Loudoun Now for May 30, 2024

Heroic D-Day Sacrifices Highlighted During Memorial Day Observance

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Residents gathered on the courthouse lawn Monday morning to join in the Town of Leesburg’s Memorial Day observance.

Military historian Matthew Seelinger, of the Army Historical Foundation, was

the keynote speaker. With the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion approaching next month, he highlighted the heroic feats of several soldiers who gave their lives in the push to liberate western Europe and whose service was commemorated with the nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

The award was first authorized for sailors and marines in 1861 and for soldiers in 1862. Of the 3,536 recipients, 680 have been awarded posthumously, Seelinger noted.

MEMORIAL DAY continues on page 39

Supervisors Approve Funding for Guaranteed Income Program

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A debate by county supervisors last week over how to shuffle unused federal grant money resulted in a commitment to fund a proposal by Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) to create an Economic Mobility Program.

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed in 2021 to help localities address the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, individuals, businesses and state and local governments. Loudoun County received $80.3 million in ARPA funds with the caveat that all of it must be allocated by the end of 2024.

To meet that deadline, the board on May 23 voted to reallocate $3.2 million from one set of projects to another.

As the board’s finance committee reviewed funding options earlier this month, Saines sought to steer $1.5 million of the ARPA funds to a pilot project that would provide a guaranteed income to qualifying residents. Other jurisdictions in the Washington, DC, area have used ARPA funds for guaranteed income

ARPA FUNDS continues on page 36

ROOF LOCAL

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Veterans and Scouts place wreath at the World War II memorial at the Loudoun County courthouse during the 2024 Memorial Day Observance.

HUD Administrator Highlights Affordable Housing Challenge in Loudoun Visit

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator

Matthew Heckles made a visit to Loudoun last week, meeting first with business leaders at an event hosted by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and then with county officials at an affordable senior living center in Sterling.

Heckles told the audience gathered as part of the chamber’s Policy Makers Series that the lack of affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges currently, not just in Loudoun but in the region and the entire country.

“The challenges are great, and they vary widely from one place to another,” he said. “… but at the core of it, it just comes down to whether or not people have the ability to support themselves.”

He said there is a right and a wrong way to address the need for affordable housing.

“For years we’ve been trying to transition from a system that focused on housing people going in a shelter. Giving people a roof and a bed to sleep in for a night or two was good enough,” he said. “But we learned that that doesn’t really fix

the problem. And so, the whole system has changed. We’re now focused on making sure that we are keeping people out of

our homelessness system. The best way to keep people out of homelessness is to keep them housed.”

Two major avenues of addressing the problem are preventing evictions altogether and rapid rehousing, Heckles said. But oftentimes, the challenge can boil down to a locality’s zoning regulations.

“We have not built enough of the right kind of housing in the right places,” he said, adding that it was important to have diverse types of affordable housing units.

Addressing those kinds of problems have been on County Chair Phyllis J. Randall’s (D-At Large) list of priorities for some time. Following the chamber event, Randall met with Heckles as well as other members of his department, Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn), board member staffers, county Housing and Community Development Director John Hall and members of his team, and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing CEO Carmen Romero.

Randall said in Loudoun affordable housing looks different than in other areas of the region because the county’s area median income is over twice the United States’ AMI, at $167,000 per year.

“Our attainable housing, affordable housing, workforce housing really is for

AFFORDABLE HOUSING continues on page 36

Sheriff Says Fears of SROs in Elementary Schools Unfounded

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN Agustin@loudounnow.org

Amid concerns from some community groups and parents about a recommendation to add more security personnel to elementary schools, citing fears that students of color or with disabilities would be targeted, Sheriff Mike Chapman said those concerns are unfounded in the county.

“There is no evidence of this, certainly in Loudoun County,” he said.

According to numbers provided by the Sheriff’s Office, so far during the

2023-2024 school year 31 students have been arrested related to a school incident. Five of those happened at school— four were juvenile students and one was an adult student.

