4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Worst accidents: A four-year-old child is struck by a Chevy Blazer around 6pm April 2 on Dice Street and is in critical condition at UVA Medical Center at press time, just three days after an infant dies from hyperthermia in a car at the JAG School at UVA [see story p. XX.]
Best real estate squabble: Controversy erupts as students living on the Lawn object to UVA senior VP (and top fundraiser) Robert Sweeney's desire to live in soon-to-be-available Pavilion VI, a privilege usually reserved for faculty, Aaron Kessler reports in the Progress.
Latest Beefy Brown court appearance: Colonial Heights accused police killer Douglas Michael Brown Jr., whose lengthy rap sheet includes a conviction for allegedly flinging feces at a guard while he was incarcerated in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, pleads guilty to cocaine possession in Charlottesville Circuit Court March 27, according to Liesel Nowak in the DP.
Latest Whisper Ridge court appearance: Administrator Melissa Pohl Sargeant is acquitted of a misdemeanor charge March 28 for failing to immediately report suspicions that a child in her care had been abused, the Progress reports. Six Whisper Ridge staffers face charges, but a jury deadlocked in the earlier trial of Bryan Antwann Vaughan, who was accused of inappropriately touching one teen patient and having sex with another.
Best news for Earl Washington: Virginia will pay $1.9 million to the man who came within nine days of execution for a crime he did not commit, in a plea agreement that ends the state's appeal of his $2.25 million award last year.
Highest court experience: UVA's Supreme Court Litigation Clinic successfully petitions the high court to hear Watson v. United States from the more than 7,000 petitions the Supreme Court receives a term. Students are writing briefs in support of Michael Watson, who had nearly 10 extra years added to a drug deal sentence for having a gun, which the law students will argue is not the same as "using" a gun.
Biggest bailout: Charlottesville churches, led by the Rev. Alvin Edwards, raise more than $21,000 to pay the rent of 79 families facing eviction from Charlottesville public housing.
Latest supe contenders: Kevin Fletcher announces another run at incumbent Lindsay Dorrier, who defeated Fletcher in 2003 to retain his Scottsville seat on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, and Planning Commission Chairwoman Marcia Joseph says she's running for the seat held by Chairman Ken Boyd.
First and second clerk contenders: Dive Connections co-owner John Dawson, 55, announces his desire to succeed soon-to-retire Shelby Marshall as Albemarle County clerk of the circuit court. Dawson co-founded Fitness Gallery and is a former program director for the Y. His announcement is followed by that of Charlottesville General District Court deputy clerk Janet Ferrance, who will also vie for the clerkship.
Latest inductee to the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame: Charlottesville native Bill Crutchfield joins 10 other industry heavyweights, including Microsoft founder Paul Allen.
Best grad schools: US News & World Report places several UVA graduate schools in its top ranks, including nursing (#19), law (#10 tied with Duke), and business (#12).
Biggest downside to discount shopping: Hackers steal data from nearly 46 million credit and debit cards used by shoppers at T.J. Maxx and Marshall's.
Best bus buzz: UVA students, faculty, and staff can hop on any Charlottesville bus and ride free if they flash an ID.
Best way to get a free t-shirt: Charlottesville Gas and the city offer a prize with a retail value of $200 for naming its new gas-safety mascot. Thirty additional winners get a t-shirt with the mascot's picture.
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