Sweet Briar President Jones will skip graduation

In the midst of legal turmoil over the future of Sweet Briar College, and two days after a professor penned an open letter urging him to skip the commencement ceremony on Saturday May 16, President James F. Jones has agreed to stay away. “In the last twenty-four hours, it has come to my attention that there […]

Culture clash: The times, they are a-changin’

As we have noted in the past, the Republican party’s traditional focus on the three G’s (God, guns and gays) has long served it well, electorally speaking. By embracing Christian piety and a maximalist interpretation of the Second Amendment while simultaneously courting social conservatives by fulminating against homosexuality and abortion, the GOP has made itself […]

21st century lens: UVA’s troubled history of race

When she came from Rhode Island to the University of Virginia, Alice Burgess was aware there was a dark side to the school’s racial history, but figured she’d be too immersed in pre-med sciences to have to deal with what some call “the elephant in the room.” It didn’t work out that way. As a […]

Panhandling payout: City to settle suit over anti-begging ordinance

The final chapter in a 4-year-old legal battle over a Charlottesville ordinance banning solicitation in certain areas of the Downtown Mall is playing out in favor of the free-speech advocates who challenged the rule. Last week, the City Council approved a nearly $126,000 settlement to the plaintiffs in the case, Albert Clatterbuck and Christopher Martin, […]

Prof to Sweet Briar Prez: Stay away on graduation day

When the Sweet Briar College class of 2015 walks the stage at commencement on Saturday, May 16, hundreds of their family members, professors and friends will be present to see what may well be the school’s last graduation ceremony. Sweet Briar Professor Marcia Thom-Kaley is urging one person to stay away. “Your presence at graduation […]

Sweet Briar supporters hear conspiracy talk from whistleblower turned PI

The conspiracy theories swirling around the planned closure of Sweet Briar College found a voice last Saturday in the form of a financial whistleblower who says his private investigative firm has uncovered fraud and conspiracy. “I see an injustice,” said Everett Stern. “The college can be saved.” In his Saturday, May 9 meeting with students, […]

Council considers security cameras

Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo laid out four options for cameras on the Downtown Mall and West Main corridor May 4, and asked City Council for guidance on which way to go. Councilors favored using already installed private cameras, with the city filling in the gaps. The most expensive plan and least favored by councilors […]

Meadow Creek officially becomes John W. Warner Parkway

The last chapter in the controversial history of the area’s oldest road project took place May 11, when the parkway formerly known as Meadow Creek was dedicated to its biggest benefactor, former U.S. Senator John W. Warner. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors first approved a 2.3-mile road that would connect East Rio to McIntire at […]