News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | June 7, 2026
Local News
Charles City citizens continue to lambast Point One data center project
The ongoing saga between Charles City County’s Board of Supervisors and their constituents over a proposed data center project continued Tuesday night. Citizens spoke out against the Point One proposed data center project at the county’s regular board meeting. Many of the constituents lodged complaints about the details of the project, saying how Point One is attempting to use the “by-right” zoning for data centers as a way to bypass citizens’ concerns. “Point One ain’t your mother’s data center,” said Pat Davis. “You will see two turbine yards. When I asked about the number or type of turbines for those…
Read Full Story
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors adopts $271 million budget for FY2026-2027
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors adopted its FY2026-27 budget and tax levies during Tuesday morning’s work session. Board members unanimously adopted the $271,427,179 figure at the meeting. As part of that adoption, the real estate tax is set at 58 cents per $100 of assessed value. That number marks a four-cent tax increase from the equalized rate of 54 cents. The four cents are slated to be used to fund capital improvement projects (CIP). Leading the cost of the CIP total of $146,405,155 are two major projects that are scheduled to begin construction during the upcoming cycle. The construction of…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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,…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
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…
Read Full Story
