In the wake of yesterday's attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. area officials are responding to security issues at a local level.
All Charlottesville City and Albemarle County emergency workers are on alert.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport was closed in accordance with national airline grounding guidelines imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Officials said they are uncertain when flights will resume, but the FAA's first-ever national grounding will last at least until Wednesday, airport spokesperson Barbara Hutchinson said.
Prior to the closure, nearly one-third of the 58 departures scheduled already had left the airport.
By early yesterday afternoon, officials evacuated passengers, allowing only police and airport officials inside the terminal, which state police searched with bomb-sniffing dogs.
State and county police as well as airport officials are providing security to the facility until it reopens.
The four hijacked planes, including the United Airlines flight from Washington Dulles Airport, did not fly into Charlottesville airspace, nor did it appear on local radar screens. Flight crews were notified of the hijackings, but passengers inbound to Charlottesville were unaware until landing in the area whereupon they sat in silence, glued to two televisions in airport lounges.
Charlottesville police officers also reported to the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, which serves as a training facility for high-ranking federal executives.
Security also was increased at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Albemarle County, a newly relocated federal building that monitors international communication.
City officials also closed the Charlottesville Federal Courthouse.
"We're not aware of the community response other than information [requests] on what's being done," said Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin. "We have people stationed at places that may be vulnerable."
Charlottesville schools and government offices remained opened yesterday pending further developments.
"We're not able to determine a specific threat that causes us at this point to close anything down, but that is being monitored on a minute by minute basis," Catlin said.
FBI offices in the state also remained open, but all non-essential personnel were sent home. Field agents handled questions from citizens and the media. "We're not investigating anything at this point, but that may change," said Lawrence Barry, spokesman for the Richmond FBI division. "It's so soon after the incident, and everyone is trying to get a handle on what's going"
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | YesterdayThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 4 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
