The week in review
Most serious about peeping: Delegate Rob Bell sponsors his traditional Peeping Tom bill, and Police Chief Tim Longo shows up in Richmond January 23 to endorse the bill, which would change a third peeping conviction from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony and require registration as a sexual offender.
Best bipartisanship: Senator George Allen and former Governor Mark Warner join forces to promote university-based research and development, hoping to bring state institutions up in National Science Foundation ratings, where UVA ranks number 67 nationally, behind UNC at number 29 and University of Maryland at 35.
Most incompetent: Berman Justus Jr., 28, is found incompetent to stand trial in the 2003 murder of his estranged wife, Amanda Justus, and her boyfriend, Joseph White, Kate Andrews reports in the Daily Progress. The January 24 ruling is the second time Justus has been judged unable to stand trial.
Biggest closing: The 2,300-acre Bundoran Farm in southern Albemarle goes for $30.8 million to Edge Valley Preservation LLC, which includes partner Qroe Preservation.
Biggest merger: Walt Disney buys Pixar Animation for $7.4 billion.
Most underage drinking: University police arrest a first-year male for underage possession of alcohol January 23 on Emmet Street, the Cav Daily reports. And Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Aaron Laushway emails fraternity presidents that six first-year males were involved that same night in alcohol-related incidents connected with fraternity rush. One went to the hospital, two spent the night in jail, and three were charged with alcohol, pot, and fake ID possession.
Oddest crossing of paths: A logging truck is hit by not one but two jail vans from Loudoun County January 26 on U.S. 29 south of I-64.
Worst dismemberment: Nancy Motes Wingfield's, after her brother, James Alton Motes, allegedly strangled her, buried her body in five different places in Henry County, and then drank antifreeze when questioned by police, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Worst failure to learn from mistakes: Joseph Albrecht, 18, and another juvenile are arrested January 29 for breaking and entering the Charlottesville Bureau of Credits on Dobleann Drive off Airport Road. The two were busted in November for B&Es into businesses in that same area, but haven't gone to court yet for the earlier charges.
Best news for seniors who still dig collegiate fun: Albemarle offers a VIP Gold Card to county residents over age 62 for free admission into any public school event.
Best in show: Fourteen beagle and hound mix puppies from the Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County will frolic in Puppy Bowl, which airs on Animal Planet at 3pm February 5 opposite Super Bowl pre-game shows. According to a release, seven of the Nelson canines are contenders for MVP, most valuable puppy, and viewers can cast their vote on animalplanet.com.
Best chance to savor the D-list first hand: Celebrity-dishing comedienne Kathy Griffin's February 16 show at the Paramount will be taped for Bravo and air on her reality show, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.
Best case for hand-holding: Stressed-out women find immediate relief holding their husband's hand, a study led by UVA's Dr. James A. Coan discovered– using MRIs– the New York Times reports.
Best stroke for the Hook in the Washington Post : A January 25 article on the re-opened Clifton Inn says, "A good guide to eating by the editors of the Hook, the town's weekly newspaper, is at readthehook.com/foodfinder/findfood.asp ."