Charlottesville Breaking News
May Day rally: Housing authority hides from protesters
"Ain't no power like the power of the people 'cause the power of the people don't stop," was one of the popular protest refrains during the march up the Downtown Mall.photo by lisa provence
The Rally for Dignity and Justice began at the U.S. Western District Court.photo by lisa provence
Long-time public housing activist Joy Johnson called housing authority actions, such as evicting a mother of six, "shameful."photo by lisa provence
City Council candidate Wes Bellamy (in suit) was the only candidate to show, and no elected officials were spotted in the crowd. Organizer Brandon Collins (far right) has his bullhorn at the ready.photo by lisa provence
Donna Gasapo lent support from the Anarchist People of Color Collective.photo by lisa provence
Although PHAR residents arrived during normal business hours, lights in the housing authority offices were out.photo by lisa provence
Even police initially couldn't get cowed housing staffers to open the door.photo by lisa provenceNothing says May Day quite like a protest. Around 50 public housing residents and supporters, chanting, "C-R-H-A, stop evicting us today," marched the Downtown Mall on May 1 to deliver a message to the city housing authority– only to find that the agency had locked the doors, cut off the lights, and were pretending they weren't home.
The Rally for Dignity and Justice in Public Housing, led by red t-shirted Public Housing Association of Residents members who were joined by anarchists, socialists, living wagers and Legal Aiders, gathered in front of City Hall. By then it had swollen to around 75 people. Noticeably absent: elected officials. Only one City Council candidate showed up.
Several in the crowd carried signs that said, "Evict Connie Dunn," referring to the executive director of the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Angry residents denounced what they called "disrespectful treatment" by the housing authority.
"They treat people like animals," decried march leader and PHAR staffer Brandon Collins. "Are you animals?"
"No," shouted the protesters.
Crescent Hall resident Miss Mary Carey, as she was referred to by other residents, said she's been complaining about mold in her building for...
Fake ID bust: Feds go after Rugby Road trio
Heavily armed state police kept gawkers at bay. At least one vehicle, a Cadillac SUV, was taken away on a wrecker.Courteney Stuart
31-year-old Alan McNeil Jones, a.k.a. Joshua Tucker, is on the lam, according to authorities.Courtesy U.S. Attorney's officeFederal authorities and heavily armed state police swarmed a Rugby Road home today after issuing charges against three Charlottesville residents last night.
Arrested at 920 Rugby Road on Monday, May 6, 2013, were Kelly Erin McPhee, 31, Mark G. Bernardo, and 31-year-old Alan McNeil Jones, a.k.a. Joshua Tucker, all of Charlottesville.All are charged with wire fraud, mail fraud and other activities related to the manufacturing of false identification, which in a college town summons to mind the term "fake IDs."According to a release, Jones fled custody and is currently a fugitive who may be driving a white Range Rover with Washington State plate ALH-8881.While the severity and extent of the alleged crimes committed by the arrestees remains unknown, the presence of an armored vehicle and at least half a dozen Virginia State Police tactical Team members carrying high powered assault rifles certainly stood out in a neighborhood known for its genteel homes with immaculately ma...
On probation: Halfaday charged with another violation
James Halfaday came in last out of seven City Council candidates in the 2011 Democratic primary.hook staffEven in jail, James Halfaday can't seem to stay out of trouble. The City Council candidate who didn't live in the city served two months for felony election fraud, picked up four months for probation violation, and, while serving that sentence in Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail, has been charged with a second probation violation.
Wife Strife: I do, or un-do?
Nick Galifianakis
Nick GalfianakisDear Carolyn:
Our daughter, 27 and married for just over two years, is feeling she "is living the wrong life, like, I'm not in the right place." We are very fond of our son-in-law, but our primary concern is our daughter.
He is 10 years older and wanted to start a family, but his, "When do you think you will be ready?" has caused her to put the brakes on and have a rethink – of where she is, where they are as a couple, etc. Bottom line is that she doesn't love him the way you would expect a "newly" married couple to feel for each other. There has been no passion, she states, for a long time.
I believe they have laid everything on the table for discussion, but I can tell from my daughter's personality, etc., that she has basically decided that she doesn't love him the way a wife should, rather thinks of him as a wonderful friend. She is very worried about his reaction toward a separation. He has had some trust issues from the past.
I have suggested professional counseling, to help her figure out what she does want and need, but she is hesitant and/or embarrassed with the notion of being a "statistic" and "stupid" for such a serious lack of judgment.
– Concerned Mother and Mother-in-Law
I...
Ignition intuition: This car has a mind of its own
Publicity photoDear Tom and Ray:
I have a 2001 Dodge Neon with more than 150,000 miles on it. Until very recently, it's been an extremely reliable vehicle, and I've loved it. Lately, and at random times, however, the engine will not shut off– even with the key removed from the ignition and in my hand! I've already gotten a new key and replaced the entire ignition cylinder, but it happened again yesterday evening. Luckily, yesterday I was able to fiddle with the key a little bit and finally get the stupid thing to shut off. What could be causing this? At this point, the mechanics I've taken it to haven't been able to identify or fix the problem, and I can't find anything on the Internet. Each time it's happened, my local mechanic has disconnected the battery, which made the car turn off. After that, though, it runs perfectly for maybe a couple of months, until it happens again. Any idea what could be wrong? – Grace
TOM: You're a lucky woman, Grace – you can't get your Neon to stop. Most of our customers with Neons can't get them to start!
RAY: You say you replaced the ignition cylinder. But that's just the locking mechanism that the key fits into; it's not the ignition switch itself. So you easily could have a bad ignition switch.
TOM: But before you replace the switch, try replacing the...
Latest Headlines
Latest from @readthehook
