‘Market 5 is alive!’

Charles City’s new visitor center

Local church donates hygiene bags to Colonial Downs’ workers

Jay Hurley, pastor of Samaria Baptist Church in Charles City, along with several congregation members purchased and created hygiene bags for workers of Colonial Downs. Hurley, who also serves as the chaplain for Colonial Downs, helped distribute 100 hygiene bags on July 11 to hardworking grooms, whose job is to work stables and tend to the horses in need. Another 50 bags were distributed to shut-in residents in Charles City. The distribution took place during a luncheon hosted by the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VAHBPA).

Bonsky earns Dean’s List recognition at York College of Pennsylvania

Taryn Bonsky, a resident of New Kent, was named to the Dean’s List at York College of Pennsylvania for the Spring 2025 semester. In order to be recognized for the achievement, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.50 and take at least 12 academic credit hours.

Letter to the Editor: Says it’s time for Charles City citizens to hold local government accountable

Charles City County is in serious financial trouble. One only has to look at the past several years of audits to understand why. Leadership has overspent revenues every year since 2021, culminating in nearly $8 million overspent in 2024 alone. Fund balances have been depleted, and the county had to take out a $5 million loan last year to make payroll. In four short years, county leadership has reduced a financially stable county to near bankruptcy. County leadership does not seem to recognize the seriousness of the financial problems and has not taken sufficient actions so far. Even after being…
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Benjamin Harrison Bridge scheduled for weekend closures

The Benjamin Harrison Bridge, which connects Charles City and Prince George County, is scheduled to close to for improvements next weekend. Weather pending, Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that beginning on Friday July 18, 1 a.m., the bridge will be closed for the entire weekend for upgrades. The bridge will reopen on Monday, July 21, at 5 a.m. A second closure is scheduled to begin on Friday, Aug. 1, 1 a.m., and will reopen on Monday, Aug. 4, 5 a.m. Motorists traveling from Charles City to Prince George are instructed to travel on Route 5 West to Interstate…
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Life after Idol: Doors, dreams open for New Kent’s Grayson Torrence

“Just crazy.” Those were the words of how New Kent native Grayson Torrence described her life and reception after returning home from her run on American Idol. Torrence finished in the top 24 on the show, receiving praise from Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan while besting over 100 singers. And while she didn’t emerge as the winner of the show, the exposure has done more to her career than she could have imagined. “I’m still getting use to being recognized,” she said in a July 9 interview. “I constantly feel like I forgot someone when they say they know me.”…
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Rosie’s Gives Back program

Temporary traffic lights to begin operation at Emmaus Church, Interstate 64 interchanges

More temporary traffic lights are coming to New Kent County that will last for an extended period of time. Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that temporary traffic lights will be begin operations at both intersections of the Interstate 64 and Emmaus Church Road (Route 106) starting next week. The project will serve as a two-fold process as part of the Interstate 64 expansion to three lanes. The first part of the process will see one lane of traffic on the bridge close for use as superstructure replacement will begin on the bridge. The second part of the process will…
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Rudolph makes Dean’s List at Virginia Tech

Amy Rudolph, a resident of New Kent, has been named to the Dean’s List at Virginia Tech for the Spring 2025 semester. To be recognized for the achievement, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher.