Cover Stories


The Hook in review: 12 years of covering Charlottesville Published on Sep 27th, 2013 18 comments The first issue of the Hook hit the streets February 7, 2002, in an America still reeling in post-9/11 shock— not quite sure how our world would change, but with an uneasy feeling that it would not...
The Award-winning Hook Published on Sep 26th, 2013 14 comments Earlier this year, the Hook won the state's top journalism award for its coverage of the attempted ouster of UVA President Teresa Sullivan last year. It is the third time the Hook has won the coveted...
What they say about the Hook Published on Sep 26th, 2013 1 comments Since its inception, the Hook has shone a spotlight into the darkest corners of our community, forcing us to confront issues that most would just as soon ignore. This unwavering commitment to...
A real drag? 1963 killing of Pat Akins remains the coldest case Published on Sep 25th, 2013 19 comments One of the town's biggest boys lay dead underneath one of the town's smallest cars. Initially, cops claimed that 19-year-old James Patrick Akins had been dragged from Greenwood to Charlottesville...
Life and death: A child's-eye view of Jim Crow Charlottesville Published on Sep 19th, 2013 26 comments The headlines in the Daily Progress that September described a world that was as distant as the moon to the boys who slept and woke on Dice Street. “France Prepares for War Threats,” one read; in...
Angels among us: How Charlottesville is becoming a hot spot for start-ups Published on Sep 12th, 2013 11 comments By Peter Galuszka Her three-month-old infant Benjamin strapped to her chest, Crystal Icenhour moves from room to room in a cream-colored building on a side street of downtown Charlottesville. “And...
The 67-cent felony: A veteran winemaker runs afoul of the ABC Published on Sep 5th, 2013 24 comments Long before vineyards became agriculture du jour in Virginia, Mike Bowles planted grapevines in 1977, and he claims he's Albemarle's first farm winery operator. Thirty years later, he wanted to...
Feedback loop: Red Light turns on at the Southern Published on Aug 29th, 2013 2 comments For four years now, the Southern Cafe & Music Hall has survived in the shadow of Coran Capshaw's Jefferson Theater on the Downtown Mall, competing every week for a share of the music show-going...
2013 Fall Music Preview Published on Aug 29th, 2013 0 comments While there might not be the scientific data to back up this claim, the fact of the matter is that the music scene in C'ville is like an ocean: high-energy, action-packed music moments come in waves...
Sky high: Local heart-throbs come back home Published on Aug 29th, 2013 3 comments It might seem as if Parachute were an overnight success— but that would be selling their story short. The hometown heroes have gradually risen through the ranks, from a rascally high school band...
Where are they? Two missing girls, one suspect Published on Aug 13th, 2013 158 comments Last fall, a seemingly outraged citizen walked into the Hook office portraying himself as the victim of an allegedly overzealous missing person investigation. The man talked of getting pushed out of...
Bear Witness: Jackson Landers learns first hand that Virginia is bear central— and they taste good Published on Aug 8th, 2013 27 comments By Jackson Landers The growl of my truck engine rose an octave as I shifted gears to climb a hill and then began making my way around a bend. The twisty road in the woods of Central Virginia was...
Hotel city: When will Charlottesville get 'roomier'? Published on Jul 25th, 2013 17 comments On a crisp, bright day in March 2008, a suave-looking guy with long hair and a tailored light-grey suit (no tie) told us at a ground-breaking ceremony that a stylish, luxury "boutique" hotel,...
Gift-gate: Star Scientific, Jonnie Williams & a governor in hot water. Published on Jul 18th, 2013 17 comments By Peter GaluszkaTheir expressions say it all. Making their entrance at a recent midday celebration of Virginia wine at the Executive Mansion, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, appear...
Silent Grace Published on Jul 11th, 2013 17 comments By Carolyn O'Neal My cousins are beautiful. Dark eyes, shiny black hair, and cheeks as full as the sunset. When I look at their photographs, I pretend I’m looking in a mirror. I pretend I have a...
