News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | May 26, 2026
Local News
New Kent Sheriff’s Office seeking information in overnight Memorial Day larcenies
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for assistance to provide information stemming from overnight larcenies and attempted grand theft auto. According to authorities, in the early morning hours of May 25 in the neighborhoods of Kentwood Farms, Greenwood Farms, and the Rochambeau subdivisions, suspects attempted to break into several vehicles, tampering with them and attempting to steal items inside. When some victims confronted the individuals attempting to commit the crimes, the suspects shot in the direction of the victims, with at least one vehicle, a black 2010 Lincoln MKT SUV, being stolen from the site. There were no…
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Man dies after falling off boat at Diascund Reservoir in New Kent
A man has died after falling off a boat at the Diascund Reservoir in New Kent. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and New Kent Sheriff’s Office, Dalton B. Dunlap, 31, was pronounced deceased after his body was recovered from the water on May 23. According to an investigative report, a call was received at 3:45 p.m. for help of an individual falling off a boat and into the water. The victim did not resurface. Dunlap was apparently fishing when he fell overboard. Dunlap was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. Alcohol is…
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Charles City School Board members dismayed as $7.8 million budget is adopted
Charles City County’s School Board has adopted its budget on FY2026-27, much to the dismay of board members. School board members voted 4-0 to adopt a budget with local appropriations totaling $7,851,161 for the upcoming cycle, with at-large member Royce Paige absent from the meeting. In total, the overall budget with state funding, federal funding, and other funding brings the total to $15,819,947. In January, Charles City Superintendent of Schools Katina Otey presented a budget with local appropriations totaling $8,923,281. Among recommendations in that budget included a 10-percent salary increase for staff, five additional hires, new equipment and supplies, and…
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Newport News man receives 14-month sentence for possessing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Newport News man will spend 14 months in jail for possessing methamphetamine in New Kent County. Michael David King, 34, of the 300 block of Colony Road, pled guilty to a single count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. One additional charge of possession of a Schedule I/II substance and misdemeanor DWI (first offense) were dropped as part of the deal. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Oct. 23, 2025, an officer noticed a car parked…
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New Kent grand jury certifies indictments against 16 individuals in circuit court
A grand jury handed up several indictments as part of proceedings that took place Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court: –Sherwood Jerome Banks Jr., 37, of the 7900 block of Plum Point Road, West Point, on a solo charge of possession of a Schedule I/II drug. Banks allegedly was in possession of heroin on Jan. 11. –Mehki Kewan Briggs, 23, of the 7800 block of Lovegrass Terrance, New Kent, on one charge each of distribution of marijuana greater than one ounce and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon. The offenses allegedly occurred on Nov. 24, 2025. –Michael Shane Cooke, 58,…
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No speakers address New Kent’s proposed $277 million budget
There were no speakers on New Kent County’s budget at the regular board meeting Monday night. New Kent leaders received zero feedback from the public on the county’s $277,428,161 budget. The budget includes a four-cent tax increase on the real estate rate, which is slated at 58 cents per $100 of assessed value. New Kent’s proposed FY2026-27 budget increase is centered around a pair of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. The construction of a new elementary school carries a price tag of $60 million, while the construction of a new courthouse along with the renovation of the old courthouse to…
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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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