The disappearing and reappearing Gordonsville police officer has been fired. Last Thursday, the Gordonsville Town Council voted to fire Officer Emerson Brown as a result of his not-wholly-explained three day absence. Brown, who joined the force less than a year ago, maintains that he was robbed of his service weapon by two people to whom he had given a ride, and from there his tale becomes somewhat more murky, involving a multi-day manhunt in Fredericksburg in an effort to retrieve his weapon. Olympia Meola has the story in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Author Archive for Waldo Jaquith
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A study of their enrollment by Piedmont Virginia Community College has shown that enrollment by blacks has fallen by 13.6% in the past year and that 43% of the student body is under the age of 22, which is apparently a greater percentage than previously. The reasons for these changes aren’t clear, although the weakened economy and the skyrocketing cost of college education has led many students to enroll in a community college for two years before transferring to a four-year institution, which may explain the age shift. Kate Andrews has the story in today’s Progress.
Yesterday’s elections saw a mixed bag of results, with Republicans perhaps benefiting the most. The uncontested 57th House and 25th Senate races left both Democrats untouched, and the also-uncontested 58th and 25th House race left Republicans Steve Landes and Rob Bell in place. (Half of all Virginia House races were uncontested, largely because of the recent redistricting.) In the 59th, incumbent Republican Watkins Abbitt fended off Democrat Allen Hale for a sound victory, while in the 24th Senate district, incumbent Republican Emmett Hanger had a very strong victory over Democrat Steve Sisson. Albemarle had a number of interesting elections. A pair of Republicans defeated Democratic challengers for two open Board of Supervisors seats: in White Hall, David Wyant defeated Eric Strucko on what seemed be opposition to urbanization of Albemarle, while in Rivanna, Ken Boyd defeated Peter Hallock on the promise of reducing the 2.2% unemployment rate to help increase county revenue. In Scottsville, conservative Democrat Lindsay Dorrier retained his seat after being challenged by a write-in candidate. On the school board, Brian Wheeler barely won the at-large seat, Sue Friedman the Rivanna seat, and Barbara Massie the White Hall seat, with Scottsville incumbent Steve Koleszar having just managed to retain his seat. Finally, beleaguered sheriff Ed Robb retained his seat with a minority of the votes, while unchallenged commonwealth’s attorney Jim Camblos. Albemarle turnout was at 32%, while Charlottesville’s two uncontested races resulted in just 12% turnout. The Progress has a series of stories and the full statistics in today’s issue, with the Board of Supervisors, school board, and sheriff’s articles available on their website. For the raw Albemarle results, see the State Board of Elections’ website.
Lafe writes: Last night, between about 8:00 and 8:30p, Charlottesville was treated to a fine view of the Aurora Borealis. It started with a red glow that transormed into a beautiful “curtain” of red and white light. It appeared to move from the north to the south, over a period of about half an hour. Space Weather is saying that another CME offers Charlottesville another shot at seeing the Northern Lights in our skies tonight and tomorrow night. So go outside and look up!
Post some pictures!
For the past week a bear — or possibly two bears — have been wandering around Charlottesville, mostly around Rugby Road. On the 22nd, a bear was cornered by police officers, but got spooked when somebody took a flash photo of it, so an officer shot it twice. The bear spotted since then has shown no sign of being injured, leading to speculation that there may be two separate bears. A wildlife biologist is on call, and it’s hoped that the bear(s) can be tranquilized and released outside of the city. Elizabeth Nelson has the story in today’s Progress. If you see the bear, please call police, and look after him on behalf of Aunt Lucy. No flash photography, please.
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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