In brief

Standoff ends peacefully Charlottesville resident Brian Turner was arrested after an overnight standoff w​​ith the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Charlottesville Police Department. The 42-year-old is accused of operating a multi-state prostitution ring and posting hundreds of commercial sex advertisements online.  “The FBI is currently negotiating with an individual who has barricaded themself inside […]

Sure steps?

The University of Virginia Community Safety Working Group released its report aimed at improving community security following an uptick in gun violence in and around Charlottesville. Formed in the aftermath of the November 13, 2022, fatal shooting on Grounds and a wave of area shootings, the CSWG is a collaborative effort between UVA, Charlottesville City, […]

Worship again?

In 2019, City Council rezoned a church site in Belmont to allow for subsidized apartments to replace parking on the three-quarter acre lot. The project never materialized, and four and a half years later, a new faith-based institution has purchased 750 Hinton Ave.  The Church of the Good Shepherd currently rents space at the Music […]

Looking Good?

Election season is in full swing for Rep. Bob Good, who’s faced barbs from his challenger, substantial intra-party criticism, and an all-but-declaration-of-war from the Trump campaign. But despite these hurdles, Good says he is confident the constituents of Virginia’s 5th District will “get it right” in the June primary. The two-term incumbent faces a primary […]

Fuel for thought

On January 22, Charlottesville City Council reconvened after winter weather postponed its regularly scheduled session. One topic of discussion was alternative fuel sources for Charlottesville Area Transit, which must move away from diesel vehicles in order to meet the city’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A presentation given by consultant group […]

In brief

The end zone A group of Charlottesville homeowners filed suit on January 16 to stop implementation of the city’s new zoning ordinance next month.  In the court filing, local law firm Flora Petit asserts that the zoning ordinance is invalid because it exceeds the powers afforded to the city by the Virginia General Assembly, fails […]

Up less

Albemarle County is reporting another increase in average property values for 2024, but its not as high as in the past two years.  “This year what we’re looking at is a 4.07 percent overall increase to the tax base based on the reassessment,” says Peter Lynch, Albemarle’s assessor.  Albemarle switched to annual assessments in 2009, […]

Digging in

On January 12, the Piedmont Housing Alliance broke ground on the Hickory Hope apartments at Southwood. The apartments will add 121 new affordable units to the community, and are the latest step forward in Southwood’s years-long resident-led redevelopment effort. Hickory Hope apartments—a joint effort of PHA, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and […]

Filling it in

Things are getting messier in the rollout of the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with a form error potentially reducing the amount of aid students will receive. As students navigate the FAFSA, C-VILLE asked area colleges and high schools how they’re advising both current and prospective enrollees on the financial aid process. At […]

Now what?

Nearly a month has passed since Charlottesville City Council approved a new development code intended to increase the number of places for people to live. But the city still has several finishing touches to put in place before the code goes into effect on February 19.  One of them is the adoption of a manual […]