The week in review
Best/worst news for transportation in Virginia: The General Assembly passes a bill to address the Commonwealth's crumbling infrastructure that shifts the gas tax from the pump to wholesale, ups the sales tax by 0.3 percent and depends on yet-unpassed-in-Congress Internet sales tax for revenue.
Least energy-efficient friendly: While the federal government has given tax credits for hybrid cars, Virginia adds a $100 surtax on hybrids.
Worst/best break for Delegate Rob Bell: His bills requiring photo ID at the polls didn't make it out of the House of Delegates, but another photo ID bill passes, only it was the bill of his rival for attorney general, Senator Mark Obenshain.
Worst dressing down of Ken Cuccinelli by a BoV member: Politico reports that Bobbie Kilberg, Governor Bob McDonnell appointee to UVA's Board of Visitors and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, asks the Tea Party-backed attorney general at a closed-door meeting of GOP business leaders at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington February 22 whether he can run a pragmatic campaign in a state that is increasingly moderate.
Biggest church v. state battle: City Council approves 4-1 a stormwater utility fee on all property owners with impervious surfaces, including houses of worship, Charlottesville Tomorrow reports.
Longest police standoff: James Kardos, 23, holes up for nine hours at his father's Lake Monticello house until 1am February 23 after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend while she was holding their one-year-old daughter at his grandmother's house on Sheridan Avenue. Kardos is charged with probation violation, felony child endangerment, grand larceny, malicious wounding, and abduction, and is being held without bond.
Latest in alleged street racing case: Thomas Appleton, 25, who was charged in the September 5 Garth Road death of 18-year-old Samuel Taylor, will be allowed to hire a $2,000 accident reconstruction expert at taxpayer expense, even though such testimony often is not allowed at trial, according to the Daily Progress.
Latest elected official to be arrested: Louisa vice-mayor Mary Clarke is charged with assault February 22 and released on an unsecured bond, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. Her 19-year-old grandson, James Clarke III, is charged with assault and held on $1,500 bond, and an emergency protective order prohibits him from contacting his grandmother.
Latest Clemons Library flasher: A female student reports that a black male in his early to mid-20s wearing a red t-shirt and white shorts sat beside her Sunday night, February 24, shortly before midnight, and exposed himself when she gathered her belongings to leave, WINA reports.
Most middling grade for transparency: The Virginia Coalition for Open Government ranks Albemarle at "C+" for its website's ease of finding budget information. Charlottesville scores a "B" and Waynesboro earns an "A."
Best call in the Fashion Square abduction case: Albemarle Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford drops charges against James Kevin Key, 46, who picked up a two-year-old girl over Thanksgiving weekend at the mall while having a complex partial seizure. As part of the dismissal, the prosecutor will have access to his medical records for the next two years, the Daily Progress reports.
Best news for panhandlers: The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a ruling February 21 that threw out a suit against Charlottesville for an ordinance that prohibits begging in certain parts of the Downtown Mall.
Best Virginia wine: Barboursville Vineyards 2009 Octagon 12th Edition is tapped for the 2013 Governor's Cup.
Best get: George W. Bush political mastermind, American Crossroads super-PAC strategist, and Fox News contributor Karl Rove will appear at the Charlottesville Republicans Ronald Reagan fundraising dinner April 7. Also speaking is James Burnley IV, former Reagan secretary of transportation.
Most wannabe governors at UVA: Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, who has not decided whether to make an independent bid, speaks to Larry Sabato's Intro to American Politics class February 25. Later that day, Dem candidate Terry McAuliffe holds a meet and greet at Newcomb Hall, according to the Cav Daily.