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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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• Gloucester duo indicted for drug possession in New Kent County

  A pair of Gloucester residents have been indicted for allegedly having drugs in New Kent County. Desiree Christiane Garcia, 32, and William Cody West, 33, both of the 6800 block of Cherokee Lane, have been indicted on one charge of possession of a Schedule I/II substance following Monday morning grand jury proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. The duo was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine on Mar. 19. In other circuit court matters certified by the grand jury: –Anthony Orlando Donner, 63, of the 2100 block of Hull Street, Richmond, on one charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug….
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• New Kent man enters guilty plea to amended charge of misdemeanor drug distribution

  A New Kent man entered guilty pleas to drug charges and carrying a concealed weapon as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Mehki Kewan Briggs, 23, of the 7800 block of Lovegrass Terrance, entered guilty pleas to an amended charge of misdemeanor distribution of marijuana less than one ounce (originally distribution of marijuana greater than one ounce but less than five pounds) and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon as part of the agreement. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Nov. 14, 2025, an officer conducted…
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• Letter to the Editor: Says Charles City citizens should not have to spend their own money for answers

  Citizens elect public officials to answer questions, responsibly manage taxpayer money, and represent the interests of the people. Yet, citizens of Charles City have repeatedly had to spend their own money simply to obtain answers from their government. Residents hired attorneys and sought court intervention because they believed important financial questions remained unanswered or undisclosed. A judge agreed and ordered a forensic audit, validating the concerns of many citizens. Questions that go unanswered include why was a former county administrator reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance when public statements indicated she resigned? How did the cost of…
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• Charles City earns Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

  Charles City County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY2027 Fiscal Plan from the Government Finance Offices Association (GFOA). The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in public-sector budgeting and represents a significant achievement for Charles City County. “This award is representative of our commitment to excellence and financial sustainability,” said Keith Rogers Jr., County Administrator for Charles City. “I commend the Board of Supervisors for their diligence and the residents for their input and feedback during the budget process. I also want to thank our team, especially our finance director, Christina Crawley-Jones,…
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• Dolly Parton Imagination Library launches in New Kent

  The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) has launched in New Kent County. Partnering with Read to Them (RTT), an early-literacy nonprofit based in Richmond, more than 1000 kids under the age of five who live in the county will be able to receive free books through the program. For more information, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/VANEWKENT.