News

Charlottesville adopts ranked-choice voting on a trial basis

After moving the ordinance from the consent agenda, Charlottesville City Council voted on September 3 to adopt ranked-choice voting for its June 2025 primary elections. Ahead of the vote, former delegate and founder of Ranked Choice Virginia Sally Hudson spoke in favor of the new polling method. During her time in the General Assembly, Hudson […]

Catie Ratliff | September 5, 2024

News

Big changes in the works at Dairy Market

A new parking policy is coming to Dairy Market, following years of pushback from patrons and vendors about paying for parking. Inside the food hall, things are also changing, with several businesses and attractions arriving at the Grady Avenue spot after a wave of restaurant closures. While Citizen Burger Stand, 434th Street, and South and […]

Catie Ratliff | September 4, 2024

News

VDOT removes left-turn lanes from Hydraulic Road onto Route 29

Starting August 26, motorists can no longer turn left onto Route 29 from Hydraulic Road. The recent closure of the left-turn lanes is the Virginia Department of Transportation’s latest effort to improve traffic flow at the intersection. The change in traffic pattern was completed overnight, from August 25 to 26, with the left-turn lanes from […]

Catie Ratliff | August 23, 2024

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Charlottesville City Council increases salaries and considers ranked-choice voting

At its August 19 meeting, Charlottesville City Council delved into a number of hot-button local issues, including council salaries and ranked-choice voting. Under new legislation from the Virginia General Assembly, city governments can now vote to increase salaries, with pay limits determined by locality population size. A proposed salary ordinance would increase councilors’ annual pay […]

Catie Ratliff | August 21, 2024

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Draft congressional budget bills allocate millions for local projects and organizations

After a tumultuous budget cycle that led to the ouster of former speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, Congress is diving back into budget negotiations for Fiscal Year 2025. Draft bills passed by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee include more than $3 million in appropriations for local projects supporting Charlottesville and Albemarle County efforts around affordable […]

Catie Ratliff | August 21, 2024

Best of C-VILLE staff picks

A new page

After almost four years of renovations, the University of Virginia’s main library reopened its doors to the public at the beginning of the year. But the massive windows and study courts aren’t the only changes—the building also has a new name. Originally opened in 1938, the newly dubbed Edgar Shannon Library has been a staple […]

Catie Ratliff | August 20, 2024

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New CHS Principal Justin Malone on the 2024-25 school year

Charlottesville High School is kicking off the 2024-25 school year with a new principal, Justin Malone. Since starting on July 1, Malone has worked to get CHS ready for students to return. “I was ordered a new desk when I came on board and then went on vacation,” says Malone. “When I came back, not […]

Catie Ratliff | August 14, 2024

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City Council to consider ranked-choice voting ordinance

Charlottesville City Council will formally consider a draft ranked-choice voting ordinance at its August 19 meeting. If approved, Charlottesville would become the second locality in Virginia to adopt ranked-choice voting, and the new voting system will be used on a trial basis in the city’s 2025 election. Under a ranked-choice system, voters can rank candidates […]

Catie Ratliff | August 14, 2024

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Political coverage of Charlottesville seven years after A12

Since August 11 and 12, 2017, Charlottesville has become a national political talking point. With the seven-year anniversary of A12 just around the corner, discussion of Charlottesville continues to be deployed by both national media and political campaigns, especially in the 2024 presidential election. “We are living through a battle for the soul of this […]

Catie Ratliff | August 7, 2024