1. Reparations: Virginia bill would require scholarships for descendants of enslaved laborers (February 17)
“This is really just the bare minimum that could be done for a community of people who are responsible for these institutions existing,” said Justin Reid of Virginia Humanities in our most-read story of the year.
2. High hopes: A second-generation cannabis entrepreneur gets a new weed club up and running—legally (October 6)
The members-only Charlottesville Cannabis Club opened this fall.
3. In brief: CBD dispensary opens, Fashion Square Mall auctioned (July 21)
This mid-summer weekly wrap-up hit on two of C-VILLE readers’ favorite topics: Weed and the demise of the Fashion Square Mall.
4. Seeing Charlottesville: Painter Edward Thomas captured local scenes in lively detail (May 26)
Thomas, who passed away in May, is fondly remebered by many in the arts community.
5. Money talks: An anti-upzoning email campaign came exclusively from the city’s wealthiest homeowners (September 29)
Some wealthy local residents opposed building more dense housing in town.
6. Put it in reverse: City Council pauses proposed parking garage (June 2)
The council says it will explore greener options than a 300-spot garage.
7. The Power Issue: Rising stars edition
(June 23)
Our annual power issue highlighted under-30 all-stars, from public housing activists to culinary whizzes, and more.
8. ‘A dumpster fire’: City describes police misconduct as officers criticize chief (August 25)
Former police chief RaShall Brackney was fired in September, after her attempts to reform the department were met with pushback from the rank and file.
9. ‘They were trying to kill me’: Charlottesville police accused of profiling, assault of Black resident (February 3)
A Charlottesville police officer tackled and concussed a Black civilian during a traffic stop.
10. Bagels, bridges, and Dave?: You know you’re from Charlottesville if… (April 28)
This lighthearted listicle garnered more angry phone calls than any story we ran this year. We wrote, “You know you’re from Charlottesville if you’re so over Thomas Jefferson.” Let me tell you: Some people here are still really big fans of Thomas Jefferson.