News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 1, 2025
Local News
Conspiring to sell cocaine lands Lanexa woman year-and-a-half in jail
A Lanexa woman will spend a year-and-a-half in jail after receiving formal sentencing during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Lauren Nicole Mathias, 35, of the 3100 block of Augustus Lane, pled guilty during an earlier trial on April 20 on two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and a single count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. During the April trial, evidence presented showed that Methias had made arrangements to sell cocaine and a possible weapon with ammunition to a confidential informant that totaled around $2,000. During the buy, authorities were able to apprehend her…
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Providence Forge traffic stop turns into pursuit; suspect arrested by New Kent Sheriff’s Office
A high-speed pursuit that started in Providence Forge has led to the arrest of a Newport News man. Raymond Grimes, 29, of the 500 block of 13th Street, was arrested on a plethora of charges that stemmed from the June 20 chase. In a press release from New Kent Sheriff’s Office, around 3:15 p.m. a deputy conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle stemming from a moving violation. The driver presented false information to the deputy during the pursuit and began to flee, traveling east on Pocahontas Trail (Route 60). A second New Kent deputy assisted on the chase…
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Farnham man dies in Charles City vehicle accident
A June 15 crash in Charles City County has resulted in a fatality. Beechie Veney Jr., 72, of Farnham, died in a single vehicle crash on Roxbury Road (Route 106) near Warriner Road (Route 604). According to a Virginia State Police press release, at 12:41 p.m. a Virginia State Trooper responded to a call for service of an accident. Upon arriving to the scene, the officer noticed a 2005 Freighliner dump truck that had crashed. According to the report, the vehicle was traveling southbound when it ran off the left side of the road, hit several trees, and rolled over….
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Quinton woman to serve 16 months for committing abduction in New Kent
A Quinton woman will spend the next 16 months incarcerated after pleading guilty to an abduction charge in New Kent. Karen Leslie MacKay, 41, of the 6600 block of Red Bud Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of abduction by force and misdemeanor DUI (first offense) during New Kent Circuit Court proceedings held Monday. One charge of unlawful wounding was dropped as part of the plea agreement. In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 22, MacKay and a family member were having dinner when an altercation occurred. During that altercation, MacKay bound the victim with a scarf to…
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Ellis appointed new director of Bridging Communities Career and Technical Center
Former New Kent High School Assistant Principal Julie Ellis has accepted the position as Executive Director at Bridging Communities Regional Career and Technical Center. The Bridging Communities Board of Control announced the hiring in a June 11 press release. Ellis served as a health and physical education teacher and chairperson and director of athletics and activities. Ellis received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Athletic Training from Virginia Commonwealth University and Masters in Educational Administration from the College of William & Mary. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. “Honestly, I am…
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Roanoke man to serve mandatory two years for DUI convictions in New Kent
A Roanoke man will spend the next two years after accepting a plea deal to crimes related to driving while under the influence. Christopher Lee Tazewell, 37, entered guilty pleas to one count each of DUI after being convicted of a previous DUI felony offense, DUI driving revoked as the result of a DUI felony conviction, and misdemeanor refusing to take a breathalyzer test. In a summary of evidence, on Dec. 22, 2019, a Virginia State Trooper was monitoring traffic at mile marker 217 on Interstate 64. The trooper passed a vehicle on the right shoulder of the road and…
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Body recovered from Wilson’s Wharf in Charles City
Charles City County Sheriff’s Offfice is investigating a death after receiving information about an abandoned kayak. On June 3 around 1:30 p.m., Charles City Sheriff’s Office received a call about the boat being found along side clothes and a wallet in the area of Fort Pocahontas at Wilson’s Wharf. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries were notified, and a search began. On June 4 at 8:30 a.m., the search resumed by several law enforcement agencies. Around 2 p.m., the body of Jake Woollard was recovered and transported to the Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office. Cause of the death…
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Providence Forge man pleads guilty to using stolen credit card in Charles City
A Providence Forge man entered straight guilty pleas to using a stolen credit card to make purchases during Friday morning procedures in Charles City Circuit Court. Charles Lloyd White, 48, of the 7600 block of Courthouse Road, entered guilty pleas to one count each of credit card larceny and misdemeanor credit card fraud. One count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was dropped. In a summary of evidence, on Feb. 27, White was residing with a family member within the county. While living with the family, he intercepted a piece of mail that belonged to another family member. Inside…
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Dual primaries to be held in Charles City, New Kent on June 23
The Dual-Party primary voting for Charles City and New Kent County will be held on Tuesday, June 23. Voters must be registered in order to cast their ballot. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The deadline to request an absentee ballot for voting is Tuesday, June 16, 5 p.m. Charles City’s voter registration office is located at 10900 Courthouse Road, Charles City, Virginia. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for the convenience of registered voters who may need to vote by absentee ballot this election….
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High school principals cope with logistics in organizing graduation ceremonies
The year 2020 has been a year of uncertainty with everyday marking a new task or challenge to society. For high school principals at New Kent and Charles City County, making the best out of an uncontrollable situation to make sure the Class of 2020 is recognized was at the top of their list. New Kent High School principal Chris Valdrighi and Charles City High School principal Marcus Petty Sr. are gearing up to provide modified graduation ceremonies to recognize the Class of 2020. The modified ceremonies are the result of guidelines that limit the number of people in one…
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