Author Archive for Waldo Jaquith

Page 341 of 744

Man Confesses to McGowan Murder

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 20, 2007 in Crime. 4 Comments

Michael Stuart Pritchett has confessed his role in the murder of Jayne Warren McGowan, Kate Harmon and Rob Seal report in today’s Daily Progress. The eighteen year old says that he and his cousin, William Douglas Gentry, intended to rob somebody. They selected her house (for reasons not yet disclosed), knocked on her door, and entered when she opened the door. Based on the Progress’ depiction, it sounds like they immediately killed her, with each of the two men using a handgun of their own. They then robbed the home and stole her car. The two were arrested just a week ago, and McGowan was killed just ten days ago, so there’s a great deal more information yet to come out.

Hysterical Society

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 19, 2007 in In Brief. 2 Comments

The Historical Society’s executive committee has yanked their site’s link to their great new blog. It ain’t for nothing they’re known as the “Hysterical Society.”  #

Van Yahres Has Lung Cancer

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 19, 2007 in In Brief. 4 Comments

Mitch Van Yahres is battling lung cancer. His prognosis is said to be good.  #

County Forecasts Assessment Drop

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 15, 2007 in Development and Taxes. 16 Comments

The gravy train is coming to a halt. Jeremy Borden writes in today’s Daily Progress that Albemarle County expects property tax reassessments to be flat next year, or perhaps even down. Assessments climbed sharply in 2003, 2005, and 2007, but that’s over now. Since inflation naturally increases the cost of goods and services purchased by the county, this leaves the county needing to cut expenses, a task it hasn’t faced in quite some time. And with the approval of two enormous new subdivisions, our costs are only going to be climbing. All of this just in time for the new Democratic majority to be left holding the bag.

Some Charges Dropped in Whisper Ridge Case

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 15, 2007 in Law and Justice. 2 Comments

I’ve often lamented that the headlines when somebody’s accused of a crime are far bigger than when they’re acquitted. So I must call up that charges have been dropped against one of the Whisper Ridge employees who was accused of molesting two kids in his care, Rob Seal writes in the Progress. One of the victims has dropped out of sight, leaving just one to testify against Bryan Antwann Vaughan. Without corroboration, the county says they can’t move forward. Vaughan says he’s innocent. It’s possible that other similar charges will be brought against him, though.

Four others were indicted, part of the never ending series of charges against the utterly incompetent mental health facilities.