Political season: Timing of e-recording announcement questioned

In the competitive race for Albemarle County clerk of court, incumbent Debbie Shipp’s October 20 announcement that her office is using electronic recording for real estate and other documents two weeks before the election has her opponents questioning the timing. “E-recording is a great idea,” says John Zug, Shipp’s Democratic opponent in the race. “What […]

‘Brutally assaulted’: Martese Johnson sues ABC for $3 million

Lawyers for fourth-year UVA student Martese Johnson, whose bloody arrest splashed across national media in March, filed suit for $3 million against the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, an agency that’s no stranger to being sued by UVA students in high-profile cases. Named in the suit along with the agency are the three agents […]

Plan for gun range in Greene gets shot down

The Greene County Board of Supervisors denied on October 13 Big Iron Outdoors’ special use permit, which would have allowed owners of the gun shop to build a 20-lane open-air firing range right outside its headquarters. At the end of September, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the permit because of safety—about 160 homes are […]

People’s Climate Movement brings Dominion pipeline into question

On Wednesday, October 14, the People’s Climate Movement called environmental activists to Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall to rally on climate change. Dominion Power’s potential installation of a pipeline that would run throughout Virginia wildlife areas was the big issue, and the free speech chalkboard was filled with “No Pipeline” signs, buttons and stickers opposing Dominion. Olivia Lewis, a […]

Police video not available in Singletary trial

Former UVA basketball star Sean Singletary’s trial appealing his conviction for refusing to take a breathalyzer has once again been continued. At an October 15 hearing, defense attorney Scott Goodman said he would not be able to submit the 25-minute police dashboard video from Singletary’s March arrest to the judge. “I found out late last […]

Frenemies: No matter who wins, we lose

So here are a few things you should know about Virginia’s Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment and Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw. They have a combined senate tenure of nearly 60 years, and have spent much of the recent past switching leadership positions as the Republicans gained, then briefly lost, then gained the majority again. […]

Planned Parenthood Project detours in Charlottesville

The McIntire Amphitheater was lined with pink crosses October 7 as the Planned Parenthood Project, an organization dedicated to defunding the 98-year-old reproductive health services organization, held an informational session with students about abortion and women’s health. The crosses, totaling 897, were symbolic of the number of abortions that the group claims Planned Parenthood performs […]

Tsaye Simpson faces new charges

A man who was acquitted of a murder charge in May and was previously known for surviving a high-speed car chase on Rugby Road is now charged with assaulting a Charlottesville police officer. Tsaye Simpson’s latest encounter with law enforcement came October 8 at approximately 12:40am when an officer allegedly smelled marijuana coming from a […]

Delayed extension: What’s up with Water Street?

Exactly one year ago, Water Street Extended was expected to open by the end of the year. Twelve months later, city officials are saying it could be accessible soon. “We’re hopeful that it will be open later in the autumn,” says Miriam Dickler, the city’s director of communications. The developer in charge of the extension […]

Judge denies Jesse Matthew’s request for secret hearing

Attorneys for Jesse Matthew, who is accused of capital murder in the death of UVA student Hannah Graham, asked in court October 7 for a separate judge to hear their request for experts without the prosecution’s presence. Even naming the expert or the broad area of expertise in open court would “compromise” Matthew’s trial strategy, […]