Several reports indicate that that death and illness has resulted from tainted blood provided by Virginia Blood Services. This news comes from a radio report in Fredericksburg and a story on NBC 12 in Richmond, each saying that one death and two illnesses have been traced to bacteria-laden blood originating from Virginia Blood Services. Reportedly, VBS has cancelled all drives and ordered hospitals to stop using their blood and blood products. The Red Cross confirmed via telephone that they are still accepting and providing blood, presumably unaffected by the contamination.
cvillenews.com
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
A new study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, “Rental Housing for America’s Poor Families: Farther Out of Reach Than Ever,” says that somebody earning minimum wage in Charlottesville would have to work 104 hours to be housed comfortably. Working full-time, $13.33/hour is the required income level to do so. 48% of the renting population in Charlottesville are therefore living in homes that are priced beyond the standard 30% of the household income. “Housed comfortably,” though subjective, means a simple two-bedroom rental unit for the purpose of this report. Elizabeth Nelson has the story in today’s Daily Progress.
George Loper has combined figures from Gary Grant‘s most recent constituent report with figures from the city to come up with a list of city and county schools and the percentage of students living in poverty. Poverty percentages are defined under a federal income formula, and eligibility for a free lunch is defined by income guidelines. In the county, levels range from 59% (Yancey Elementary) to 2.9% (Meriwether Lewis Elementary); in the city, from 81% (Clark Elementary) to 21% (Venable Elementary.) This provides an interesting snapshot on the economic well-being of each corresponding district in the area.
According to the Water Emergency page on the Albemarle County Service Authority’s website, reservoir supplies have increased from 53.1.% of capacity to 53.9% of capacity. Given that an average of 1.5 inches of rain fell across the area yesterday, we can calculate that a 1% gain in the reservoirs requires approximately 1.9 inches of rain. Therefore, we would require just over 30.5 inches of rain in order to reach 70% capacity, at which point restrictions would be cut back. Good news from ACSA, as reported in the Progress, is that area water usage has dropped from an August average of 13.2M per day, to 10.4M throughout most of September, and is now down to 7.8M as a result of the most recent water restrictions.
Wal-Mart has been fined $500 for violating water restrictions, WINA reports. The Albemarle County Service Authority discovered that Wal-Mart was watering their plants, a violation of water restrictions. Should they be caught again, they will be fined $1,000; caught again after that, and they could have their water supply cut off entirely.
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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