DFC Starts Up Again

Last night, Charlottesville’s Democrats for Change held their first meeting in almost two years, hoping to redefine who they are, what their agenda is, and establish new goals. About 50 people attended, including a lot of new faces. George Loper, of course, has the skinny on his website.

4 Former UVa Students Fined for Assault

Four former UVa students have been fined $500,000 in total for their 1997 attack on fellow student Alexander Kory. Richard W. Smith (son of FedEx Chairman Fredrick Smith) was ordered to pay $200,000 in punitive damanges, and Harrison Tigrett (brother of the founder of the Hard Rock Cafe), Bradley Kintz and Wesley McCluney were each ordered to pay $60,000 in punitive damanges. The four men attacked and beat the victim four years ago this week, laughing as they kicked and hit him, breaking his jaw in the process. The attack and the subsequent legal wrangling was a major issue among UVa students that year; it was widely believed that the school was going easy on the attackers due to their family’s wealth. Adrienne Schwisow has the full story in today’s Progress.

Nelson Man Indicted for Fraud

Nelson resident James Holden has been indicted by a grand jury for fraud. Last year, his eight year old daughter was lost in the woods for several days before searchers found her body. He held a raffle to raise money in memory of his daughter, cancelled the raffle, and kept the money. WINA has the story. 11/28/01, 3:20pm Update: Turns out that he was the girl’s grandfather, not father. The Progress has a detailed story today.

Judge Rules in Favor of Satyrfield Farm

Circuit Court Judge Paul Peatross has ruled that the Virginia Department of Agriculture‘s 1999 attempt to search Christine Solem & John Coles’ small farming business without a warrant was unconstitutional. Solem and Cole run Satyrfield Farms, just north of town, manufacturing goat cheese that they sell from their home and at the Charlottesville farmer’s market. WINA has the story.

Judge Supports Louisa Power Plant

Area power plant lawsuit #3 has been rejected by the courts: a judge has upheld the Louisa Supervisors‘ decision to allow Old Dominion Electric Cooperative to build a natural gas power plant near Gordonsville. WINA has the story.

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