Monthly Archive for May, 2001

Page 4 of 7

Did UVa Surrender to Custer?

Just last year, UVa had a historic marker installed to mark the spot of the University’s surrender to Union soldiers on March 3, 1865. The only problem is that nobody knows for sure if that ever happened, or if UVa even had the legal ability to surrender. It is known that two UVa employees met with Custer to ask for mercy, and it’s also well-known that the Union intended to destroy Charlottesville’s railroad tracks. But the City surrendered, and Custer ensured that neither Charlottesville nor UVa was harmed during their three-day occupation of the town. See Carlos Santos’ Progress article for more.

Officers Exonerated

The three police officers that shot and killed a pitchfork-wielding mentally ill man have been exonerated by Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Camblos. Officer Raleigh Anderson shot and killed William Wingfield, Jr. on January 23rd after Wingfield lunged at an officer with the pitchfork. Why did the officers shoot to kill? Says Camblos, shooting solely to injure is “something out of the movies.” Today’s Progress has the story.

East Mall Renovations

The City plans to renovate the Market Street parking garage, according to Jake Mooney’s article in today’s Progress. The most visible change will be installing four retail spaces in the overhang that the parking garage creates over the Mall. (Think of how far back the former WINA studios are and you’ve got the idea.) Additionally, there’s talk of installing an antique carousel in front of the Virginia Discovery Museum. It’s been some time since City Hall has made any modifications to their end of the Mall.

Mediation Helps Goth Spat

In an attempt to resolve feuds between the goths on the Downtown Mall and police, all parties involved have started attending mediation. This was prompted by a police officer’s arrest of a teenaged girl for swearing in public. Apparently, the mediation is working out well. Some of the benches are back on the west end of the Mall, the manager of the Downtown Grill(e) is happier, and Officer Dillon is on a speaking relationship with the kids again. Today’s Progress has the story.

Henley Goes to Yogaville

Local civil liberties organization The Rutherford Institute has suggested to the county school system that Henley Middle School stop taking field trips to Yogaville. Rutherford apparently believes that the visits were a violation of the separation of church and state. School Board member Gary Grant sent out news of this in his May 11th Constituent Report.

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