News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 4, 2025
Local News
Internet update, meals tax part of Charles City town hall discussion
A Sept. 5 town hall hosted by Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors looked to address concerns from citizens. And despite a small turnout of only 25 people, two topics of interest were touched upon by county leaders. County Administrator Michelle Johnson provided a broadband Internet update during the meeting. Johnson recalled the county’s timeline of events, starting from the initial layout in 2013 to receiving the broadband grant to bring businesses into the county in Dec. 2014. From there, the county administrator explained how former planning director Matt Rowe’s presentation said Internet would be available in 2015. However, that…
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Charles City man to serve month in jail for selling stolen property
A Charles City man will spend a month in jail after receiving formal sentencing Tuesday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. Brandon Deandre Bowman, 28, of the 13000 block of The Glebe Lane, was sentenced to five years with four years, 11 months suspended on a single charge of selling stolen property. On May 1, 2017, boat engines were stolen from Christian Hagen, along with an ATV belonging to Eddie Richardson. An investigation revealed that Bowman and Dallis Wallace Jr. had tried to sell the motors to a local businessman. Bowman sold one of the engines and the ATV to…
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Grand jury indicts three in Charles City Circuit Court
A grand jury indicted three individuals Tuesday morning during proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. –David Alexander Booth, 35, of the 500 block of North 8th Avenue, Hopewell, on one count each of burglary and grand larceny. Booth allegedly broke into the home of Donna Robinson and stole jewelry and coin on Mar. 25. –Elliott McKinley Charity, 46, of the 12000 block of Mapicso Road, Charles City, on a single count of possession of a controlled substance. Charity allegedly possessed cocaine on Jan. 24. –Judith Christian Garrett, 49, of 3 Greenleight Court, Williamsburg, on one count each of DUI (third…
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Jury convicts Charles City man of sex crimes with teenager, recommends 66 years in prison
Editor’s Note: This story contains content that may be uncomfortable or unsuitable to some readers. A Charles City man who had sexual interactions with a teenager was found guilty on four charges during a two-day trial in Charles City Circuit Court. A jury found Jonathan Douglas McMullen, 35, of the 10000 block of Harrison Lake Drive, on two counts each of aggravated sexual battery against a minor between the ages of 13-17 and using an object for sexual penetration by force. A mistrial was declared on one charge each of incest and rape, while three charges of carnal knowledge without…
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Charles City, New Kent schools earn full accreditation for 2018-2019 school year
All four schools in New Kent County and both schools in Charles City County have earned full accreditation for the 2018-2019 school year. Virginia’s Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation numbers and Standards of Learning (SOL) data on Aug. 22. “It’s been a very good topic of conversation with the teachers,” said Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston when asked about the schools’ accreditation for the second straight year. “It’s a testament to the work they’ve been doing.” Charles City County schools saw improvement in 11 categories in this year’s SOL released scores. Major improvement areas include grade six…
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Newport News men admit guilt to credit card larceny in New Kent
Two Newport News men entered guilty pleas to credit card larceny as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. Rashawn Marquis Chapman, 30, of the 800 block of Chopin Wood Drive, and Robert James Bethel Jr., 30, of the 100 block of View Point Drive, both admitted guilt to one count each of credit card larceny and misdemeanor possession of marijuana (second offense). Bethel also entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a credit card forgery device and misdemeanor violation of pretrial services as part of his agreement. In a summary…
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Train, SUV collision closes crossings in Lanexa
A collision between a train and a vehicle closed crossings in the Lanexa portion of New Kent Sunday evening. According to New Kent Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police, a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe pulled up to a CSX railroad crossing at the 1400 block of Outpost Road, stopping with the nose of the vehicle partially across the track. As the train approached, the driver attempted to reverse the vehicle unsuccessfully. The Amtrak train, carrying 137 passengers, struck the front end of the SUV. The crash closed railroad crossings on Allen Road and Outpost Road. The SUV driver, the sole occupant…
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New Kent plane crash sends pilot to hospital
Virginia State Police are investigating a plane crash that happened shortly after 4 p.m. in New Kent County. A preliminary investigation says that a single engine Cessna plane crashed around the 6900 block of Terminal Road in New Kent. The report says the plane was attempting to land and veered to the left, striking some guide wires. The pilot was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. The FAA has been notified and the crash remains under investigation.
Richmond woman killed in New Kent car crash
A Richmond woman has died as the result of a car accident in New Kent on Aug. 22. Bianca Riddick, 28, was killed after a single-vehicle crash just after 11:30 p.m. According to the Virginia State Police report, a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Kia four-door sedan was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 in the left lane near mile marker 214 (Providence Forge) when it ran off the road and struck a tree. Riddick was not wearing a seat belt at the time and succumbed to her injuries at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was transported by…
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School forum garners response for more communication in Charles City
After the announcing that fall sports will be canceled for Charles City High School this season (see related story on website), school board members and officials reached out to host a community forum Tuesday night prior to its regular scheduled meeting. The forum ended up succeeded in being a starting point as an outlet between the schools, parents, and community. Approximately 100 people sat in on Tuesday’s night conversation between the parties. Dialogue opened with high school principal Marcus Petty Sr. and superintendent of schools David Gaston addressing the cancellation of fall sports. In similar comments, both leaders acknowledged that…
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