News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 3, 2025
Local News
Charles City man averts jury trial, enters guilty pleas to sex offenses with minors
A Charles City man accepted a plea agreement to three sex crimes with minors just days before a scheduled two-day jury trial in Charles City Circuit Court. Rodney Johnson, 52, of the 9500 block of Lewis Tyler Lane, entered guilty pleas to three counts of aggravated sexual battery of a minor less than 13 years old and one count of misdemeanor violation of a protective order. Twelve charges of aggravated sexual batter of a minor less than 13 years old, nine counts of sodomy with a minor less than 13 years old, and four counts of sexual penetration with an…
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New Kent Board of Supervisors approve of tax relief proposal
New Kent Board of Supervisors have agreed to a tentative plan to implement the reduction of the machinery and tax rate. New Kent Commissioner of the Revenue Laura Ecimovic spoke to county leaders Wednesday morning about a new depreciation schedule and recommended rate reduction. She advised supervisors that the rate would assist in making the county competitive with surrounding localities. She added that the reduction would give current businesses a tax break. Ecimovic’s proposal recommended reducing the tax rate on machinery and tools to 75 cents per $100 of assessed value. The updated depreciation schedule would become effective on Jan….
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Providence Forge man to spend year in jail for stealing car from job’s parking lot
A Providence Forge man who stole a vehicle from a former place of employment accepted a plea deal during Monday morning procedures in New Kent Circuit Court. Taz Elliot Fisher, 39, of the 9200 block of Boulevard Road entered guilty pleas to one count each of grand theft auto (originally unauthorized use of a vehicle) and misdemeanor driving suspended. In a summary of evidence presented by special prosecutor Matthew Kite, on May 8 a New Kent deputy responded to Eddie’s Garage after Joseph Allen reported his car was missing. Allen said that he had left his car there for repairs…
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Former New Kent teacher, coach arrested on alleged charges with minors
A former New Kent teacher and coach has been taken into custody by New Kent Sheriff’s Office Monday morning stemming from unsealed indictments. Matthew Spencer Duckworth, 40, of the 9000 block of Chestnut Drive, New Kent, was arrested on Nov. 26 on five counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children. Those charges were certified by a New Kent grand jury on Nov. 19. Duckworth had served as a coach for several sports teams and academic programs at New Kent High School including the field hockey team and scholastic bowl team. The Chronicle can confirm that…
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NKSO seeks information on vehicle thefts
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information related to two motor vehicle thefts in the county. During the night time hours from Nov. 18 to Nov. 19, a 2004 Infiniti SUV with registration UYK3984 and a 2010 Chevrolet Van with registration TW75974 was stolen. If you have any information, contact New Kent Sheriff’s Office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers 780-1000.
Quinton man indicted on several DUI charges by New Kent grand jury
A Quinton man who wrecked a vehicle while transporting people has been indicted by a New Kent grand jury Monday morning. James Gray Priddy Jr., 29, of the 1600 block of Arrowhead Road, was indicted on three counts of DUI maiming, felony child abuse that resulted in serious injury, and misdemeanor DUI while a child was an occupant in a vehicle (first offense). Priddy allegedly drove a vehicle while intoxicated on May 20 and wrecked it, resulting in serious injuries to occupants of the vehicle. In other indictments certified by the grand jury: –Jacqueline Denoy Baker, 52, of the 1200…
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DUI accident in New Kent lands man in jail for four months
A Chester man will serve four months in jail after a vehicle he was driving while intoxicated wrecked on Interstate 64 in New Kent. Erich Michael Hibbard II, 48, of the 4600 block of Cedar Cliff Road, entered guilty pleas to two amended charges of misdemeanor child neglect (originally felony child abuse) and misdemeanor DUI (first) while a child occupied a vehicle during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, on Apr. 22 just before noon, a Virginia State Trooper responded to an accident on Interstate 64 where…
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One indicted by Charles City grand jury
A Henrico man was indicted on a single charge during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Adam Garth Clements, 37, of the 300 block of Newbridge Road, received a true bill on one count of grand larceny. Clements allegedly stole copper wire, an extension ladder, and other items on June 25. His trial is tentatively set for January 2019.
2018 General Election results for Charles City and New Kent
Tim Kaine retained his seat in the U.S. Senate, defeating challengers Corey Stewart and Matt Waters in Tuesday’s November General Election. In New Kent, Stewart received 6,762 votes (63.45 percent) while Kaine accumulated 3,722 votes (34.93 percent). Waters racked in 159 votes in the county. Kaine received 2,131 votes in Charles City, approximately 63.86 percent of the votes. Stewart received 1,168 votes (35 percent) while Waters finished with 36. In the battle for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Donald McEachin was declared the winner of the fourth seat, defeating Ryan McAdams and Peter Wells. In votes received…
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New Kent schools approve $1.1 million CIP for FY2019-20
Even though the school year started just two months ago, New Kent school board leaders are looking to improve facilities for FY2019-2020. School board representatives approved a proposed $1.1 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next school year at Monday evening’s regular school board meeting. Director of Finance Haynie Morgheim presented the recommendations made by superintendent of schools Dave Myers and department staff to leaders for facility upgrades and needs. The annual bus replacement comes in as the most expensive item at a cost of $400,828. Replacement of New Kent Elementary School’s generator has been added to the list…
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