News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 26, 2026
Local News
Superintendents work to make adjustments as school buildings close for academic year
A mandate by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has closed school building doors for the rest of the academic year. Northam announced the mandate Monday afternoon that all school buildings will close for the rest of the year. He also said that non-essential businesses, such as shops that perform body care, along with recreational businesses will close for at least 30 days. While the school buildings are closed, education will continue through a plethora of ways for Charles City and New Kent County. Both superintendents issued press releases Tuesday afternoon to address the dilemma. “We will continue to work hard at…
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COVID-19: How coronavirus has impacted Charles City and New Kent
With parts of the nation hunkering down due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the pandemic has affected life for several people. The drastic changes have resulted in a shift on approaching everyday situations. But for some, the adjustment is just another day in the line of work, while others are trying to plot their next move. The Chronicle interviewed several people Friday to receive updates and viewpoints on how situations are being handled, as well as thoughts about the pandemic. Rodney Hathaway-County Administrator, New Kent New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway said that the situation involving COVID-19 is changing rapidly and that…
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Williamsburg man to serve five years for abducting, assaulting family member in New Kent
A Williamsburg man will spend the next five years in prison after entering a no contest plea to a single count of abduction and two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery on a family member. Dillon Dakota Lawson, 28, of the 1500 block of London Company Way, entered the three pleas as part of an agreement reach Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. A no contest plea stipulates that evidence presented in the trial would be enough to convict the defendant of the crimes. In a summary of evidence, on July 28, 2019, officers responded to a residence on…
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Prisoners who broke safety system indicted in New Kent Circuit Court
Three men who tried to destroy a fire protection system at Henrico Jail East in New Kent have been indicted by a grand jury. Treione Gholson, 22, James Terrance Edgefield Jr., 28, and John Lawrence Ellis Jr., 22, all of Henrico Jail East, were indicted on charges that stemmed over a one-month period. On Nov. 5, 2019, Edgefield and Ellis allegedly tried to break the system. Three days later, Gholson allegedly tried the same thing. On Dec. 4, 2019, Ellis picked up a second charge on a similar crime. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Jonathan Earl Anderson,…
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Closings, Cancellations, and Postponements due to COVID-19
Here is a running list of closings, cancellations, and postponements due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation: *Updated March 24, 1:30 p.m. Charles City County Public Schools All classes, activities, and events that use of the facilities are closed for the remainder of the academic year. New Kent County Public Schools All classes, activities, and events that use of the facilities are closed for the remainder of the academic year. Government New Kent County Government- Residents and customers are encouraged to conduct business online at www.co.new-kent.va.us or call (804) 966-9861. All New Kent County Firehouse Chats have been cancelled. Charles City…
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COVID-19 forces closure of Charles City, New Kent schools; local governments begin to take action
The spread of COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, throughout the nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia has resulted in the closure of Charles City and New Kent County Public Schools for two weeks. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered all public K-12 schools in Virginia to close from March 16 to March 27 as a result of the pandemic. In New Kent, plans were already underway to close schools Monday for a thorough cleaning of the facilities. However, all schools will now be closed, with the last event taking place is SAT testing at the high school on March 14. “We…
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Charles City boards meet, discuss budget priorities for FY20-21
With the focused intention of working together to figure out the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year, Charles City’s Board of Supervisors and School Board came together on Mar. 10 to focus on addressing issues that face both the county and the school system. County administrator Michelle Johnson opened with an overview of the current process along with the requests received from both schools and county departments. The preliminary numbers presented a baseline for the figures as both boards entered dialogue about what both organizations can do to get on the same wavelength. While mentioning that several other details…
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County growth, need for services prompt FY2020-21 proposed budget of $76 million for New Kent
With the booming population comes a need for additional services in New Kent County. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway looked to address that issue in his proposed FY2020-21 budget Monday night. Hathaway presented a budget of $76,079,426 for the upcoming cycle. By contrast, the FY2019-20 budget totaled $69,851,662. Of the proposed amount for the new fiscal year, New Kent County schools are slated to receive $36,625,592, just under 50 percent of the total budget. The county administrator commented that most of the increase in the budget is an expected jump in revenue of approximately $4,159,717, part in thanks to a healthy…
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New Kent vehicle accident results in fatality
Virginia State Police have confirmed a fatality after an accident Saturday afternoon in New Kent. Virginia State Police responded to a single vehicle crash just after 4 p.m. at the 5000 block of Roxbury Road (Route 106), just prior to the Charles City County line. According to the police report and preliminary investigation, the driver of a Ford pickup traveling southbound was exiting a curve when it ran off the right side of the road, striking a tree and catching fire. The driver and only occupant succumbed to their injuries and died at the scene. The deceased remains were transported…
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Plea made to upgrade athletic facility at Charles City High School
As budget season begins to swing into high gear, at least one person is pleading for Charles City’s School Board to assist with helping extracurricular activities maintain their high level. Charles City High School Athletic Director Andre’ Jones spoke at the Tuesday night meeting in hopes that the school board assists with the resurfacing of the track by placing it into the school’s upcoming Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). After opening up with the background on the fight for the last seven years and the continuous minor work done to the track, he said it was time for a major overhaul…
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