In 2022-23 there were 22 student arrests, four that took place at school. In 2021-22 there were 22 arrested, including four that took place at school.

“You have about 3/10ths of 1% of students that have been arrested in Loudon County Public Schools,” Chapman said, referencing this year’s numbers. “So, I would hardly say that is targeting anybody and it’s hard to say that there is any kind of pipeline,” he said. “It baffles me as to why people wouldn’t want their kids to be safe.”

The Sheriff’s Office did not provide demographics on the arrests.

Chapman said it usually takes a pret-

ty serious offense before a student is referred to the juvenile justice system and law enforcement works with the schools through several options first. The division’s 17-page Memorandum of Understanding with the Sheriff’s Office and Leesburg Police Department agreed to last June states that whenever practical arrests should happen outside of school hours and that student arrests done during school need to be coordinated with the principal. It states the majority of student misconduct can be addressed with school strategies and without law enforcement involvement.

The recommendation for increased security at elementary schools was one of 11 released by a Blue Ribbon Panel formed by division Superintendent Aaron Spence to identify gaps in the division’s current safety and security pro-

tocols. The panel consisted of local and federal law enforcement officers, fire and rescue, city and county government officials, cybersecurity firms and mental health professionals.

Chapman supports the addition of trained school resource officers to compliment the division’s contracted school security officers who are unarmed and have no law enforcement authority. He said SROs help break down barriers so kids aren’t afraid of police.

“School Resource Officers are the best possible community policing you can have,” he said. “It gives us the ability to really get to know our community.”

Chapman said the panel’s 11 recommendations were a good start. And

SCHOOL SECURITY continues on page 37

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Matthew Heckles listens to County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) during a roundtable discussion on housing and homelessness May 23.

Chapman

Loudoun

Randall Thanks Staff, Talks Housing, Mental Health During State of the County

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The County Government Center in downtown Leesburg was filled with Loudoun’s elected officials, community leaders and staff members as County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) delivered the 2024 State of the County Address May 22.

“The economy in Loudoun is burgeoning,” Randall said. “The staff in Loudoun is dedicated. The volunteers in Loudoun are impactful. The youth in Loudoun are thriving. The first responders in Loudoun are heroic. The businesses in Loudoun are innovative. The people of Loudoun County are passionate.”

Randall spent much of her roughly hour-long speech commending department directors, leaders in the community and advisory commission members for their work and dedication to promoting the health and welfare of Loudoun.

Among those thanked were Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer and Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson.

“So much of our financial success can be attributed to one department and one remarkable man,” Randall said of Rizer.

“… He has completely transformed how we define economic development.”

While best known for his work with data centers, Rizer’s focus also has been on diversifying the county’s economy. In pursuing that, he has often partnered with Erickson, focusing on growing Loudoun’s draw for tourists and rural economy.

Randall said the county leads Virginia in business and spending reaching over $4 billion in 2022. That same year local wineries and breweries served one million visitors and garnered over $48 million in revenue. Hotels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals supported by the agritourism sector resulted in $4.8 million of transit occupancy tax revenues for the county during fiscal year 2025.

“Beth Erickson and her staff at Visit Loudoun can be credited for not only bringing in millions of revenue to Loudoun, but also showcasing the multitude of amenities of our incredible county,” Randall said.

Randall also touted several of the board’s accomplishments over its past term, including finalizing a zoning ordinance rewrite, lowering the real property tax rate, lowering the personal property tax rate, realizing an unemployment rate of 2.5%, and maintaining the county’s tri-

Supervisors to Launch Trash Collection Sanitation Districts

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Loudoun residents who are not part of homeowners’ associations will have the opportunity to be part of new sanitation districts after a vote by the Board of Supervisors approving the program with a goal of making trash collection more affordable and consistent for residents.

The issue was first brought before the board by Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) in 2019 when he cited concerns that most of his constituents, since they are not members of homeowners’ associations, pay inconsistent prices for trash pickup and that the disjointed system sometimes resulted in a single street experiencing trash trucks every day of the week.

ple-A bond ratings.

