ColinC writes: After recent snowfall, I and many others have noticed a black, sootlike substance settling on the snow, cars, and dogs around town. It’s thick and hard to get off. There is a possibility that this may stem from the UVA power plant recently found to have an effect on air quality. Anyone have an insight into this mystery?
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Monthly Archive for January, 2003
Page 2 of 4
NickL writes: I was at the peace demonstration on the Downtown Mall Saturday and the turn out was huge! I’m used to seeing the protestors on the corner of Main and Ridge St. Thursday nights, but this time the crowd streched from the corner all the way down to the intersection with Preston. Did anyone else from here go to it? Charlottesville police estimate ~500 people, but I’d say it was more than that. The Daily Progress has the story.
Two weeks after the discussion on cvillenews.com, Peter Savodnok has a story in the Progress about Albemarle County’s sharp increase in the assessed values of homes. In 1997, assessments increased by 2.3%. 3.5% in 1999. 12.8% in 2001. This year? 18.7%. The Board of Supervisors blames the rising cost of real estate in the area. Some citizens are calling for a tax cut to keep the dollar value even. As the Charlottesville area becomes a more well-known and desirable place to live, is it possible that we could be priced out of our own homes? What’s the solution to this problem, both short-term and long-term?
According to the Augusta Free Press, the Observer’s valley edition has folded. (Please excuse the pun.) The Observer launched the valley edition almost two years ago, but, after the leadership change, decided that it no longer made sense financially. The August Free Press, it is worth mentioning, is apparently brand-new, and exists only on-line. It’s run by former Observer staff members Chris Graham and Crystal Graham, and calls itself the independent news source for Waynesboro, Staunton, and Augusta.
BetterLife writes: I have noticed recently that several regular faces are absent on our local station – NBC 29 WVIR. By visiting their website at www.nbc29.com, you see the absence of the following names: Melinda Semadeni, Allison Zeiger, Lori Lichorobiac and Lisa Washington. Does anyone know what is going on over there or is it just a coincidence?
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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