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3 days ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
King George County Administrator Matthew Smolnik laid out a $138.4 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, reflecting about a 4.2% increase over the previous year — all without raising tax rates. The proposed budget was presented during a public hearing on May 6, where Smolnik emphasized the county’s commitment to fiscal responsibility despite economic pressures such as inflation and rising operational costs.
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3 days ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Northumberland County Public Schools (NCPS) is forecasting a budget shortfall of just over $1 million and will need the County to provide those funds to meet financial obligations through the remainder of the fiscal year, which concludes on June 30. The request was detailed by Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Leslie during a presentation to the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors last week.
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3 days ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Richmond Supervisors appear ready for a renewed push to clean up the county, discussing junk vehicles, a seemingly neglected Dominion site, and an unused emergency rescue vehicle that's been sitting idle. At last week’s board meeting, Supervisor Robert Pemberton voiced frustration over the proliferation of junk cars and the ineffectiveness of current enforcement measures. “We need to look at how we enforce [junk vehicle ordinances], rather than just writing a nice letter,” said Pemberton.
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1 week ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Faced with rising costs in most categories, Richmond County Administrator Hope Mothershead presented the Board of Supervisors a $35,423,611 budget for FY26, reflecting a 4.7% increase over FY25. The budget addresses rising operational costs, prioritizes employee compensation, and adjusts tax rates to balance revenue and relief for residents. Key issues include funding for schools, public safety, and infrastructure, alongside efforts to maintain fiscal stability despite inflationary pressures.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
As Northumberland pushes for a Virginia State Police investigation of the school system, the Board of Supervisors and School Board agreed that the School Board needs to consider placing the superintendent, Dr. Holly Wargo, and the finance director, Tara Booth, on administrative leave.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Westmoreland Department of Emergency Services recently received nearly $1 million in new resources to serve the community, including two new ambulances. The county’s fleet includes four ALS ambulances that are kept ready to move 24/7. Frontline ambulances travel an average of 40,000 miles a year giving them a life cycle of approximately five years, said EMS Chief Blake Byrd. The new pair replaced frontline vehicles that had over 270,000 miles.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
At a recent King George Service Authority (KGSA) meeting, the Chair, Cathy Binder announced that a significant water leak has been identified in the Dahlgren water system, with a loss of approximately 3 million gallons a month, and the source remains unknown. To locate the leak, in March, KGSA called in Virginia Rural Water Association (VRWA). At the time of the announcement, Binder said they had spent a month analyzing data and assessing the system using listening devices to detect the leak.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
With American Rescue Plan funds spent, the Town of Warsaw finalized a Fiscal Year 2026 budget totaling $5.5 million. The budget addresses rising costs and key infrastructure projects while aiming to maintain fiscal stability without increasing taxes. Major expenses for the upcoming year include the 74 Main Street building project, a DEQ-mandated replacement of Well #4, and a beautification initiative that hasn’t been fully detailed but will be funded by a grant.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Last Wednesday, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Antquan Montel Rich of Heathsville, for crimes related to fake money, including two counts of uttering and possession of forged bank notes. RCSO said Rich has possibly traveled through other jurisdictions. His first court appearance Friday. He has been released on bail and is scheduled to return for a review hearing June 27.
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2 weeks ago | 
newsontheneck.com | Michelle Smith
Five males, two of them juveniles, were arrested for a home invasion in the 500 block of Kinsale Rd. on March 29. According to Captain C. M. Smith of the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before midnight. There was an attempt to gain entry through the front door, but two residents were home at the time, and a male resident met two of the suspects at the threshold. The suspects were able to pass through into the house but didn’t make it very far inside, said Smith.
