Catie Ratliff, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

News

Charlottesville investigating apparent arson at former encampment site near Free Bridge

The Charlottesville Police Department and Fire Marshal are investigating a suspected arson at the former Rivanna River encampment area. A September 2 surveillance video shows an individual lighting at least two tents on fire less than two hours after the city announced no one remained at the sites. In a September 2 news release, officials […]

Catie Ratliff | September 9, 2026

News

UVA dominates NC State in season opener

The University of Virginia football team trounced North Carolina State 34-8 in its August 29 season opener in front of a sold-out crowd at Scott Stadium. Hopes were already high for the Hoos ahead of Saturday’s game, the first sell out since 2008, with UVA coming off the 2025-26 season with the most wins in […]

Catie Ratliff | September 2, 2026

Legal News

Charlottesville gives Dewberry 60 days to submit a written plan for half-finished hotel

The City of Charlottesville finally seems to have had enough of the half-built Dewberry, née Landmark, hotel at 201 E. Water St. In an August 19 letter, City Attorney John Maddux gave John Dewberry, Dewberry Capital, and Deerfield Square Associates II, LLC 60 days to submit a written plan for the building that’s sat in […]

Catie Ratliff | September 2, 2026

Best of C-VILLE 2026 Kids + Family

Locally sourced

To say Zyahna Bryant is active in the Charlottesville community is an understatement. At just 25 years old, Bryant has (among other achievements): written a petition that helped spark a nationwide reckoning with Confederate monuments, served as a high-school student leader, been a youth representative to City Council, and, most recently, become the youngest person […]

Catie Ratliff | August 26, 2026

Development News

Rep. McGuire calls on city to delay opening Holiday Drive site, offering no alternatives or support

In a social media letter to Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders, 5th District Rep. John McGuire called on the city to delay the opening of the Holiday Drive emergency shelter. The congressman raised concerns about the impact on businesses in the area and the physical condition of the building, but gave no alternatives for housing […]

Catie Ratliff | August 26, 2026

News

Albemarle Circuit Court orders Swiney remain in custody

At an August 13 hearing, the Albemarle Circuit Court ruled that Michael Swiney must remain in custody without bail. Swiney, a former social emotional learning coach for Albemarle County Public Schools, faces 11 felony counts, including multiple charges of aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties. More details about the allegations against Swiney emerged during the […]

Catie Ratliff | August 19, 2026

Environment News

A look at data centers planned in the Charlottesville area

Despite the high concentration of data centers in the Commonwealth, Charlottesville has few actual or proposed sites—no matter how you define “data center.” Virginia has a lot of data centers, with 371 operating and more than 800 proposed as of August 2026, per Cleanview estimates. None are in Charlottesville or Albemarle. Other sources, using different […]

Catie Ratliff | August 19, 2026

News

ACPD Chief Sean Reeves retires after months of medical leave

Albemarle County Police Chief Sean Reeves, who’s been on medical leave since May 8, will retire October 1. He will remain on leave until his official exit, and Deputy Chief Randy Jamerson will take over as acting chief August 14, replacing Deputy Chief Camille Stewart. “Serving as your Chief of Police for the past four […]

Catie Ratliff | August 12, 2026

Feature News

The city hopes a new emergency shelter at 2000 Holiday Dr. will ease a growing crisis around the Rivanna Trail

The situation at the Rivanna Trail encampments is reaching a boiling point, with a viral video of a man (who has since been identified as a white supremacist who believes Heather Heyer’s killer should be free) walking through the area. The video, along with the deaths of unhoused persons living at the site, tent fires, […]

Catie Ratliff | July 29, 2026

News

Albemarle School Board schedules meeting on independent investigation

The Albemarle County School Board will hold a special meeting August 4 to discuss an independent investigation into the district’s handling of abuse allegations and staff misconduct. The meeting will be held at 10am in Room 241 of the Albemarle County Office Building. Per a July 21 announcement, the meeting’s focus will be on the […]

Catie Ratliff | July 29, 2026