The week in review

Bigger than the 2012 election: Hurricane Sandy puts politicking on hold and has the Eastern Seaboard braced for a perfect (Franken)storm, the behavior of which meteorologists call "unprecedented."

Biggest oops: Dem congresssional candidate John Douglass, who repeatedly has attacked U.S. Representative Robert Hurt's family connection to uranium mining, has himself received $4,250 in donations from a uranium supplier, according to the Chatham Star-Tribune. Douglass says he'll donate the funds, which came from former Navy buddies, to support a uranium-mining ban.

Biggest payback: Convicted embezzler Joanne Thompson is ordered to make good on the $214,614 she stole from former Seagram's owner Edgar Bronfman when employed by him at Georgetown Farms, Samantha Koon reports in the Progress. Her former coworker, Michael Nemeyer, was found not guilty last year of 16 counts of embezzlement.

Biggest bummer for Jim Justice: The West Virginia Lottery Commission orders a halt to Virginia charter buses bringing gamblers as daytrippers to the Greenbrier casino because the law allows only registered guests, conventioneers, or members of the Greenbrier Sporting Club to partake in gaming at the $80 million casino, the AP reports.

Worst crash: Trevis H. Johnson, 28, of Charlottesville, dies October 25 on I-64 near 5th Street when his eastbound 1994 Cadillac DeVille runs into the median, into the westbound lane, into an embankment, rolls on the driver's side, and catches fire, according to a release. Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt, and police say speed does not appear to be a factor and are not sure whether alcohol was.

Worst place to run a red light: Pantops at Richmond and Stony Point roads, where Albemarle County intends to put red light cameras by the end of the year, the Newsplex reports.

Best reason for keeping car registration current: A Virginia State trooper notices expired stickers on a Nissan Altima license plate October 24 on I-64 and pulls it over on the 5th Street exit ramp. The Nissan takes off with police in pursuit, and on Sunset Avenue the driver hits several trees and a telephone pole. Jalen D. Taylor, 18, of Charlottesville, is charged with expired registration, felony eluding, and other charges may be pending, according to a release.

Highest-level official charged with a crime: No, not Chris Dumler. Augusta County Treasurer Richard Homes, 61, is arrested for allegedly driving under the influence October 5 on I-81, the News Virginian reports.

Latest resignation from the Board of Visitors: No, not Rector Helen Dragas. Billionaire Randal J. Kirk, who noted in an email that on the BoV, "...we are perhaps not blessed with the best people we possibly could have," tenders his resignation and cites his move to Florida as the reason, the Washington Post reports.

Latest Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award recipient: Gaffney Homes president, Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority/Rivanna Solid Waste Authority chair, and former Chamber of Commerce board of directors chair Michael Gaffney is named the 2012 chamber honoree.

First hunting casualty: Grand Home Furnishings exec Colby Lynn Bush, 64, of Roanoke, is found dead near a tree stand outside Churchville October 26.

Most likely Warren Buffett successor: According to Bloomberg, Charlottesville's own (and Hook co-owner) Ted Weschler.

Most like staring at a car wreck: The News Leader brings us "Man sentenced to 45 days in soiled underwear case," about Elbert Graham Jr., 47, who is convicted of felony child cruelty for forcing a 13-year-old to chew on feces-stained underwear to avoid a lengthy grounding.

Boldest mixed land-use initiative: Bowhunters discover nine marijuana plants on a remote part of the grounds of the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Ken Slack at NBC29 reports. Neighbors Matthew Meissinger, 25, and Harold Morris III, 24, face felony drug charges.

Slightest consolation: A Virginia State Police veteran of the pot wars describes the plants as the biggest he's seen growing outdoors.