Council upholds BAR’s decision to deny request to demolish historic house

An attorney for the owner of 1301 Wertland St. told Charlottesville City Council on September 2 that tearing down the structure for new apartments would outweigh any historic preservation goals.  “We believe the prevailing factors are the policies prioritized in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and implemented through the [new zoning ordinance] to increase housing opportunities […]

Area leaders commemorate 66th anniversary of CCS integration

On September 8, Del. Katrina Callsen presented Charles Alexander, one of the Charlottesville Twelve that integrated city schools, with a resolution from the Virginia General Assembly. The ceremony was held at the Albemarle County Office Building on the 66th anniversary of the integration of Charlottesville’s public schools. Alexander was one of nine students who integrated […]

Downtown Mall vacancies, foot traffic, and a debate over homelessness collide

The Downtown Mall is at the center of Charlottesville’s most recent controversy, a “camping ordinance” that would criminalize sleeping or storing personal belongings on public property. While a strong coalition opposing the ordinance showed up at the September 2 City Council meeting, some business owners claimed the draft proposal was a step toward strengthening Charlottesville’s […]

Unhoused support groups call on Charlottesville to designate campsites on city property

Those who packed Charlottesville City Council chambers Tuesday, September 2, to protest a draft ordinance that would criminalize camping and storing personal items on public property had a strong message.  “This is not the time to be adhering to draconian Trump-like policies on some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Shayla Washington, executive director […]

Fire resulted in changes and charges in Louisa County

The man authorities say caused last year’s 227-acre fire, which ripped through a local commune and caused an estimated $1 million in damages, faced charges earlier this summer in Louisa County General District Court for leaving a fire unattended and careless damage to property by fire. On March 20, 2024, a brush fire from James […]

Out and proud

Despite a nationwide decrease in corporate support for Pride events, local celebrations will feature more vendors than ever before, according to Nick Hutchins, president of Charlottesville Pride. Nearly 80 vendors will be at the 2025 event—which kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 6, at the Ting Pavilion.  “This festival … has just seen such […]

Will Albemarle land an AstraZeneca pharmaceutical factory?

In July, officials with the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced they would be investing $50 billion in the United States for new factories and research centers. According to a press release, this would include a new “multi-billion dollar drug substance manufacturing centre focused on chronic diseases” to be located in Virginia.  However, no official announcement […]

How aggressive immigration policy undermines due process rights in Charlottesville, and the entire country

In late April, three plainclothes federal agents swept into Albemarle County General District Court, and carried out some of the Trump administration’s earliest-known local courthouse detentions. There, in front of stunned witnesses, agents detained Teodoro Dominguez-Rodriguez and Pablo Aparicio-Marcelino, who had each appeared in court while facing separate criminal charges. The sudden arrests—and the failed […]