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Sidarth selected Salon’s Person of the Year
3
Dec 18th 11:41am

Sidarth selected Salon’s Person of the Year

Online magazine Salon has named the man Senator George Allen dubbed "macaca"– UVA fourth-year Shekar Ramanuja Sidarth– its Person of the Year for changing history with a camcorder and introducting "Allen– and the rest of us– to the real America." Sidarth captured a moment that led to Allen's defeat of a read full story
Shifflett charged; cops cleared
3
Dec 15th 5:51pm

Shifflett charged; cops cleared

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
Sign of the times to come?: The Woodlands opens sales office on the Downtown Mall
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Dec 15th 12:41pm

Sign of the times to come?: The Woodlands opens sales office on the Downtown Mall

On Wednesday, Gropen sign and display company employees Darrell Muler (standing) and King Scott were busy putting the finishing touches on The Woodlands latest marketing move– a swanky new sales office across from the Mudhouse, which will join the Ryan Homes sales office wi read full story
Smiling car killer Payne gets 46 years
0
Dec 15th 12:22pm

Smiling car killer Payne gets 46 years

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
Pursue: A brand for Charlottesville
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Dec 14th 5:18pm

Pursue: A brand for Charlottesville

It's not quite "Virginia is for lovers," but the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau unveiled the fruits of a 22-month, roughly $65,000 branding strategy this morning at a breakfast with the region's movers and shakers. The slick, new logo is supposed to evoke the domes of the Rotunda and Monticello, and the nearby mountains. read full story
HookCast for December 14, 2006
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Dec 14th 10:48am

HookCast for December 14, 2006

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
UVA: No Heritage Rep in ‘07
0
Dec 14th 6:33am

UVA: No Heritage Rep in ‘07

UVA has announced that the construction around Culbreth Theater means no Heritage Repertory Theater this summer. read full story
Camblos: “There will be no criminal charges filed..”
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Dec 13th 5:23pm

Camblos: “There will be no criminal charges filed..”

According to a late afternoon news release, Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Camblos has decided not to file criminal charges against the two Charlottesville police officers involved in the October 20 shooting of Elvis Gene Shifflett, and he has officially closed the investigation. read full story
Supes gun for new law
1
Dec 12th 5:27pm

Supes gun for new law

Eight months after her death, the legacy of Carmen the cat may be determined at a work session tomorrow, December 13, as the Albemarle Board of Supervisors considers whether to amend the county gun laws, and if so, how. Current County law prohibits the discharge of firearms in any area zoned residential, but many county subdivisions– including Bentivar, where Carme read full story
DMB takes Europe
1
Dec 12th 4:32pm

DMB takes Europe

Dave Matthews Band may be one of the biggest touring acts in the nation, but across the pond? Let's just say they don't have quite the draw. The band may be hoping to change that with its 2007 tour. After two weeks in Australia in late March and April, DMB will rest up for a month before heading to Ireland, Portugal, and Belgium. read full story
Shifflett moved from rehab to jail
0
Dec 12th 2:53pm

Shifflett moved from rehab to jail

Elvis Gene Shifflett, who was shot by Charlottesville police following a manhunt on October 20, has been transfered from UVA's HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital to the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail, according to family members. The 39-year-old Shifflett had been in the custody of jail read full story
Capshaw, JPJ nominated for industry awards
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Dec 11th 12:57pm

Capshaw, JPJ nominated for industry awards

As if more evidence were needed that Charlottesville is fast becoming a live music hub, two local institutions have been nominated for industry publication Pollstar's read full story
Spivey free on $50,000 bond
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Dec 8th 2:13pm

Spivey free on $50,000 bond

The former Charlottesville High music teacher indicted on seven felony counts for making sexual contact and verbal sexual propositions to students appeared in Albemarle Circuit Court this morning for a bond hearing. read full story
HookCast for December 7, 2006
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Dec 7th 4:17pm

HookCast for December 7, 2006

Why are we here?, pagan worshippers, hair dye allergies ON THIS WEEK�S COVER: Why Are We Here?: Charlottesville responds People have wondered for eons about the meaning of existence. While we didn't attempt to answer that one this week, we did ask local residents why they chose to exist here in Charlottesville. Seems like everyone has a unique story about what brought them here. read full story
Studio 60 boss hails from Charlottesville
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Dec 6th 2:55pm