She dedicated this year’s ceremony to volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown, who was killed in a Feb. 16 home explosion that injured over a dozen other firefighters.

“This State of the County is dedicated to his life, but it’s dedicated to the service of his life and the hope that that’s what all of us focus on from here on out,” she said.

Randall cited one of the greatest challenges facing the county as mental health and substance use, drawing a correlation between the two and an uptick in social media use as well as a decline in physical exercise.

“In 2010, our nation began to see a marked increase in anxiety disorders, depression and even suicide ideology, especially amongst our youth. Unfortunately, Loudoun was not immune to that phenomenon,” she said.

She cited author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who said the use of cell phones, particularly by youth, leads to less sleep, more anxiety, social comparison, agitation and perfectionism.

“That’s the bad news. That’s the challenge,” Randall said. “However, there is

STATE OF THE COUNTY continues on page 5

The new program will provide trash and recycling pickup to property owners who are not members of an HOA with the county coordinating details and charging participants a fee. A service district will be made of up 50 properties and be formed when 55% of an area’s qualified voters decide to opt into the program.

“[This] allows for consistency of the service and consistency of the provider in those areas that is managed by the locality,” Director of General Services Ernest Brown said.

A motion by Saines to implement the program and subsidize the startup costs failed 3-4-1-1 with only Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) and Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) joining him in supporting the motion. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) abstained and Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) was absent.

SANITATION DISTRICT continues on page 7

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) addresses community leaders, county staff members and elected officials during her 2024 State of the County address May 22.

ON THE Agenda

Lane Closures at Loudoun County Pkwy Intersection Begin This Week

Lane closures at the intersection of Loudoun County Parkway, Claude Moore Drive and Hillsboro Hunt Drive began this week and are expected to continue through the fall.

Drivers should expect one-lane road and shoulder closures on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The construction will upgrade the

State of the County

continued from page 4

some good news or at least there is a reasonable response to this crisis. Just as it is true for physical health conditions, the answers to mental and behavioral health conditions are not monolithic.”

She said behavior changes —such as limited screen time, choosing to get fresh air and physical exercise—are part of the solution and praised the county’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for creating places where residents can do just that.

“The staff of the parks and rec department can have an essential role in promoting comprehensive mental health wellness. In Loudoun, our parks and rec department led by the ever-present Steve Torpy, continues to advocate for more opportunities to increase our green and open spaces,” Randall said.

The chair also said the county would continue to focus on providing affordable housing.

“The nation’s housing shortage is reaching crisis levels,” she said. “And that is especially true in the metropolitan

existing two-way stop configuration to a full signalized intersection, which will have traffic signals, including loop detectors to detect the presence of vehicles at an intersection, and push-button pedestrian crossing signals. Upgrades to striping, signage and accessible curb ramps are also scheduled.

Drivers will be able to access Loudoun County Parkway, Claude Moore Drive and Hillsboro Hunt Drive but may encounter delays. During lane closures, drivers should use extra caution, follow directions from road signs and crews, and slow down when traveling through the area.  n

Washington area.”

Since she took office in 2017, county officials have approved 1,025 affordable housing units for families earning between 30% and 60% of the median area income, which has risen above $167,000 a year. The county has also received nearly $290 million in additional investments supporting attainable housing.

She praised her fellow board members for passing the Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan in 2021 and said, despite the opposition by neighbors of proposed developments, the county would continue to welcome new homes.

“To be clear, we will welcome new friends and neighbors to Loudoun County,” she said.

The ceremony also included a performance by the TLC Dance Studio, the National Anthem sung by Indi Makeyzo and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sterling Volunteer Fire Company President Karam Marshaal.

