News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 17, 2026
Local News
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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Richmond man receives 90-day jail term for committing DUI in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend three months in jail after entering a guilty plea to DUI (third offense within 10 years) during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Stanley Joseph Nasuta III, 54, of the 1200 block of Libbie Avenue, admitted guilt to the offense as well as a single count of misdemeanor violation of pretrial bond during his hearing. In a summary of evidence, on Aug. 16, 2019, a New Kent deputy responded to the intersection of Sherwood Drive and Quaker Road after a report of a car parked in the intersection. When the officer arrived, he…
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New Kent Board of Supervisors appropriate $35.5 million for new elementary school
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors have put the final touches on solidifying funding for a new elementary school. County leaders unanimously approved appropriating $35,593,691 to construct the school that will be located in Quinton during the board’s Nov. 12 regular meeting. Dating back to 2014, talks about a new school arose after enrollment projections from Welden-Cooper expected a boom in New Kent, as it was ranked the second-fastest growing community in Virginia. Projection of the school back then was expected to be $28 million for the complex. That did not include cost for construction, permits, and other fees. In early…
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Car of missing New Kent woman discovered; unidentified body recovered from scene
New Kent Sheriff’s Office have discovered the vehicle of a New Kent woman who had been missing since Feb. 15. According to a press release, New Kent Sheriff’s Office received a call from two hunters around 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 about the discovery of a motor vehicle in a wooded area of Henpeck Road. Deputies responded to the scene and located the vehicle which was registered to Joan Marie Orr. Orr had been missing for nine months and was last seen by her family in the area of 8900 block of Tunstall Road in New Kent. The remains of…
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Benjamin Harrison Bridge to close for two consecutive weekends
The Benjamin Harrison Bridge, that connects the counties of Charles City and Prince George, will be closed for two consecutive weekends starting Friday, Nov. 13. Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that starting at 12 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, the bridge will be closed to all traffic for rope and clutch replacement on the bridge. The bridge will reopen on Monday, Nov. 16, 6 a.m. before closing once again on Friday, Nov. 20, 12 a.m. The bridge will reopen on Monday, Nov. 23, 6 a.m. after that. Motorists traveling northbound from Prince George into Charles City are to travel…
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New Kent Board of Supervisors hear updates on roads, school system’s future plans
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors held a work session Friday morning at the New Kent Forestry Center in Providence Forge. One of the first issues addressed was with the residents of Rock Creek Villa. Residents voiced concerns about roads in the area. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway made a recommendation to start a process with Virginia’s Department of Transportation to survey the area. Hathaway expressed concerns about the conditions of the current roads, two traffic circles, and if the current roads meet standards set forth by Virginia Department of Transportation to bring it into VDOT’s system to maintain the roads. County…
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