A state judge has struck down the Republicans’ 2001 state redistricting plan, declaring it to be unconstitutional. Judge Pattisall cited the southeast corner of the state in particular as being divided up on racial boundaries to provide the most voting strength to the smallest number of districts. The new districts, which then-Sen. Emily Couric (D) and Rep. Mitch Van Yahres weren’t shy about insulting, divided up Central Virginia in a highly-unusual fashion that left many wondering who their representative was. After Sen. Couric’s death, there was a special election in the 25th District, which Creigh Deeds (D) won by a landslide. This ruling raises the obvious question of whether that special election was even legal, and what geographic area that Sen. Deeds represents. The Washington Post has the story.
Yearly Archive for 2002
Page 54 of 75
Sunday night, a 25 people met at Mt. Zion Baptist Church to deal with the racial issues prompted by the recent attacks on UVa students. At the beginning of the meeting, the group voted to expel two members of white supremacy EURO, delcaring them to be a “highly racist organization that has no business in this meeting.” They also voted to refer to the victims as “survivors,” and decided to instruct city spokesman Maurice Jones to write an open letter to the “survivors” to express concern. Jake Mooney has the story in today’s Progress.
Charlottesville’s Music Resource Center is soon to be homeless. The local non-profit has worked with about 500 kids each year to teach them music production, but their location in Trax has proved to be a problem: UVa is demolishing it this summer. In today’s Progress, Jake Mooney reports that UVa is working with the organization to help find them a new location.
A student committee is attempting to convince the school board to permit the accused attackers, who were recently expelled from CHS, to reaccept them to CHS. They believe that the students would be better off at CHS than at the alternative education program, where they have been transferred to. WINA has the story.
A Keswick couple looking to create a winery is getting some heat from their neighbors. Albert and Cindy Schornberg want to build a boutique vineyard and winery on their 53 acres, making 120,000 bottles each year. But the idea hasn’t gone over so well — their neighbors are contesting the plan, and the ABC is holding a hearing next Friday. WINA has the story.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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