A transportation survey commissioned by area business group the Free Enterprise Forum shows that 55% of those polled believe that traffic is a major problem on Rt. 29, 70% support the 29 bypass, and 70% support building the Meadowcreek Parkway. The survey was conducted by Mason-Dixon, a well-known polling firm, and was based on telephone interviews with 625 registered voters in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, and Fluvanna. While these results seem to support the results of an early March survey commissioned by WINA, Councilor Kevin Lynch (who responded to questions about the Meadowcreek Parkway on cvillenews.com in December) has dismissed it as a “push poll,” citing the interests of the business group that funded it. David Dadurka has the story in today’s Progress.
cvillenews.com
UVa has announced a new plan to guarantee on-grounds housing for all first and second year students, beginning with this fall’s incoming class. The school has provided insufficient levels of housing in the past, which has left 2nd year students living off campus that would rather live on-campus. This isn’t just a problem for the students, but it works to drive up rental prices throughout Charlottesville. UVa doesn’t expect any major changes to result from this guarantee, but it is a step towards reducing the upward pressure that the school places on the housing market. Kathleen Meyers has the story in today’s Progress.
Remember Gregory Allen Moyer? The dirty old man teaching at Fork Union Military Academy, who got caught spanking students, and went on the lam in 2001? (The story is actually a lot weirder than that, but for brevity’s sake…) Well, he’s been nabbed, working as a teacher in Mexico, and it’s thanks to The Hook and Google that he’s been caught. It seems that he had his students google his name, and they found The Hook’s August 2002 story about him. The students got in touch with The Hook, the spanker was arrested, and he’s being sent back to the U.S. to serve his 3.5 year sentence for taking indecent liberties with minors. The Hook has the full story.
Jim writes: A carjacking at Fashion Square and a drive-by shooting on Prospect Avenue show that C’ville has truly moved into the big-time. (See WINA.com.) Charlottesville Police have a tough road ahead of them in light of their recent track record and media attention. What is the ratio in the City (and County) of violent crimes committed to solved with convictions? Might we be able to have real police officers at Fashion Square, a la Barracks Road? Perhaps an anti-loitering ordinance as well?
Fashion Square seems to have significantly more serious crime than anywhere else in town, but it is private property.
C’ville police have suspended their collection of DNA samples from black men, WINA reports. Chief Timothy Longo intends to meet with leaders in the black community Friday to determine how to go about investigating this case, specifically addressing what will happen to the DNA samples after they’re taken. The story became national news Wednesday, which presumably has had the effect of making the police somewhat more cautious. 04/16 Update: Reed Williams has a story in today’s Progress.
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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