UVA engineers developing AI technology to help first responders during emergencies
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. โ The University of Virginia is working to develop a new system to help first responders navigate challenges during emergencies. The researchers are looking to use artificial intelligence to offer helpful prompts and other support as rescue squads make split-second decisions. Right now, the university is collaborating with firefighters in Albemarle County to test it out. โAlmost like a virtual responder that is listening to the communications going on at the scene. The project is still in the works with ongoing device testing and research.
More than 3,000 customers now without power in Southwest Virginia
Appalachian Power outage map as of 6:10 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2020. With wintry weather conditions affect our region, there are some areas in Southwest Virginia that are experiencing power outages Wednesday. [Snow, ice to cause slippery roads, scattered power outages Wednesday]As of 4:28, more than 5,000 customers were without power. According to Appalachian Power, as of 5:58 p.m. here are the top five localities by outage number. County/City Customer Outages Henry County 1,732 Albemarle County 354 Patrick County 288 Grayson County 178 Floyd County 129The outages started at 12:05 p.m.
Charlottesville rally organizer denied concealed gun permit
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. โ The primary organizer of a violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been denied a concealed handgun permit, court records show. Albemarle County Commonwealthโs Attorney Jim Hingeley opposed Kesslerโs application, citing his criminal history and warning he would likely use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to harm others. In addition to his role in the rally, Kessler pleaded guilty in 2017 to assault and battery. A judge denied Kesslerโs application earlier this month. Kessler did not respond to the newspaperโs requests for comment or to questions about whether he would appeal.
Albemarle County spent $100K on Confederate statue removal
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. โ A county in Virginia spent more than $100,000 to take down its Confederate statue and hold and event around the removal. The Daily Progress reported Tuesday that the cost to pay a construction company for the removal in Albemarle County cost about $60,000. But there were also costs that included staff overtime, setting up barricades and live-streaming the event because of virus restrictions. Last month, the county removed the โAt Readyโ soldier statue and its base from outside its courthouse. In Charlottesville three years ago, hundreds of white supremacists gathered in part to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Virginia sees 450 new coronavirus cases, now reporting 148,721 statewide
RICHMOND, Va. โ As of October 1, Virginia is now reporting 148,721 cases of the coronavirus across the commonwealth since March. [Where are Virginiaโs coronavirus cases? The latest from the health department]Thursdayโs total of 148,721 marks an increase from Wednesdayโs total of 148,271 cases. of Health reports there have been 2,225,630 total testing encounters. The health department started using this metric on May 1.
Virginia sees 449 new coronavirus cases, now reporting 146,593 statewide
RICHMOND, Va. โ As of September 28, Virginia is now reporting 146,593 cases of the coronavirus across the commonwealth since March. [Where are Virginiaโs coronavirus cases? The latest from the health department]Mondayโs total of 146,593 marks an increase from Sundayโs total of 146,144 cases. of Health reports there have been 2,150,896 total testing encounters. The health department started using this metric on May 1.
Albemarle County officials to move Confederate statue to battlefield
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. โ Officials in a Virginia county say its Confederate soldier statue, cannons and cannonballs are being relocated to a battlefield in the Shenandoah Valley after they are removed on Saturday. The Daily Progress of Charlottesville reports the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to give the items to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, a historic-preservation group. The foundation was one of 10 applicants to receive the statue and its accessories, which the board had voted unanimously in August to remove. The statue currently sits in front of the county courthouse on Albemarle property that was never annexed by the city.
Albemarle County Confederate statue to be removed Sept. 12
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Another Confederate statue is slated for removal in Virginia. Removal work will be livestreamed on the countys Facebook page instead of allowing in-person observance because of the coronavirus pandemic. The county said it also will be airing interviews and lectures about the statue. The Board of Supervisors will hold a special virtual meeting next week to review statements of interest from those who want the statue. State law requires the board to offer the statue to organizations including a museum, historical society or battlefield.
Dog the Bounty Hunter comes to Virginia, fugitive now in jail
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. โ The fugitive who Dog the Bounty Hunter came to Virginia to find is now in jail. Duane Chapman, whoโs more commonly known as โDog the Bounty Hunter,โ was in the Charlottesville area this week searching for Felix Chujoy. Shades on, face covered and a hat. Youโll never know it.โAlso joining Dog on his trip to Virginia is his new fiance, Fancie France, according to The Sun. Dog plans to return to Virginia in 2021 for the Dairy Queen Childrenโs Miracle Day Fundraiser in Stuarts Draft.
Nelson Countyโs first case among 4 new announced in Thomas Jefferson Health District
NELSON COUNTY, Va. โ Someone in Nelson County has the coronavirus, according to health department officials. At 4:11 p.m. Tuesday, the Thomas Jefferson Health District posted its latest coronavirus numbers. These are the reported numbers:Charlottesville: 3Albemarle County: 6Louisa County: 3Nelson County: 1Fluvanna County: 1As there are some differences between these numbers and whatโs being reported by the Virginia Department of Heath, a health district official told 10 News that what was posted by the district is the correct data. The Thomas Jefferson Health District is made up of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties, as well as the city of Charlottesville.
More than 10 pounds of meth seized as couple arrested in Virginia bust
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. โ More than 10 pounds of meth is off the street after two arrests in Albemarle County on Wednesday, according to Virginia State Police. Police said that while executing a search warrant, they arrested an Albemarle County couple, who now face multiple charges. Krystal Michelle Houchens, 34, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of meth and one count of possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule II drug. The operation resulted in the seizure of about 4,524 grams (10.1 pounds) of meth valued at $200,000 (with a street-level end-user value of $440,000), two shotguns, a rifle and a handgun. Morris and Houchens were transported to the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail.
โIโm ecstaticโ: Albemarle County Sheriff reacts after Jens Soering is granted parole
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. โ After news broke that the two people responsible for the murder of a Bedford County couple in 1985 have been granted parole, there were mixed reactions. Jens Soering and Elizabeth Haysom, both convicted for the murder of Elizabethโs parents, Derek and Nancy, were granted parole on Monday. A longtime supporter of Soeringโs release is Albemarle County Sheriff, Chip Harding. He also questions whether Soeringโs confession, which he later recanted, was true or not. โCurrently, the DNA is indicating there are two unknown males leading in the crime scene that are not Jens Soering,โ Harding said.
I-64 reopens after tractor trailer crash causes both lanes to close near Afton Mountain
However, the scenic overlook at mile marker 100 will remain closed as crews continue cleanup. Original story:Both lanes of Interstate 64 were shut down Sunday morning due to a crash involving a commercial bus and a tractor-trailer. State police and VDOT say the crash happened around 4:30 a.m. at 100 mile marker, which is just past the summit of Afton Mountain in Albemarle County. Troopers say at least four people were taken to Augusta Medical and several others to UVA Medical Center. The Crozet Volunteer Fire Department posted pictures to its Facebook page.
Dog dies after contracting disease from Virginia's Rivanna River
Brad Perreault tells NBC29 that his 3-year-old German shepherd, Gunner, died of leptospirosis within a week of an all-day swim in the Rivanna River. His kidneys were shutting down, and he tested positive for leptospirosis, which vets concluded came from the Rivanna River. The bacterial disease normally takes five to seven days to present symptoms and can be deadly to dogs and humans. It can be transferred to humans, and that's super scary," Perreault told the Charlottesville NBC station. Swim beaches are probably fine and probably a safe place to go and use the water."