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 […]

In brief

Deep dish Charlottesville resident Rachel Drame has been charged with arson of an unoccupied structure in connection with an August 11 fire at Vocelli Pizza. The fire caused approximately $30,000 in damage to the pizzeria, and investigators with the Albemarle County Fire Marshal office quickly determined the blaze was suspicious after first responders found the […]

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 […]

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 […]

In brief

Home court Former University of Virginia basketball star Kyle Guy is returning to Charlottesville as Athlete Development Mentor/Special Assistant for the Hoos. “We are thrilled to welcome Kyle and his family back to Charlottesville,” said UVA men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Bennett in an August 7 release announcing Guy’s return. “Kyle is not only one […]

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 […]

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 […]

The big picture

Mint Springs Valley Park temporarily closed on Friday, August 9, after a failed culvert pipe made its way through the road surface at the entrance to the park following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby. Central Virginia saw several inches of residual rainfall during Debby’s trek north, and the high water levels forced the pipe […]