Dozens of people were trapped on Thursday evening when heavy rain and strong winds collapsed a tent at the Albemarle County Fair. At least three people were injured in the mess, including one that had been hit by lightning. It was caused by a sudden, heavy thunderstorm that hit the North Garden fairgrounds, flooding the tent before it collapsed on the families seeking shelter there. The fair will be closed today, and it’s not clear what will happen come the weekend. Reed Williams has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
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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One of my White Hall neighbors was manning the ticket booth last night when the storm hit. I chatted with him this morning; he said it was the worst storm he’s ever been in. Considering that he’s a 70-ish western Albemarle County farmer, that’s saying something.
Well, last night when half the city’s grid was blackout, I blame George Bush for not having the correct and more mordenize solutions. Maybe we can put a new power plant in Fluvanna.
OOPS~