Published June 3, 2004, in issue 0322 of The Hook

Best Memorial Day commemoration: The National World War II monument on the Mall in Washington is dedicated May 29.

Oddest political move: Former Governor Douglas Wilder plans to run for mayor in Richmond-- even though he currently lives in Charles City County. Wilder was spurred to make the move when Richmond voters and the General Assembly approved the popular election of the mayor rather than election by City Council, as Charlottesville does.

Oddest DNA hit: A baseball cap found at the scene of an April 29 attack on Stribling Avenue matches two convicted felons who are identical twins, Reed Williams reports in the Daily Progress. As one of the 44-year-old brothers was in jail at the time of the attack, police have charged Daniel Arnold Hudson with breaking and entering and assault and battery. (Now, they're both in jail.)

Worst street for shootings: Orangedale Avenue has its second shooting in two weeks. On May 29, Richmond resident Sean Monroe is shot in the hip.

Worst day on the James: Two males drown in Richmond May 25.

Most dramatic "Black Widow" news: Donna Somerville, accused of poisoning her wealthy husband, Ham Somerville, with morphine and codeine, asks for a bench trial instead of a jury trial May 28. The case is so much the talk of Somerset that a week ago, the defense had requested an out-of-town jury.

Best bond rating: Virginia keeps its AAA bond rating from Moody's Investors Service, which had threatened to downgrade the rating last fall.

Biggest windfall: Charlottesville City Schools will rake in an additional $1.48 million from the state.

Most dubious grant: The National Shooting Sports Foundation gives Virginia a $21,910 grant to recruit and educate hunters.

Best news for UVA faculty: The Board of Visitors approves a 3 percent raise plus a 2 percent supplemental raise May 25.

Best baseball news: The NCAA selects UVA as a first-round regional host, and the Cavaliers draw the number 1 seed in the tournament that starts June 4.

Worst mold: The Gordonsville Branch Library will be closed for cleaning for several weeks after an air quality inspection turns up unhealthy spores.

Best save of affordable housing: The Rose Hill neighborhood association contributes a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant to buy Virnita Court, an apartment complex at 800 Rose Hill Drive, in conjunction with the Piedmont Housing Alliance, according to Elizabeth Nelson in the Progress. The apartments currently rent for $440 a month.

Best week for the Gulottas: Legal Aid Justice Center director Alex Gulotta is honored with a ceremony on the Lawn that includes Lt. Governor Tim Kaine on May 26, while daughter Anna Gulotta, a senior at Charlottesville High, is presented the Emily Couric Leadership Scholarship Award May 25 by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Biggest colon: Kindergartners are photographed playing in the "Colossal Colon" on display at the Piedmont Mall in Danville. The giant colon was built as a colon cancer educational tool.

Most intriguing headline: "'Wedgie' led to death near sports bar, lawyers say," appears in the May 25 Roanoke Times.

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