News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 4, 2025
Local News
New Kent supervisors deny CUP for new Food Lion in Quinton
New Kent Supervisors shot down the proposed construction of a 35,000 square foot Food Lion store at the intersection of New Kent Highway (Route 249) and Airport Road in Quinton. In a joint meeting held Monday night alongside New Kent’s Planning Commission, county leaders voted in opposition of the proposed 35,235 square foot grocery store by a narrow 3-2 vote. The county’s planning commission voted with a favorable recommendation to grant a conditional use permit (CUP) for the facility 5-4-1 earlier in the meeting. Paramount Development Corporation submitted a site plan for the proposed store at the intersection. Along with…
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Charles City man receives 15-month sentence for felony hit-and-run
A Charles City man will serve 15 months in jail after receiving formal sentencing Friday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. Warren Arturo Smith, 40, of the 8500 block of Lewis Tyler Road, received a five-year sentence with four years suspended on a single charge of felony hit and run stemming from a June 24, 2017 incident. He also received an additional three months for violating probation. During an Apr. 20 trial, Smith accepted a plea deal in circuit court, with one charge of bribery dropped. During his trial, a summary of evidence revealed that Smith was an operator of…
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Dry bus runs taking place in New Kent next week
New Kent Public Schools’ transportation department will conduct dry bus runs in the county next week (Aug. 20-24). In preparation for the upcoming school year, school buses will be on county roads during the morning and afternoon hours. Motorists are advised to planned accordingly as delays may be experienced during the runs.
Financing options weighed for construction of Pine Fork Park in New Kent
With an expected groundbreaking date in Feb. 2019, New Kent supervisors heard options on how to finance Pine Fork Park. Representatives of Davenport and Company financial services appeared before county leaders Monday night to update the board with recommended steps for financing the $4.38 million project. One option that county leaders have already weighed heavily into is utilizing debt services to fund part of the project. During this budgeting session for FY2018-19, county leaders approved $3 million in debt services for the park. The financial services group’s presentation revolved around the county’s dual-track approach for the park. Along with debt…
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Charles City man convicted on attempted arson, felony obstruction charges
A Charles City man who attempted to set a home on fire received guilty verdicts on two charges during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. Brent Edward Tanner, 47, formerly of the 18000 block of The Glebe Lane, was found guilty on one charge each of attempted arson of a dwelling usually occupied and felony obstruction of justice during the contested trial. One charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon was dismissed. On March 26, Tanner was bailed out of Henrico Jail East and picked up by Timothy English. The duo made a couple of…
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Strangulation charge dismissed against Providence Forge man
A Providence Forge man had a charge of strangulation dismissed after a contested trial Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. John Vern Davis, 65, of the 9400 block of Old Forge Road, was found not guilty on the one felony charge. On. Sept. 9, 2017, Davis and the alleged victim were in his home and enjoying hamburgers. The alleged victim went to a recreation room and Davis, who had been drinking, entered the room and begin using a threatening tone, insinuating an argument. After Davis hurled wine glasses and a lamp at the alleged victim, they left the room…
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Charles City supervisors weigh-in on early talks of five-man board
Leadership for Charles City has consisted of a three-man board of supervisors. But a comment made at the June meeting prompted a call for feedback at Tuesday night’s meeting. Charles City resident Kevin Sullivan used last month’s citizen comment period. During that time, Sullivan said that the county was one of very few in the state of Virginia that consisted of a three-man board. He reiterated those comments at Tuesday night’s meeting. Word of Sullivan’s comments made their rounds in the county, with a few citizens calling up their respective county representatives to weigh in their opinion. Supervisors elected to…
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Midlothian man cleared of construction fraud charges in New Kent
A Midlothian man had five charges dismissed after a two-day contested trial in New Kent Circuit Court. James William Arehart, 39, of the 400 block of Coalfield Road, was found not guilty on three charges of failing to pay subcontractors, and one charge each of construction fraud (advance pay, no construction) and embezzlement. In August 2015, Karyn Victory entered into a contract with Arehart, who operated under J.A. Custom Builders, to build a house. Work begin in late November of that year but progressed slowly. While construction was occurring, Victory begin to work with her financial supplier, TowneBank, to disperse…
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Talleysville fire station gets go ahead to build after supervisors approve contract
Construction for a new fire station in the Talleysville area of New Kent is a full go after county leaders approved a contract Monday night at the board of supervisors meeting. Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve entering into a contract with Henderson, Inc. in the amount of $2,518,692 for a new fire station. The facility will be located at 7324 Vineyards Parkway, adjacent to the New Kent County Visitor Center. Plans for the new station gained steam in Nov. 2016 after New Kent Fire Chief Rick Opett came to the board for the need due to the county’s exponential growth….
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North Waterside Drive closing for pipe replacement
North Waterside Drive (Route 627) in New Kent will be closed from July 30-Aug. 3. Weather permitting, the road will be closed at Pond Creek for pipe replacement. Motorists will experience a five-mile detour and should plan accordingly.
