Catie Ratliff, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

Greene County Sheriff’s Office stages mass immigration detention in concert with federal officials

By Nathan Alderman and Catie Ratliff The Greene County Sheriff’s Office conducted a large-scale immigration enforcement operation near the intersection of Routes 29 and 33 in Ruckersville on June 23. “I just saw them pull someone over right now where I’m sitting,” says Andrew Young, an environmental lawyer who drove to the scene to document […]

Nathan Alderman | June 23, 2026

News

Retail spending is up across the region compared to last year, according to the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

Spending in the city and surrounding counties rose year over year in the first three months of 2026, according to a June 12 report from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The report, based on Virginia Department of Taxation’s Local Option Sales Tax Data, found that the area brought in roughly $1.44 million more in […]

Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026

News

Jefferson School and Black Business Expo join forces to celebrate and uplift Black community members

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and Charlottesville Albemarle Black Business Expo combine forces on June 20 for their third annual joint event. The all-day gathering is the culmination of months of preparation and years of history. Before coming to the Jefferson School, Charlottesville’s Juneteenth Celebration was held at Piedmont Virginia Community College and […]

Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026

Education News

Superintendent asked to resign amid outrage over handling of sexual assault allegations at elementary schools

After two days of heated public meetings regarding the district’s handling of sexual assault allegations against a former elementary-school staff member, the Albemarle County School Board requested Superintendent Matthew Haas’ resignation on June 11. Michael J. Swiney, 37, started as a social and emotional learning coach at Woodbrook Elementary School in December 2021. For unknown […]

Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026

News

UVA receives $43.4 million gift for community early childhood learning center

School’s out for the summer, but Charlottesville’s investment in education continues. In a June 5 statement, the University of Virginia announced a $43.4 million gift to its School of Education and Human Development to support the creation of a local early childhood learning center. The donation is the largest in the education school’s history. Official […]

Catie Ratliff | June 10, 2026

News Politics

Despite long list of openings, Charlottesville boards and commissions operating at normal vacancy rate

If you attended the June 1 Charlottesville City Council meeting, you may have been surprised when Councilor Michael Payne said, “there are a number of boards and commissions with vacancies,” and even more boards with terms expiring soon. City website data shows that Council appoints roughly 160 positions (excluding ex officio and city departmental appointments) […]

Catie Ratliff | June 10, 2026

Immigration News

How Charlottesville is supporting its immigrant neighbors under the Trump administration

Immigration has long been an expensive and confusing process in the United States, something made more stressful by the ongoing crackdown on pathways and people. At a difficult moment in immigration history, Charlottesville-based organizations have found routes to protect some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors. Since launching as an independent nonprofit in January, Camino, […]

Catie Ratliff | June 3, 2026

Development News

ACPS announces changes to preschool and K-5 afterschool programs for 2026-27 school year

As students celebrate the start of summer break, Albemarle County Public Schools is already looking ahead to next year with updates to programming for its youngest learners. At the preschool level, early childhood special education programs currently housed at Stony Point Elementary will be moved to Baker-Butler Elementary. The change, per a May 26 release, […]

Catie Ratliff | June 3, 2026

News Politics

Virginia monitoring cases amid surge in measles infections

The Virginia Department of Health launched a statewide measles dashboard on May 21, prompted by a spike in cases. At press time, Virginia has recorded 40 measles cases in 2026—up from the five cases documented in 2025. Among the known infections, 17 are connected to an ongoing outbreak in Buckingham County, which the VDH confirmed […]

Catie Ratliff | May 27, 2026

News

Wave of vetoes from Gov. Spanberger tables Democratic priorities

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a slate of Democratic priorities on May 19, surprising the Democratically controlled Virginia General Assembly. Several bills carried and supported by local legislators, covering everything from Board of Visitors reform to immigration enforcement regulations, were among those struck down. The latest string of vetoes follows the legislature’s reconvened session, during which […]

Catie Ratliff | May 27, 2026