“It is you,” Randall told the audience at the conclusion of her speech. “It is the people you have met tonight who are the soul of our successes and reason so many people believe in the possibility of Loudoun County.” n

Work Groups Approved to Propose Airport Noise Solutions

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Residents near Dulles Airport raising concerns about noise from aircraft overflights might have a chance at some relief after the Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with a process to propose mitigation options to the Federal Aviation Administration May 23.

The action is the latest in a series of efforts by county leaders to address the concerns of community members. In January 2023, the board directed the staff to open a dialogue with the FAA and in February sent a letter to the FAA seeking assistance in mitigating the noise. After being unable to open regular correspondence with the FAA, the board hired Vianair Consulting in June last year to help with that process.

In March, Vianair met with the FAA regional administrator who told the consultant that the county needed to go through a specific process for recommendations to be considered by the organization.

That process includes the formation of two groups—a design group and a regional project group‚—and would take 12 months.

The design group will be made up of members of the community and representatives from the airline industry and will create potential rule changes to be presented to the FAA.

Those rule changes would then be reviewed by the regional project group made up of approximately 10 representatives from jurisdictions within a 10-mile radius of the airport. For a proposal regarding a flight rule change to be considered by the FAA, it must have a supportive consensus from the regional group. But receiving that consensus does not guarantee that the FAA will approve the proposals.

They plan to focus the project on reducing noise west of the airport, specifically from Runway 30.

Vianair also will subcontract work to The Aloft Group, a consulting company that provides services on airport noise

mitigation.

County staff members said a conflict, although not one by legal definition, exists with The Aloft Group since a primary member of the company lives within the Birchwood neighborhood. Residents from Birchwood have been leading the effort to mitigate airplane noise.

“It sets up a situation where a person who has a personal interest in the matter could also become a compensated technical advisor,” planner Joshua Peters said, adding that County Attorney Leo Rogers said it did not meet the definition of a legal conflict of interest.

Peters recommended that if the board wanted to move forward with subcontracting The Aloft Group, the consulting service should be limited to community outreach and not be part of the design group.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), whose district includes the airport, said he was concerned about the conflict. He asked why the county was not

looking to hire another consultant who could provide the same services but did not live in the one of the affected areas.

“This is a person who already has industry experience, industry connections, is well versed in the scenarios that we’re experiencing and is already, in fact, engaged in our project,” Peters said.

Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said she also had concerns about the perception of a conflict and that no other companies have been considered.

“It’s a like a no bid contract, and we didn’t even go out and see if anyone else had this kind of expertise and connections,” she said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) said she thought The Aloft Group’s experience and involvement in the community make it a good fit to focus on community engagement if it stays away from the technical side of forming the

AIRPORT NOISE continues on page 7

Supervisors Approve Elementary School, High School with 5,000 Seat Stadium

BY SAM DOUGLAS

The Board of Supervisors on Thursday approved the plan for a new high school and elementary school, known as HS-14 and ES-36, to be built near Brambleton with a 5,000-seat stadium.

The site, located along the west side of Evergreen Mills Road south of Ryan Road, will have a 2,100 student capacity high school and a 960 capacity elementary school. Watson Mountain Middle School is currently on the site and scheduled to open this fall.

Planned to open in fall 2028, the high school will contain an expanded gym, softball and baseball fields, a practice field, tennis courts, and an expanded stadium that seats 5,000 spectators.

After debate over the stadium size and eventual endorsement by a divided Planning Commission, the item moved to the Board of Supervisors on May 23.

Much of the board’s discussion also centered around the stadium’s size.

Division Land Management Supervisor Jefferson Miller told the Planning Commission during a Feb. 26 public hearing that the stadium and the gymnasium are larger than what is typical.

“Those are planned with the idea of holding larger regional events,” he said.

However, during Thursday’s meeting he said the size was driven by expected capacity at the school.

“The reason for the stadium is really the capacity of the school and if there’s any misperception out there, that might be my fault,” Miller said.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) pointed to football game attendance at Tuscarora High School, which has the largest high school stadium in

the county at 4,000 seats. She said she often attends games, and the stadium is never full even during playoff games.

