Utterly conventional: Virginia Republicans bet big on boring with Gillespie

Odd Dominion is an unabashedly liberal, bi-monthly op-ed column covering Virginia politics. In case you slept through it, the Republican Party of Virginia held a nominating convention last weekend, which ended—as widely expected—with the coronation of New Jersey native Ed Gillespie, a former lobbyist and longtime Republican political strategist, as the GOP standard bearer to […]

What’s happening in Charlottesville-Albemarle the week of June 9

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.  The West Main Project Steering Committee meets from 9-11am Tuesday, June 9 in the […]

What’s Happening at the Jefferson School?

June Collmer Photography Exhibit at Vinegar Hill Cafe Stop by Vinegar Hill Café at the Jefferson School City Center this month to admire the photography of June Collmer. While Collmer holds a B.A. from Temple University in studio arts, her various careers as a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), attorney, and nonprofit executive director, have kept […]

Bennett gets a new contract, will take home $1.9 million per year

UVA basketball coach Tony Bennett has signed a contract that ties him to Virginia for several more years and ups his base salary 13 percent to $1.924 million. “We are pleased with Coach Bennett’s commitment to the University of Virginia,” said UVA Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage in a news release this week. “Tony believes in […]

How many Yellow Cabs can one town hold?

Tension is rising among Charlottesville’s already competitive cab drivers, especially now that UVA students, who make up the bulk of their business, are gone for the summer. You may have noticed a recent influx of cars on the road with the words Yellow Cab painted on the side, but look closely—the cars differ in color, […]

The full Montpelier: Madison’s mansion gets its day in the sun

Making the invisible visible  In the 1970s, Rebecca Gilmore Coleman’s father took her for a drive down Route 20, headed south through Orange County towards Montpelier. “After arriving near the main gate of Montpelier, he pointed to the right and said, ‘That’s where I was born,’” recalled Coleman. Coleman’s great-grandfather was George Gilmore, a slave of […]

Longtime county court clerk staffer indicted on embezzlement charge

A former deputy clerk in the Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk’s office has been charged with embezzlement after allegedly pocketing nearly $14,000 in court fees over four years. Dayna Awkard, a 24-year employee of the office, was placed on administrative leave and then resigned in March shortly after a tip from an unnamed court employee […]

No freedom: Judge denies motion to set aside Weiner abduction verdict

The Albemarle County man whose abduction conviction has come into question after inconsistencies in his accuser’s story emerged will remain in jail after a judge shut down his bid to have his verdict set aside. Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins issued her ruling today in the case of former grocery store manager Mark Weiner, citing […]