Harrington homicide tied to 2005 NoVa assault

 “It seems strange to say we are thrilled—I mean, how can you be thrilled about such an obscene thing?” said Gil Harrington, reached last Thursday at her family’s home in Roanoke. Roughly an hour before, Virginia State Police (VSP) released news of a forensic link between the death of her daughter, 20-year-old Morgan Harrington, with […]

Monticello closes trail after storm

 The cost of repairs is still being tallied after 60 mile-per-hour winds barreled through Charlottesville on Thursday, June 24. “There was obvious overtime and some damage to our parks,” said Ric Barrick, city director of communications, via e-mail. “We will be applying for federal aid. At the least it gives residents a chance to apply […]

Bridge over troubled parkway

   “Roads?” a famous, fictional scientist once asked. “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” When it comes to the Meadowcreek Parkway, however, Albemarle County disagrees. During a recent 10-hour traffic transplant, cars on East Rio Road were directed to a new two-lane bridge that crosses above the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The Virginia Department of […]

Talking to Girls About Duran Duran; Rob Sheffield; Dutton, 288 pages

 It’s a mistake to open Rob Sheffield’s new book looking for another Love is a Mixtape, Sheffield’s Charlottesville-loaded debut about the sudden, unexpected death of his young wife. In that book a natural tension arises in the disconnect between Sheffield’s corny, pop-obsessed voice and the book’s dark subject. His second book, Talking to Girls About […]

Landmark Hotel arbitration favors Minor for $6.4 million

According to Halsey Minor, owner of the Landmark Hotel, the results of the arbitration hearing between him and former hotel developer Lee Danielson, which took place from April 19 to 23 at the Omni Hotel Downtown, favor Minor. Lee Danielson (left) and Halsey Minor, at the groundbreaking for the Landmark Hotel in March 2008. Two […]

Fry by night

Hi Ace. Bastille Day is coming up, and I was wondering: Can you, gourmand that you are, explain to us why French toast is neither French nor toast? And what are French fries, really?—She-Don’t-Use-Jelly-in-Charlottesville Why are carrots more orange than oranges? Why is Iceland greener than icy Greenland? Why does time fly like an arrow, […]

Water Street fully functional by July

The shortest distance between any two points—crosswalk signals, for instance—is a straight line. The same goes for a stroll down Water Street, from the front doors of Second Street Gallery to the rear entrance of CVS Pharmacy. Or, that’s how it worked before the Landmark Hotel. Where the sidewalk ends: Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike […]

City saves bucks on manager search

While some local residents pack cars and make plans for summer vacations, Charlottesville officials remain busy with one of the most important decisions City Council will make all year. The informal process of selecting a new City Manager began in January, when Gary O’Connell announced plans to leave his 15-year post and accept a position […]