Indie writes: Vanity Fair Magazine has a sizable article in its May issue entitled “The Black Widow of Virginia.” It’s about the owner of Mt. Athos (a large estate in Orange County) who was a “duPont relative” and well-known community member. He was found dead in November 2001 with a stomach full of drugs. Speculation started swirling immediately after that put his second wife, a former hospice nurse, in the center of the drama. Side note: For all interested in celebrity comings and goings, mentions of Albemarle celebs are made briefly to describe what this area is kind of like. The article also mentions that former county residents Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard apparently have purchased a farm in Orange recently. As a backdrop to this murder mystery, the article also details nicely the southern traditions that are part of the fabric of local country life. Michael Shnayerson wrote the story.
cvillenews.com
Hundreds of city residents have signed a petition protesting the planned zoning changes that would restrict adult businesses The city’s draft zoning ordinance would put restrictions on adult businesses to prevent the creation of a red light district, which is a problem that does not exist, nor has it ever. A notable restriction is that such businesses could not be located within 1,000 feet of a home, school, or another adult business. Due to the mixed-use nature of the city’s development, this would provide very few places in the city where such businesses could be located. The city wants to make it clear that they do not seek to ban adult businesses, just limit them. Elizabeth Nelson has the story in today’s Progress.
The site is two years old now, as of Friday. There were 317 stories in the past year (down from 489 in 2001-2002), with the big stories (IMHO) being war, the drought, budget shortfalls, and City Council elections. I think that the theme for the last year would be growth, since that was really the topic of a good third of the heavily-discussed stories. What I’ve long wanted cvillenews.com to be is something that it’s more or less become: a place where professional journalists, involved citizens, and the subjects of public scrutiny can all have their voices heard on even footing. But it’s time to reassess, as I think is best to do annually. Is cvillenews.com what you want it to be? It’s this mix of news about local stuff that’s worth discussing, news about stuff that big-boy news outlets don’t seem to be covering and news about local media. Is that good? Did requiring registration change things? Do we “rarely [offer] interesting insight or an enlightening point of view? Did you have any other favorite stories? Does any of this matter?
Cecil writes: Driving north on 29 this morning (8:45 a.m.) past the shopping center with Giant and Maharajah in it, I noticed on the other side of the street, in front of that large business complex (is it Sperry?), a knot of anti-war protesters and an even LARGER knot of police cruisers and other police vehicles. Anyone know more than that?
WINA is reporting on-air this morning that there’s a stand-off in progress in Greene County, at the Lowest Price Gas Station in Midway, along Route 33, near Route 29. The man in question is one George Minor, who was chased there by a police officer around 7am this morning. He reportedly killed his girlfriend Monday, his girlfriend’s mother last night, is now holding hostages and apparently making demands. The police presence is escalating, with armored cars and a helicopter now having been brought to the scene. A nearby elementary school has been evacuated, and traffic is no longer permitted to pass on 33. One hostage has been released thus far — a young girl, about a half hour after the stand off started, who bore a note on Minor’s behalf. 11:13am Update: The AP has a story now. They report that Minor is from Culpeper, he’s 38 years old, and confirms that he killed girlfriend Latisha Bolden on Monday. The report makes no mention of Bolden’s mother, and is unclear as to whether there are currently one or two hostages. 2:47pm Update: It’s all over. Just after 1pm, Minor was taken away in an ambulance, a couple of hours after a gunshot was heard — details are pretty unclear from there. The Daily Progress has the story.
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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