There were July 4th celebrations throughout the area today. I went to Monticello’s 45th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. So did Rick Sincere, who provides video highlights of the event, including a good chunk of Sam Waterston’s address. And Sylvia’s family took part in the Earlysville parade, and provides photos of some of the other participants.
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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There seemed to be a lot going on in Cville this year, and I missed all of it! The fireworks here in Richmond were rather boring, unless you count the random drunk people that recognized me as a security guard from a convention last month…
Sam Waterson – doesn’t he do ads for cheesy financial services on TV? On the inspirational scale, I would rate him about 0.001 .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sam_Waterston_at_the_44th_Emmy_Awards.jpg
well, his comments were interrupted several times by applause and he got a standing ovation which doesn’t often happen. His connection to the event is as a first generation American. If you can find a transcript you’d change your tune I think.
And you should have checked-out his full wiki entry:
Personal life
An active humanitarian, Waterston donates considerable time to organizations such as Refugees International, Meals on Wheels, The United Way, and The Episcopal Actors’ Guild of America. Waterston, a practicing Episcopalian,[4] narrated the 1999 biographical documentary of Episcopal civil rights martyr Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Here Am I, Send Me.
A political independent, he is a spokesman for the Unity08 movement, which seeks to run a non or bi-partisan presidential ticket in the 2008 U.S Presidential Election.[5]
From what I saw, bicycling home across town at midnight, and from what I heard: Charlottesville and Crozet were both awash with illegal rockets, firecrackers, and other ‘real’ fireworks on the night of the 4th. I had my own share for certain, though I was timid about firing rockets in residential neighborhoods. On and around Main street, there was no such timidity.
I’ve had my own dust-ups with the police as a teen about firecrackers and I certainly don’t advocate prohibition (though I’m a bit worried about California this year.) But given VA’s and NC’s laws, where are all these rockets coming from? Or: Is prohibition on the way out?
blam!
-M