Albemarle County arrested a suspect, Mark Dowdy on five charges including possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. of weapon of terrorism or hoax device in connection with homemade signs he made containing the suspicious powder that were directed at Klockner Pentaplast in Gordonsville.

We’d received a tip that this suspect was the same person who put up the Boycott SNL MySpace page.  According to a letter distributed to all SNL employees, this person was being investigated for “trespassing” on SNL Financial’s property and he posed a risk to SNL employees.  He also was being investigated for trespassing on Klockner’s property.  The Company upped security patrols and warned employees about this risk.

Full Press Release and Full Letter After the Break:

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…Because there is a Wind Advisory in Effect!

High Wind Watch In Effect From Thur Morning Through Late Thursday Night.

The Natl Weather Service  In Sterling Va Has Issued A High Wind Watch.Which Is In Effect From Thur Morning Through Late Thur Night For Counties Along & West Of The Blue Ridge.

A Strong Low Pressure System Will Move Inland From The Carolina Coast As High Pressure Remains Over New England. The Mid Atlantic Will Be Located In A Tight Pressure Gradient Between The Two Systems.

Which Will Result In Sustained Easterly Upslope Winds Of 40 Mph With Brief Gusts To 60 Mph.Mainly Across The Higher Elevations Thur Morning Through Thur Afternoon.

A High Wind Watch Means There Is The Potential For A Hazardous High Wind Event. Sustained Winds Of At Least 40 Mph.Or Gusts Of
58 Mph Or Stronger May Occur. Continue To Monitor The Latest Forecasts From The Natl Weather Svc.

[pic from ronnnie44052]

Popularity: 15% [?]

I know “the rules” and while I am itching to discuss politics at length - I don’t want to do it here. However, a discussion of voting is another story. Just exactly what will you be doing on November 4, 2008? I am hoping whatever your answer might entail voting is involved.

Some might believe their vote does not count and will not march themselves down to the polls November 4th. Unfortunately, they will probably pass this thinking along to their children, who will pass it along to their children. Thus America’s low voter turn out.

While this election will change American politics forever, I am hoping it will also bring about a record voter turnout. You can step into that voting booth and write in Mickey Mouse for president, as long as you step in the booth. There will be more than the presidential election on your ticket. Every vote is noticed in smaller areas such as YOUR state.

Voting should become a habit and eventually something you truly come to care about and appreciate - hopefully enough to get informed about just what it is you are voting for or against.

There are many uneducated voters out there. I can see why some people think voting is pointless, but why give the majority to the uneducated voter? If you know what is going on in America, your state, your city, and your county tell them what needs to be done and who needs to do it.

America should work harder to educate every voter - even if it involves proposition coloring books. In the mean time those of us that know what is happening in our community and country should use this knowledge for good (not waste).

The polls are open ALL DAY (8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) on November 4, 2008. If you know that you will not be in your voting district on election day - I have attached an absentee ballot request. Absentee Ballot Also, check out the VA voter registration page if you are NOT registered to vote. It does not matter who or what you vote for, just vote.

P.S. Thor’s timing is impeccable.

Popularity: 16% [?]

We’ve been thinking long and hard about how to deal with the political issues that are on the tip of everyone’s tongues this year.  The main reason political discussion scares all of us admins, is that, inevitably, people have strong convictions that, in some way, shape or form, are outgrowths of personal beliefs.  It’s nearly impossible to have a meaningful debate because people can’t  agree on anything.  Debates degrade into personal attacks and that spoils the fun.

Here’s the first test to see if we can talk politics intelligently (if we revert to personal attacks, then no more politics) …

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It’s sad to hear about events like this.  About an hour away at Skydive Orange, two skydivers came in contact about 200 feet from the ground, causing their parachutes to be tangled and them to fall to the ground.

Francis Wootten III of Ruckersville, Va., 54, was taken to the University of Virginia’s hospital in Charlottesville, where he died of his injuries yesterday morning.  Robert G. Kotenko, 29, of Washington, DC, was also taken to the U-Va. hospital, police said.

