Tracci sworn in as Albemarle commonwealth’s attorney—twice

Robert Tracci won’t officially take the job as Albemarle’s top prosecutor until January 1, but he was in court December 17  to be sworn in, an oath Judge Cheryl Higgins requested he take a second time because she had instructed him to say “fairly and impartially perform the duties” rather than “faithfully and impartially.” Republican Tracci […]

SWAT PTSD: Albemarle police sued for false imprisonment

How many cops does it take to check on a man when his employer is concerned that he hasn’t shown up for work? At least a dozen, by Benjamin Marshall Burruss’ estimate. According to his November 19 lawsuit filed in federal court, Albemarle County Police held Burruss for two hours in his truck after he […]

Weather-wise, locals are lucking out

While California is experiencing its worst drought in more than a millennium, South Carolina was subject to extreme flooding in October and western wildfires have burned more than 9 million acres of land this year, one group aims to bring forewarning of extreme weather conditions closer to home. Environment Virginia, a research and policy center […]

There’s hope yet for the pedestrian bridge over 250

Though building a pedestrian bridge over Route 250 at Rolkin Road may not be the Albemarle Board of Supervisors’ first priority, the proposal hasn’t gone unnoticed. With about 350 to 400 names on petitions advocating for the bridge and a large showing of supporters at the November 11 meeting, Pantops Community Advisory Committee member Diane […]

The Weiner factor: How one case derailed Denise Lunsford

Unlike Charlottesville, where it was a given that Democratic candidates for City Council would win, Albemarle had several contested races, including two for board of supervisors and four candidates vying for clerk of court. But the race everyone was watching: Whether Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford could hold onto her seat for a third term against […]

In it to win it: A comprehensive guide to the 2015 election

If you care about whether Albemarle expands its growth area or what Charlottesville does about the Belmont bridge or whether you pay more in meals tax or any other myriad local issues that directly affect your quality of life, this is the election to head to the polls. Sure it doesn’t have the star power […]

‘Baby step’ boundary adjustment could deter brewery

The Albemarle Board of Supervisors snatched victory from the jaws of a 223-acre growth area expansion and approved the addition of only 35 acres south of the Interstate 64/U.S. 29 interchange to the comprehensive plan’s development area at a September 23 special meeting. When the supes last met September 9, it looked like they were […]

$300,000 document restoration project costs taxpayers nothing

Debra Shipp, clerk of the Albemarle County Circuit Court, proudly displays a collection of restored marriage licenses bound in sleek, black binders, which she lined on a shelf chronologically from the 1968 all the way back to 1780. The goal of this restoration project—which began back in June 2009—was to digitize, restore and further preserve all […]