What’s happening in Charlottesville-Albemarle the week of July 28

Each week, the news team takes a look at upcoming meetings and events in Charlottesville and Albemarle we think you should know about. Consider it a look into our datebook, and be sure to share newsworthy happenings in the comments section. Charlottesville’s HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) task force meets at 11am Monday, July […]

What’s Happening at the Jefferson School?

Literacy Volunteers Holds Record-breaking July Tutor Training Last Saturday, Literacy Volunteers hosted one of its most successful summer tutor trainings yet. “July is historically a tricky month to pull in a large numbers of new tutors since many people are on vacation,” said Executive Director Ellen Osborne. Twenty-two tutors attended the all day training. At […]

Life, twice: Court rejects Randy Taylor’s last-minute offer

A Nelson County Circuit Court judge sentenced Randy Taylor to two life sentences in prison for the abduction and murder of 17-year-old Alexis Murphy, whose body has never been found. Taylor has maintained his innocence, but during the July 23 sentencing hearing, his attorney said Taylor would disclose Murphy’s whereabouts if the court reduced his […]

Court drama: The McDonnells trial begins

Just how much are we looking forward to the July 28 kick-off of the federal corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen? Well, let’s just say that any visitor to Odd Dominion headquarters over the next six weeks will encounter a giant “Do Not Disturb” sign and the wafting smell of […]

Mix it up: Developer-architect Bill Atwood takes aim at West Main

Waterhouse building designer Bill Atwood is taking another stab at a multi-story mixed-use development near downtown, and while he believes he’s got a plan for a project that will push West Main Street in the right direction, some are raising concerns that it could put traffic pressure on the surrounding neighborhood. The Atlantic, which will […]

Sentencing delayed: Court orders sex offender evaluation for Weiner

Two dozen family members and friends sat in Albemarle Circuit Court July 22 for the sentencing of 53-year-old Mark Weiner, who was convicted of abduction with intent to defile in May 2013 and has been jailed since his arrest in December 2012. But instead of a sentence, Judge Cheryl Higgins ordered a sex offender evaluation […]

Lockn’ limbo: No news is good news for festival in ABC dispute

Headliners like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Willie Nelson, and Widespread Panic are onboard for this year’s Lockn’ Music Festival in Nelson County over Labor Day weekend. Not onboard so far: the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control, which has not issued a decision from a May 16 hearing during which the agency sought to revoke Lockn’s […]

Council OKs replacement of Belmont Bridge, shoots down underpass

Charlottesville’s City Council voted 4-1 Monday night in favor of replacing the aging connector between downtown and Belmont with an “enhanced bridge” as opposed to an underpass—an option that would have routed traffic below existing rail lines, and enjoyed vocal support from some locals and designers who have criticized the city’s planning process on the […]