Police won’t classify MHS incident a shooting

On Friday, September 14, just hours before classes at Monticello High School let out for the week, Albemarle County Police responded to a call from a resident of Stone Creek Apartments, which abuts MHS, about a possible shooting. An object had broken a first-floor apartment window, nearly missing a man who was in the apartment […]

Former teacher pleads guilty to sex offences

A former social studies teacher at Western Albemarle High School has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of coercion and enticement of a minor. The teacher, Richard Neal Willetts, was arrested in March for charges stemming from a series of graphic sexual e-mails written to a male student who was only 15 at the time. […]

“I’ll be reachable on my boat”

VA President John T. Casteen held—well, technically not a “news” conference, but an “informal round-table session with the media” last week, though it was a conversation with a bunch of reporters about the state of the University. Here’s some of what he had to say.

City defers on $21M loan to Jeff Scholars

It now looks like a $21 million tax-reduced loan could ride on the fate of a former frat house. At its September 17 meeting, City Council opted to defer approving a $21 million bond for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation—a move city staff confirms is unusual. The reason? Continuing ambiguity over whether the Foundation will tear […]

How UVA reduced water use by a third

If all the city’s water customers were swimming around in a pond together, UVA would be a mighty big fish. In 2006, the University went through 438 million gallons of water, which is 13,305 gallons per person (including faculty, staff and students). Given that the pond itself is looking drier—both the city and Albemarle County […]

Iraq first topic in ambitious debate series

While the Dome Room of the Rotunda tends to elicit hushed tones, the hush was quieter than usual on September 18 despite the large audience gathered in the round to watch three men and one woman debate the central question of the Iraq War—whether to keep or withdraw U.S. troops. The audience sat staring at […]

City considers stormwater tax

Charlottesville City officials are considering a new tax to fund an expensive repair to the deteriorating stormwater drainage system. Currently, city management of the stormwater drainage system is funded from the general budget to the tune of $915,000 annually. The proposed changes recommended to City Council at the September 17 meeting would push that cost […]

Without facility, local YMCA cramped

In recent months, the Charlottesville City Council has vigorously debated whether to spend the money it would take to renovate two area swimming pools, one of which the Piedmont Area YMCA uses, or contribute resources to build a new YMCA within the city. The Council eventually agreed to explore the latter course. With no existing […]

Election Watch 2007

Update, October 24, 2007: Keep up-to-date on the "money race:" On the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) website you can get contribution profiles on all the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors candidates. These reports are updated as information is available, based upon the required periodic disclosures of campaign finances with the voter registrar’s office in […]