Culture clash: The times, they are a-changin’

As we have noted in the past, the Republican party’s traditional focus on the three G’s (God, guns and gays) has long served it well, electorally speaking. By embracing Christian piety and a maximalist interpretation of the Second Amendment while simultaneously courting social conservatives by fulminating against homosexuality and abortion, the GOP has made itself […]

Panhandling payout: City to settle suit over anti-begging ordinance

The final chapter in a 4-year-old legal battle over a Charlottesville ordinance banning solicitation in certain areas of the Downtown Mall is playing out in favor of the free-speech advocates who challenged the rule. Last week, the City Council approved a nearly $126,000 settlement to the plaintiffs in the case, Albert Clatterbuck and Christopher Martin, […]

Sweet Briar supporters hear conspiracy talk from whistleblower turned PI

The conspiracy theories swirling around the planned closure of Sweet Briar College found a voice last Saturday in the form of a financial whistleblower who says his private investigative firm has uncovered fraud and conspiracy. “I see an injustice,” said Everett Stern. “The college can be saved.” In his Saturday, May 9 meeting with students, […]

Council considers security cameras

Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo laid out four options for cameras on the Downtown Mall and West Main corridor May 4, and asked City Council for guidance on which way to go. Councilors favored using already installed private cameras, with the city filling in the gaps. The most expensive plan and least favored by councilors […]

Meadow Creek officially becomes John W. Warner Parkway

The last chapter in the controversial history of the area’s oldest road project took place May 11, when the parkway formerly known as Meadow Creek was dedicated to its biggest benefactor, former U.S. Senator John W. Warner. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors first approved a 2.3-mile road that would connect East Rio to McIntire at […]

Mistrial declared in Kevin Quick murder trial

Just days into a six-week trial, U.S. District Court Judge Glen Conrad declared a mistrial May 12 for four of the six defendants in the gang-related murder of Waynesboro Police Reserve Captain Kevin Quick after one of the defendants obtained a copy of the jury list. An FBI agent told the judge at least two […]

New evidence: Weiner supporters hopeful verdict will be set aside

More than two dozen supporters of Mark Weiner, the former Food Lion manager convicted of abduction with intent to defile, sat in Albemarle Circuit Court May 6 to hear testimony from three new witnesses and a motion argued to set aside Weiner’s guilty verdict. They were joined by several lawyers, curious about a case that […]

New witness disputes victim’s story in Mark Weiner case

Mark Weiner, the former Food Lion manager who was convicted of abduction with intent to defile two years ago, will be in court for sentencing May 6. Since his last court appearance December 17, when his attorneys filed a motion to set aside the verdict with sworn affidavits of two witnesses who contradict the alleged […]

Dittmar won’t seek reelection to BOS, endorses Randolph

Since the 2011 election, the Scottsville District has had three representatives to the Albemarle Board of Supervisors: convicted sexual batterer Chris Dumler, four-month interim-supe Petie Craddock and former Chamber of Commerce president and mediation company founder Jane Dittmar. Now the district is looking at a fourth, because Dittmar announced she won’t seek another term in […]