This morning brought the first snow of the year to the Charlottesville area. Just about an inch fell, but it has made an absolute mess of the roads. Lots of roads are closed off, including Earlysville Road, part of High Street, and many roads are backed up for miles. (The 250 Bypass took some motorists over an hour to travel this morning.) Accidents abound, notably the trailer that blocked all of 29 south, up by Airport Road. Schools are cancelled, in many cases requiring that the already-picked up students be shipped back home. Areas east and south of us really got dumped on; just north, in Free Union, not so much of a flake was seen.
Archive for January, 2002
writes: Waynesboro-based Ntelos, a provider of integrated communications services, said on Thursday that it has closed on the sale of 14 wireless communication towers to American Tower for $4.8 million. The towers, located in the Richmond and Hampton Roads markets, were originally acquired by Ntelos through its July 2000 acquisition of PrimeCo Virginia PCS. The deal is part of a huge sell-off announced by the company on Nov. 1. Ntelos recently sold 46 of its towers for $15.6 million. Ntelos is attempting to improve its financial position after its proposed $408 million merger with Conestoga Enterprises fell though in November.
Ntelos, by the way, is one and the same as CFW.
The Center for Digital Government has ranked the top 25 e-government-enabled states, and Virginia has ranked…nothing. We didn’t even make the list. Rankings were based on states’ “utilization of digital technologies to deliver services to citizens.” Our offerings are pretty meager in that department, unfortunately. (Our e-government site was last updated the day that it was launched, in May of 2000.) The big winners were Illinois and Kansas. And we’re “the digital dominion?”
31-year-old Frederic Ahalt was accidentally killed while hunting with a friend in western Albemarle, WINA reports. The Standardsville man was shot in the head at close range, and pronounced dead at the scene. Police are investigating.
Former mayor and current City Councilor David Toscano has announced that he will not seek a fourth term on Council. Toscano intends to spend more time with his family and his law practice. Bob Gibson has the story in today’s Progress. It looks like things are about to get exciting in this year’s City Council race.
A city-wide manhunt is under way after a shooting on Saturday that injured two people. As many as three suspects may be on the loose after the attack, which also damanged cars and homes along Rougemont Avenue. 22-year-old victim Gaynelle Rose, the most seriously injured of the victims, remains at the UVa hospital in fair condition. WINA has the story.
Two of Charlottesville’s own, football player Howie Long and former UVa running back Tiki Barber will be playing on Wheel of Fortune this evening. It’s a part of the show’s NFL Players Week, and all winnings go to charities. Though Barber’s chosen charity is unknown, Long selected the Piedmont Court Appointed Specialist Advocates and Andrew’s Buddies. Long is the honorary chairman of the latter group. The story is in today’s Progress.
Mayor Blake Caravati has announced that he will be running for re-election to City Council. In a press release today, Caravati specified his reasons: “I believe that my experience in a leadership role, my vision of the future, my deep conviction to personal accessibility, and my desire to make Charlottesville a great place for all citizens has prepared me for a continued role in the leadership of the City.” For those of you keeping score, that’s two seats up for election, with the announced candidates thus far being Joan Fenton (see this week’s C-Ville Weekly to learn about her) and, now, Blake Caravati. Councilor David Toscano announced yesterday that he will not be running.
The Albemarle Board of Supervisors have approved the construction of a much-debated 110-foot-tall tower in the northeast corner of Albemarle County. The tower is the last of six towers to be approved for the area’s new 800MHz radio system, which will tie together the Charlottesville, Albemarle and UVa police and rescue departments so that they can communicate directly with one another. The reason that the tower was debated was because it will be located in the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District which, as the Piedmont Environmental Council points out, should be protected from visual intrusions like a radio tower. WVIR had the story on this evening’s broadcast.
The five juvenile volunteer firefighters from the Stony Point Fire Company accused of arson have pled guilty, though to a misdeameanor instead of the felony charge of arson. The five were accused in early December, having set several fires in the area and planned to light a house on fire. They will likely each be required to serve 20 hours of community service. WVIR had the story on this evening’s broadcast.
cecil writes: I live overlooking the Meadow Creek as it runs through Greenbrier Park, and this morning I looked down to find that the creek is green. Violently, nauseously green. This seems wrong. Does anyone have any idea why it might be green, if it is green all over the city, and whom in the city administration one might contact about this greenness?
Yuck. 01/12/02 Update: Today’s Progress reports that it was just a dye, used to trace the path of some water.
writes: The Museum Co., a retailer of museum replicas and art reproductions with 102 stores in 30 states and Canada, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday after sagging sales left the company saddled with debt. The Herald reported earlier this week that the filing was expected. The Museum Co. is the parent company of local C’ville company MuseumCompany.com.
The good news is that this should be the last of the local tech bankruptcies. You know, since there aren’t any other companies left.
The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has just finished a year-long study of working habits, commtes and job training, with the surprising finding that 80% of Central Virginia workers have access to computers. Given how rural that most of our area is, this is a surprisingly large figure. There is, of course, lots more information in the study, which is ostensibly available on the TJPDC’s website, but I can’t find it. Austin Graham has the story in today’s Progress.
