News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 27, 2025
Local News
Charles City grand jury indicts six for alleged offenses committed within the county
Six individuals were indicted by a grand jury following Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court: –Javon R. Caton, 21, of the 1900 block of Redd Street, Richmond, on one count each of grand larceny and felony eluding. The defendant allegedly stole a car and attempted to elude authorities on June 25, 2024. –Robert Earl Davis, 35, of the 5300 block of North Warriner Road, Richmond, on a single count of unlawful wounding. The offense allegedly took place on Oct. 16, 2024. –Alonzo Dean Dobson, 61, of the 9600 block of Lott Cary Road, Providence Forge, on a solo…
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Charles City School Board proposing $7.3 million operating budget for FY2025-26
Citing continuing needs of the school division along with increasing costs in healthcare coverage, Charles City County Public Schools announced their proposed budget for the FY2025-26 school year. Charles City Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy recommended an operating budget of $7,359,865 for the upcoming school year. That amount is approximately $565,000, or 8.3 percent, more than the current operating budget of $6,794,865. The proposed budget includes the addition of three positions in the school system. Those positions, a mental health specialist, a second reading specialist, and a math interventionalist, come with a total price tag of $265,000. The additional $300,000…
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Leadership roles announced for Charles City, New Kent Board of Supervisors
Local governing bodies have named their leadership roles for the 2025 calendar year. In Charles City, District 3 representative Byron Adkins Sr. was reappointed as chairman for Charles City’s Board of Supervisors. District 1 representative Ryan Patterson was appointed as vice chairman. In New Kent, District 1 leader Thomas Evelyn will serve another year as chairman on New Kent’s Board of Supervisors. District 4 leader Ron Stiers was selected as vice-chairman for a second consecutive year.
New Kent grand jury hands up indictments for 17 individuals
A New Kent grand jury certified indictments against 17 people as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court: –Lilyana Elyzabeth Ardon, 19, of the 8300 block of Yorkshire Lane, Manassas, on one count each of perjury, uttering, and selling a Schedule I/II drug. The offenses allegedly took place on July 13, 2024. –Joseph D. Allen Brown Jr., 33, of the 6600 block of Fitzhugh Avenue, Richmond, on a solo charge of driving revoked. Brown allegedly operated a vehicle while his license was revoked on May 31, 2024. –Floyd Ellis Chapman IV, 47, of the 4900 block of…
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Shacklefords man who nearly hit New Kent deputy receives year in jail
A Shacklefords man whose erratic driving almost resulted in tragedy in New Kent will serve a year in jail. Vincent Lee Richardson, 58, of the 2900 block of Stratton Major Road, was sentenced on one charge each of driving revoked (felony related) and misdemeanor reckless driving as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During an Oct. 28, 2024 trial, Richardson entered into a plea agreement admitting to the offense. A summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney at that trial, on Apr. 18, 2024, a New Kent deputy executed a traffic stop on a vehicle on…
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Charles City Public Schools adopts cell phone policy
Charles City County Public Schools have elected to follow guidance of the Virginia Department of Education to have cell phones and personal communication devices silenced through the day. School board members voted to approve the policy at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. According to the policy, students must have cell phones off and away during the instructional day starting Jan. 1. Students may not use the phones during the transition of classes or at lunch periods, which is the current practice. Superintendent of Schools Dalphine Joppy indicated that the policy follows a directive from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and that resources…
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Barhamsville man arrested after multi-hour standoff
A Barhamsville man who allegedly refused to turn over his vehicle during a repossession has been charge with several charges including assault. Earl Marvin Taylor, 62, of the 5500 block of Holly Fork Road, has been charged with one count each of felony assault and batter of a lawn enforcement officer, making a bomb threat, misdemeanor obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor assault and battery according to a New Kent Sheriff’s Office police report. On Dec. 17 around 3 p.m., deputies responded to a call for service from a tow truck driver who was allegedly assaulted after attempting to repossess a…
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Quinton man receives nearly eight years in prison for distributing cocaine in New Kent
A Quinton man will spend more than seven years in prison after receiving sentencing related to drug charges following Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Kelly Antione Murchinson, 42, of the 7100 of Lovegrass Court, was sentenced on one charge each of manufacturing or distributing a Schedule I/II drug (second offense), possession of a gun while in possession of a Schedule I/II drug, and possession of a Schedule I/II drug. On Oct. 1, a jury heard Murchinson’s case. There, New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick was able to show that on Mar. 30, 2023, the defendant possessed cocaine…
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Citizens still left with more questions than answers after town hall in Charles City
An open town hall to discuss issues with Charles City County including the borrowing of $5.2 million seemed to leave more questions than answers. Interim County Administrator Bill Coada conducted the Dec. 12 meeting in a packed auditorium to discuss the county’s financial situation. Coada opened up the dialogue speaking about the county’s fund balance depleting at a rapid rate over the previous three years. The former county supervisor commented that the county receives two paychecks a year; one from real estate taxes and the other from personal property taxes. But over the past few years, income to the county…
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Charles City County parts ways with former county administrator Johnson
Charles City County will launch a search for new county administrator. Charles City County released an announcement of the departure of Michelle Johnson from the position. “Charles City County and Michelle Johnson has agreed to an amicable separation,” said Charles City Board Chairman Byron Adkins Sr. in an announcement made on Dec. 12. “We wish Ms. Johnson a speedy and healthy recovery.” In October, Charles City’s Board of Supervisors appointed Coada as the interim county administrator after Johnson took a medical leave of absence. Because the issue is personnel based, Coada could not speak about the circumstances of Johnson’s departure…
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