News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | May 12, 2026
Local News
Stewart appointed as District 1 representative to New Kent School Board
Jessica Stewart has been appointed to New Kent’s School Board as the District 1 interim representative. The appointment came during the school board’s May 4 meeting. Stewart is replacing Keith Pagano, who vacated the position due to his relocation to District 2. “I am excited for this new opportunity to serve my community as the newly appointed District 1 School Board Member for New Kent County Public Schools,” Stewart said in a press release. “I am incredibly grateful and deeply humbled by the support and encouragement I have received from the community over the last week.” Stewart taught in the…
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Parent raises concerns about racism, bullying in New Kent school system
A parent of a New Kent student has expressed concerns about the culture for black students in the school system. Tiffany Lewis addressed members of New Kent County’s School Board during Monday night’s regular board meeting. Lewis told board members that black students are still facing several issues within the confines of buildings. “I am addressing as a concerned and disappointed parent,” she said. “As a parent of black children in this district, my concern is clear and undeniable. “It has been the experience of many black students and families that New Kent County Public School shas a climate and…
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Quinton woman receives six-month term for third DWI conviction
A Quinton woman will spend six months in jail after receiving formal sentencing Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Kasey Dale Hartsoe, 34, of the 10000 block of Continental Road, received her term of incarceration for driving while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense) on July 17, 2025. During a Jan. 12 trial, Hartsoe entered into a plea agreement and pled guilty to the aforementioned charge. A summary of evidence revealed that on the day of the offense, a New Kent deputy received a call for service after being alerted of a vehicle on the side of the road. When…
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Charles City citizens express concerns over data center project, property reassessments
Charles City County citizens are challenging local leadership to have an impact in major areas in the county and provide more transparency. Residents voiced concerns on two specific areas during Tuesday night’s Charles City Board of Supervisors’ meeting, hoping their messages get through and are addressed. The first issue brought to the table was concern about the Pointe One data center project. Currently, the project is zoned for M-1 and M-2 (industrial zoning) and could construct by-right. However, citizens believe that the additional infrastructure needed for the project does not qualify and that public input should be solicited. “By-right permission…
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Charles City Board of Supervisors adopt $48.5 million budget for FY2026-27
Despite concerns from citizens and questions from one district leader, Charles City County Board of Supervisors passed their FY2026-2027 budget. Charles City board members voted 2-1 to adopt the $48,456,117 budget during Tuesday night’s regular board meeting. District 2 representative Michael Hill and District 3 representative Byron Adkins Sr. voted in favor of the budget, while District 1 representative Ryan Patterson voted against it. During the Apr. 16 public hearing, six citizens spoke out about the handling of the county’s finances, emphasizing that input from the public was not being considered. At Tuesday night’s meeting after the budget was adopted,…
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New Kent leaders, county staff continue to work through proposed FY2026-27 budget
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors continue to filter through the process of a budget for the next fiscal year. Tuesday morning’s work session provided a recap of the proposed $277,428,161 figure for the FY2026-2027 year. The high dollar amount is the result of two major projects proposed in the county’s CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) for next year; the construction of a new courthouse and the construction of a new elementary school. Originally, the proposed real estate tax rate was slated at 59 cents per $100 of assessed value. That number is the equivalent of a five-cent tax hike over the…
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New Kent man enters no contest plea to abduction, violating protective orders
A New Kent man who held a family member against their win last Fall has entered a no-contest plea to the offense. Devin Joseph Pardun, 46, of the 5900 block of Hingham Drive, New Kent, entered no contest pleas to one count of abduction and three counts of misdemeanor violating a protective order as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Eleven additional counts of violating a protective order, one count of misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member, and one count of misdemeanor obstruction of justice were dropped as part of the…
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Newport News man’s high-speed chase in New Kent results in 10-year prison term
A Newport News man will spend 10 years in prison for leading a high-speed chase that spanned two counties and nearly injured several New Kent deputies. Adrian Gerard Offer, 36, of the 500 block of Woodall Court, learned about his term of incarceration as part of Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. On Feb. 12, Offer’s case went before a jury. At that trial, New Kent Commonwealth’s Scott Renick played video of the pursuit with sheriff’s deputies and Offer. The video from Nov. 27, 2024 showed that a New Kent deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on…
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Charles City citizens question proposed budget, criticize leadership’s handling of past finances
Charles City citizens are questioning the county leadership’s ability to have a constructive and realistic budget. Six citizens took to the podium as part of the Apr. 16 public hearing on Charles City’s proposed 2026-27 budget. Residents did not hesitate to question the proposed $48,456,117 budget for the next cycle, which is nearly $8 million more than the county’s current operations. While Charles City County Administrator Keith Rogers Jr. said in previous meetings that $8 million would be allocated to address the county’s wastewater problems, citizens raised concerns about financial projects and abilities for the county to properly budget due…
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Referendum for fourth supervisor in Charles City County passes in special election
A referendum to change Charles City County’s form of government has passed in a special election. A special election held on Apr. 14 resulted in the referendum passing 1,306-401 to change the form of government. The passing of the referendum will see a fourth member added to the county’s board of supervisors. The new position will be considered as an at-large position, meaning the entire county will vote on the new supervisor in a special election this upcoming November. The referendum was presented as frustrations mounted from the public with current county leaders. The additional supervisor will also allow flexibility…
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