Where to Retire Magazine, published five times a year, has named Charlottesville has one of the 100 best places for retirees to live. Of course, the top 100 isn’t exactly exciting. Plus, wouldn’t you think that, given the magazine’s name, they’d pretty much list the same cities in every issue? Anyhow, Jake Mooney has the story in today’s Progress.
There’s a third candidate in the Charlottesville City Council race: experienced politician Bern Ewert. The 59-year-old Democrat has worked in municipal management positions in Price William County, Roanoke, Galveston TX and Stratford CT. In fact, he even worked as the deputy city manager here in Charlottesville in the early- to mid-70s. Already-announced candidates for the two seats are Blake Caravati and Joan Fenton. Jake Mooney has the story in today’s Progress.
I feel a little silly writing about myself in the third person, so I’ll limit that to the headline. I am running for Charlottesville City Council. I am seeking the Democratic nomination. I’ve been a civic activist for nearly a decade, and running for Council is the next logic step in continuing to work for my home, the city that I love. Jake Mooney should have a story in tomorrow’s Progress. I guess I need to recuse myself from writing about Council-related issues on cvillenews.com now, but I’m not sure of what to do. What do you think?
Our eight-month grace period is over: it’s time to start dialing 434 on Tuesday. Anybody trying to reach us at 804 will now start getting a recording indicating that we have a new area code. Those of you that give out the number to your phones, though, have until late this year to make the switch. Reed Williams has the story in today’s Progress.
Remember our free bike system? It’s still happening, says coordinator Stephen Bach. Things have been held up since the October installation of the bike racks by work on the bicycles and the coming of winter — not a popular time for bicycling. Organizers hope to have 35 bikes out on March 21st, the first day of spring. In the meantime, they’ve had 10 students going through an “Earn-A-Bike” program, learning how to fix and ride bicycles. They’ll all be awarded with their very own bicycle on graduation. Jake Mooney has the story in today’s Progress.
writes: On Monday long-time editor & founder of the C-ville Weekly was ousted by fellow owners Bill Chapman & Rob Jiranek. While still a 1/3 owner of the paper, Hawes was forced to relinquish the stewartship of Charlottesville’s must read weekly. from the website “C-Ville Weekly is published by Portico Publications, Ltd. Portico Publications, Ltd. is William G. Chapman, Robert Jiranek, and Hawes C. Spence”. Curious minds want to know more but insiders have speculated that Chapman has plans that Spencer refused to agree with.
Though this from an anonymous source, the existence of this rumor has been confirmed by two independent sources, including the staffer of another local media outlet.
There’s a fifth person in the City Council race: democrat David Simmons. The 50-year-old Simmons, a nurse at the UVa Medical Center, ran in 2000, but withdrew from the race in order to bring end to fighting within the party. Simmons intends to work to help the education system deal with the Standards of Learning and increase the amount of affordable housing in the city, among other things. Jake Mooney has the article in today’s Progress.
Charles Paschall, the president and CEO of Albemarle First Bank, has resigned. (You may know him from their commercials.) He was one of the founders of the bank three years ago. WINA has the story.
Today’s Cavalier Daily (newly back from a month-long break) reports that Plan 9 is finally moving into their new, bigger digs later on this month. They’ve been working with Higher Grounds for at least a couple of years now to open up a shared space next to Littlejohn’s, in the old bookstore. They will be closing down their old location, just a little bit down West Main Street, where they’ve been located for the past 11 years.
Fashion Square Mall is has requested permission to expand. They’ve asked the Board of Supervisors to permit them to get rid of 600 parking spaces to make space to add more retail space. The BOS will discuss that at their 7pm meeting this evening. WINA has the story.
The City has started a discussion forum on their website. The system runs on phpBB — an excellent free, open-source software package that’s similar to the software that runs cvillenews.com — and they have created one topic area thus far, “Budget FY 2002-2003.” This forum is being used as a method of getting your $0.02 to Council about the upcoming budget, but those of you that aren’t hip to the e-government thing can just attend next Tuesday’s City Council meeting at 7:30.
The State Corporation Commission has voted to consider power plant applications in light of the tremendous amount of plants that are currently planned. Because power plant proposals were once uncommon, each proposal was considered on their own merits rather than as a part of a larger system. Austin Graham has the story in today’s Progress.
Today, The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression launched their on-line simulation of their planned free speech monument. Though it’s not finished, strictly-speaking, the Progress apparently decided that it was, given that they carried a story today (credited to “Staff”) announcing it. The on-line chalkboard was created by me for the TJ Center, with the generous support of George Loper.
Charlotteville actress Sissy Spacek picked up a Golden Globe last night, WINA reports. She won the prestigious award at last night’s ceremony in L.A. for her performance in “In The Bedroom.”
