4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review

Published online 8:00am Thursday Jun 5th, 2008
and in print issue #0723 dated Thursday Jun 5th, 2008

Most shocking shooting: Aziz Damar Booth, 11, is killed June 3 in a 6 1/2 Street residence.

Most indictments: Albemarle's grand jury charges Waynesboro trucker Kenneth Barbour, 54, with involuntary manslaugher and reckless driving in the May 9 death of 16-year-old Sydney Aichs, who was turning out of Forest Lakes South onto U.S. 29 on her way to Albemarle High School. The same grand jury indicts Gremlin-driving I-64 shooter Slade Woodson on 15 felony counts: five counts of maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle, three of shooting from a vehicle to endanger people, two of malicious wounding, two counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony, two counts of shooting at an occupied dwelling, and one of attempted malicious wounding. He heads to trial September 16.

Worst fiance: Timothy James Hoffman, 23, is charged with forcible object sexual penetration for the alleged May 17 assault of his fiancee, who found a videotape of herself passed out and beibg sexually assaulted in multiple ways, Brian McNeill reports in the Daily Progress.

Worst home invasion: A woman, 20, awakes early June 1 to find herself being fondled by a man in her 1200-block Wertland Avenue bedroom. The groper is described as a black male, between 6'1" and 6'4" wearing dark shorts and a light shirt and baseball cap.

Newest SRO: What used to mean "standing room only" now refers to "single room occupancy" in Mayor Dave Norris' plan to build 60 one-room apartments to help house the homeless. City Council considers that proposal as an option for the $1.4 million set aside for affordable housing in fiscal 2009. Barney Breen-Portnoy has the story in the Progress.

Latest speed trap: For the second week in a row, Albemarle police target the U.S. 29/250 bypass near Fontaine Avenue to ensnare lead-footed motorists. The May 27 operation netted 130 drivers and 158 tickets, with highest speeder going 86 mph in the 55 mph zone. On May 20, police wrote 142 summonses.

Worst spots to speed: At its June 16 meeting, City Council considers upping fines to $200 on Rugby Avenue, Melbourne Road, Brandywine Drive, Meadowbrook Heights Road, Elliott Avenue, and Franklin Street.

Worst loss of a native Charlottesvillian: William C. Battle, 87, former U.S. ambassador to Australia, Fieldcrest CEO, and Virginia campaign manager for John F. Kennedy, dies May 31.

Biggest edu-travel merger: WorldStrides, the Charlottesville-based travel agency that organizes educational tours for school kids, acquires Accent Travel, which focuses on college business students, according to a release.

Most mum about tobacco money: A 2006 contract with Philip Morris prohibits Virginia Commonwealth University professors from publishing or talking about research funded by the Marlboro manufacturer without permission from the company, according to a New York Times story.

Best stun gun plea: Taquan Lovelle Anderson, 18, accused of zapping clerks during Exxon robberies October 11 on Cherry Ave and October 15 on Emmet Street, pleads guilty to five counts June 2 and will be sentenced October 8, according to Tasha Kates in the DP.

Best name dropping: UVA's a cappella groups– in particular, the Hullabahoos– get raves on NPR's Weekend Edition May 31 when Scott Simon interviews Mickey Rapkin, who wrote Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory.

Best fish story: Albemarle unveils a handicapped accessible fishing pier– the county's second– at Mint Springs May 31 in a private do for the Wheelin' Sportsmen of Virginia.

Best attendance: School Board Chair Brian Wheeler takes in seven graduation ceremonies– Western, Albemarle, Monticello, and Murray high schools; CATEC; Ivy Creek School, and the county's Post High Program– during the past two weeks.