Aldridge murders: Gene Washington goes to grand jury

  Gene Everett Washington’s DNA was found on a blood-stained knife, towels and rubber gloves in a dumpster outside of his Barracks West apartment, according to evidence presented in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court June 11. The DNA also matched that of Mani Aldridge, the slain daughter of Robin Aldridge, both of whom were […]

What you need to know about bids and estimates

New construction or remodeling projects can be exciting, but also intimidating. What to build? What permits are required? How much will it cost?  How can I protect myself? How can I find a contractor I can trust? The Virginia Department of Occupation and Professional Regulation is a particularly useful resource in this area. Their detailed […]

Get in the swim with an above-ground pool

Being able to jump into a back-yard pool during the summer is a wonderful perk for many people, especially if you have children on summer vacation and family and friends who come for the occasional cook-out. In-ground pools can be lovely additions, however they are expensive to install and maintain and they are definitely permanent. […]

Charlottesville: top ten mountain town

Last year, Travel & Leisure included Charlottesville as #9 on its list of America’s Top Ten Mountain Towns. Not surprising. Most of us feel that subtle gravitational tug of the Blue Ridge to our west, relishing that blue mountain horizon visible for miles. Many of us succumb to the call of the mountains for recreation, […]

Factors that determine your home value

The goal of any seller is getting top dollar for their property. However, many homeowners have an inflated idea of what their homes are actually worth. Anne Burroughs, of Montague Miller & Co. (www.anneburroughsrealtor.com), tells sellers that “once you put your house on the market, it’s no longer your home – it’s a commodity.”  And, […]

Hydrilla attack: Lake Anna battles invasive aquatic weed

Lake Anna has shown great hospitality to an unwanted guest for over two decades. Hydrilla, an aquatic weed not to be confused with the mythological nine-headed marsh serpent Hydra, has festered in its waters since 1990. The bad news (for some) is it’s spreading again. The good news (for all) is it isn’t wrapping itself […]

Jesse Matthew enters Alford plea in Fairfax

On the third day of his Fairfax trial, where Jesse Matthew is on trial for a 2005 attempted murder, sexual assault and abduction, he entered an Alford plea. Matthew also faces charges in Albemarle for the murder of UVA student Hannah Graham last fall. The plea came after the prosecution called witnesses who testified that […]

Supreme Court ruling opens door for new leadership at Sweet Briar

“Good news,” tweeted Amherst-area Delegate Ben Cline. “VA Supremes endorse our Sweet Briar argument. Back to Bedford Circuit for rehearing and hopefully injunction to stop closure!” With its opinion rendered less than two business days after an already accelerated hearing, the Supreme Court of Virginia has sent a message, according to legal analysts, that the […]

Off to the races: The elections are over — long live the elections!

Well, there you go. The feverish excitement of Virginia’s primary season is over, with literally dozens of voters flooding the polls, and now almost every general election candidate is busy preparing for the big show in November. We say “almost” every candidate, because there are still a number of too-close-to-call contests mired in recounts across […]

Charlottesville v. Schultz: City sues in latest Steephill skirmish

While Dominion is suing landowners in its pursuit of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, closer to home, Charlottesville is flexing its own eminent domain muscle and has filed a survey-seeking petition against a landowner who for years has accused the city of illegally taking his property. That would be Woolen Mills resident Louis Schultz, who’s been arrested […]