Studio 60 boss hails from Charlottesville

One of the lead characters in NBC's new drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip confirmed on this week's episode that she hails from Charlottesville. The character, Jordan McDeere, is the female head of the television network that creates and broadcasts the show within the show: "Studio 60," a comedy sketch program that resembles perennial NBC hit Saturday Night Live. Created by Aaron Sorkin (who also pro read full story
Man writes xmas song for troops
5
Dec 6th 8:31am

Man writes xmas song for troops

Charlottesville stage artist John Carden has written a Christmas song with arrangements by M.E. Forbes for American troops and their families. Carden, who during the day works at the hair salon he founded, hopes he can find a way to distribute it among the troops. "If you have any ideas," he says, "let me know." Not convinced that Carden cares about the community? read full story
Wreck deprives Key Westers of phone for days
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Dec 5th 6:21pm

Wreck deprives Key Westers of phone for days

Imagine being without a phone for 24 hours. read full story
Ex-AHS star Novak waived by Redskins
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Dec 5th 11:32am

Ex-AHS star Novak waived by Redskins

Less than two months after the Washington Redskins signed him to be their kicker, Albemarle High School alum Nick Novak finds himself out of a job. read full story
Culbreth Road to close for at least a year
1
Nov 30th 5:55pm

Culbreth Road to close for at least a year

Culbreth Theater is about to get a new neighbor in the form of a 554-space parking deck, and it means you won't have Culbreth Road as your favorite Rugby to Emmet cut-through for at least a year. UVA announced Tuesday that Culbreth Road, which connects Rugby Road to University Avenue near Emmet Street, will close to through traffic on December 11. read full story
Nick Novak on the hotseat again
2
Nov 30th 4:49pm

Nick Novak on the hotseat again

Three weeks after sitting in the Hook's HotSeat, Washington Redskins kicker and Albemarle High School alum Nick Novak now finds himself on an actual hot seat as he faces possible unemployment. On Tuesday, the Redskins signed kicker Shaun Suisham to be part of the team's practice squad. read full story
HookCast for November 29, 2006
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Nov 29th 5:45pm

HookCast for November 29, 2006

Police shootings, school bus seat-belts, dumbing down students ON THIS WEEK'S COVER: Riddled: What happens after police shootings The news of police shootings is sensational, but what happens in their aftermath? In this week's Hook, families of two men disabled by police bullets–including Elvis Shifflett, the subject of a seven-day manhunt in October– speak out. ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE: Unbuckled: no belts on local school buses When an Alabama school bus plunged off an overpass recently, killing four students, the issue of seat belts on school buses made national news. read full story
Newsplex gets Comcast boost
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Nov 29th 12:14pm

Newsplex gets Comcast boost

Comcast's takeover of Adelphia Cable is proving a boon for the local Gray Television stations as they land prime spots lower on the dial, while their fiercest competitors get the boot– or the less desirable spots Newsplex stations now hold. "It's huge," says Newsplex general read full story
Webb and Bush get testy in first meeting
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Nov 29th 11:39am

Webb and Bush get testy in first meeting

If it's true that first impressions are the most lasting, then President George W. Bush and Senator-elect Jim Webb may not be the chummiest of statesmen in Washington for the next two years. read full story
No indictments in Allen fracas– yet
3
Nov 28th 5:31pm

No indictments in Allen fracas– yet

Almost a month after borderline violent images from a Charlottesville campaign stop for Senator George Allen splashed across cable news and the Internet, city Commonwealth's Attorney Dav read full story
Copywrong: why can’t we take pix inside Monticello?
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Nov 28th 4:34pm

Copywrong: why can’t we take pix inside Monticello?

A November 27 post at the popular boingboing.net suggests that the reason visitors aren't allowed to take pictures inside Monticello is– get this– copyright law. But according to Monticello spokesperson Wayne Mogielnicki, that's almost right. "Our policy is no photos in the house," Mogielnicki. read full story
Was Albemarle First a ‘welfare agency’?
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Nov 28th 11:41am

Was Albemarle First a ‘welfare agency’?

