New census data conveys old news

In spite of a uniquely thriving culture, Charlottesville’s population tallies run closer to those of the rest of Virginia than expected.    Charlottesville met the requirements for study by the U.S. Census Bureau thanks to the agency’s decision to publish findings for populations of 65,000 or more.  A few unique academic, family, and language statistics, culled […]

School board to consider religious literature

The next Albemarle School Board meeting may bring about a battle of divine proportions, thanks to a recent attempt by two Hollymead Elementary students to distribute religious literature among their classmates. And—with a blessed hand from a pair of Virginia-based rights organizations—the battle may be a swift one.    Albemarle School Board attorney Mark Trank confirms […]

Few changes to city discipline policy

Only a few tinkerings to the discipline system will result from the recommendations of the Charlottesville schools’ Discipline Task Force. Then interim superintendent, Bobby Thompson, appointed that group of 25 parents, students, teachers and principals after last year’s well-publicized violent incidents in City schools—particularly at Buford Middle School, where reportedly 13 staff members were threatened […]

Take a seat?

What I mean is, why is so much of this public space taken up by private seating for restaurants? What\’s the idea?—Paul Uppaskwat

Taking Care

Reva Frazier choked on a piece of chicken in July 2004, while living in the Trinity Mission of Charlottesville nursing home. She was 90 years old and legally blind. She’d entered the home because she couldn’t walk or feed herself anymore. She could barely communicate, and didn’t have the ability to tell anyone she was choking…

Back to school

Or is this some kind of trick question designed to confuse the students? —Wanda Ring Aigh

City planning commission rejects Fifeville project

In an uncharacteristic decision, the City Planning Commission flexed its muscles August 8 and unanimously voted to reject the preliminary site plan for a four-storey, 27-unit Fifeville development that would be located a few hundred feet from Walker Square.    Developers of the 850 Estes St. property call it “mixed-use” despite reserving only 835 square feet, […]

Libertarian Arin Sime on county development

Arin Sime, vice chair of the Jefferson Area Libertarians, isn’t the first from his party to comment on Albemarle County’s mountain overlay and phasing and clustering ordinances, which would limit development in the county’s rural areas. Here, some of Sime’s hands-off opinions on property rights and county development.

Bundoran Farm wins waivers for private roads

Over the past several months, Qroe companies, the Bundoran Farm developers, have built considerable trust with neighbors, planners and officials. At an August 8 meeting, they parlayed that trust into unanimous County Planning Commission approval for a large number of waivers for their 94-lot limited development on the 2,301-acre property formerly owned by Fred Scott.    […]

Keeping kids out of the news

Recently, the case of several Albemarle teens convicted of plotting to blow up their school has sparked lawsuits between media organizations seeking information and judges keeping the case on lockdown. The Daily Progress has already run photos and full names of two teens and, pending another court hearing, more info on the kids’ trials could […]