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County Police swarmed Albemarle High School today as the school went into a 50-minute lock down around 12:21pm following a phoned in bomb threat. No bomb was found. According to a release, the caller said there was someone in front of the school with a bomb. Within minutes, school officials locked down the school and called County police. read full story

Former Charlottesville-based rock critic Rob Sheffield is still mourning. And understandably so. On May 11, 1997, his wife, Renee Crist, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Her death left one Charlottesville weekly newspaper without its music critic, and Sheffield– although he shouldered on– was cast into a pool of pain and sadness. read full story

Think Interstate 81 needs a mega-million facelift? A new survey finds truckers seem to like the road plenty already. In its December issue, Overdrive magazine, online at eTrucker.com, rated I-81 the fifth-best road in the United States, based on a survey of driver opinons. read full story

Thousands of devoted fans have called Dave Matthews a musical genius. read full story

The message on the National Vanguard phone notes the organization's objective: "We want a decent future for white children." Kevin Strom, founder of the neo-Nazi group dedicated to protecting the rights and racial purity of white people, was indicted for possession of child pornography and for intimidating a witnes read full story

With relatively little fanfare, a full-service salad bar run by the growing national franchise Salad Creations has opened on the downtown mall on Fifth Street, around the corner from The Melting Pot. read full story

For the last two weeks, the names of Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) and the nation's first Muslim congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) have been linked in the national discourse. read full story

He was known as Jefferson Ward, DJ Twist, and by his given name, Jeffrey Allen Ward. He was also known as an habitual criminal and liar who left a string of bad checks and grandiose tales throughout Charlottesville. read full story

New all-male Field School, Gilmore for prez, remembering Slate Hill Phil You've got male: New school says boys will be...separate "Something is happening where boys are getting the message 'School is not for you.'" At least that's according to Todd Barnett, founder of the all-new, all-boys Field School getting ready to open its doors in the fall. read full story

Albemarle County's Board of Supervisors has new chair, and it's Ken Boyd, the man who has been representing the Rivanna District since 2003. read full story

Coming soon to Staunton: an assortment of delicious beverages and an unbridled passion for eclectic indie rock. Well, maybe slightly bridled. read full story

The numbers are in and Dave Matthews Band has put their money where their reputation is. read full story

As you may have noticed, every magazine or newspaper you pick up this week is running their ââ?¬Ë?06 almanac issue. The news, the people, the trends, and the events that shaped another year past. Of course, The Hook is no exception. read full story

Since beating up UVA students in 2002 when he was a Charlottesville High student, Vernon Howard's lengthy rap sheet has been relatively nonviolent. read full story

In early December, Neighborhood Development chief Jim Tolbert quietly issued a request for proposals to manage a nation-wide juried design competition for the Water Street parking lots. read full story

With former governor Mark Warner bowing out in October and Senator George Allen read full story

On the same day that Albemarle Police announced three new felony charges against Elvis Gene Shifflett, Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo held a press conference to announce an investigation by State Police has exonerated the officers who shot Shifflett. "These are split second decis read full story

There was no smile on Crozet native Kelly Dinelle Payne's face when Richmond Circuit Court Judge Beverly Snukals sentenced the two-time drunk-driving killer to 46 years behind bars, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "I could say I'm sorry, but it wouldn't begin to scratch the surface," Payne said, according to the TD. read full story

Snocap muscles in on iTunes, Cafe No Problem returns?, ACAC boosts Downtown business ON THIS WEEK�S COVER: Never mind the iTunes, here's Snocap Shawn Fanning and the people who brought us Napster are poised to change the music industry once again with their new company, Snocap, and they're doing it with a little help from their friends in Charlottesville. What will this mean for independent acts, the big record companies, and consumers? read full story