
Chesterfield man succumbs to injuries after car crash in New Kent
An Oct. 1 accident in New Kent resulted in the death of a Chesterfield man. According to a Virginia State Police report, at 9:29 p.m. troopers responded to a crash on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 209 in New Kent County. A preliminary investigation reveals that a 2016 Honda drifted off the road on the left side and struck multiple trees in the median. Evidence indicates that the drifting was a gradual departure from the roadway without braking prior to impact. Darius J. Gillus, 25, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was the driver and sole occupant…
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Charles City supervisors approve rezoning, creates next steps for construction of new Dollar General store
Plans to bring a new Dollar General store to Charles City County cleared another important hurdle at Tuesday night’s meeting of the board of supervisors. County leaders unanimously approved the rezoning of 3.8 acres of land from agricultural (A1) to business (B1), following the recommendation of the planning commission. On Aug. 26, Rhetson Companies pitched a proposal to county planners to rezone the northeast portion of land at the intersection of Route 106 (Roxbury Road) and Route 607 (Wayside Road) in the western part of Charles City. The rezoning would allow for a Dollar General store to be built in…
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Joyride to New Kent County not pleasant for Florida man, sentenced to two months in jail
A Florida man who took a joyride with a vehicle in New Kent County will spend the next two months incarcerated. Michael James Podway, 42, of the 100 block of W. Hidden Valley Drive, Boca Raton, entered guilty pleas to none count each of unauthorized use of a vehicle and misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Overholser, on July 18 a New Kent deputy responded to a call for service at Jasper Transmissions on Emmaus Church Road (Route 106) after a…
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Duo involved in alleged larceny indicted by New Kent grand jury
Two men who were involved in an alleged grand larceny have been indicted Monday morning by a grand jury in New Kent Circuit Court. Brandon Tyler Duff, 24, of the 700 block of Lilly Pond Road, King & Queen Courthouse, and Felix John Gill, 46, of the 1200 block of Grapevine Road, Sandston, were each indicted on one count of grand larceny. According to the accusation, Duff and Gill worked together to steal money and personal items from Gary Martin on Apr. 10. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Seth Howard Betler, 27, of the 1500 block of…
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West Point man sentenced to alternative program as part of plea deal reached in New Kent Circuit Court
A West Point man will enter into an alternative program as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Damian Austin Musante, 21, entered guilty pleas to two amended charges of possession of a controlled substance (originally distribution of a controlled substance). One additional charge each of distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the drug act were dropped as part of the plea deal. In a summary of evidence, Musante was the target of an investigation by New Kent Sheriff’s Office. On Feb. 20, 2020, the investigation led authorities to the 7-Eleven…
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Charles City man succumbs to injuries after Saturday morning car crash
A crash on John Tyler Memorial Highway (Route 5) in Charles City County has resulted in the death of a local man Saturday morning. John A. Hinson, 73, succumbed to his injuries on scene during the Sept. 18 accident. According to a Virginia State Police report, at 11:59 a.m., troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at the 6900 block of John Tyler Memorial Highway. The preliminary investigation reveals that a green Morgan convertible was traveling eastbound when it ran off the road to the right, re-entered the roadway, and then ran off the road to the right again, striking…
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Richmond man pleads guilty to second-degree murder committed in Charles City
A Richmond man has entered a guilty plea to the murder of a Charles City man during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Antwan Kareem Jackson, 39, of the 1800 block of Keswick Avenue, entered guilty pleas to one count each of second-degree murder, the use of a firearm in commission of a felony (second offense), and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon as part of a plea agreement reached. Jackson had previously asked for a jury trial that was scheduled to take place next week (Sept. 23-24). In a summary of evidence by assistant Commonwealth’s…
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Opponents of mask mandate in New Kent schools voice displeasure with board’s lack of formal stance
As local school systems welcome back students to in-person learning, New Kent’s School Board is still dealing with the aftereffects of an Aug. 23 decision to require masks for all students and staff in an indoor setting. Opponents of the requirement returned to Monday evening’s school board meeting, voicing concerns of the issue as well as school leaders not taking a position on the matter. During public comment period, several individuals addressed New Kent’s school board, questioning their choice without a proper vote. “This school board did not vote on the topic,” said Tom Miller. “It was said by the…
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Blacksburg man receives no additional time after pleading guilty to eluding police in New Kent
A Blacksburg man will receive no additional active time of incarceration after accepting a plea deal during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Karl Allen Yohn, 20, of the 1200 block of University Terrance, entered a guilty plea to one count of felony eluding police as part of the agreement. In a summary of evidence provided by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Overholser, on March 10 a Virginia State Trooper had a Volkswagon Jetta pass through their radar at 88 miles per hour in posted 70 miles per hour zone on Interstate 64 westbound in New Kent. The officer…
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Traffic related incidents highlight indictments certified by Charles City grand jury
Two individuals were indicted by a Charles City grand jury during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Willie Lamont Bunch, 31, of the 500 block of 18th Street, Virginia Beach, on one count of misdemeanor DUI (first offense). Bunch allegedly operated a vehicle on John Tyler Memorial Highway while under the influence on Feb. 8. –Everett Daniel Woodley, 60, of the 8600 block of Courthouse Road, Providence Forge, on a lone charge of felony hit and run. The defendant allegedly struck a vehicle while traveling on Church Lane and did not stop on Jan. 29.
