Published January 12, 2006, in issue 0502 of The Hook

Biggest surprise for a CHS parent: Deedee Gilmore discovers that wearing the name of their neighborhood-- 900 South First Street-- is forbidden at her son's school because administrators say it's gang-related, according to a Sarah Barry article in the Daily Progress.

Worst solution to a non-problem: Charlottesville begins random drug testing of police officers and firefighters February 1, even though it's "not because we've had any problems," HR director Galloway Beck tells DP reporter John Yellig. The city already randomly tests public works employees, and new hires joined the ranks of those offering a urine sample effective January 1.

Most ironic lawsuit: Three former employees of JAUNT, a nonprofit transportation service for the elderly and disabled, are claiming discrimination because of their age and disabilities, according to Liesel Nowak in the Progress.

Trashiest lawsuit: VanderLinde Housing sues Rivanna Solid Waste Authority in U.S. District Court for nearly $32,000 for allegedly charging the company a $16-per-ton service fee it doesn't charge Allied Waste Systems, which owns and operates a Fluvanna transfer station. Jessica Kitchin has the story in the DP.

Worst missionary casualty: Former Charlottesville resident and Mormon missionary Morgan Young, 21, is shot and killed January 2 going door to door in Chesapeake. Police arrest James Rickey Boughton Jr., 19, January 5, according to NBC29.

Biggest growth: Albemarle County planning staff reports that Crozet's current population of 3,600 could swell to 24,039 after 2024, double earlier estimates of 12,500.

Most applicants: The Charlottesville School Board announces 61 applicants for superintendent, a position vacant since Scottie Griffin resigned last April. The board plans to have a new supe before too many more years have passed.

Second most-profitable in its class: Cavalier women's basketball is one of just seven such programs at an American university to operate in the black, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. Federal figures indicate the UVA team made $940,559 on revenues of nearly $6 million in the 2004-2005 academic year.

Less profitable: UVA men's football, which made nearly half a million dollars on revenues of $17 million during the 2004-05 academic year. (America's leader is Longhorn football. After expenses, the Lone State's flagship university earned a Texas-sized $38.7 million.)

Not profitable: UVA men's basketball. With revenues of $8,010,378 and expenses of $9,043,477, the program lost $1.03 million.

Least family friendly: Manassas, which passed an ordinance December 5 that prohibits extended family members-- aunts, uncles, great-grandparents-- from living under the same roof. The city suspends enforcement of the law designed to target illegal aliens January 4 after the ACLU announces it's filing suit.

Latest robbery during a delivery: Chinese food is taken and a deliveryman is left with minor injuries January 8 in the 1400 block of Vine Street. Police describe the four or five assailants as young black males. And a Four Star Pizza deliveryman is robbed in Waynesboro January 9, NBC29 reports.

Most suspicious briefcase: The one left in a Fashion Square Mall men's restroom January 4. Police seal off and evacuate the area before determining the briefcase is harmless.

Best appointment of an occasional Hook contributor: Gov. Mark Warner names Coy Barefoot, Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership communications director, to the State Historical Records Advisory Board.

Best news for 24 fans: WAHU Fox27 is now available on Adelphia Channel 19 and on Dish Network-- in time for the January 15 season premiere.

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