Courting disaster: Republicans pick a losing judicial fight

In our experience, the current Republican majority in the General Assembly excels at exactly one thing: grandstanding. Not great at legislating, consensus-building or acknowledging basic reality, but boy do they know how to make a ruckus. If the definition of a conservative is, as National Review founder William F. Buckley put it, someone who “stands […]

UPDATED: Two Virginia journalists slain by former station employee

On August 26, viewers of Roanoke’s WDBJ morning news show initially didn’t know what had happened when the camera abruptly dropped and multiple pops could be heard. Later, they were shocked to learn they’d witnessed the execution of a reporter and cameraman on live TV during the interview of a third victim about Smith Mountain […]

Shattered Glass? Kroboth’s name change lands him in jail

If Kurt Kroboth was hoping for a better life with a new identity in California, the ex-convict received a painful surprise last week when he was arrested for a parole violation that may, ironically, have stemmed from something he put on his name change application. Kroboth is being held (under that name) without bond at […]

The good news continues for Charlottesville’s commercial real estate market

Nationally there is good news for commercial real estate, and local agents express similar optimism about our local market. A commercial market report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) based on national survey data indicated  “an upbeat pace of sales during the second quarter.”  They also reported a “6.4 percent quarterly increase, following a 3.8 […]

Homeowners associations keep property values high

The primary purpose of a Homeowners Association (HOA) is to preserve a subdivision’s property values so owners can enjoy a consistent quality of neighborhood and lifestyle. One way they do this is by enforcing standards for the external appearance of homes and yards as defined in the neighborhood’s restrictions and covenants.  Another is by maintaining […]

Moving tips: make moving easier and less stressful

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, more than 35 million Americans move each year. And, although most movers are reputable companies, the number of complaints is on the rise. Moving into a new home is an exciting event, but the reality is that it’s often stressful for the entire family. That is why […]

Dangerous time of year on Grounds

Those heady first weeks of freedom as a college student have a name: the red zone, the time when freshman females are most at risk for sexual assault. And this year, the University of Virginia is mandating two online classes on alcohol and substance abuse, and sexual violence for both male and female students. UVA […]

Senator Mark Warner discusses on-demand economy

On August 19, Senator Mark Warner attended a round-table discussion hosted by local hiring platform Moonlighting about employment, the government’s role in a sharing economy and efforts to help people make more money. More than a dozen local workers from freelance and independent contract companies like Uber, Etsy and Airbnb attended the discussion, in which […]

Middleditch sued by family of man who died in accident

The family of the man killed in a May 25 Barracks Road traffic accident is now suing the driver police say caused the crash in a wrongful death lawsuit. Andrew Middleditch, 55, was turning left when officers say Lonnie Branham, 78, attempted to pass him. The cars collided and Branham crashed into a ditch. He […]