Last week, Twin Oaks, in Louisa, played host to a helicopter, which circled the commune a half dozen times over the course of 20 minutes late one afternoon, coming as low as treetop level. Lisa Provence at The Hook put a little elbow grease into the matter, and discovered that the whirlybird is property of the Virginia National Guard, and was dispatched to look for marijuana as a part of “Operation Green Harvest” (which is, oddly, a famous Hawaiian cannabis-eradication program). The episode has left the normally-calm commune shaken and, presumably, with their stashes better-hidden. The Hook’s got the story.
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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Well, not to nitpick the Hook, and perhaps "buzz" was the term used by the residents, but a chopper flying a little low is far from a "buzz" in my book.
Try a combat aircraft at treetop or deck level at mach speed -now that`s a "buzz". Of course "buzz" carries the negative connotation the residents were looking for.
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The exact same thing happened at my house about a week earlier. They came in incredibly low, the rotor wash made a big round flat spot in my field. I’d guesstimate it was a lot lower than 100ft. It scared the F-U-C-K out of my farm animals, a few of them actually jumped fences and I had to round them up again. Thats the only part that pissed me off.
I actually thought it was pretty cool. Its not that often I get to see a helicopter so low, and I’m a total aviation freak. I waved to the cop hanging out of the door, but he didn’t wave back.
I’ve never seen anything like it before. Flying so low must be a new thing for them.
Well Lars – More years ago than I want to count I participated in some testing in Germany (Hq 2d AD G2 /Baumholder/Graffenwohr) the objective of which was to determine if SKYCAV (sky cavalry)Yep, we called it SKYCAV – – forerunner of all combat choppers tactics and operations- was feasible. The test pilots all said it was suicide – ground fire would kill `em – so naturally we on staff said yes it`s a great thing and there it is today.
But I digress . Scuse, please.
Thats awesome! I’m suprised to hear that a test pilot would call anything suicide, considering what they do day in and day out.
It seems so obvious now. A helicopter is a great place to put a weapon, because when you fly at treetop level, nobody can hear you until you’re right on top of them.
My sheep didn’t know what hit ’em! :)
I bet the NG pilot was having the time of his life flying like that :) Lucky bastard.