It’s confirmed: Saturday’s 12:00pm big boom was, in fact, an earthquake. WINA reports that a Virginia Tech seismologist has deemed Saturday’s Big Boom to be an earthquake that measured 3.2 on the Richter scale, slightly larger than our 1998 quake, which measured 2.8. The epicenter was located in Albemarle County.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
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Coleman Johnson, recently convicted of the December 1997 murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend via pipe bomb, has been sentenced. Judge Moon gave him life in prison, as per the recommendation of jury. After Johnson’s murder of Tammy Lynn Baker and her unborn child, much of Louisa went on alert, unsure if more pipe bombs might explode in the area. WINA has the story.
munk writes: Whether an explosion, an earthquake or a sonic boom, something loud and jarring occurred at 12:00 or 12:01. It was felt on the Mall, on Millmont Street, at Albermarle Square, and out River Road. Once before, Charlottesville had an earthquake that news sources insisted was a sonic boom for days, but this seemed like neither. We’re trying hard to find the source; it was short, loud, and local.
Update: Sonic boom? Military jet? Earthquake? Underground explosion? We’ve heard a lot of theories and no answers.
The schedule for the 14th annual Virginia Film Festival is being distributed around town today, and the website should have it tomorrow. Ticket sales start Monday for the October 25th – 28th event. The theme this year is “Masquerades,” and thus features films like like Tootsie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Phantom of the Opera.
Albemarle County Supervisor David Bowerman, described in Peter Savodnik’s Daily Progress article today as “the bridge between the six-member Board of Supervisors and the county police department,” has endorsed the concept of a citizens’ review board to oversee the police department. He envisions the same restrictions that Chief Miller does, to some people’s regret, restrictions that can only be lifted by an act of the Virginia General Assembly. An odd dynamic has popped up here, too: Detective K. W. Robinson, who is accused of beating a prisoner during questioning last month, has told the Progress that he supports a review board. This is likely related to the fact that Detective Robinson was once fired by Chief Miller, for excessive use of force, only to find his job reinstated by an appeals board.
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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