“Bong hits” ruling blow to free speech

The controversial Supreme Court case of Morse v. Frederick—infamous for its focus on a banner with the message “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS”—was decided by a 5-4 ruling June 25. The Court ruled in favor of school administrators who suspended a student for refusing to take down the banner. Local free speech advocacy groups, however, are […]

Pedestrian killed on W. Rio

A 62-year-old Latina woman died after she was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of W. Rio and Earlysville roads, police said June 26. Police Sergeant Pamela Greenwood, 35, was on duty, heading north in her police-issue 2007 Ford Explorer, when she struck the woman, identified by The Daily Progress as Esperanza de Jesus […]

City botanical garden in the works

In last week’s cover story, C-VILLE reported that a botanical garden might be right around the corner. Turns out, if a local conservationist has his way, it could be closer than that. Rob Sacilotto, owner of Botanique, a nursery for carnivorous and unusual plants, has nearly finished a proposal requested by the Department of Parks […]

Peace and the art of scooter maintenance

On July 15, Alix Bryan will be puttering south out of Washington, D.C., on a scooter. Almost two months and more than 9,000 miles later, she hopes to be pulling up to Dubya’s “Western White House” in Crawford, Texas. It’s what she’s doing in between that she wants the world to know about. Alix Bryan […]

The soil-slinging begins

Correction appended Charlottesville voters will be looking at a new spot on the ballot this fall as a result of the city’s membership in the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD). The city has been a member since 2006, but this is the first full year of membership. Charlottesville joined too late last […]

With UVA infill, where to park?

As far as parking, the six curb-side spaces on the 200 block of Ninth Street SW aren’t much. But soon all six will be off limits to nonresidents, including employees of the nearby UVA Hospital who’ve been snagging those precious parking spaces. And while it may be only six spaces, Ninth Street’s move to permit […]

Faculty get place on BOV committees

It’s not a full seat at the table, but UVA faculty members at least will get to help in the kitchen. The Board of Visitors (BOV) elected at their June meeting to allow the outgoing Faculty Senate chair to serve as a nonvoting member on three BOV committees. While faculty still want to have a […]

Ayers named Richmond’s president

Update to story appended As of 9 am, July 2, Edward L. Ayers’ face beamed from the University of Richmond’s website, extending a welcome to students as the private university’s new president. Ayers’ Web presence was manifold that morning, his lively photo still lingering on UVA’s site as dean of the College and Graduate School […]

Text-message alert system in place

Text savvy folks at UVA will now get a jump on any campus emergency. In an effort to improve communication in the event of a local version of the Virginia Tech tragedy, UVA has rolled out its text-messaging alert system. UVA students, faculty and staff can now sign up so that in the event of […]

Choir director admits to sex charges

Appearing before the Charlottesville Circuit Court on June 26, Jonathan Spivey entered into a plea agreement that has the former Charlottesville High School choir director facing up to 20 years in prison. Spivey, who’s married and a father of two, was indicted by a grand jury in November on seven counts of custodial indecent liberties […]