News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | July 18, 2025
Local News
Roanoke man convicted of attempted grand theft auto in New Kent
A Roanoke man has been convicted on several charges linked to an attempted grand theft auto in New Kent. Elijah Wessel Campbell was found guilty on one count each of attempted grand larceny, possession of burglary tools, breaking and entering, causing damage to a public building, misdemeanor petty larceny, and misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle following a Monday afternoon trial in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth Attorney Scott Renick, on Sept. 6, 2023, Campbell was on the property of United Auto Sales after they have closed for the night. Campbell took…
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Charles City financial situation updated, but citizens press forward with concerns
Ashamed. Disappointment. Embarrassed. Those were the words used by several members of the public to address the handling of finances by Charles City County over the last several months during Tuesday night’s Charles City Board of Supervisors meeting that lasted more than three hours long. For the last seven months, citizens have questioned several financial transactions and decisions made by county leadership. In Aug. 2024, supervisors agreed to a Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) of $5.2 million, a short-term revenue boost to cover expenses. Since that moment, citizens have worried about the county’s finances and what happened to funding. More issues…
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Richmond man receives 14-month jail sentence for stealing construction materials in New Kent
A Richmond man who stole construction materials from a residence in New Kent County will spend the next 14 months in jail. Jayvon Marquise Harris, 29, entered guilty pleas to one count each of grand larceny and intent to sell stolen property as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Six charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, two additional charges of grand larceny, and two additional charges of intent to sell stolen property were dropped as part of the plea deal. In a summary of evidence by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick,…
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Richmond man receives 12-month sentence for distributing marijuana in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend the next 12 months in jail for distributing marijuana in New Kent County. Thomas Edward Burwell, 40, of the 900 block of N. 36th Street, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor distribution of marijuana less than one ounce (originally distribution of a Schedule I/II substance-second offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Jan. 26, 2024, the Twin Rivers Drug Task Force conducted several control buys with a confidential informant throughout…
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Thirteen people indicted by New Kent grand jury during proceedings
A baker’s dozen of individuals were indicted by a New Kent grand jury following Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court: –John Carlton Babcock, 20, of the 5900 block of Plaster Lane, Quinton, on a lone count of possession of a Schedule I/II substance. The defendant was allegedly in possession of cocaine on Apr. 30, 2024. –Michael Eugene Brown II, 26, of the 400 block of 6th Avenue, Wall, South Dakota, one a solo count of felony child abuse. The offense allegedly occurred on July 1, 2024. –Tavares Butts, 24, currently of Henrico Jail East, on a single charge…
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Target to bring 1.4 million square foot distribution facility to New Kent
The Target Corporation has announced their commitment to construct a 1.4 million square-foot facility in New Kent County. The planned site for the new facility is located at the intersection of exit 211 (Talleysville) and Interstate 64 in the southwest quadrant of the New Kent City Center according to a Mar. 18 press release. The corporation joins Autozone and Buc-ee’s as new residents who plan to occupy that corridor. “New Kent County staff, the Economic Development Authority, and the Board of Supervisors have worked tirelessly over the past several years to draw major players, such as Target Corporation, to our…
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Proposed New Kent County budget comes in with $131 million tag; possible projects may lead to tax increase proposal
New Kent County continues to grow in a variety of ways including in population, businesses, and residences. You can add budget to that category as well. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway revealed a budget of $131,071,628 during Monday night’s New Kent Board of Supervisors’ meeting. That amount in nearly $18 million more than the FY adopted budget of $113,379,280. The proposed budget currently includes no tax increase to the county’s real estate tax, keeping it at 59 cents per $100 of assessed value. Each penny is currently valued at $551,635. But the tax increase is still a discussion topic…
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Charles City man slammed with five-year prison sentence for having indecent liberties with minors
Editor’s Note: This story may feature content unsuitable for some readers. A Charles City man will spend the next five years in prison after learning his sentence stemming from having indecent liberties with minors. David Brackett, 57, learned of her term during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. During a Nov. 12, 2024 contested trial, evidence revealed that on June 28, 2024, Brackett invited the two victims to leave their house and go outside and make a tent. The victims agreed, getting into the defendant’s truck and traveling 150 feet from the home to an area just out-of-view…
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Barhamsville man receives 14-month jail sentence for possessing Fentanyl
A Barhamsville man will spend the next 14 months in jail for possessing a Schedule I/II substance in New Kent. Thomas Ray Walton, 30, of the 5600 block of Country Drive, entered guilty pleas to one count each of possession of a Schedule I/II drug, an amended charge of misdemeanor obstruction of justice (originally assault and battery on a law enforcement officer), and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (second offense) as part of an agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of delivering drugs to a prisoner was dropped as part of the agreement. In a summary…
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Charles City County Public Schools approve $7.4 million operating budget for FY2025-26
Charles City County Public Schools has approved a proposed $7.4 million operating budget for FY2025-26. School board members voted unanimously to approve the budget of $7,423,743 for the upcoming fiscal year at Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting. That amount is $628,878, or 9.3 percent, more than the current school year. As part of the operating budget, a three-percent employee compensation increase is proposed. The budget also includes keeping the positions of the school district having a mental health specialist, a second reading specialist, and a math interventionalist. Currently those positions are funded by grants that are due to expire….
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