News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 2, 2025
Local News
Road rage incident in New Kent results in guilty conviction for Williamsburg man
A road rage incident on Interstate 64 in New Kent has resulted in multiple guilty convictions for a Williamsburg man. Bernard Betrum Bethel, 28, of the 4900 block of Helen Potts Place, Williamsburg, was found guilty one charge each of throwing a projectile at a vehicle and misdemeanor driving without a license during a contested trial Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. Bethel pled no contest on a lone count of failing to appear on a felony charge. On Apr. 26, 2018, Jennifer Smith Brown was commuting to work on Interstate 64 westbound from her home in York County. Around…
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Providence Forge, Charles City man killed in separate overnight accidents
A Charles City man and a Providence Forge man were killed in separate accidents with a two-hours span. According to a Virginia State Police report, on Nov. 1 at 2:40 a.m., officers responded to a single vehicle crash on Pocahontas Trail (Route 60) one-half mile west of King Boulevard in New Kent. A preliminary investigation reveals that a 2012 Toyata Tacoma driven by Jace T. Jefferson, 18, of Providence Forge, was traveling eastbound when the vehicle ran off the left side of the road, striking several trees. Jefferson was not wearing his seat belt at the time. Unfortunately, Jefferson succumbed…
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New Kent Sheriff’s Office seeks information on attempted carjacking in Providence Forge
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information related to an attempted car jacking that left two people injured with gunshot wounds on Oct. 29. In a press release issued by New Kent Sheriff J. Joe McLaughlin Jr., an emergency call was made at 11:44 p.m. at the Forge Center in Providence Forge. The call reported that two victims had been shot by several males in what authorities are describing as an attempted carjacking. The two male victims were transported to a local hospital by New Kent Fire-Rescue with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Interviewing the victims, New Kent Sheriff’s Office believes…
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Citizens question communication efforts, benefits of power plants at Charles City town hall
With plans for two different natural gas power plants to make their home in Charles City County within the next five years, more than 200 residents came out to a town hall meeting on the issue Monday night at Charles City’s Government and Administration Building. “We’ve heard that citizens had great concerns about power plants,” said County Administrator Michelle Johnson. “We’re excited about moving Charles City forward and I’m glad the county is becoming engaged. “This meeting should have happened before tonight,” she continued. “That’s the first part of change.” Johnson provided a timeline of what has happened over the…
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‘Bad night’ at Colonial Downs results in 12-month jail term for Texas man
In what was called a “bad night out” by the defendant, a former North Carolina Resident will spend the next 12 months in jail after accepting a plea deal in New Kent Circuit Court Monday afternoon. Daniel David Rocha Jr, 35, formerly of the 600 block of English Road, Rocky Mount, North Carolina and now currently of San Antonio, Texas, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor assault and battery (originally assault on a law enforcement officer). One charge of misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member was dropped as the victim refused to testify. In…
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Rebranded ‘Plan RVA’ looks to enhance interactions in New Kent, Charles City
New Kent’s Planning Commission got its first look at the rebranding of an organization that will now be known as Plan RVA at its Oct. 21 regular monthly meeting. Originally known as the Richmond Regional Planning District, Plan RVA is undergoing a transformation as part of a 50-year anniversary. The goal of the organization is to analyze, plan, and collaborate with the nine regions that it covers, including Charles City and New Kent. The rebranding and name change is part of a change to provide a fresh, new respective to the organization. Sarah Stewart, the planning manager of environmental programs…
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Truck traffic restricted on portion of Old Union Road in Charles City
Concerns from residents in the western part of Charles City concerning truck traffic led to a public hearing at Tuesday night’s board of supervisors meeting. The result led to through trucks being restricted on Old Union Road. The proposal called for truck traffic to continue on Charles City Road (Route 600) to get on Route 106 (Roxbury Road) instead of using Old Union Road that connects Charles City Road and Roxbury Road. The restricted route focuses on curtailing traffic for drivers to get to Darbytown Road in Henrico via Charles City Road instead of using Union Road as a connector….
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Charles City candidates vie for citizens’ votes at public forum
Candidates vying for public positions in Charles City County were able to voice their views during a Friday evening debate at Charles City High School. Sponsored by Charles City’s branch of the NAACP, approximately 250 citizens filled seats in the auditorium to hear platforms and ask questions to candidates running for local seats and positions. The most competitive race in the county is expected to be for the position of sheriff. The three-person race will see incumbent Alan Jones Sr. being challenged by former sheriff Javier Smith and former Charles City Captain Jayson Crawley. All three presented their views and…
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Shooting into dwelling nets Charles City man more than three years in prison
A Charles City man who was in possession of a firearm illegally will spend more than three years in prison after accepting a plea deal during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Jesse Edward Mondine, 39, of the 7900 block of Roxbury Road, entered guilty pleas to one count of shooting into an occupied building and possession of a gun by a nonviolent felon. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on June 23, Mondine was at his stepfather’s residence on Roxbury Road when he was confronted about his alcohol drinking habits. Mondine proceeded…
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Bedford man to serve 18-month sentence for possessing ammunition in New Kent
A Bedford man will spend the next 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition. Antoinne Lamont Wright, 31, of the 100 block of Colonial Lane, entered the plea as part of an agreement reached during Oct. 17 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of possession of a weapon by a violent felon was dropped as part of the deal. In a summary of evidence by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Sept. 4, 2018, Wright was a passenger in a vehicle driven by co-defendant Tyler Bell when an officer noticed an object thrown out the…
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