A jury has awarded $10MM to a Greene County man, ruling that WVIR wrongly reported that cocaine had been found on his property. In early 2001, Jesse Sheckler’s home was raided, and he was charged with helping to finance a drug dealer. He was eventually acquitted, but WVIR incorreclty reported repeatedly in the interim that cocaine had been found. Sheckler sued, claiming defamation. WVIR intends to appeal. The AP has the story. 05/27 Update: Liesel Nowak has a way better story in the Progress.
cvillenews.com
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
The Garrett Square housing complex in downtown Charlottesville has never been known as a particularly great place to live, despite many residents’ fierce defense of what they feel are its many fine attributes. That appears to be changing. New owners (Piedmont Housing Alliance and the National Housing Trust-Enterprise Preservation Corp.) have bought the complex from its former Atlanta-based owner, and they’re overhauling each unit, having already installed a computer lab with high-speed Internet access. The residents have even selected a name for themselves: Friendship Court. Courteney Stuart has the story in this week’s Hook.
A committee of Charlottesville citizens has saved the Charlottesville Independence Day celebration for the second time in the past few years. After concern was raised last week over the lack of a celebration, Tom Powell, real estate agent Ray Caddell, and WINA’s Dann Miller, among others, have formed the Save the Fireworks committee, and they’re making big promises: “This is far in excess of any fireworks show that’s ever been in Charlottesville. It’ll be bigger, badder, more outrageous. We’re going to spend at least 50 percent more than the biggest show that’s ever been here.” They’re even figuring out a plan to make sure that the fireworks happen every year from here on out, and end the annual scramble that has became standard in the past few years. Elizabeth Nelson has the story in today’s Progress.
mom133d writes: I recently saw an ad on one of the D.C. stations that AT&T local service was here. This morning I visited AT&T Local Service and plugged in my 22903 zip code. They say the service is available here. Woo hoo!
Our local phone service with Sprint was once bizarre — back in the early ’90s, before long distance companies offered local service, Sprint bought Centel (Central Virginia Telephone), and they’ve been the only game in town for home service ever since.
RaySmith writes: Thursday night, May 15, the Charlottesville Planning Commission held its long-awaited public hearing on the new draft of the city zoning ordinance, which regulates land use in the city. Liz Nelson was there (the whole 2 hours, as opposed to WVIR’s George Lettis, who took a few shots and left after 10-15 minutes) and wrote this story for the Daily 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 #
-
Archive for Sideblog »
Recent Comments