Another update on Gordonsville’s 287(g) agreement with ICE, and this is a pretty big one:

Timesheets and other records obtained through FOIA contain evidence that Gordonsville police participated in Greene County immigration operations.

That includes the June 23 operation along Route 29 in Ruckersville that sparked an AG investigation.

And one of those Gordonsville officers who clocked in for a task force operation on June 23 is the Police Chief himself, Chris Votaw.

He’s been asked if his department worked with Greene County Sheriff’s Office before and wouldn’t answer.

A month ago, the mayor characterized Greene County’s immigration operations as an “illegal” and racial profiling.

After publicly apologizing for a lack of transparency at a community meeting two weeks ago, both the mayor and the police chief seem to have stopped responding to questions at all.

If you haven’t been following this story, Gordonsville Town Council is voting on termination of the agreement on Monday, October 19. Residents at meetings have all been opposed to working with ICE, but the vote is a toss up and Mayor Brooks seems to be the biggest holdout. Here’s the post on that:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/s/f5y2qerVHA

And there are also a bunch of transparency issues with this agreement that you can read about here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Charlottesville/s/1LtYl0pFQX

Saw this while walking the Pen Park paved walkway and was so saddened to see all the Kudzu. What did this forest look like 20 years ago, I wonder?

Surveys focus on Route 29 corridor and Route 29/250 Bypass interchange in the 
City of Charlottesville and Albemarle Co.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on potential improvement alternatives being considered as part of two transportation studies along Route 29 in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

These Strategically Targeted, Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) studies are evaluating operational, safety, access and connectivity challenges in two areas: 


• Route 29 (Seminole Trail) between Hydraulic Road and Woodbrook Road in Albemarle County
• Route 29/250 Bypass interchange with Route 29 Business (Emmet Street) in the City of Charlottesville

Community input received through online surveys in May 2025 helped the study team identify existing issues throughout the two study areas and develop recommendations for potential traffic flow, safety improvements for all road users, and multimodal accessibility.

As part of the next phase of the studies, the public is invited to review the proposed alternatives and provide input by completing two brief online surveys, which will remain open to comments through Tuesday, Oct. 27. The options shown are planning-level concepts, which have not been finalized, and have not yet been funded for construction. Responses received through the public surveys will help VDOT refine recommendations and develop planning-level cost estimates for preferred alternatives.

Surveys

• Take the survey regarding alternatives for the Route 29 (Seminole Trail) corridor between Hydraulic Road and Woodbrook Road in Albemarle County at publicinput.com/us29hydraulicwoodbrookalts.
• Take the survey regarding alternatives for the Route 29/250 Bypass interchange with Route 29 Business (Emmet Street) in the City of Charlottesville at publicinput.com/us29250emmetalts.

More information about the studies are available on the study web page.

There are two "STARS" studies underway for two key areas on U.S. 29 and VDOT is taking input on specific alternatives intended to make changes in order to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. You have to read through the survey to see each one, but I copied some of the copy to assist people before they go to fill out the feedback form.

Surveys open through October 27.

Bonus question for conversation: How many people do you think will participate?

Second bonus: What would a meaningful number be?

“Anybody who’s been in a Zoom meeting knows it: It just doesn’t feel the same as sitting down together in person,” said Stacy Reedal, the literacy coordinator for Charlottesville City Schools.

You can read and ask questions, she said, but online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown didn’t allow for the same peer-to-peer interaction. When you’re teaching through a screen, there’s a missing piece of connection.

Most current fifth graders were born just before COVID-19 hit, meaning many got off on the wrong educational foot — and have been stuck at a disadvantage ever since. 

Enter the We Lit(literature) book club, which meets bi-weekly at Summit Elementary School.

The group is designed to help students bridge that loss of connection and learning gaps by pairing groups of children with volunteers to read.

This is the second year city officials have partnered with Charlottesville City Schools to provide the lunchtime program for third, fourth and fifth graders at Summit Elementary School.

The book club is Juanika Howard’s brainchild. As Charlottesville’s youth opportunity coordinator, she was tasked with figuring out how the city could work with local agencies and the school division to support young people.

Pamela Davis, assistant principal at Summit, said her meeting with Howard was so timely that it felt like “the heavens dropped down.”

Last year, 16 third and fourth grade students participated. This year, the club has expanded to include fifth graders, for a total of 51 participating students.

The goal of We Lit(literature) is to build a community of readers who learn to see books as an enjoyable activity, which can be difficult when bringing technology into the mix, she said.

Read more here.

Hello Voters!

Early Voting continues with hours 8:30a - 4:30p Monday-Friday until Friday, October 30. We are open extra hours on Sunday October 18 & 25 from 12-5p as well as Saturday October 24 & 31 from 8:30a-5p.

ALL mail ballot requests, regardless of submission format, MUST still be received by 5p NEXT Friday, October 23, despite the new 10-day-prior registration deadline.

Important Note: YES, we need your apartment on the registration. Please make sure you provide us with complete info to streamline the process and prevent mail issues. This applies to everyone, but especially students!

If you ONLY need to check/update your registration, you can do so with a VA DMV-issued ID via the Citizen Portal by 11:59p on October 23. If you have completed a Same Day Registration in the past year, check your registration either on the portal or by calling the office!! If you wish to submit a paper registration OR you wish to update a registration AND submit a mail ballot application, all of those forms MUST be received by 5p SHARP on Friday, October 23. If we receive a change of address registration too late, then we won't be able to process the corresponding mail ballot application!

