News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 2, 2025
Local News
SOL scores soar in Charles City; New Kent continues to thrive above state average
Charles City County Public Schools saw gains in 19 subject areas while New Kent County Public Schools eclipsed the 70th percentile in all but one area as Standards of Learning (SOL) scores were released to the public by Virginia’s Department of Education (VDOE) stemming from 2018-2019 testing. In Charles City, several areas saw massive gains in comparison to the previous year. Of the improvement areas, perfect pass rates were achieved in the areas of Algebra II and chemistry. Subject areas that saw a 20 or more point gain include grade seven English reading (64 to 85), World History I (59…
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New Kent Public Schools victim of cyber security attack
New Kent County Public Schools have become the latest school district of a cyber-attack. In a press release issued by Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols, the school system has become a victim of a Ransomware Cyber Attack. Files located on the school systems’ internal hard drive have been encrypted so that they are inaccessible without paying a ransom. “Simply said, we cannot access many of the documents and data the faculty and staff have created and this will cause an undue burden as we work to start school on time and ready for our students to learn,” said Nichols in…
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Richmond woman convicted of possessing cocaine as an accommodation
A Richmond woman entered no contest pleas to amended charges, including one related to drug possession, during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Aliyyah Rashidah Johnson, 35, of the 2100 block of Deforrest Street, entered the no contest pleas to an amended charge of possession of cocaine as an accommodation (originally distribution of cocaine) and misdemeanor failure to appear (originally felony failure to appear) as part of a plea agreement reached. A no contest plea stipulates that evidence presented in the case would be enough to convict the defendant of the crime. In a summary of evidence presented…
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New Kent leaders approve definition, prohibited use of tactical training facility
With the support of several citizens from the Barhamsville area of New Kent County, an ordinance that defined what a combat/tactical training facility is along with prohibited uses was passed during Monday night’s New Kent Board of Supervisors meeting. County leaders approved the definition and prohibited uses 4-1, with Evelyn casting the lone dissenting vote. In 2018, Curtis Security Group put together a proposal to construct a tactical combat range in Barhamsville. Many residents were strongly opposed against it, including Charles Karow. “I have heard that there are some people that don’t think we should not have a prohibition with…
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After witnesses refuse to testify, charges dismissed against New Kent man
With one witness refusing to come to court and another pleading the fifth amendment on the stand, a New Kent man had two charges dropped during a Monday afternoon contested trial in New Kent Circuit Court. Christopher Thomas Batkins, 26, of the 3600 block of Hopewell Road, saw one charge each of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon dismissed after motions to strike were granted by Judge B. Elliott Bondurant. On March 31 around 2:30 a.m., conservation police officer Krista Adams was on a special assignment at North Berry Plantation…
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Denying access to owner’s horse, Ruther Glen woman pleads guilty to amended charge in Charles City
A Ruther Glen woman accepted a plea agreement during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Jillian Ledford Barry, 28, of the 19000 block of Lander Bridge Road, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of trespassing (originally grand larceny) stemming from a Nov. 15, 2018 incident. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, in Aug. 2018, Lee Eddy was moving to North Carolina and needed a place to board her horse. Through a mutual friend, Barry agreed to take care of the animal. Over time, Barry asked Eddy to purchase the horse. Though…
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Virginia State Police seek information on Interstate 64 shooting 20 years ago in New Kent
Virginia State Police’s (VSP) Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (BCI) Richmond Field office continues to pursue new leads and tips to an unsolved 1999 homicide of a Mechanicville teenager in New Kent. On Aug. 8, 1999, Sara Bruehl and two friends were shot at while traveling on Interstate 64 near Exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge). Unfortunately, Bruehl, who was the driver, was shot and killed prior to her crashing the vehicle. The 18-year-old female front-seat passenger was shot but survived her injuries. The 17-year-old female back seat passenger survived injuries resulting from the crash. All three were recent graduates of Atlee High…
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Short-term rentals in New Kent up for discussion, input from public
New Kent supervisors will take some time and seek input from community members regarding short-term rentals. County Administrator Rodney Hathaway approached county leaders during Wednesday morning’s work session to provide information and garner feedback. In short, Hathaway spoke about AirBNBs and other rental properties that provide a limited stay of 30-days of less. “There is a difference between short-term rentals and ‘Bed and Breakfasts’ by definition,” the administrator said, pointing to the key difference is that an owner or caretaker must reside on the property of a ‘Bed and Breakfast.’ “In New Kent, short-term rentals are required to have a…
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‘No left turn’ entrance to proposed Food Lion approved by VDOT upsets New Kent supervisors
The relationship between New Kent District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn and the roundabout at the intersection of Route 249 (New Kent Highway) and Route 612 (Airport/Tunstall Road) consists of a dislike, strong dislike type of connection. And at Wednesday’s morning work session, that relationship doesn’t look like it will be mending anytime soon. Evelyn voiced his displeasure about Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) approving the proposed design for no left turn lane into a proposed Food Lion at the intersection. In August 2018, New Kent leaders denied a conditional use permit for the proposed construction of a 35,000 square foot…
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‘Bizarre case’ results in strangulation, abduction convictions for New Kent man
In what was called a bizarre case by both Commonwealth’s Attorney C. Linwood Gregory and defense attorney Todd DuVal, the end result saw a New Kent man being found guilty on two charges after a contested trial Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. Richard Alvin Cothran, 62, of the 5400 block of Elm Road, was found guilty on one count each of strangulation and abduction. A charge of malicious wounding was dismissed, while the defendant accepted a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order, with a second charge being dismissed. On June 16, 2018, New…
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