News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 3, 2025
Local News
Coffman vies for District 5 seat to New Kent Board of Supervisors
Rodell Coffman Jr. has announced his candidacy for the District 5 seat to New Kent’s Board of Supervisors. “I want to run to be a voice of the citizens in all of District 5,” said Coffman in a press release. “I want to fight for responsible change and progress, and so much more.
Ross to challenge for District 4 school board chair seat in New Kent
Paul Ross has announced that he is running as a candidate to New Kent School Board’s District 4 seat. “Our job as parents and school system constituents should be to prepare our children for the rigors of real life and to be contributing members of society,” he said in a press release. “I will work to ensure that our children are prepared for higher educational opportunities and trades which include internships, on-the-job training, and certificate programs.”
Tyler announces re-election campaign to serve as Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney
Rob Tyler has announced his intentions to run for re-election to the position of Charles City County Commonwealth’s Attorney in the upcoming general election. “It has been an honor to serve Charles City for the past 11 years as the county’s representative in criminal courts,” said Tyler in a press release. “I have worked hard to ensure that the justice system is both effective in deterring crime and fair to the individuals involved. I hope that the people will entrust that responsibility to me for another term.”
Nichols takes helm as new superintendent for New Kent County Public Schools
It takes something special for a person to leave a job after 23 years working in the same school system. But when the position of superintendent of schools became available in New Kent County, it was one that Brian Nichols couldn’t resist not applying for. That enthusiasm along with a stellar resume’ factored into Nichols being named as the new superintendent of New Kent County Public Schools during a May 30 special called meeting. His duties will begin effective July 1. Prior to his new position, Nichols has spent all 23 years of education tenure in Newport News Public Schools…
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Smith to seek District 1 seat on Charles City Board of Supervisors once again
Gilbert A. Smith has announced a bid for re-election to Charles City’s Board of Supervisors as the District 1 representative. “Over the past 28 years, citizens of Charles City County have trusted me to lead and uplift our community,” Smith said in a press release. “While the road hasn’t always been easy, I have worked extremely hard alongside my colleagues to effect change on issues most important to the special place.”
Ordinance to control trash, town hall on bike races among topics addressed at Charles City supervisors’ meeting
Two topics of area that have plagued Charles City citizens has resulted in county leaders to add an ordinance for one and hold a special town meeting for the other. Charles City’s Board of Supervisors agreed to have a proposed ordinance to assist with litter control be added after discussion during Tuesday night’s meeting. At the April monthly meeting, a citizen asked board members to look at the possibility of adding a county ordinance that will require a cover on all vehicles transferring trash to the landfill or other disposal facility. The proposed ordinance came after citizens complained about the…
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Hopewell man dies in accidental drowning in New Kent
A 37-year old Hopewell man has died as the result of what is being deemed an accidental drowning at Chickahominy Lake in New Kent. According to a New Kent Sheriff’s Office police report, the victim along with his family and friends went swimming with others on May 25 The victim was unable to make it back to the boat despite attempts by family members to reach out to him. New Kent Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received the call at 3:55 p.m. and responded at 4:10 p.m. Resources from New Kent Fire-Rescue, West Point Fire-Rescue, James City Fire-Rescue, Virginia Game…
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Charles City School Board adopts FY2019-20 budget
Charles City County Public School leaders adopted its FY2019-20 budget during Tuesday night’s school board meeting. School board members voted 4-1 in favor of a $5,700,089 budget for operations from the county for the upcoming year. At-large member Steve Fuhrmann cast the lone dissenting vote, referencing his disapproval of funding removed from categories involving instruction. School leaders unanimously approved the $790,856 CIP for the upcoming year. The funding will assist schools with projects to upgrade the academic campus that include boilers and HVAC units.
Bedford men among those indicted by New Kent grand jury
Two Bedford men have been charged with unrelated crimes in New Kent stemming from incidents that took place on Sept. 4, 2018. Tyler Steven Bell, 27, of the 5400 block of Forest Road, and Antoinne Lamont Wright, 31, of the 100 block of Colonial Lane, received indictments that were certified by a New Kent grand jury Monday morning. Wright was indicted on one count each of felony possession of a weapon or ammunition (not a gun) and possession of a weapon by a violent felon. Bell was charged with a lone count of manufacturing a controlled substance. In other indictments…
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Man who overdosed on drugs while driving stolen car in New Kent receives nine month jail sentence
A Richmond man will spend nine months in jail after pleading guilty to grand theft auto during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Patrick Randolph Roberts, 49, of the 200 block of Q Street, Richmond, entered the guilty plea as part of an agreement reached in court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, Joseph Harvey reported to police that his vehicle was stolen out of Richmond around 10 a.m. Later that evening, a Virginia State Trooper received a call that a vehicle driving recklessly eastbound on Interstate 64 near mile marker 212 in…
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