The United States Parachute Association explains that skydiving is a relatively safe sport citing only 821 injuries and 18 fatalities, out of nearly 2.2 million jumps in 2007.

[via Washington Post]

Popularity: 12% [?]

On Friday, Charlottesville and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society had a commemoration to remember the painful racist events that shutdown Venable and Lane schools 50 years ago.   The story is pretty ugly; in 1958, schools closed for 5 months as Virginia protested Brown v Board of Education.  With the support of Harry Byrd (pictured above) Virginia’s General Assembly passed the infamous “Massive Resistance” laws which allowed Virginia to shut down any school which still was attended by blacks and whites.

It’s good to put this in perspective; 50 years isn’t that long ago.

[via WCAV] [The Hook has a cover story for 2004 covering this topic]

Popularity: 13% [?]

Arggg ye mates today marks the official international day for talking like pirates!  Celebrate with those landlubbers and have some grog.  Best pirate comment gets eternal fame and a parrot.

Popularity: 14% [?]

It seems we are more frequently seeing things that we would consider personal attacks.  It’s been very frustrating for all of us lately to see people taking opinions and turning them into personal issues.  This is not acceptable and it’s not something that we’ve ever encouraged or want to have on this site.

If you are new to the site, we ask you to read and abide by The Code which we initially asked you to follow because of the same issues we are seeing now.  This site is notorious for being harsh to new commenters, whether we want to admit it or not.  We can’t force you to do anything; and we will only moderate obvious personal attacks, libel and slander. Part of the problem is people who aren’t vocal take things too personally, but we need to find a balance.

We’ve always wanted to make this site entertaining and informative for people.  Things will run off topic, but as we get more commenters and readers, we need to be more accepting of differences.

On the politics issue, we know some of you want it, but at the same time, we’re worried that the site will easily degrade into personal attacks.  Each time a national issue comes up, things inevitably trend towards personal altercations, not meaningful discussions about ideas.  There is a big difference.  There are plenty of sites you can go fight with Red or Blue people.  We don’t want to control things, but a lot of you have said in the past that politics spoils the party, and we believe that.

On opinions about businesses, food and other relative things, take everything with a grain of salt. Our writers are not out to get anyone or to better themselves.  We want to make Charlottesville the best place to live, ever.  Think of a critique as informative and areas for improvement.  If our writers are wrong about something, the commenters will let you know.  This site is about interaction and we welcome everyone’s opinions, right or wrong.  The community wants HONEST reviews, so we will continue to give them.

As always this site is yours, so we want your feedback on these issues, but this is a call to action per se.  If you want to make cVillain a better, richer and more dynamic community, then you need to support it.  We are welcome to suggestions, but this is very frustrating that we have to continue to deal with these issues.  Please let us know your thoughts.

Some basic thoughts:

- New commenters: Don’t come in disputing a long time commenter.  Join the conversation with something supportive.  You can be critical, but be positive.

- Regulars:  Please accept other’s ideas.  Not everyone frequently comments online and most don’t want to defend themselves. If someone comes on and critiques you, brush it off.  They probably won’t comment again anyway.

- Everyone: Play nice, no personal attacks and let’s try to make this a better and more supportive community for everyone and everything in Charlottesville

Popularity: 23% [?]

The Charlottesville Police Department (CPD) has seen a significant increase in stolen mopeds in recent months and over the past year. CPD believes that there are several factors that have influenced this increase but in most cases simple crime prevention measures could have been prevented these thefts. The Department’s goal is to create community awareness as we continue to actively investigate these thefts. With the community’s assistance and through the use of these prevention tips we can all make a difference.

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A school bus had a little accident around 4:00 p.m. yesterday. The bus was navigating narrow Hangers Mill Road when it drove in a ditch and ran into a tree. Hmmm? Wild ride home anyone? The kids were all okay and the driver is not being sited or charged. I find this odd. If you crashed my baby into a tree I would want you charged with something. Details about the cause of the accident were not disclosed. (This is NOT an Actual Photo from the Accident)

Read Full Story Here

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