4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Most hyped hurricane: Earl prompts Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell to declare a state of emergency in advance of the storm, which fizzles from a Category 4 to 2 by the time it breezes by here September 3, causing little damage.
Most wildly varied polls: Two SurveyUSA polls in July and August show State Senator Robert Hurt leading incumbent Tom Perriello by 23 and 26 points, respectively, in the 5th District race, while a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee survey released September 7 shows the race a dead heat, with Hurt leading Perriello 44 to 42 percent, the Washington Post reports.
Least helpful story to Perriello: The New York Times reports the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is ready to ditch financial support to candidates who don't stand a chance. The committee fires back with that survey showing Perriello neck and neck with Hurt.
Most confusing candidacy: Last week, independent Jeff Clark, who's running for the 5th District seat held by Tom Perriello, says he'll withdraw from the race if whoever leaked his bankruptcy and financial woes would come forward. This week, when no one 'fessed up, Clark rescinds his offer to back out of the race.
Most restaurant diners: Charlottesville pulls in most of its sales tax revenue from restaurants and groceries, Bryan McKenzie reports in the Progress.
Most big-box shoppers: Most of Albemarle County's sales taxes come from retailers and groceries.
Most candidates: Fifteen people vie for the seat vacated by Brian Wheeler on the Albemarle School Board and present their cases to the board September 8.
Most county government retirements: Top Albemarle exec Bob Tucker says he's retiring December 31, and he is joined by parks and rec head Pat Mullaney, who has held the job since 1981.
Most improved earnings: UVA's endowment recovers about half of the $1.1 billion it lost during the crash of 2008, reporting fiscal year 2010 holdings up from $3.96 billion to $4.45 billion. Brian McNeill has the story in the Daily Progress.
Worst stabbing: Rachel Ann Bowles is found dead in her Sixth Street SE apartment around 8:30pm September 3. Her husband, Barry Blake Bowles, 47, is arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Hottest summer ever: The summer of '10 breaks the record books, according to climatologist Jerry Stenger. During June, July and August, 58 days saw temps higher than 90, and 26 days baked above 95 degrees, WINA reports. Droughtwise, 2010 comes in number five on the driest summers list.
Biggest win: UVA takes its football season opener for the first time since 2005, defeating new head coach Mike London's previous team, the University of Richmond Spiders, 34-13.
Biggest growth spurt: National Business College is moving to Albemarle County next year after outgrowing its current Emmet Street site, McNeill reports in the DP. The school has been in its current location since 1992 and has 220 students. Its new campus is on 6.34 acres on Seminole Trail near Fabrics Unlimited.
Worst bid for stardom: Ricky Marshall Kidd, 47, is charged with two counts of indecent exposure, and the Augusta Sheriff's Office believes he is the serial mooner who's been flashing women outside Weyer's Cave stores for the past month. According to an NBC29 report, deputies alleged they caught Kidd in the act September 2 in the post office parking lot.
Gasiest: Albemarle General District Court is evacuated September 7 because of an odor of natural gas in the entrance, but no gas leak is found.
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