‘Lean thinking’ saves UVA hospital millions

Sixty patients died unexpectedly while receiving care at the University of Virginia Medical Center last year, according to Executive Vice President of Health Affairs Richard Shannon. This year, he says doctors are on track to drastically reduce that number. At a June 3 seminar called First Do No Harm, Shannon presented the health system’s efforts […]

In bloom: Algae in reservoirs ‘significant’

An unquantified, but substantial amount of blue-green algae has bloomed at the Beaver Creek and South Fork Rivanna reservoirs, according to a new report presented to the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority’s board of directors May 24. Consultants say the water supply at Ragged Mountain Reservoir is another one to watch. Algae—caused by a nutrient […]

Hemp happens: A new flag flies at City Hall

A proud group of industrial hemp supporters hoisted an American flag made of the crop on the Downtown Mall May 25, announcing that it would be presented to Willie Nelson—another major advocate for its legalization—at his concert that night. “We’re trying to end this insanity of prohibition,” Mike Bowman, a Coloradoan and chair of the […]

‘Death by 1,000 cuts:’ A win for Nelson pipeline opponents

Companies surveying for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline must provide property owners sufficient written notice before setting foot on their properties, a Nelson County judge ruled May 9. Though this doesn’t stop the project, pipeline opponents say any ruling in favor of landowners is a success. “It gives us much more control over our property and […]

Al Thomas sworn into office

Charlottesville’s first African-American Police Chief, Alfred Thomas, Jr., was sworn into office May 23. He succeeds Tim Longo, who worked with the department for 15 years. “You’ll notice they didn’t give me a gun yet,” Thomas said while fastening his new chief of police badge to his pants. City and county police in uniform, city […]

This land is your land: Efforts to save Fulfillment Farms continue

In April, C-VILLE reported on the potential razing of historic buildings at Fulfillment Farms in Esmont. While a demolition permit is currently on file, and the structures could be bulldozed at any time, a group of concerned citizens has come together to make a final plea for preservation. In Thomas Forrer’s will, signed months before […]

Martese Johnson’s suit against Virginia ABC moves forward

In a hearing in federal court on May 13, Judge Glen Conrad ruled to accept Martese Johnson’s amended complaint in his suit against the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, though the state had asked to throw out the lawsuit. The ABC’s attorney, Nicholas F. Simopoulos, said Johnson made more than 60 amendments to his […]

Police recruits work to interpret their own biases

  New cops are learning a strategy called fair and impartial policing, which aims to help them evaluate their biases before they take to the streets. At a May 13 six-hour course, Albemarle’s Lieutenant Mike Wagner and Master Police Officer Dana Reeves taught 13 recruits from the county, Charlottesville and the University of Virginia police […]

8K to honor Running Man, an urban legend to some

In honor of Philip Weber III, aka Running Man, the director of Champion Brewing Company’s running club is organizing a memorial 8K that will take place on Saturday, May 28, and benefit the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. Weber died after he was struck by an SUV on Ivy Road last December. “There were times when, to […]