Again, Early Voting continues until Saturday, October 31. The LAST DAY of regular Early Voting is Saturday, October 31! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

If you have questions, you can reach us at 434-970-3250 or [vote@charlottesville.gov](mailto:vote@charlottesville.gov). For Albemarle County, it's 434-972-4173 or [VoterRegistration1@albemarle.org.](mailto:VoterRegistration1@albemarle.org.)

Hi!

I’ve got a family member who’s going through a tough time with some credit card debt and bills, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a local debt relief specialist or financial advisor for that kind of situation. Not even sure if I’m asking for the right kind of thing, but it may be time to sit down with a professional and get everything figured out.

(Sorry if someone has posted about this before; I did a couple of searches on here but couldn’t find what I was looking for)

Thanks in advance.

Anyone know what’s going on at the cville airport today? Every single departing flight is delayed and every single arriving flight has been diverted. No flights have left or landed today and we’ve been provided no explanation. Anyone know what’s happening?

Police: ACPS employees fear 'retaliation' for coming forward with sex abuse allegations

Albemarle County police say they have heard from at least one school employee they fear "retribution" for coming forward with allegations of child sexual abuse.

Albemarle school counselor, accused 'serial child predator' granted bond

Albemarle school counselor and accused "serial child predator" Michael Swiney is back at home after he was granted bond.

Albemarle admins appear in court amid child sex scandal

A trio of current and former Albemarle County school administrators accused of failing to report sexual misconduct against children appeared in court last Friday.

Dillenbeck acknowledges town hall remarks 'caused concern' in first public statement

In Jim Dillenbeck's first statement since he was ousted from the Albemarle County School Board he says his intentions were always noble even if they caused concern.

New restaurant, office suites opening in old Charlottesville Common House

The new owners of the old Common House space in downtown Charlottesville won't reveal themselves, but they have revealed their plans for the building.

Farmington pastry chef wins prestigious chocolate artistry contest

Fresh off his win on Food Network, Farmington Country Club's Charles Zimmerman has tasted victory again, this time at the National Pastry Conference.

'I'm not going to chill': Lucinda Williams isn't done singing — or protesting

Lucinda Williams, who heads to Charlottesville tonight, isn't finished protesting the wars, the injustices and — worse — the apathy. 

Grandson who took $200K from dying grandmother sentenced to 2 years in Albemarle court

Jesse Wright, who embezzled $200,000 from his dying grandmother to fund a lavish lifestyle, has been sentenced to two years, likely of house arrest.

Keswick resident Ellen Markowitz named USTA Champion of Equality

Ellen Markowitz was named a United States Tennis Association Champion of Equality after her work with PowerPlay NYC and Girls Rule the Court in Charlottesville.

Virginia football readies for 'heck of a challenge' at No. 24 SMU

Virginia football travels to Dallas, where the Cavaliers know they have a 'heck of a challenge' waiting at Gerald J. Ford Stadium and No. 24 SMU.

Even with so many options available, getting your news can be a challenge. The Weekly Progress is here to help. Here is a roundup of some of the week’s biggest stories from The Daily Progress, Charlottesville’s news of record and a resource for the community since 1892.

Check Reddit every Friday for a weekly digest of the most-read and most-shared stories from The Daily Progress.

Has anyone seen it? It doesn't appear to be showing anywhere in Charlottesville, but I do see a few places in Richmond showing it.

In the past few days I have twice seen a guy naked outside of his home in full view of public on Avon Street close to MountainnView elementary school. Once he was with his black and white dog. Last year there were reports of naked people around Charlottesville and I wonder if thisnisna trend. Anyone else seen him?

Any haunted trail recommendations, looking for a trail not a house and hopefully nearish

Please help if you have any information!

https://www.cbs19news.com/news/acpd-seeks-information-on-missing-13-year-old-girl/article_c270354b-e419-4cef-8f8c-b6355fadca1f.html

Hi neighbors. My pet tortoise busted out of his outdoor enclosure yesterday (10/14) and has gone missing. Last seen at the intersection of 5th St and Bailey Rd.

He's big, about 18 inches long and 40 lbs, clearly not a native box turtle! I'm worried if I don't find him before it gets cold, he won't survive, as his species is native to sub-saharan Africa and doesn't typically brumate like our native turtles do.

DM me if you or anyone you know has seen him.

Thanks <3

Driving to the area from Richmond this Sunday hoping to catch some good foliage on the Blue ridge parkway or surrounding areas. Any recommendations as far as fairly easy access view points? Thanks in advance and apologies if this is a frequently asked question.

I understand people are trying to be nice, but if you have the right of way, please just go. Stop trying to let others go before you. It messes with the flow of traffic, people “stutter step” not knowing if they should actually go or not and can lead to accidents due to the confusion it imposes on others not involved in your two car debacle. Just follow the basic rules of driving.

Hello fellow cvillians! I was wondering if any of you have recommendations for a flat fee financial advisor around here. Seen the question asked for fee based and have seen firms like Wilkinson recommended, but I was specifically looking for any that might be flat fee based.

I’m trying to up my personal finance game, but was not excited about the larger fees for some of these spots.

Honestly if you all think they’re worth it, though, I’m happy to hear any and all recommendations and experiences you have!