The week in review
Most protests: Dozens object to UVA's use of cats to practice infant intubation at an April 12 demonstration in front of the Rotunda that includes former mayor Dave Norris, the Progress reports. And dozens of Jefferson Area Tea Partiers gather April 16 at the Free Speech wall to denounce government taxin' and spendin'.
Smallest rally: Virginia Organizing Project's "Thank Taxes" rally April 16 attracts fewer than five people, according to Ted Strong at the DP.
Worst anniversary: April 16 marks five years since 32 people were slain at Virginia Tech in 2007 by madman Seung-Hui Cho, in what remains the largest mass shooting in American history.
Worst home invasion: Two students living on the 500 block of 14th Street report that four gun-wielding males entered their residence and robbed them early April 15. Police arrest Quintorrian Lee Carter, 20, Lee Horace Butler III, 22, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Martinsville, and are still looking for Qadre Amon Dickerson, 20, also from Martinsville.
Worst catfight: An altercation between two women in the 700 block of Prospect Avenue April 16, allegedly over a man, leaves a 20-year-old knifed in the arm, WINA reports.
Worst fire: A blaze heavily damages Professor Cline's Haunted Monster Museum at Natural Bridge April 16 and spreads to the woods where five acres are burned, according to the News Leader. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Least unleashed: Albemarle supes vote 5-1 to expand the county's leash law April 11 to prohibit free-range dogs in the rural areas– unless they're hunting, according to NBC29.
Latest evacuation at Fontaine Research Park: A bomb threat April 12 clears UVIMCO– University of Virginia Investment Management Company– and the CFA Institute, both at 540 Ray C. Hunt Drive. Previously, there was a temporary crisis March 29 when a bag of cocaine was found in the ladies room in the Snyder Research Building, and before that, an apparently irate, unidentified patient made some sort of remark March 15 that was perceived as an explosive threat, evacuating buildings.
Most meth: Lovingston couple Thomas Massie Huffman, 34, and Michelle Simpson Spencer, 41, are arrested early April 11 in their home where deputies say they seized a half pound of methamphetamine, $16,000 in cash, and 18 firearms, according to the Nelson County Times. Multiple charges ensue.
Most contemplative: Billionaires Paul Tudor and Sonia Jones write a $12 million check to UVA for the Contemplative Sciences Center. UVA alum Paul Tudor Jones was a major donor to the John Paul Jones Arena, named for his father. Sonia Jones was the subject of a recent Vanity Fair article on the controversy among Ashtanga yoga adherents that's come from her plans to open a chain of yoga studios and boutiques.
Most Albemarleans in Garden & Gun: The April-May issue features Sissy Spacek, who has written a memoir called My Extraordinary Ordinary Life, and Monticello grounds director Peter Hatch, who is listed as a Southern hero in a piece called "Saving the Wild South." Hatch also has a new book, A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello.
Best Daily Progress success story: Former staff reporter Adam Goldman, now with the AP, wins a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting on the New York police's spying on Muslims.
Best Good Samaritan story: The purse of a 72-year-old woman is wrested from her in the restroom of the Tastee Freeze in Waynesboro, according to a release. A 39-year-old witness sees the alleged purse-snatcher abscond, follows her in his car, and is able to retrieve the purse, after getting smacked in the face with a purloined wallet. Jessica Mae Chrisman, 27, is charged with one felony count of robbery and misdemeanor assault and battery.
What did you say? April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.