The week in review
Best break for alleged wife-killer Anthony Dale Crawford: City prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against the man charged with capital murder, first-degree murder, and the abduction of Sarah Crawford. Police say her estranged husband shot her in Fauquier County last November and then dumped her body at the Holiday Inn in Charlottesville. Liesel Nowak has the story in the Daily Progress.
Least savory addition to the gubernatorial race: Adolf Hitler, who's popping up in Republican Jerry Kilgore's ads accusing Dem Tim Kaine of being soft on the death penalty because of his religious beliefs. Kaine fires back that, if elected governor, he will carry out death sentences because it's the law.
Lesser plea: Fifteen-year-old Kevon Jackson, who was charged with malicious wounding in the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy over a girl June 19, pleads guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful wounding October 11 and receives a five-year suspended sentence, James Fernald reports in the DP.
Worst chain reaction: Traffic is at a standstill for five hours October 13 on I-81 near Staunton when a tractor-trailer driver fails to slow down and slams into another big rig, starting a chain reaction that takes out eight vehicles, four of which burst into flames, according to NBC29.
Worst hayride: A Bedford County tractor-pulled trailer runs off the road and into a creek October 15, injuring 14.
Most likely cause of violent death in Virginia: Suicide, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control. In 2003, homicides accounted for 33 percent of violent deaths, while 60 percent were suicides.
Worst break for Wiccans: The Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal from priestess Cynthia Simpson, who sued to pray at Chesterfield County government meetings as representatives from more mainstream religions do.
Latest subdivision: The Board of Supervisors approves 775-unit Belvedere off Rio Road October 12.
Biggest surprise for the BOS: The Virginia Department of Transportation offers proposals for widening parts of U.S. 29 and 250 that are not on the county's list of priorities and that supes fear could undermine those priorities. Supervisor Sally Thomas describes it as a "bombshell" in a Progress report by Jessica Kitchin.
Biggest check: Piedmont Virginia Community College receives $500,000– its largest donation ever– from Woodrow W. Bolick and his daughter, Cynthia Bolick Stultz.
Most chilling DC tale: Residents discover they can be charged with driving under the influence after one drink, thanks to a little-known District law that allows arrests of drivers who blow .01– though the legal threshold for presumption of intoxication is .08. The Washington Post reports the story of Debra Bolton, 45, who blew .03 after one glass of wine with dinner, and was handcuffed, arrested, and charged with a DUI.
Best place to get a DUI: In Fairfax, where General District Judge Ian O'Flaherty has resumed dismissing drunk driving charges on the grounds that the state's presumption of intoxication at .08 blood levels or above violates the constitutional right to a presumption of innocence.
Most football injuries: Eleven fans are injured when thousands rush the Scott Stadium field October 15 after UVA's victory over Florida State, the Cav Daily reports.
Latest rock star to hit Charlottesville: Former president Bill Clinton buzzes in for a big-ticket Kaine fundraiser October 21– location undisclosed.
Latest "goodnight, John-Boy": The Walton's Mountain Country Store on U.S. 29 in Nelson County will shut its doors after 22 years on November 7, Megan Rowe reports in the DP.