News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | October 29, 2026
Local News
Stewart, Tyler vying for newly created supervisor position in Charles City
Two candidates will be vying for votes in Charles City for the newly created at-large Board of Supervisors position. Jackie Stewart and Rob Tyler are candidates for the position that will add a fourth supervisor in Charles City. On Apr. 14, a special election was held on a referendum that was submitted to allow for a fourth county leader. The referendum passed in favor of creating the position 1,306-401. The new position will be a first at the county level as the individual selected will represent the entirety of Charles City County and not one of the three districts. The…
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Individuals in unrelated cases to serve times for failing to complete First Offender Program
Two individuals in unrelated cases will spend time incarcerated after violating the terms of the First Offender Program imposed by New Kent Circuit Court. Stephen Thomas Jones, 49, of the 2400 block of Oaklawn Boulevard, Hopewell, was formally found guilty on a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance after failing to complete the terms of the First Offender Program. During a Dec. 9, 2024 trial, Jones entered into a plea agreement as he pled guilty to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and misdemeanor DWI (first offense). During that trial, evidence presented showed…
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Quinton woman receives year in jail for aiding minor with prostitution
A Quinton woman will spend a year in jail in connection to aiding a minor with prostitution. Victoria Anne Creps, 28, of the 8300 block of Plum Grove Drive, learned of her term of incarceration during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During a June 15 trial, Creps entered a no contest plea to a single count of aiding the prostitution of a minor as part of a plea agreement, while an additional charge of sex trafficking of a minor was dropped. Creps’ no contest plea indicates that evidence presented in court would be enough to convict her of…
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Thomas Williams, first African American male circuit clerk court of Charles City, succumbs.
Thomas Williams, the first African American male to serve as Circuit Court Clerk in Charles City County, has succumbed at the age of 86. Williams was appointed in 1988 by Judge Russell M. Carneal to the position of circuit court clerk. He succeeded Mrs. Iona W. Adkins, who was the first African American female circuit court clerk of Charles City County. Williams held the position from 1988 to 2004 until his retirement. Williams was also active in the community as a member of the NAACP, Charles City Social Services Board, Charles City Economic Development Authority, and established the Charles City…
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More questions loom around forensic audit after Charles City work session
An Oct. 5 work session of Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors tried to qualm the fears and outbursts from several citizens as they provided a recap of the forensic audit. But instead of providing a few answers, it just resulted in more questions and frustrations. Citizens sat as they observed county leadership and Charles City County Administrator Keith Rogers reviewed the document that allegedly had not resolved the issue of unanswered questions and missing information. The forensic audit was summarized in ten procedures, with each pointing to an area that needed to be adjusted or were highlighted during the…
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Charles City man arrested on charges of possessing child pornography
A convicted sex offender has been arrested in Charles City County on possession of child pornography charges. Ronald Jay Fleet, 73, was arrested and charged with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and two counts of failure to register as a sex offender. In a press release from Charles City County Sheriff’s Office, on Oct. 8, the sheriff’s office worked in collaboration with the Virginia State Police executed a search warrant after a month-long investigation. A search warrant was executed, resulting in evidence being obtained that Fleet allegedly possessed the material. Fleet has a prior federal conviction…
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All Charles City, New Kent County schools fully accredited by VDOE
All five schools in New Kent County and both schools in Charles City County are fully accredited for the FY2026-27 school year. Virginia’s Department of Education (VDOE) released accreditation scores on its website this past week, marking the designations of all schools within the Commonwealth of Virginia. In New Kent, four schools received the distinguished designation from VDOE. George Watkins Elementary, New Kent Elementary, New Kent Middle, and New Kent High School were all recognized for their achievements. Quinton Elementary School was recognized for meeting expectations. In Charles City, Charles City County High School was recognized for meeting expectations. Charles…
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Charles City School Board appoints Jones as newest member
Charles City County Public Schools has appointed Chelsea Jones as its newest school board member. Jones was appointed as part of an Oct. 5 specially called meeting. Jones, a 2000 graduate of Charles City High School, has spent more than 20 years of professional service in customer service, leadership, and team management. Jones is filling the at-large role position on the school board left by the late Royce Paige, who passed away in early September. Her current term will end on Dec. 31, 2027.
New Kent School Board sounds off on 2027-28 CIP, calls on county leadership to step up funding
Even though the 2026-2027 school year just began, New Kent County Public Schools are already looking into improving campus property and infrastructure for the next fiscal cycle. New Kent Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jonathan Hochman presented the first draft of the school system’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2027-28 year. Hochman said, “We want to protect our investments. We have lots of stuff; schools, systems, lots of buses and things like that. We spend a lot of time and money on those things, and we want to make sure we take care of them. “We also want to move to…
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Opett departs position as New Kent Fire Chief for new role with VDOT
Rick Opett, who has served as fire chief for New Kent Fire and Rescue, stepped down on Sept. 24 to accept a position with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Opett will serve as the new director of Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. Opett began his tenure on Jan. 16, 2013, following in the footsteps of his father. Prior to his tenure in New Kent, he was a battalion chief for Loudon County. Opett’s tenure marked a transition of New Kent Fire and Rescue, especially with growth. With New Kent having one of the fastest rising populations…
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