“I don’t see adding another 5,000 seats because we have another 300 kids, because we have stadiums that are not used right now,” Randall said.

Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) disagreed, saying it was better for the school to overestimate the potential crowds rather than deal with the overcrowding problems at the stadium and surrounding parking lots that could present itself with a standard size stadium.

“Here we are actually planning for the right size of the facility and the right amount of parking so I am really glad we are being forward thinking and forward looking at this,” she said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) made a motion for the project to go forward with a standard, 2,700-seat stadium, citing concerns about potential traffic on Evergreen Mills Road, as well as the capacity of nearby roads to handle increased traffic during football games.

“The proposed location of an expanded stadium within the Transition Policy Area lacks adequate infrastruc-

ture,” TeKrony said.

Residents of the nearby Willowsford neighborhood have asked for a fence along the property line between the school and neighborhood. A request that TeKrony reiterated to Miller.

Miller said that a fence would be difficult to install because the division is dedicating a tree conservation area on the school side of the property and they could not put a fence on property that is not theirs.

School planners previously relocated the proposed location of the tennis courts after residents raised concerns about the lighting of the courts, and the lights of the stadium remain an issue for some.

“We’re trying our best to be good neighbors,” Miller said.

TeKrony’s motion failed 4-4-1 with supervisors Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) and Briskman opposed and Caleb A. Kershner absent.

Letourneau’s counter motion to approve the plan with a 5,000-seat stadium passed 6-2-1 with Randall and TeKrony opposed and Kershner absent.  n

County of Loudoun

A depiction of the proposed plans for a new high school containing a 5,000-seat stadium and an elementary school approved by the Board of Supervisors May 23.

Airport noise

continued from page 6

“I think they really offer a huge benefit that another group could not provide,” she said.

Chair of the Loudoun Aircraft Noise Mitigation Committee Carolyn McCulley told Loudoun Now in an email that it is the “norm” for a working group to have a consultant help with facilitating conversations with the community.

“But no consultant ever has a voting role or any influence on the decisions that are made in these groups. Vianair is not local, so having a local consultant to help form the groups, facilitate the meetings, and educate those who volunteer to be on the Design Group about what’s feasible in air traffic control is an asset to this process,” she wrote.

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) asked if a process like this had ever resulted in the FAA making changes.

Vionair representative Jim Allerdice said it had.

“As a matter of fact, on July 11 the flight procedures at [Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport] are being published that we worked on a very similar project for what we’re proposing for the design group,” he said.

Letourneau said he also had concerns about “opening Pandora’s Box.”

Sanitation district

continued from page 4 recommendations.

“This is a quality-of-life issue,” Saines said. “… I think this is a good program and a win-win for our non-HOA residents in regards to quality of life, noise pollution and getting better pricing and service in their areas.”

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said he agreed with Saine’s arguments for why the program should exist, but said he did not think the county should subsidize the startup costs.

“I don’t have a logical reason why we would subsidize for one group of residents and not for anybody else in the county,” he said.

Under the non-subsidized plan users will be charged $51 a month versus $42 a month under the subsidized plan. As more districts are formed, the monthly charge will drop. Letourneau said the $9 cost difference is not significant enough

“What guarantee do we have that the FAA couldn’t come back and look at the other 270 degrees [outside the scope of the design group] as alternatives for traffic heading west out of Runway 30?” he asked.

He said he is concerned that his constituents south of the airport could be negatively affected by a change.

Allerdice said, while the FAA has the authority to enact any changes it wants, it would have to go through a change-rule process.

“We’re going to send one recommendation to the FAA but there’s no guarantee they’re going to take that. There’s no guarantee that they’re not going to look at one of the other options that doesn’t simply involve the western traffic,” Letourneau said.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Media Communications Specialist Emily McGee said the organization will not have a formal role in the groups but will attend the work sessions if invited. McGee said MWAA will also be happy to provide any data requested of them.

