Belle writes: Federal prosecutors yesterday dropped capital murder charges against Darrel Rice for the May 1996 slayings of two women in Shenandoah National Park. There are stories in the Progress and the Post.
I hiked the AT that year, and was quite relieved when Rice was caught. I have a hard time believing that Rice didn’t kill Lollie and Julianne, but I figure that the feds know more than I do.
Big_Al writes: The Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill calling on the state to build a 29 bypass around Charlottesville “as soon as practicable.” County Board vice-chairman Dennis Rooker remarked “There is no precedent for this kind of punitive legislation against localities,” while city councillor Blake Caravati commented “we believe that if this is kept local, it can be solved locally.” The Progress has the article.
In this week’s Hook, Lisa Provence has a review of all four Democratic nominee candidates — David Brown, Kendra Hamilton, Kevin Lynch, and Meredith Richards — including a brief Q&A with each and a bit of background, for the unfamiliar. By way of reminder, the Republican nomination convention is tonight (I think; their website doesn’t say) and the Democrats nomination convention is Saturday, at the County Office Building at 12:30. City residents, please be sure to show up and cast your vote.
Jim writes: The holiday continues for Albemarle County school children. What is the argument for Spring Break? Will the kids be able to make up these days? A colleague argued yesterday that because public school is “free,” then the system has to accomodate everybody. Is it right to allow children to stay home, rather than face a wee bit of adversity in getting to school?
What amazes me is that, in every year in memory, there are more snow days than expected, and school officials are scrambling to figure out what to do, come spring. You’d think they’d see a pattern emerging.
The Charlottesville Democratic Party held a candidates’ forum yesterday afternoon, with incumbents Meredith Richards and Kevin Lynch, and newcomer David Brown discussing the Meadowcreek Parkway and affordable housing. (Candidate Kendra Hamilton was unable to attend.) Reportedly, Brown came off as unassertive and muted, with Richards and Lynch presumably offering no surprises in the way of presentation. Richards took the opportunity to renew her suggestion that a referendum be held on the topic of the Meadowcreek Parkway. The next forum is scheduled for 7:30pm on Thursday night, at City Council chambers, and is sponsored by the Virginia Organizing Project and the Public Housing Association of Residents. See Liz Nelson’s story in today’s Progress for the skinny.
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 four six 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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