News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 1, 2025
Local News
New Kent Treasurer’s Office reopens by appointment
New Kent County Treasurer’s Office will be open to the public by appointment only. Customers can call 966-9615 to schedule an appointment. Per building requirements, face coverings will be required for entry into the office lobby. “My staff and I look forward to serving the taxpayers of New Kent County,” said county treasurer Charles Evelyn. “We are glad to be able to re-open and are taking precautions to keep the taxpayers and staff safe during the ongoing health situation.” Other payment options are also available and currently advised to be used. Citizens can make online payments at www.NewKentTax.com or utilize…
Read Full Story
New Kent leaders adopt $75 million budget for FY2020-21
New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors adopted $75 million budget for FY2020-21 during Wednesday morning’s work session. County leaders approved the budget with a 5-0 vote, passing the $75,062,698 budget unanimously after County Administrator Rodney Hathaway provided a recap on the budget. Originally, Hathaway presented a budget of $76 million in early March. But with the impact of COVID-19 being felt throughout the county, Hathaway expects the economy to take a two-percent drop. That drop in expected revenue totals $738,327. Hathaway also proposed reducing the real estate tax rate. While originally pegged at 82 cents per $100 of assessed value,…
Read Full Story
Charles City Board of Supervisors approve $16.3 million budget for FY20-21
Charles City’s Board of Supervisors adopted its FY2020-21 budget at Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled board meeting. Board members unanimously approved the $16,342,841 budget of local dollars through its online monthly meeting on May 26. In total, Charles City’s budget comes in at a shade over $22 million with additional funding from the state and federal governments. The process has been long and dubious for county leaders as they continue to deal with the fallout of COVID-19. During a May 14 budget work session, Charles City County administrator Michelle Johnson presented level funding across all county departments. She also recommended that…
Read Full Story
Joppy tabbed as new superintendent of Charles City County Public Schools
Dr. Dalphine Joppy has been named as the new superintendent of Charles City County Public Schools. Charles City School Board members made the announcement at Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting. She will assume the duties on July 1, replacing Dr. David Gaston who will be retiring. Joppy has more than 20 years of experience in the educational field. Among positions held include teaching, staff development specialist, assistant principal, and principal. She has served as the director of professional and organization development at Chesapeake City Public Schools since 2013 prior to accepting the position in Charles City. “I am honored…
Read Full Story
Quinton woman indicted on abduction charge by New Kent grand jury
A Quinton woman who allegedly abducted another individual had indictments certified against her by a grand jury during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Karen Leslie MacKay, 41, of the 6600 block of Red Bud Drive, was indicted on one count each of abduction, unlawful wounding, and misdemeanor DUI. The indictments allege that on Jan. 22, MacKay held an individual against their will and hurt them in the process. MacKay allegedly also operated a vehicle while intoxicated on the same day. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Orrel Shapond Chandler, 43, of the 30 block of…
Read Full Story
Henrico Jail inmates convicted on charge for breaking fire protection system
Two Henrico Jail East inmates who broke sprinkler heads in separate incidents both entered guilty pleas during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. John Terrance Edgefield, 28, and Treione Gholson, 22, accepted plea agreements as part of their cases heard on the incidents. Each defendant was charged with one count of breaking a fire protection system at a jail facility. In Edgefield’s case, a summary of evidence revealed that on Nov. 5, 2019 around 6:20 p.m., officers at Henrico Jail East responded to a fire alarm that went off in the facility. During the investigation, information was tracked…
Read Full Story
Wireless on Wheels to assist Charles City residents
Through a monetary donation to Charles City County for the Wireless on Wheels program, residents will be able to use mobile sites and connect to the Internet. Charles City County leadership unanimously accepted a $10,800 from sPower to provide three mobile units for wireless Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to 20 citizens will be able to connect at each site for Internet access at no cost as the county will pay the monthly fee. Citizens will be able to sit in their car and access the World Wide Web to for work or school activities. Locations of the mobile…
Read Full Story
Recommended cuts made in updated Charles City budget for FY2020-21
While it may seem that Charles City County’s proposed budget received a small boost of $13,000, the unknown factors of COVID-19 has resulted in several cuts and tabling of projects in the future years. Charles City County Administrator Michelle Johnson presented a revised local budget of $16,479,874 at the May 13 updated work session. Johnson commented that reductions in several areas, particularly the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), factored into the budget. With the ongoing pandemic affecting projected revenue for the next fiscal year, Johnson told county leaders that she erred on the side of caution when working on the revised…
Read Full Story
Benjamin Harrison Bridge to close for overnight repairs beginning May 17
The Benjamin Harrison Bridge that connects Charles City and Prince George Counties will be closed for overnight repairs and bridge work next week. Weather permitting, closures are expected to start Sunday, May 17 and continue until Friday, May 22. The bridge will be closed from 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Motorists are advised to use the detour below: –Northbound Route 106/156: Take Jordan Point Road (Route 156) to Route 10 west to Interstate 295 north to Route 5 (Exit 22A) east back to Route 106/156. –Southbound Route 106/156: Take Roxbury Road (Route 106) to Route 5 west to Interstate 295 south to…
Read Full Story
Revised New Kent proposed budget of $75.2 million comes with 79-cent tax rate
With a recommended reduction in the proposed tax rate along with a projected decrease in revenue, New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway presented a revised budget for FY2020-21 during Monday night’s budget hearing. The new proposed budget put forward by Hathaway totals $75,269,474 for the upcoming year. That projection includes a real estate tax rate of 79 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from 82 cents in the county’s initial budget. Despite the three-cent drop, the 79-cent rate is still essentially a three-cent tax increase as the county’s equalized rate is 76 cents per $100 of assessed value. With…
Read Full Story