The board voted to allocate an additional $60,000 to proceed with the plan in a 7-0-1-1 vote with Letourneau abstaining and Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent. The board also voted 5-31 to approve subcontracting The Aloft Group with a amendment by Supervisor Koran T. Saines to limit the scope of their work, with Umstattd, Letourneau and Briskman opposed and Kershner absent. n

to warrant $400,000 a year in taxpayer dollars.

Randall said her concern is not the cost of subsidizing the program but that residents could be forced into paying more for trash collection if 55% of their neighbors voted to become part of the program.

“My issue is forcing people to do things that they don’t want to do that actually may end up costing them more money,” she said.

Brown said while most non-HOA residents using a trash collection service are typically charged more than their HOA member counterparts, if they were instead taking their trash to the landfill infrequently it is possible they would be forced to pay more.

“I take my trash every two weeks to the landfill, and it costs me $7 every time I go,” he said.

A motion by Letourneau to move forward with implementing the program without subsidizing the startup costs passed 7-1-1 with Randall opposed and Kershner absent. n

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Leesburg Crooked Run Presents Second Annual Mr. Leesburg Pageant

BY DANA ARMSTRONG

“We know that this is Leesburg with history all abound, so why not take a moment to check out the men in town?” asked the theme song for last year’s inaugural Mr. Leesburg Pageant. Well, it’s time to break out the formal wear and swim trunks again!

The second edition of the Mr. Leesburg Pageant, a Miss America-style charity pageant for men, returns to Leesburg’s Market Station on June 1. Hosted by Crooked Run Fermentation, the event will raise funds for LAWS: Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services.

For those who missed the event last year (aptly presented on April Fool’s Day), there’s some backstory to note. Bartenders and regulars of Crooked Run came up with the idea for the local men’s pageant. What started as a joke turned into a passion project meant to provide entertainment and betterment for the community.

The event raised over $6,550 last year, with Jared Nichols crowned as Mr. Leesburg, Mike Golino as Mr. Generosity, and Medhi Fadli as the runner-up. Costumes spanned from jack-o-lantern suits to Viking garb and talents included dancing with original choreography, reciting poetry, singing, and even making Starbucks Refreshers.

“Men’s pageants aren’t very popular and, although Mr. Leesburg is tongue in cheek, the time and effort the gentle-

men took in fundraising and preparation [last year] was amazing,” said Abby Devlin, a Crooked Run manager and the committee chair of the pageant.

“Even though it was a competition, the guys supported each other. They cheered on each other and were each other’s biggest fans. Their authentic joy was contagious, and we look forward to another year of it.”

This year’s pageant will continue to showcase Northern Virginia’s finest gen-

Rotary Club Presents Scholarships, Paul Harris Fellow Awards

The Rotary Club of Leesburg last week presented three Heritage High School students scholarships and recognized two key employees at Loudoun Hunger Relief for their extraordinary work in providing food to over 850 people each week. Selected from among 35 applications by the directors of the Rotary Club of Leesburg Perry Winston Scholarship Fund, Ara Tabasi, Yiarely Munoz Martinez, and Maisha Tasmi each received $15,000 scholarships. Tabasi and Munoz Martinez will be attending Virginia Tech and Tasmi will be pursuing her degree at Columbia.

The club has awarded student scholarships each year since 1986, supporting

92 students with over $626,000.

Additionally, the Rotary Club recognized special Paul Harris Fellows awards to non-Rotarians Loudoun Hunger Relief CEO Jennifer Montgomery and Community Care Associate Jaime Sanchez.

Harris founded Rotary in 1905 in Chicago, IL, as a way for members to give back to their communities through service and humanitarian projects. A Paul Harris Fellow is a Rotary member who has made significant contributions to their club and communities. The Rotary Club of Leesburg also occasionally recognizes those outside of Rotary who have made similar contributions. n

tlemen of all ages and backgrounds. This time around, contestants will be judged in four rounds: beach wear, summer formal, talent, and interview.