Starfire Published on Jul 11th, 2013 0 comments By Daniel Seth Kislek “Can I see the stars?” I wake with a start to the cold, quiet interior of a hospital. A quick glance at the clock on the wall tells me that it's almost...
Summer reading: Runners up in the Hook's short story contest Published on Jul 11th, 2013 0 comments A young girl suffers consequences from life near the tar sands in Alberta, Cananda, the point of origin for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. A young man finds a way to help his dying brother...
Becoming American: Refugees share tales of horror, hope, and achieving U.S. citizenship Published on Jul 4th, 2013 0 comments “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt Since the first European settlers arrived some 400 years...
Pain for gain: High-intensity fitness trend trumps machines Published on Jun 27th, 2013 11 comments “Who’s gonna win?” calls former Navy Seal John McGuire to the group of about 50 people lined up before him. “We are!” the group yells back in unison, “Hoo-yah!” Up before the sun, the group sprints...
Roseberry's eye: 60 years behind the lens Published on Jun 20th, 2013 0 comments Local photographer Ed Roseberry is excited and a little anxious. After eight decades shooting film— producing an estimated 200,000 photos that have won him national awards and will soon form a...
Code of silence: County clams up when cops open fire Published on Jun 13th, 2013 28 comments Two days after a 21-year-old Crozet man was shot dead by an Albemarle police officer on June 8, officials finally released his name. Neither Albemarle police nor Virginia State Police, which is...
Cicadas: If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em Published on Jun 6th, 2013 8 comments Jackson Landers stands over his stove. Spatula in hand, flanked by his two eager children, he stirs the contents of the saucepan thoughtfully. “It’s olive oil and Old Bay,” Landers says. “I was going...
Dem duke-out: Candidates face off in June primary Published on May 30th, 2013 7 comments Wes Bellamy, Adam Lees, Kristin Szakos, Bob Fenwick, and Melvin Grady want to be on City Council, where two seats are open. Usually the Democratic primary in Charlottesville means game over for the...
Summer reading: 5 local authors to take to the beach Published on May 25th, 2013 1 comments In a town where there are more writers per capita than readers, it can be daunting to think about keeping up with the local offerings when it seems like just about everyone has a book. For your...
Escapes: Summer fun near and far Published on May 23rd, 2013 0 comments Well, summer is right in front of us, and while living might not be easy these days, it is an opportunity to get out and explore all the things that our area has to offer. And we're not just...
Blue Ridge Swim Club: 100 years of splashing, swimming and sunning Published on May 23rd, 2013 0 comments Want to time travel? You don't need a flux capacitor, you don't need a degree in physics, and you don't need to resurrect Albert Einstein to ask him how to do it. You just need a swimsuit and way to...
Shock and awe: Inside the Rugby Road raid Published on May 15th, 2013 24 comments After the entire city of Boston was shut down last month during a massive manhunt following explosions that maimed and slaughtered marathon bystanders, news that a block of Rugby Road was shut down...
Bucking tradition: Does Democrat Terry McAuliffe have what it takes to beat Ken Cuccinelli? Published on May 9th, 2013 6 comments by Peter Galuszka Easter Sunday blows rainy and cold while the cell phone buzzes at 12:58 p.m. It's a surprise email from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe. "Peter," his message reads...
Biscuit Run bonanza: How Hunter Craig turned a donation into a windfall Published on May 2nd, 2013 14 comments Hunter Craig has a way of snatching victory from defeat. Craig's masterstrokes in the field and in the courtroom follow a tumultuous year for the now 52-year-old media-shy banker, developer, and UVA...
Good vibrations: Music heavies weigh-in on the scene Published on Apr 25th, 2013 7 comments "Vibrant," appropriately enough, is the word many local musicians the Hook spoke to used to describe the local music scene these days. "Charlottesville has an incredible amount of musicians and bands...