News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 1, 2025
Local News
Cumberland Hospital therapist charged, arraigned in New Kent Circuit Court
An employee of Cumberland Hospital in New Kent County was indicted by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury on Feb. 5 related to crimes against a minor. Herschel Harden, 72, was indicted on two charges of sexual penetration by force stemming incidents that took place from the Fall 2018 to Winter 2019. Harden worked as a psychotherapist at the facility when the crimes allegedly took place. He appeared for arraignment in New Kent Circuit Court on Monday morning. After hearing the two charges, Harden was granted the ability to hire a lawyer by Judge B. Elliott Bondurant. The defendant has approximately two…
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Budget of $35 million recommended for New Kent’s school operations for FY20-21
New Kent superintendent of schools Brian Nichols presented his first budget to members of the school board during Monday night’s regular meeting. Nichols’ recommended school general fund comes in at $34,788,631 for FY20-21. That figure is approximately $2,336,860 more than the current year’s budget. Factoring in the school textbook fund, nutrition budget, and grant fund, the recommended overall number for the next school fiscal year is $37,350,592. Nichols is asking for $15,159,595 from county funding in the budget, an increase of $925,000. State revenue funding is expected to increase by $1,411,860 to $19,410,556, which is the equivalent of 7.8 percent….
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CSX updates dates of railroad crossings closings in New Kent, Charles City
CSX has announced modifications to dates of closings of railroad crossings in New Kent and Charles City County: Feb. 3- North Adkins Road in New Kent. Feb. 4- Colony Trail between Tyree Isle Road and Fort James Court in New Kent. Feb. 5- E. Riverside Drive between S. Waterside Drive and Marina Road, Outpost Road, and Rockahock Road in New Kent. Feb. 6- Landing Road in New Kent. Feb. 10- Barnetts Road in Charles City. Feb. 11- Roxbury Road in Charles City.
Thru trucks prohibited on Charles City Road; details provided on recent broadband grant
Following suit to similar action taking in Oct. 2019, Charles City’s Board of Supervisors approved restricting thru truck traffic on another road in the county. County leaders unanimously approved prohibition of thru traffic trucks on Charles City Road (Route 600) at the Jan. 30 board meeting. In Oct. 2019, supervisors passed a motion to restrict thru truck traffic on a portion of Old Union Road (Route 603). During the public comments, while people praised the decision, residents on Charles City Road were concerned that trucks would utilize their road as an alternate route into Henrico County. As that meeting, District…
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Questions still loom over proposed power plants in Charles City
Proposed power plants in Charles City has stirred up controversy in Charles City, specifically regarding notifications from the company and county leaders. Residents had the opportunity to inquire and question one company during a Jan. 28 public meeting at the high school. Approximately 100 people were in attendance when Balico LLC, the company behind the Chickahominy Power Plant, was present to hear feedback from the public. Along with representatives of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the two-and-a-half-hour session consisted of a blend of mixed feedback from local residents. After providing an overview of the public, the floor was open…
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Broadband committee presents first plan to New Kent leaders
With Internet becoming more of a necessity in today’s society, New Kent County leaders received an update of bringing broadband Internet to the county. New Kent Broadband Advisory committee chairman Chris Stone made a presentation to county leaders at Wednesday morning’s work session. Utilizing his 25 years of background, Stone’s presentation spoke about several problems the county faced with the lack of high-speed internet. Stories about businesses spending money just to connect to the Internet to students having inadequate access to log online were among the top problems the committee faced when formalizing a plan. Stone opened up his presentation…
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Search begins for missing New Kent man
An alert has been issued to locate a New Kent man who went missing on Jan. 4. Christopher McKinley Smith, 55, of the 20000 block of Tabernacle Road, has been reported missing according to a press release by New Kent Sheriff’s Office. The press release also indicates that his vehicle was found on Interstate 64 near mile marker 199. Family members have expressed concern as it is unusual for him to not be in contact with his family according to New Kent County Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. Smith is described as 6’2”, 180 pound black male. He has black…
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Charles City awarded $4 million grant for broadband initiative
With the ongoing struggle of Internet services in Charles City County, the Commonwealth of Virginia is stepping in to assist the locality. Governor Ralph Northam presented a check in the amount of $3,966,012 to county leaders as part of the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative. The Wednesday morning presentation at Charles City’s Library was another step in the right direction for the county. The funds are a part of a broadband initiative to rural localities, and are expected to provide access to 2,000 citizens within the county. The award is the most given to a locality out of $18.3 million in grants…
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CSX repairs to close crossings in New Kent, Charles City
Repairs at railroad crossings in New Kent and Charles City will result in detours and alternative routes for drivers starting Jan. 27. CSX Railroad has announced that repairs will be made to a plethora of railroad crossings that will result in roads being closed. The company has said that work for each location should last approximately one day and reopen upon completion of the repairs. Some busier intersections will see a longer time for repairs. All access to the intersections will be completely blocked during the time when repairs are scheduled. Motorists are to plan accordingly as signs are already…
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Local boards reorganize for 2020
Three local boards began their reorganization for the 2020 calendar year. In Charles City, newly elected District 2 leader Rodney Tyler will serve as chairman of Charles City County’s School Board. Newly elected District 1 representative Joy Harris will serve as vice-chairwoman. Preston Adkins was tabbed as the parliamentarian for the year. Gail Hardinge will take the reins as chairwoman of New Kent’s School Board for the 2020 calendar year. Andrea Staskiel received the nod as vice-chairwoman of the board. New Kent’s Board of Supervisors will be led by District 3 representative Patricia Paige for the year. Thomas Evelyn of…
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