News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 20, 2023
Local News
County growth to affect New Kent’s school budget for next year; pre-Labor Day start scheduled to begin with FY2024-25
The population boom in New Kent County is expected to have a major impact on the local school’s budget for FY2023-24. And early projects probably aren’t going to forecast the accuracy of how much. New Kent County Public Schools Director of Finance Haynie Morgheim addressed school board members at Monday night’s meeting. And while the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate present their bills for school funding, not even Morgheim can pinpoint the amount of state funds the school will receive. Utilizing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget for education, Morgheim says she expects at least $2.4 million in additional revenue…
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Providence Forge man found guilty for threatening to burn vehicle, home in Charles City
A Providence Forge man who threatened to burn down a vehicle and home of a woman has been found guilty of the charge. Richard Gene Wray Jr., 47, of the 14000 block of Crumptown Drive, was rendered guilty verdicts to one count each of making a bomb or burn threat, and misdemeanor destruction of property following Friday morning’s contested trial in Charles City Circuit Court. On Sept. 11, 2022, Wray and Tiffany Talbert were residing in the same residence when the incident occurred. On that day, Talbert was standing around a bonfire in the barrel when Wray approached her. Talbert…
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New Kent leaders get first peek of proposed CIP, receive update on internet progress from Cox
New Kent County’s Board of Supervisors received their first look at a proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the FY2023-24 fiscal year. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway addressed board members at Tuesday morning’s work session. Based on recommendation from the county’s planning commission and his input, the 2023-24 CIP is recommended at $16,349,146. Hathaway commented that with the broadband plan being fully-funded, the county can catch up on projects they have pushed back until they had enough funding. “We have pushed back projected until there was a time that we can afford it, and now is that time,” Hathaway…
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Washington D.C. woman receives year in jail for hit-and-run, eluding New Kent deputies
A Washington D.C. woman who attempted to flee from officers in New Kent County will spend the next year in jail. Jasmine Sade Stephens, 29, of the 1700 block of Columbia Road Northwest, entered guilty pleas to three counts of destruction of property and one count each of felony eluding and hit and run as part of a plea agreement reached in New Kent Circuit Court Monday morning. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Nov. 14, 2022, a New Kent Sheriff’s Deputy was checking license plates while parked in the Pilot Travel…
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New Kent Public Schools partnering with VDOE on federal grant for mental health services
New Kent County Public School will partner with Virginia’s Department of Education (VDOE) on a federal grant. The U.S. Department of Education awarded VDOE a five-year, $15 million grant for Virginia’s Comprehensive Approach to Recruitment and Retention of School Mental Health Services. New Kent County Public Schools’ Department of Exception Education and Student Services is collaborating with VDOE to increase the number of qualified mental health service professionals providing school-based mental health services to students.
Richmond man receives year in jail for distributing marijuana in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend one year in jail for possession and distributing marijuana in New Kent County. David Kenneth Eaton Jr., 34, received formal sentencing on the offense as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. During a Nov. 7, 2022 trial, Eaton entered into an agreement and pled guilty to distributing more than one-half ounce but less than five pounds of marijuana. At that trial, a summary of evidence showed that on Feb. 11, 2022, a Virginia State Trooper operating radar clacked a black Kia Optima traveling 99 miles per hour in a 70-miles per hour…
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Attempted murder charge dropped, but Richmond woman still faces unlawful wounding in Charles City
While a Richmond woman is no longer facing an attempted murder charge, she is still subject to an unlawful wounding conviction if she fails to complete requirements set forth by the court. Kallie Lynn Odell, 30, of the 6200 block of Glenway Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of an amended charge of unlawful wounding (originally malicious wounding) and an amended charge of misdemeanor destruction of property (originally felony destruction of property) as part of a plea agreement reached Friday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. One count each of attempted murder and felony hit and run were…
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School boards reorganize for 2023 calendar year
School boards in both New Kent and Charles City County reorganized for the 2023 calendar year. In New Kent, District 1 representative Wayne Meade was elected as chairman. District 5 leader Molly McBeath was selected as vice-chairwoman for the school board. In Charles City, Rodney Tyler will serve another term as chairman of the school board. Joy Harris will serve as vice-chairwoman once again for the calendar year.
Ten indicted following New Kent grand jury deliberations
Several individuals were indicted by a grand jury as part of proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court Monday morning: –Jamal Kareem Brock, 50, of the 800 block of Oliver Hill Way, Richmond, on a solo count of forgery. Brock allegedly forged a check belonging to Martin Control and Equipment Company on Aug. 29, 2022. –Curtis Leroy Etheridge, 55, of the 500 block of Plainfield Avenue, Chesapeake, on one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and misdemeanor DUI on drugs. Etheridge apparently possessed Fentanyl and drove under the influence of it on Sept. 3, 2022. –Christopher Lloyd Fritter,…
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Hampton man to serve 15 months for driving intoxicated in New Kent County
A Hampton man will spend 15 months in jail for driving under the influence in April 2022 in New Kent County. Mark Winston Cannon Jr. , 29, learned of his incarceration time after receiving formal sentencing Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. During a Nov. 7, 2022 trial, Cannon entered guilty pleas to DUI (third or subsequent offense) and misdemeanor DUI while driving revoked as part of a plea agreement. At his trial, a summary of evidence indicated that on Apr. 12, 2022 at 2:27 a.m., a Virginia State Trooper observed a vehicle unable to stay in its lane. After…
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