News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 17, 2026
Local News
Experience in jail opens eyes of Virginia Beach woman during formal sentencing in New Kent
At points in life, there are realizations that a person must deal with, especially if they have committed a crime. Judge B. Elliott Bondurant hopes that a Virginia Beach woman’s time incarcerated can serve as an important reminder of the greater things in life. Sonja Noella Beaulieu, 41, received formal sentencing to one count of DUI after being convicted of a similar offense during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During a July 6 trial, a summary of evidence presented during the case revealed that on Nov. 25, 2019, a New Kent deputy encountered a vehicle sitting in…
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New Kent Board of Supervisors approve entering into bonding pools for school construction funds
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved entering into two pools that could assist with borrowing money for the construction of a new elementary school. County leaders approved entering into Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) bond process and a standalone bonding pool during Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. The only difference between the two pools are time guidelines that are imposed. The general obligation school bonds approved by the board of supervisors will allow up to a $37 million dollar borrowing for the construction of a new elementary school in the Quinton area of the county. Entering into the bonding…
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High speed crash in New Kent leads to arrest of armed subject
An armed individual who led Virginia State Troopers on a chase that ended in New Kent County has been apprehended without incident following a pursuit Monday afternoon. Virginia State Police received a request for assistance from the City of Norfolk about a suspect who had allegedly abducted a four-year-old boy. State police located the vehicle traveling east on Interstate 64 near the 200 mile marker just before 2:30 p.m. An attempt to initiate a traffic stop was made, but the suspect fled. The suspect’s vehicle traveled eastbound on Interstate 64 in excess of 100 miles per hour, ramming on state…
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Richmond man admits to stealing copper from Charles City business
A Richmond man who stole copper from a Charles City business entered guilty pleas during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Wyatt Jacob Renick, 31, of the 9700 block of Laurel Pine Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of grand larceny and selling stolen property. As part of a plea agreement, one count of breaking and entering was dropped. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on Nov. 4, 2019, the owner of Roxbury Mechanical called for a help of service after he noticed his shop had been broken into. Among items…
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Charles City grand jury certifies indictments
A grand jury certified indictments against a number of defendants during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Edward Jasper Calhoun, 60, of the 1500 block of NC Highway 325, Hobbsville, NC, on one count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance. Calhoun allegedly had the illegal drug on Feb. 21. –Nathan Wallace Dill, 28, of the 18000 block of The Glebe Lane, Charles City, on a single count of abduction. The defendant allegedly held a victim against their will on Dec. 13, 2019. –Jason Russell Leake, 36, of the 3500 block of Kingsland Road, Henrico, on three counts…
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Route 155 bridge reopening delayed until Sept. 4.
The F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. Bridge on Route 155 (Courthouse Road) that connects Charles City and New Kent County will reopen this Friday (Sept. 4). Originally slated to reopen Sept. 1, weather has caused the delay to reopen the structure. The bridge closed on June 1 for repairs to the bridge’s deck. The project was delayed for one year due to concerns from local business owners.
Internet Access Centers available at New Kent schools
In efforts to assist students who do not have access to the Internet in their homes, New Kent County Public Schools are establishing Internet Access Centers in each of their four schools. Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols made the announcement during New Kent School Board’s regular Monday meeting. According to Nichols, common areas (i.e. cafeterias, libraries) in all four schools will be utilized to provide Wi-Fi areas for students. For students to be eligible, they must contact their respective school for space availability. Limited transportation for students will be available by school buses at a later date. For now, approved…
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Cost of new elementary school intensifies dialogue between New Kent Board of Supervisors, School Board
At the March 25 work session of New Kent’s Board of Supervisors, a recommendation was made to defer funding for the construction of a new elementary school for the county due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After county leaders approved that proposal during their April 13 regular meeting, the group elected to revisit the issue in the Fall to see if funding could be secured through the Virginia Public School Authority bond process. And while New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway commented that they have provided notice of interest into obtaining funds through the process, it was clear that the…
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Charles City forum on COVID-19 addresses difficulties, adjustments to deal with pandemic
Several Charles City leaders from a variety of organizations gathered together on Aug. 27 for a roundtable discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel focused on how people were dealing with problems related to the pandemic and also received information to address mental health. Charles City of Director of Fire and EMS James Johnson opened up the dialogue by telling those in attendance that the county had just over 60 cases related to COVID-19. Unfortunately, five of those cases resulted in deaths. Despite those numbers, the message was to bring a sense of togetherness. Mental health expert Denise Flournoy commented…
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Williamsburg man dies in crash on Interstate 64 in New Kent
A crash on Interstate 64 in New Kent resulted in a fatality of a Williamsburg man Friday afternoon. According to a Virginia State Police report, at 1:30 p.m. a 2018 Ford F-150 traveling westbound at the 216 mile marker ran off the left side of the interstate. The vehicle went up the embankment in the median and struck several trees. The driver, identified as Lynn John Maltinsky, 66, died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The crash remains under investigation.
