4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Latest Meadowcreek Parkway news: The county's portion is slated to open next week as a detour for Rio Road which is getting rebuilt to complete the northern connection to the Parkway. Also, the Federal Highway Administration okays plans for the interchange at McIntire Road and the U.S. 250 bypass, clearing the way for an Army Corps of Engineers permit to build (and perhaps a lawsuit from Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park). Rachana Dixit has the story in the Daily Progress.
Latest Climategate news: He's back. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is again demanding emails from UVA concerning scientist Michael Mann and his hockey-stick graphs on global warming, despite being rebuffed in court in August, the Washington Post reports.
Worst alleged DUI: William T. Thompson, 58, of Ruckersville is charged October 4 when he loses control of his car around 2pm on Earlysville Road and swerves into a motorcycle driven by Daniel Mark Neumeister, 31, of Crozet. Neumeister is pronounced dead at the scene.
Biggest pile up: Four cars on I-64 east of Afton Mountain October 1 when a Harrisonburg man plows into two stopped cars, and a fourth car crashes into the line of cars. James Campbell is charged with following too closely, the News Virginian reports.
Oddest twist: Louis Phillipe Hernandez, 20, gets a year in jail and likely deportation for having what he says was consensual sex with a then 12-year-old. Their relationship is discovered when the girl gets pregnant. DNA tests reveal Hernandez isn't the father, and the girl refuses to identify the potential statutory rapist.
Most ill-advised: Two alleged purse-snatchings at the Sheetz in Waynesboro and Fisherville September 28 net Rodney W. Wallace Jr., 23, the following charges when he tries to flee Virginia State Police on I-64: possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, assault on a police officer, eluding police, driving under the influence of drugs, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, possession of a concealed weapon. And, oh yeah, robbery.
Most embarrassing driving: Virginia State Patrol Trooper D.T. Wilson tries to join in the Wallace chase, and loses control of his motorcycle at the intersection of Routes 151 and 250. He's taken to UVA Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the News Virginian.
Most bizarre dispute: William Faulconer is accused of running over and breaking the leg of his tenant, Sarah Bullard, 28, who is seven-months pregnant, in Gordonsville October 1 before fleeing. He's also charged with attempted malicious wounding of Bullard's husband Michael, NBC29 reports.
Most likely to graduate: Albemarle has one of the highest on-time grad rates in the state–- 91.6 percent of those entering high school in 2006 got their diplomas in 2010. Charlottesville's on-time rate is 80.3 percent
Most improved: Charlottesville's 2009 drop-out rate of 11.1 percent drops to 6.8 percent in 2010.
Most apples: North Garden distillery Laird and Company, in operation since the 1700s, will go through close to 3 million pounds of apples to produce 350 barrels of apple brandy, NBC29's Kasey Hott reports.
Most promised movie screens: Regal Entertainment– which recently claimed it would expand its Seminole Square location– announces plans for a 14-screen Imax at the long-awaited Albemarle Place, on the heels of a promised 12-screener at Hollymead Town Center.
Most actual movie screens: The 8-screen Zeus Digital Theaters in Waynesboro debuts October 8.
Best sign we're overmedicated: Virginia collects over two tons of unwanted or expired prescription meds October 2.
Best get: Author John Grisham stumps for Congressman Tom Perriello October 4 in Bedford and Lynchburg, the News & Advance reports.
Best pie: Adrianna Gallo's pear-cranberry pie with gingersnap crumb topping takes best in show at this year's Cville Pie Fest, Brian McNeill reports in the Progress.
Best headline: "Serial mooner takes 30-day deal," courtesy the News Virginian, about Weyers Cave resident Ricky Michael Kidd Sr., 47, caught pants down at the post office in September.
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