News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | August 4, 2026
Westbound ramps to Interstate 64 in Bottoms Bridge closing overnight for improvements
The on-and-off westbound ramps at Exit 205 in New Kent County will close overnight as part of ongoing improvements as part of the Interstate 64 expansion project. Beginning on Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. and concluding on Aug. 10 at 5 a.m., westbound Interstate 64 traffic at Exit 205 and Route 33 (Bottoms Bridge/Route 60/Route 249) exit ramp in New Kent County will be closed (weather permitting). Off-ramp detour traffic traveling westbound on Interstate 64 will be directed to continue westbound towards Interstate 295 southbound and redirected to eastbound Interstate 64 and get off at Exit 205. On-ramp detour traffic…
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Stewart re-elected as chairperson for PlanRVA
New Kent’s District 5 Supervisor Jordan Stewart has been re-elected as chairperson for PlanRVA for a second consecutive term. PlanRVA encompasses several localities in Central Virginia including Charles City and New Kent County. Plan RVA is a planning agency that provides essential services to the Richmond region, working with community representatives and building relationships that strengthen capacity across the region.
New Kent High School volleyball team wins academic award
New Kent High School’s 2025-26 volleyball team is the recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The award is presented to teams that earn a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher. This is the fifth time in six years that New Kent High School’s team has received the award. The team accumulated a combined GPA of 3.8983 to earn the award.
Pamunkey River water withdrawal project expected to cost at least $33 million
Even though a mandate is more than a dozen years away, New Kent’s Board of Supervisors are dealing with the problem of bringing more water to the county without tapping into the groundwater supply. New Kent Public Utilities Director addressed county leaders on the Pamunkey River Withdrawal Project during Tuesday morning’s budget work session. Lang spoke to supervisors about a 2038 mandate issued through Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The mandate delivered is that by 2038, groundwater withdrawal permits for the two largest water systems at Bottoms Bridge and Central Water Systems will be reduced in volume. “Continued reliance…
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Letter to the Editor: Thanks Stewart for representing District 5 in New Kent
I am writing to express my appreciation for New Kent District 5 Supervisor Jordan Stewart and her stance regarding the Technology Overlay District. During the Technology Overlay District discussion, it was clear that she had the best interests of her constituents and the county in mind. I understand there are challenges with representing a rapidly growing county, and Supervisor Stewart clearly does her homework and understands the money they are spending is ours, the taxpayers. Supervisor Stewart has demonstrated that District 5 has a voice on the board and isn’t afraid to share our concerns. The reason she knows our…
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Dugan named as Director of Community Development for Charles City
Charles City County has announced John M. Dugan as the county’s new Director of Community Development. Dugan, a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), holds a Master of City Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University. He has previously served in senior leadership positions in Monterey County, California; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and most recently, served as the planning director in Loudoun County and City of Norfolk. Dugan’s background includes comprehensive planning, zoning, economic development, building permitting and inspections, code enforcement, environmental planning, housing, and community engagement. He will officially…
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