News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | July 18, 2025
Local News
New Kent superintendent asks county leaders for reconsideration to fund new elementary school
During the 2025-2026 budgeting process, New Kent Board of Supervisors faced a decision on funding the construction of a new courthouse, funding a new elementary school, or both. As a result of those discussions, county leaders elected to start funding the construction of a new courthouse, leaving the new elementary school on the cutting room floor. At Monday night’s regular meeting of New Kent’s Board of Supervisors, the schools made another plea for reconsideration. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway along with county leaders emerged from a closed session at the beginning of Monday’s meeting. After coming out of the…
Read Full Story
Petition granted to commence forensic audit of Charles City County finances
An order for a forensic audit filed by citizens of Charles City County has been put in motion. Charles City County Circuit Court issued an order on June 20, ordering Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors to conduct a forensic audit of county finances. A forensic audit is a detailed examination of financial records to uncover fraud, misconduct, or other irregularities. At the end of 2024, several citizens of Charles City were upset that information about the county’s finances weren’t available as they were to be filed by law prior to the end of the year. At January and February…
Read Full Story
Otey hired as new superintendent for Charles City County Public Schools
Charles City County Public Schools has announced that Dr. Katina Otey will serve as the next superintendent of schools. The announcement was made during a June 25 special meeting of the school board. Otey will succeed Dalphine Joppy, who is stepping down after five years of service. Otey is bringing 31 years of public education to Charles City County Public Schools, with her latest position as Chief Academic Officer for Charlottesville City Public Schools, a role she had held since 2020. Other educational capacities she has served in include being a classroom teacher at Roanoke City Public Schools, an assistant…
Read Full Story
Charles City supervisors defer decision on rezoning for Diode data center
A decision for the rezoning of property to allow the construction of a data center in Charles City has been put on hold for two months. Charles City’s Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to defer a decision on a request made by Diode Data Centers to rezone agricultural land to commercial and industrial during Tuesday night’s board meeting, gaining applause from concerned citizens. Charles City Director of Community Development Gary Mitchell displayed an updated presentation from Diode. With earlier feedback stemming from concerns of sound, machine operations, and sightlines, Mitchell proposed a 200-foot buffer on the property. A display map…
Read Full Story
Quinton man convicted on felony eluding after attempting to switch tags on vehicles
A Quinton man has entered guilty pleas stemming from a February chase in New Kent County. Robert Lawrence Byers Jr., 26, of the 6700 block of Sassafras Drive, pled guilty to one count each of felony eluding and misdemeanor providing false identification to a law enforcement officer during Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Feb. 10, a New Kent deputy patrolling eastbound traffic on Route 60 (Pocahontas Trail) when a Sedan with dark tint passed through the area. The officer ran a registration check on…
Read Full Story
Rogers hired as new county administrator for Charles City
Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors has announced that Keith Rogers Jr. has been selected as the next county administrator. In a June 17 press release, the county announced that Rogers has been appointed to the new position. “We are excited to welcome Mr. Rogers to Charles City County,” said District 3 representative and board chairman Byron Adkins Sr. in a press release. “We know that we have a lot to accomplish, and the board was impressed with Keith’s experience in addressing financial challenges and promoting open and transparent government.” Rogers, a native of Hampton, holds a Bachelor of Arts…
Read Full Story
Richmond man receives one year jail term for initiating high-speed chase in New Kent
A Richmond man who led a high-speed chase in New Kent in 2023 will spend a year in jail. James Alonzo McLaughlin, 41, of the 3800 block of W. Grace Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of felony eluding, felony hit and run, and misdemeanor obstruction of justice as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. Two counts of felony failure to appear and one count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (first offense) was dropped as part of a deal. In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on…
Read Full Story
Richmond woman receives three years in prison for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Richmond woman will spend the next three years in prison for distributing drugs in New Kent County. Sharee Mae Smith, 33, of the 100 block of West Leigh Street, entered guilty pleas to one count each of distributing a Schedule I/II drug (second offense) and felony failure to appear as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence presented by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Apr. 2, 2024, New Kent Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle seizure and had a K-9 conduct a free air smith. The K-9 alerted officers of…
Read Full Story
New Kent County Public Schools announce new leadership in school division
New Kent County Public Schools have announced the promotion of one administrative intern to assistant principal at New Kent Elementary School and the return of a former New Kent Middle School principal to the same position. Megan Worrell has been promoted to the position of assistant principal at New Kent Elementary School. A graduate of Longwood University’s Administration and Supervision program, Worrell recently served as an administrative intern, classroom teacher, and math interventionist. Sammy Fudge returns to New Kent Middle School as principal after spending the last 10 years in North Carolina where he served as the assistant superintendent of…
Read Full Story
Fredericksburg man receives six-year prison sentence for Charles City crash that killed Hopewell woman
A Fredericksburg man will spend six years in prison after being sentenced for involuntary manslaughter involving alcohol that claimed the life of a Hopewell resident. Jules Jamar Stewart, 31, received formal sentencing on the lone count following Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. During a March 4 trial, during the early morning hours of Aur. 23, 2022, a white 2010 Ford Focus struck a 2002 Ford Explorer at the intersection of Roxbury Road and Wayside Road near the Colonial Mart Gas Station. The Focus, driven by Stewart, collided with the Explorer that was driven by Catherine Breeding. The…
Read Full Story
