When last night’s state primary was called in Sen. Barack Obama’s favor last night, he called Mitch Van Yahres’ widow to express his regret for Mitch’s death last week. That’s really great. #
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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In other interesting news, yesterday Obama voted FOR the legislation that’ll let the telcom companies off the hook for illegally spying on you.
Hillary didn’t vote at all.
Paranoid Person, I believe that you have misread the report. Senator Obama voted in favor of legislation that would have allowed telecoms to be SUED, a critical step to . Sadly on 30 other democrats voted for the bill and it lost. This allows the immunity given by the administration to stand. Hillary did not vote and a number of democrats joined the republicans in allowing the immunity to stand.
I am equally impressed that he took the time to make this phone call which has only been picked up by local media (and after Virginia voted) and seems to show his decency.
The Obamas know the Van Yahres?
I don’t think the families know one another personally; the Daily Progress story said that Obama read the obit for Mitch, in particular the part about making donations to Obama’s campaign, and called on that basis. It must have really brightened Betty’s day for a bit; I think it’s a very sweet thing to have done.