News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 30, 2025
Local News
Charles City Public Schools ink contract with ABM Solutions
After six months of negotiations, Charles City Public Schools inked a contract with ABM Solutions during Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting. The agreement will allow the two parties into a contract that will allow ABM Solutions to assist with repairs in the school while providing a cost savings. In June of this year, it was determined that the group could assist with $4.6 million in repairs to the school’s complex. In June, former Charles City Public Schools superintendent David Gaston commented that the move was a result of a DECIDESMART study. He added that the move was an opportunity…
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Williamsburg man, who led officers in chases on two separate occasions, pleads guilty in New Kent Circuit Court
A Williamsburg man who fled from law enforcement officers on two separate occasions in New Kent County will spend just over a year in jail. Korey Alexander Gemmiti, 25, of the 100 block of Sharps Road, entered guilty pleas to two counts of felony eluding of police, two counts of misdemeanor DUI (second offense), and one count of destruction of property during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence, on Apr. 7, a vehicle was clocked going approximately 80 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone on Pocahontas Trail in the…
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Jan. 19 becomes target date for 2nd, 3rd graders to return to New Kent schools
Second and third graders residing in New Kent County who elect to return to in-person learning now have a firm date. After receiving updates from elementary school principals, New Kent’s school board voted unanimously to allow grades two and three to return to in-person learning on Jan. 19. That date is one week later than the originally proposed Jan. 11 date due to New Kent Superintendent of Schools citing a timetable that will allow two weeks to observe trends after the winter break holiday. Nichols added that the implementation of bringing that particular cohort of students will trigger a change…
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Mechanicsville man enters guilty pleas to sex crimes with minor in New Kent Circuit Court
A Mechanicsville man who had sexual interactions with a minor in New Kent County in February admitted to the crimes during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Christopher Ray Sheffield, 21, entered guilty pleas to one count each of propositioning a minor to do pornography and having consensual sex with a minor as part of a plea agreement reached. One charge each of breaking and entering and using a computer to solicit pornography were dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Feb. 21, a resident contacted New Kent Sheriff’s Office…
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Mattaponi woman dies in New Kent crash
A Mattaponi woman has died as the result of a Dec. 3 crash in New Kent County. Lottie M. Taliaferro, died at the scene of a crash on Route 273 (Farmer’s Drive) just before 7 a.m. In a press release from the Virginia State Police, a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage was traveling south when it crossed the center line and struck a 2002 Chrysler Concorde. The Mirage ran off the road and caught fire. Taliaferro, the driver of the Mirage, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Concorde, Lenora D. Sheppard, of Mattaponi,…
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At superintendent’s recommendation, return to school for New Kent second and third graders delayed
Second and third grade students who attend elementary schools in New Kent County will have to wait until after the new year if they want to reenter the buildings. New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols recommended delaying the return of Cohort Three (second and third graders) until Jan. 11 during Monday night’s regular school board meeting. Nichols commented that with much of the state returning into critical areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many schools reverting back to an all-virtual environment, he wanted to slow the transition process down. “I don’t want to take a step back,” the…
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B-POL tax implementation put on hold in Charles City; board clarifies information on landfill expansion
The implementation of a Business-Professional Operation License (B-POL) tax in Charles City has been given a hiatus for an unknown period of time. Charles City’s Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to the measure as part of group’s regularly scheduled meeting held Tuesday night. During the October meeting, District 2 and Board Chairman Bill Coada requested information about the possible institution of the B-POL tax. The representative cited a desire to garner additional revenue for the county. County Administrator Michelle Johnson and staff began research on the issue. With information in hand, a proposal was presented by Assistant County Administrator Rhonda…
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Richmond man receives three-year jail sentence for stealing copper in Charles City
A Richmond man will spend the next three years in jail for stealing copper after receiving formal sentencing during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Wyatt Jacob Renick, 31, of the 9700 block of Laurel Pine Drive, was sentenced to 10 years in jail with seven years suspended (three to serve) on one count of grand larceny. All five years on the selling of stolen property charge were suspended. During a Sept. 1 trial, Renick accepted a plea deal to the crimes. During that trial, evidence presented by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler showed that on Nov. 4, 2019,…
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New Kent school board evaluating reopening dates, reviews proposed CIP for FY2021-22
New Kent’s School Board is continuing to evaluate reopening school buildings on a grade-by-grade basis. But with the rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the state, a goal of having all students back inside buildings by the new year may have to wait. School board members conversed during Monday night’s work session on the topic. Kindergartners and first graders have already returned to in-person learning. However, the rise in cases has delayed the return of the final grades for elementary school pupils. The new goal is to bring in second and third graders beginning Dec. 14. Grades four and five will…
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Teenagers indicted on alleged sex crime with minor in New Kent
A New Kent grand jury has indicted two teenagers connected to an alleged sex crime with a minor. Isaac Thomas Brunson, 19, of the 1100 block of Winding River Road, Providence Forge, and Cory Shane Mitchell, 18, of the 8400 block of North Henpeck Road, Quinton, were each indicted on one count of carnal knowledge without force with a victim age 13-14 years old during Monday morning circuit court proceedings. The indictment alleges that each man committed the sexual act with the victim on Apr. 1. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Colleen Elizabeth Buscarino, 24, of the…
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