Long-time community activist Grace Tinsley was honored with the annual Community Service Award presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration and Worship Service last night. The three-hour event at the packed Performing Arts Center featured music, prayer, and even a theatrical performance, all in the name of Martin Luther King Jr. Tinsley was the first black woman on the school board, a CHS nurse, advocate of the creation of the public defender’s office, and even registered black voters out of her home in the 1963.
This week’s C-Ville Weekly reports on their split with co-owner and former editor Hawes Spencer. The story is the first public mention of Spencer’s intention to start a new local weekly newspaper (rumored to hit the stands within mere days.) It looks like things are about to get interesting in the local media.
Tonight’s City Council meeting is big. Beginning at 7:30 tonight (2nd floor, City Hall), Council is hearing recommendations on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. If you want the city to fund anything, or there’s any financially-dependent thing that you want to ensure will continue to exist within the city, this is the meeting to be at. If you can’t be there, you can watch on public access (ch. 10 CFW, ch. 13 Adelphia), express your views on their website, or call 970-3101 during the meeting.
Representatives from the city and the county say that the state has no money to build the 29 Bypass. The plans to build it have gone back and forth for several years now, but it’s looked inevitable for some time. Without money, of course, it’s impossible. WINA has the story.
Albemarle Police Detective K. W. Robinson is back at work, NBC 29 reported this evening. You might remember Detective Robinson from his December suspension from the force for his August beating of 21-year-old suspect Corey Faison. Robinson’s capacity with the force is reportedly limited pending the outcome of his trial. You can read the story on-line on WINA’s site.
Fashion Square is about to get a major overhaul, thanks to its parent company, the Simon Property Group. In a press release, the company has announced that they’ll be spending millions to replace the roof (complete with three rotunda-influenced domes), the floors, install new celings, lighting, skylights, furniture, planters, and add more seating. They’ll also add family bathrooms and a children’s play area. The project will start in Feburary. WVIR had the story on this evening’s broadcast.
Alexandria Searls announced her candidacy for the Charlottesville City Council on Saturday, making her the 6th (and likely final) candidate to come forward for the Democratic nomination. Her bio reads: “Emphasizes the preservation of our educational initiatives and of the historic buildings that anchor our communities. A teacher and photographer, she serves on the McIntire Park design committee, the 2002 Virginia Commission for the Arts Grants Panel, and is a member of the Friends of Jefferson School. She is also Co-Chair of Recreation Precinct.”
Full disclosure: This reporter is a candidate for the Charlottesville City Council.
Last night, the World Wrestling Federation came to Charlottesville, putting on a show for nearly 6,000 people at U-Hall. There were a total of nine matches over the course of the evening. The last time that wrestling came to our fair city was in 1998, when World Championship Wrestling put on a show. Today’s Progress has the story.
UVa’s Honor Committee has rejected a proposal to permit expelled students to re-enter the college if they admit guilt. The idea was to permit students accused of honor code violations to admit guilt prior to their trial in exchange for the possibility of future re-admission. A 14-9 vote in favor of the proposal was insufficient to achieve the necessary 2/3 majority to create the necessary student referendum. The Cav Daily has the story.
More details are emerging about Hawes Spencer’s new publication. The first issue is slated to debut on February 7th, and the name will be (oddly) “The Hook,” ostensibly because that’s a nickname for Charlottesville. (?) The creation of The Hook was prompted by Spencer’s recent split with C-Ville Weekly.
On Thursday night, from 7pm-9pm, the first City Council candidates’ forum will be held. It will be held in the auditorium of the Jefferson School, and the topics will include affordable housing, the living wage, worker rights in a right-to-work state, poverty, crime, economic development, and/or the state of race relations in Charlottesville. In addition, there will be a half hour when the audience can ask questions of the candidates. 9:27pm Update: The forum is on Wednesday night, as per the headline, not Thursday. Sorry about that.
Full disclosure: This reporter is a candidate for Charlottesville City Council.
Over a two-week period, three separate attacks have occurred against UVa students. In all cases, large groups of black attackers have attacked individuals or small groups of students, in some cases resulting in hospitalization. None of the attacks appeared to be provoked or motivated by anything other than a desire to harm the students. There are no suspects in the attacks, and it is not known if they are related. Today’s Progress has the story.
UVa plans to purchase and demolish Trax and Max to expand the hospital complex. They’re buying the clubs for $1.2M. Trax is famed for being where Dave Matthews Band played during their early days, and it long served as the most popular musical venue in Charlottesville, hosting many national touring acts since its 1982 opening. Though Max occasionally had larger acts, it was more well-known for its country line dancing. Trax was sold in July, and the new owner was to have opened it last fall. The Cavalier Daily has the story.
City Councilors Blake Caravati and Maurice Cox announced yesterday that they’re putting development plans for the Jefferson School on hold. Council was entertaining the notion of selling the historic downtown school to private developers, but community concerns have led them to put off a formal decision on the topic.
Yearly assessments for property taxes are going out now, and they’re up, on average, 10%. In some areas, like North Downtown, Venable, Rugby and Belmont, they’ve gone up even more. WINA has the story.
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