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Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023
There was another shooting in Charlottesville over the weekend. This one happened Sunday afternoon in Belmont. One person died and another was injured. Police have arrested two people, including the second victim, whom they’ve not yet identified. A witness told the Daily Progress that the people involved “looked really young.”
This is the first homicide of the year, but it continues a string of shootings that began last fall. Since September, Charlottesville Police Department has reported nine major shootings in the city. Three people died and another 10 were injured. Those figures do not include the University of Virginia campus shooting, which is technically in Albemarle County. You can read more about Sunday’s shooting in the Daily Progress here, and see updates from the Charlottesville Police Department here.
For some happier news: Charlottesville City Schools is now offering toiletries and essential household supplies to any student or family who asks for them.
During the pandemic, district officials realized that many of their students’ families struggle to get these everyday items. It’s easy to understand why. Someone on a very low income can’t use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds (formerly called food stamps) to buy them. And there just aren’t many organizations that offer these items free. Food pantries try, but usually have little more than pads and diapers. Homeless shelters are more likely to have soaps, shampoos and toothpaste, but they’re barely able to provide them to their clients.
After learning how many families struggle to get basic toiletries, City Schools began providing them free
Students who need supplies should ask their teachers. Parents can also reach out to the district’s family engagement office at familyengagement [AT] charlottesvilleschools [DOT] org. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to donate these items, there’s a big need! You can reach out through that same email address to learn more.
A quick note from our whole team: In our year-end fund drive, we had a record-breaking number of donors — 7% of our newsletter subscribers made a donation last year! We raised close to $250,000 toward our year-end goal, and we’re raising the remaining $100,000 in the first few months of this year.
If you meant to join in with your support, it’s not too late to give to our 2022 year-end campaign!
Your one-time gift in any amount or regular gift starting as little as $5 a month, is the kind of community support that makes our work possible.
Lastly, I have a correction to make from Friday’s newsletter. Clark Elementary School has been renamed Summit Elementary School. In the newsletter I wrote that the school board had chosen a different name. Here’s the story, which has all the correct information. Sorry for the confusion!
Thanks for reading!
Jessie Higgins, managing editor
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