A former member of the Albemarle First Bank board of directors claims in a recent magazine article that the bank ran into trouble because of reckless lending that essentially made it a "welfare agency." In the fall edition of Region Focus, retired economics professor and banking veteran read full story
Stink’s demise? Authority to halt composting
0
Nov 28th 6:44am

Stink’s demise? Authority to halt composting

There's been a big stink in the Woolen Mills neighborhood, but yesterday's action by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority may lessen the smells. read full story
Biggest yet: Billy Joel’s coming to JPJ
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Nov 27th 6:57am

Biggest yet: Billy Joel’s coming to JPJ

Billy Joel, the "piano man" who shot to fame in the mid-1970s with a moving song by that title and then successfully danced through various musical genres, is bringing his tunes to town. According to an email sent out to customers of the John Paul Jones Arena shortly after 10pm Sunday, Joel will perform Friday, February 23, and tickets go on sale December 1. How big is Joe read full story
HookCast for November 22, 2006
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Nov 21st 4:37pm

HookCast for November 22, 2006

The Holiday Survival Guide, The end of 10-4, CarMax muscles in on Pantops That's right, you read correctly. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this week's issue hits newsstands a day early this week. Our regular Thursday releases will resume next week. ON THIS WEEK'S COVER: The Holiday Survival Guide Each November and December, an ever growing chorus sings the same refrain: "The holidays have gotten too commercial!" But luckily for us we live in a town rich in holiday traditions that, by and large, don't require spending a dime. read full story
Gray Television nixes O.J. faux confessional
0
Nov 20th 3:00pm

Gray Television nixes O.J. faux confessional

Public outrage over O.J. Simpson's upcoming book, If I Did It, and a FOX interview with the former football star acquitted of murdering his wife spills to the local airwaves. read full story
‘Tis the (tree-ey) season
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Nov 20th 10:39am

‘Tis the (tree-ey) season

The Christmas trees have arrived– as seen in this 8am photo today at Ivy Corner, a horticultural shop in downtown Ivy. read full story
HookCast for November 16, 2006
1
Nov 16th 5:15pm

HookCast for November 16, 2006

Is Charlottesville the Little Apple?, Beebe plea could bring new indictments, Sheriff added to sexual assault suit ON THIS WEEK'S COVER: I [heart] Charlottesville: Is our town the Little Apple? This week, we ask has Charlottesville taken a turn for the north? With ever-more exotic restaurants and shops, new residents from around the world, and a decided voting tilt to the left, we're looking more and more like a certain big, mid-atlantic city. read full story
Queen Elizabeth II to visit Jamestown
1
Nov 16th 1:21pm

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Jamestown

Four centuries after English entrepreneurs claimed our Commonwealth in the name of her forebear, Queen Elizabeth II will attend the ceremonies commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement in May. read full story
How are our children and families doing? Study takes our vital signs
0
Nov 16th 12:52am

How are our children and families doing? Study takes our vital signs

For seven years now, the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families (CCF) has been issuing Stepping Stones, a statistical study on the well-being of children and families in the area. read full story
Cantor could take #2 GOP slot in House
1
Nov 15th 4:22pm

Cantor could take #2 GOP slot in House

After suffering its worst losses in 12 years in this year's elections, the Republican party has been doing plenty of cleaning house, with Bob Gates nominated to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense and Senator Mel Martinez (FL) taking over for Ken Mehlman as head of the Republican National Committee. But sometimes, a loss can be a win, and for Rep. read full story
Save 30 seats– Leitao lures Farrakhan to UVA
2
Nov 15th 3:27pm

Save 30 seats– Leitao lures Farrakhan to UVA

Mustapha Farrakhan, a highly recruited Illinois prep basketball player and grandson of controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, announced yesterday that he has signed a letter of intent with UVA coach Dave Leitao, who read full story
Colbertââ?¬â?¢s a fan of ââ?¬Å?Gail for Railââ?¬Â jingle
4
Nov 15th 12:49am

Colbertââ?¬â?¢s a fan of ââ?¬Å?Gail for Railââ?¬Â jingle

The election may be over, but the hits keep on coming in the Virginia senate race. read full story
The Progress slims down
11
Nov 14th 3:16pm

The Progress slims down

It seems like only yesterday that the Daily Progress unveiled a much heralded redesign, complete with an insert to help readers fully appreciate the enormity of the changes. read full story
Bombshell dropped as Beebe pleads
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Nov 14th 1:07pm
Semper fi, meet super fab
2
Nov 10th 10:06am

Semper fi, meet super fab

If all goes as planned, our Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan will be getting a helping hand from an unexpected source back home: Charlottesville's own Club 216. In a press release, the dance club says it has launched a drive to send care packages to Marines. "Some of us may not support the war, but we all support the troops," the e-mail reads. read full story