Education Beat: Albemarle predicts nearly $7 million deficit

Albemarle County Public Schools Superintendent Pam Moran presented the School Board with a $164.28 million budget proposal Thursday. The needs-based plan represents a nearly six percent increase from last year’s $155.3 million budget. However, with revenues projected to grow by only one percent, to $157.3 million, Albemarle is predicting a deficit of nearly $7 million. […]

Recycling news: Albemarle balks at privatizing trash service—again

Albemarle County threw out a plan to privatize trash and recycling disposal last week in the wake of fierce opposition from residents, revving up the argument over who should handle solid waste in the region—the county or private contractors. A proposal agreed upon by the previous Board of Supervisors to quit funneling money to the […]

Local nonprofit teams with volunteers to bring aid to West Virginia

A week after a chemical spill in West Virginia left 300,000 people without running water, a group of Charlottesvillians are holding a water drive and plan to truck it over the state line starting on Thursday, January 16. “It’s a crisis,” said Ian Babcock, founder of the new nonprofit Catalyst Productions, which is teaming up with […]

Update: After arrests, differing accounts of alleged Mall assault surface

Charlottesville Police have arrested two men in association with the December 20 assault on the Downtown Mall, and, following the arrests, different accounts of the night have emerged. Malcolm James Stevenson, 25, and Richard Bernard Spears, 23, surrendered on Wednesday, January 8, according to Police Chief Tim Longo, who announced the arrests at a same-day […]

Could tragedy and scandal bring consensus in Richmond?

Virginia’s General Assembly has descended on Richmond for the annual legislative session, and with 60 days to come up with the state’s biennial budget, local legislators seem optimistic that this year won’t be as contentious as 2004, when it took an extra 100 days to pass a budget—and it won’t reflect the gridlock in Congress […]

What’s happening in Charlottesville-Albemarle the week of January 13?

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 launch of the Piedmont Cultural Alliance’s new cultural plan—the first ever for the area—takes […]

What’s Happening at the Jefferson School City Center?

Lisa Beane Exhibit Opening at African American Heritage Center The African American Heritage Center will be hosting an opening reception and artist talk with Lisa Beane, a visual artist originally from Richmond, Virginia, about her exhibit “Chapters,” which will be on display from January 10–March 30, 2014. Beane’s work focuses on contemporary culture and art […]