The Class of 2007 has plenty of cause to eat, drink and be merry. After starting its school year with back-to-back concerts from the Dave Matthews Band, the graduating class will finish their year with a speech from DMB violinist Boyd Tinsley.
The Class of 2007 has plenty of cause to eat, drink and be merry. After starting its school year with back-to-back concerts from the Dave Matthews Band, the graduating class will finish their year with a speech from DMB violinist Boyd Tinsley.
Virginia ranks dead last in the nation for pay for court-appointed attorneys, but, thanks in large part to the threat of a lawsuit, local public defender Jim Hingeley thinks that soon will change.
After pleading no contest to two counts of videotaping nonconsenting adults, former Lutheran pastor Gregory Briehl was sentenced in the Albemarle General District Court to 60 days in jail. Briehl still faces a preliminary hearing in the General District Court for a charge of 20 counts of possession of child pornography, to be held in October.
Briehl’s original sentence of 600 days, or 300 days per count, was reduced to 60 days total, as long as he remains on good behavior for the next two years.
Using a handheld videocamera, Briehl recorded guests at his home as they undressed, often climbing trees or his children’s swingset to do so. He also videotaped guests that used his bathroom by hiding a camera beneath a pile of towels.
Those videotaped include members of his former congregation, which he left in spring of 2006 after an alleged affair with a Peace Lutheran Church member.
Similar to his July bond hearing, a few supporters of Briehl attended his hearing last week. Testimonies were offered by Briehl’s former co-ministers at Peace Luthern Church as well as clients that Briehl served as a counselor at First Stone Counseling Center.
Briehl’s private life has also suffered in the wake of his crimes. A father of three boys, Briehl is currently separated from his wife and children, whom he was not allowed to contact while on bail.âBrendan Fitzgerald
It’s three months behind bars each for two former Charlottesville police officers convicted of lying to federal prosecutors after a corruption probe revealed the officers were probably taking bribes from the owner of a local nightclub. Roy Fitzgerald and Charles Saunders each received three months in prison and the maximum fine of $5,000 for lying in a State and federal investigation.
Andrew Alston, the man convicted of stabbing Walker Sisk 18 times in a drunken Corner brawl, has filed for bankruptcy following a $3 million civil lawsuit from the victim’s family. Alston served only two and a half years in jail for the voluntary manslaughter conviction, and a hearing will determine if he can dodge the lawsuit.
At the beginning of each regular City Council meeting, members of the public have the opportunity to speak for three minutes per person on anything they want. In the past, when the speaker was finished, the councilors just nodded their heads, the mayor might have said, “Thank you,” and the speaker would shuffle away. But City Council recently decided to abandon the silent treatment and formally responded to public comment at their September 18 meeting.
“I knew it would be a lot of work,” Curt Gleeson, communications director for Al Weed’s campaign says, “but I had no idea.” Apparently, the campaign trail for Virginia farmer, war vet and Democratic Congressional challenger Al Weed can get a little rocky. Hey, it’s no easy matter ousting a Republican incumbent in a House election in Virginia.
When the City expanded the road that runs from Main Street to Cherry Avenue years ago, it didn’t anticipate it would remain with the cumbersome name “9th-10th Street Connector.” But at long last it has a new name: Roosevelt Brown Boulevard, as approved by City Council at their September 18 meeting.
Two months ago, George Allen was an unbeatable Southern senator with his sights set on the White House. One “Macaca” later, he’s a gaffe-prone hothead in the political fight of his life.
Even though it’s just an advisory board, the County Planning Commission wields significant influence over many major development projects, suggesting which can move forwardâand how they will look upon completion. So we caught up with the most recently appointed commissioner, Duane Zobrist, who replaces departing Jo Higgins.