News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 3, 2025
Local News
Staskiel campaigns to serve on New Kent School Board once again
Andrea Staskiel has announced her intentions to seek another term as the District 3 representative to New Kent’s School Board. “As a business person with experience leading teams and recruiting top talent, I believe that you cannot have a world-class organization without investing in your greatest asset- your people,” she said in a press release. “I believe that my knowledge and skillset along with my work in advocacy at the legislative level lends itself to serving my community in the role of school board member.”
Marshall vies for re-election to New Kent’s School Board
Adriane Marshall has announced that she will run for re-election to New Kent’s School Board as the District 1 representative. “I have worked in classrooms and in support positions for education and being on the school board allows me to support all students of New Kent schools,” she said in a press release. “My focus will be to support the schools and facilities as the county continues to grow in population and to make sure the programs are available to students.”
Messages on self-motivation, opening doors highlight 2019 Charles City High School graduation ceremonies
Messages about motivation and opening doors highlighted Charles City County High School commencement ceremonies Saturday morning. Forty-one graduates of Charles City High School’s Class of 2019 received diplomas inside the gymnasium filled with family, friends, and supporters. After a welcome by class president Derrick Richard Jr., class salutatorian Tanner Grubbs said high school provided lessons about the harsh truths that exist in the real world. “High school taught us that not everybody is going to like you,” he said. “Even today, there are some people don’t like me. “But my dad told me that you have to be true to…
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Charles City High School Class of 2019 Valedictorian- Jason Brown
Jason Brown posted a grade-point average of 4.18 as valedictorian for Charles City High School’s Class of 2019. He is a member of the Scholastic Bowl team and the National Honor Society. Jason plans to attend Tufts University on a full-scholarship ($320,000) and pursue his studies in a major yet to be determined. He is the grandson of Mary Wooden and Samuel Otey.
Charles City High School Class of 2019 Salutatorian- Tanner Grubbs
Tanner Grubbs is salutatorian of Charles City High School’s Class of 2019 with a grade-point average of 4.07. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and a member of the Charles City High School’s Basketball Team. Tanner received an internship from Rolls-Royce and plans to continue his studies while employed there. He is the son of Leroy and Amy Grubbs.
Charles City High School Class of 2019
Alontay Adkins Kaelin Adkins Savanna Adkins Sidney Adkins Laurin Bowman-Hamilton Imari Brooks Amia Brown Antuan Brown Jamon Brown Jason Brown Laina Brown Hunter Canaday Bryan Carpio Ashlee Chandler Earl Chandler III Keimon Cotman Jackson Crew Megan Davis Robert Dobson Kacie Ferguson Tanner Grubbs Skyy Harris Austin Hizer Kailin Holland Chevae Jefferson Devante Johnson Jada Jones TaDayzia Jones Savanna LaPean Luisa Machado Saldanha Brian Menefee Jr. Diamond Pender Chyna Price Derrick Richard Jr. Kaci Simms Vashelle Smith Steven Trull Jr. Cameron Vaden Royal Washington III Steven Williams Jr. Jaelah Wyatt
Williamsburg man receives three-year prison sentence for committing sexual battery against minor
Editor’s Note: This story may contain details that may be unsuitable to some readers. A Williamsburg man who had sexual interactions with a minor will spend three years in prisons after he accepted terms of a plea deal during Friday afternoon proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Raheem Lucky Pittman, 21, of the 100 block of Merrimac Trail, entered an Alford Plea of Guilty to an amended charge of aggravated sexual battery of a minor (originally sexual penetration with an object). A charge of rape was dropped as part of the agreement. An Alford Plea of Guilty means that while…
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Black challenging for District 3 supervisor seat in Charles City
Lewis Black III has announced his intentions to run for the District 3 seat on Charles City’s Board of Supervisors. “I am determined to revamp and improve upon our rural community by incorporating my knowledge for the needs of residents,” he said in a press release. “I would like to retain the natural essence, way of life, and beauty of Charles City County while improving services, infrastructure, fund allocation, and the school system.”
Hardinge announces intentions to seek District 5 school board seat in New Kent
Gail Hardinge has announced her intentions to seek the District 5 seat to New Kent’s School Board once again. “As a third generation New Kent resident who has worked for 30 years with school systems across the state, I understand the strengths of our schools as well as the opportunities that lie ahead,” she said in a press release. “My focus will be on serving the changing needs of our school community and supporting a comprehensive college, career, and life-ready curriculum for all students.”
Barber to run for District 4 school board seat in New Kent once again
Sarah Grier Barber is announcing her candidacy for re-election to New Kent’s School Board as the District 4 representative. “New Kent is one of the fastest growing localities in the Commonwealth and our schools are one of our greatest strengths,” she said in a press release. “The residents of New Kent County deserve an experienced person in District 4 and my goal going forward is to continue building on our school division’s many accomplishments and initiatives.”
