News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 25, 2026
Charles City School Board approves $8.9 million budget for FY2026-27
Charles City’s School Board approved an $8.9 million budget for the FY2026-27 school year. School board members voted 4-0 to approve the budget and send it to county leaders for consideration and adoption at the Feb. 17 meeting. At-large member Royce Paige was not present at the meeting. Otey’s budget proposal is centered around compensating teachers and support services. Among those services include two part-time math interventionists at each school ($74,604), a part-time reading interventionist ($74,604), in-school instructional coaches for teacher support ($161,464), an additional math teacher at each school at ($84,874), and stipends for teachers writing curriculum ($34,448). Otey’s…
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Branscome earns degree from University of Mississippi
Beatrice Branscome, a resident of Lanexa, graduated from the University of Mississippi as part of December 2025 commencement ceremonies. Branscome graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the School of Journalism and New Media, with an emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communications.
Letter to the Editor: Says Charles City should vote in favor for a fourth board member
Charles City is slowly dying from a life-threatening cancer. We can choose to treat it aggressively or leave it to fate. Effectively treating cancer is scary and often painful. Recovery is not immediate. I believe most of us would choose treatment. We have already begun to pick away at the cancer with a court-ordered forensic audit; a very deep dive into only three problem areas. Citizens who are subject matter experts have repeatedly cautioned our board [of supervisors] with facts. They have nothing to gain for themselves and do so for the love of the place we all call home….
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Quinton man receives 19-year sentence for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Quinton man who sold large quantities of methamphetamine from his home will spend the 19 years in prison. Anthony Paul Ali Jr., 30, entered guilty pleas to ne count each to an amended charge of selling a methamphetamine (more than 100 grams but less than 200 grams- originally charged with selling methamphetamine more than 1,000 grams), possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance, and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New…
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Leggett wins 100-yard freestyle, New Kent boys place 14th in state competition
New Kent High School’s boys’ swim team scored 53 points, finishing in 14th place at the Class 3A state championships at SwimRVA this past weekend. Finnegan Leggett earned the gold medal in the 100-yard freestyle, swimming to victory in a time of 46.83. He also placed third in the boys’ 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.51. On the girls’ side, the Lady Trojans accumulated six points, placing 25th in the state competition. The Lady Trojans accumulated points in the 200-yard freestyle relay as the quartet of Sydney Miller, Kelsey Sutton, Brynnlee Ronan, and Kayleigh Beatley placed 15th with a…
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