State Attorney General Bob McDonnell (www.bobmcdonnell.com) is pushing a law enforcement measure that even some police officers oppose. On January 17, he asked Governor Tim Kaine to allow State Police to enter into agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (www.ice.gov) to enforce immigration, and is supporting two bills that would allow localities federal […]
The offenders in these hot cases have more than a few things in common. The former Lutheran pastor and schoolteacher are both accused of liking kids…in that way. And two cousins who share the name Cook (albeit spelled differently) have a history of committing crimes together. Now, they’re each suing police officers for $2 million […]
Jennifer Behrens is a social worker with the Charlottesville Department of Social Services (www.charlottesville.org). One of her cases, an elementary-age boy who entered the foster system, needed a new place to live that would take him out of his home school district. Local schools are usually flexible—State legislation passed in 2005 says they can let […]
A Charlottesville judge issued a 40-year sentence to a man who pleaded guilty to the 2005 rape of a UVA student. John Henry Agee, 38, will be off the streets, but his victim is still fighting a lawsuit brought by a man she wrongly pointed to as her attacker. In September 2005, Agee followed the […]
At the end of the month, Albemarle Circuit Court Judge Paul M. Peatross will retire. The Charlottesville Area Bar Association has already grilled seven candidates, coming out with two they found “highly qualified” to succeed Peatross.
Amidst UVA’s $3 billion capital campaign (www.virginia.edu.uvacampaign) —$1.08 billion raised as of November 30 —some areas of the University stand to gain more than others. The biggest beneficiaries could include the Health System (well on its way to raise $500 million), Arts & Sciences (shooting for another $500 million) and the athletics program (hoping for […]
Should the Ginger Gold apple, a variety native to Central Virginia, be named our official State fruit? Some say “why not?” We’ve already got a State shell (the oyster shell) and a State bat (the Virginia big-eared bat). But apple growers say the General Assembly (www.legis.state.va.us) shouldn’t play favorites, and fans of other apple varieties […]
It’s possible the Virginia General Assembly will pass minimum wage legislation this year, bumping up the State’s $5.15-per-hour wage, circa 1997, to $7.25. Groups like the Virginia Organizing Project (VOP) (www.virginia-organizing.org) say they’ve lobbied especially hard, and three different versions of a minimum wage bill have been submitted for the 2007 General Assembly session. Charlottesville […]
When it comes to subjects like development and employment, UVA is undisputedly a major presence. But, according to Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) (www.caar.com) CEO Dave Phillips, the University isn’t even showing up to the affordable housing party, much less swapping ideas in the debate. Realtor and CAAR CEO Dave Phillips wants UVA to […]
Most of us know it’s a huge honor for students to live on the Lawn. The 47 selected each year get their own rocking chairs—front row seats to streak shows—and the esteemed privilege of walking outside in their towels to bathrooms that smell strangely zoo-like while people admire their accomplishments (and calves). But it’s not […]