Rocky weeks follow campaign Kickoff

or a fundraiser that’s got to pull in a million bucks a day, UVA’s $3 billion capital campaign is off to a bumpy (you could say mumpy) start, at least in terms of local news. In the weeks surrounding the kickoff to one of the most ambitious fundraisers in higher education history, the University has […]

Marriage amendment’s unintended consequences

The proposed amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions has raised many questions about what unintended consequences it might bring. The vague language of the second paragraph might affect the legal rights of unmarried couples—gay or straight—concerning wills, advance medical directives or domestic violence, according to critics. And at least the concern over domestic violence

State funding problems affect local roads

Indecision in the Virginia General Assembly over statewide transportation funding has led to public worry (and fury) from high-volume traffic areas like Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Though Charlottesville may not be the squeakiest wheel in the statewide transportation dilemma, a lack of decision-making will have its impacts here, local officials say.    “Both the City […]

Condo sales doing just fine, thanks

Here’s one consequence of a pricey real estate market: Smaller dwellings will always be in demand. Locally, that means that even though the real estate market is officially in the cooler, condo sales continue to simmer along, nice and warm. As C-VILLE reported last week, third-quarter numbers from the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) show a 20 percent drop in the number of overall sales compared to the same quarter last year. Still, anecdotal evidence shows that condos are still a fairly hot commodity.

Enviro-conscious group honors developer

It’s pretty rare to see a group of environmentally active citizens applaud a local real estate developer. But, at an October 18 fête at King Family Vineyards in Crozet, the Charlottesville Waldorf Foundation held its second annual Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards (or CELAs) and honored New Hampshire-based Qroe Farm Preservation, the developers of 2,300-acre Bundoran […]

Gaps found in DNA Databank

Charlottesville Police Captain J. E. “Chip” Harding thinks he’s found a glitch in a statewide database that keeps track of convicted felons’ DNA. The missing data could be the link police seek to find the serial rapist, who’s suspected of seven area rapes since 1997. But, police looking to fill in the gaps retroactively could run into some legal roadblocks, which tough-on-crime Virginia Delegate Rob Bell has pledged to help with.

Manhunt ends in bullet wounds for suspect

A fugitive suspect who had been wanted since October 13 was shot by police after a three-hour manhunt on Friday, October 20. Elvis Shifflett was wanted for ambushing and attempting to shoot his ex-girlfriend earlier this month and had been on the run for a week.    The manhunt reportedly began when Shifflett’s red Dodge Shadow […]

Bad Travel Agent sentenced

A travel agent who put one over on customers wanting to tour the Land Down Under was sentenced October 17 to three years and six months in prison, three years probation, and a restitution payment for making unauthorized credit card transactions.