Good morning, Charlottesville.

Joe Keller, son of the Keller brothers who built the original compact loader in the 1950s, brought the historic machine to Charlottesville on Monday, March 31.

He is now taking it to various Bobcat dealers on his way back to North Dakota after a two-year stay at the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Alexandria.

A 19-year-old man, Kozub, received a minor $94 traffic ticket last October after his Volvo hit and killed pedestrian Mamawa Simai in a Charlottesville crosswalk, but a new law effective July 1 will make such cases Class 1 misdemeanors—punishable by up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500.

Fridays After Five, Charlottesville’s free concert series, will return on April 18 at the Ting Pavilion with the Tom Tom Festival and feature Isaac Hadden and Elby Brass opening the show—setting up a lively downtown music event.

The series will also include shows on May 2 with student performers, on May 30 during UVA reunions, and a season finale on June 27 while it supports local nonprofits with a cashless drink system.

Ting Pavilion announced on Monday the schedule for the first half of the 37th season of Fridays After Five in downtown Charlottesville.

The summer shows will take place later — more details will be provided.

Thomas Ackleson, a third-year Engineering student and current vice chair for operations, was elected Honor Committee chair at the annual retreat at Graves Mountain Lodge and will assume his role on Monday, April 7.

He said his term will focus on highlighting the rights — and privileges that students and faculty enjoy under the honor system.

The UVA Faculty Senate defended academic freedom and diversity, equity and inclusion in a resolution stating that a presidential executive order and a Department of Education letter restrict what professors research and teach—claims that the actions undermine the university's founding principles. The Senate pledged to support faculty and work with administration to protect academic inquiry—upholding Thomas Jefferson's values.

Allison McVey, a third-year student and former First Year Judiciary Committee chair, was elected as UJC chair and takes office today to serve until April 1, 2026—she replaces fourth-year Chair Harper Jones.

The new committee also includes Ella Abney as vice chair for trials and Colin Berry as vice chair for sanctions, with the team expected to handle more cases than last term—students say the leadership builds on past work.

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program into law last week—allocating $500k to public and nonprofit colleges with on-campus food pantries or partnerships—and the State Council for Higher Education will soon choose grant recipients to help fight student food insecurity.

VDOT is asking for public input on its I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan to fix safety and congestion issues along 325 miles of road — 65 projects are under review and feedback via an interactive survey is sought until April 15.

The study will use this data to shape recommendations and plan later public meetings for further input.

The Virginia baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit on March 29 to sweep No. 20 Stanford with a 9-8 walk-off win in 10 innings at Disharoon Park — the victory secured Coach O’Connor’s 900th win and made him the 15th active Division I coach to reach that mark.

Sam Burchfield Live Concert

8-10 p.m. — The Jefferson Theater — Ticket price TBD — Experience the soulful sounds of Sam Burchfield, influenced by Appalachian music traditions.

Dirty Grass Players Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Southern Café and Music Hall — Tickets start at $20 — Experience the captivating blend of traditional and progressive bluegrass sounds with The Dirty Grass Players.

Vincent Zorn Live Performance

12-6 p.m. — Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards — No cover charge — Enjoy award-winning wine and captivating Latin guitar melodies on the beautiful veranda.

Swan Tavern Archaeological Investigations Presentation

6-7 p.m. — Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Central Branch — Free entry — Explore the findings from the archaeological investigations of Charlottesville's first tavern.

Spring Dance Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Culbreth Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the vibrant performances from UVA Dance in their annual spring showcase.

Rebecca Porter Live Concert

8-11 p.m. — Dürty Nelly's Pub - Deli — Free show — Experience the vocal talents of Guam-born Rebecca Porter with local favorites, the Rhinestone Roses.

S.G. Goodman Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m. — John Paul Jones Arena — Check for ticket prices — Enjoy an evening of live music from S.G. Goodman in Charlottesville.

Liberty Flames vs. Virginia Cavaliers Baseball

6 p.m. — Disharoon Park — Free entry — Witness an exciting collegiate baseball matchup between the Liberty Flames and Virginia Cavaliers.

Crowdfunded Pitch Night

7-9 p.m. — The CODE Building — Donations welcome — Witness ten local entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas to the community.

Wine & Zen: Community Yoga and Meditation

1-3:15 p.m. — Eastwood Farm and Winery — Cost not specified — Unwind with yoga, meditation, and a sound bath amidst a scenic winery backdrop.