Using the Miss America pageant guidelines, the judges will award the title of “Mr. Leesburg” to the man they feel is the best role model for Leesburg and Northern Virginia. A second grand prize will be awarded to Mr. Generosity, the man who raises the most money for LAWS.

Winners can look forward to a sparkly

crown, sash, and box of goodies donated by area businesses.

To give the event added legitimacy, the panel of judges will be stacked with pageant experts as well as passionate community members. The titleholders of Miss Arlington and Miss Loudoun County, Emily Kinsey and Breana Turner, will be joined by representatives from pageant sponsors King Street Oyster Bar, Rockland Farm, and more.

According to Devlin, the judges will be looking for confidence, energy, charisma, entertainment value, style, and—above all—a commitment to social justice and the missions of the Mr. Leesburg pageant and LAWS.

The nonprofit organization celebrates its 40th year of providing services to Loudoun’s adults, youth, and children this year. By raising money for such an impactful organization, the event positions men as allies in the fight against sexual assault and domestic violence.

“Mr. Leesburg is for everyone. Organizers are volunteers passionate about creating a space where everyone can be authentic. We want people to talk about issues like domestic violence and sexual assault, and we want men to feel empowered to learn and act against it,” Devlin said.

Though the pageant highlights a

Photo by Dana Armstrong

2023 Mr. Leesburg winner Jared Nichols poses with other contestants in the inaugural pageant.

MR. LEESBURG continues on page 10

Rotary Club of Leesburg President Monika Irchenhauser present a Paul Harris award to Loudoun Hunger Relief Community Care Associate Jaime Sanchez.

Mr. Leesburg

continued from page 8

serious topic, the afternoon is sure to be full of fun and camaraderie for both contestants and the audience. Positioned outdoors in the area between Wild Hare Cider Cabin and Crooked Run Fermentation, guests are invited to enjoy a beer or cider while watching the entertainment.

“Big takeaways from 2023 were the community involvement from small businesses and individuals throughout Loudoun, and beyond. The event was really organized at a grassroots level with contributions from locals, and the fundraising success would not have been possible without those sponsors,” said Devlin.

“Another takeaway was the enthusiasm of the guys that participated.”

Registration and a $20 entry fee was due May 15.

For everyone else, the event is free and open to the public. Come out to bask in the summer sun with some cider, support a great cause, cheer on the contestants, and discover who will take the tiara for the next Mr. Leesburg.

The second annual Mr. Leesburg Pageant starts at noon on June 1 at Crooked Run’s Leesburg location, 205 Harrison

in the case of inclement weather. To learn more, make an individual donation, or apply to become a contestant, go to mrleesburg.com. n

Offering a large level yard, tons of trex decking and gazebo for all sorts of friends and family fun. A very desirable neighborhood. Just minutes to the silver line metro, walking distance to shopping, restaurants, short commute to airport and toll road. Don’t miss this amazing

St. SE. The event will be rescheduled

Photo by Dana Armstrong

Aaron Kilgore performs during the 2023 Mr. Leesburg Pageant at Crooked Run Brewing in Leesburg.

SCHOOL notebook Education

Four Extra Development Days Proposed for Required Teacher Training

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

During Tuesday night’s School Board meeting, board members were given an update on required teacher training, including the hours required and when training will be available.

According to a presentation by Chief Academic Officer Ashley Ellis, new training required under the Virginia Literacy Act, the adoption of new literacy curriculum required in the VLA and new math and reading Standards of Learning have added unprecedented amounts of training for various teacher groups. Ellis said kindergarten-eighth grade reading specialist must complete 27-54 hours, Language Arts teachers for grades sixth through eighth are required to compete 18-27 hours, grades six through eighth content teachers are required to complete 9-18 hours and finally specialty and resource teachers are required to complete 1-2 hours. The training modules won’t be available until September. Meanwhile, K-5 teachers must complete 18-27 hours, and Capstone course teachers are required to complete 3-4.5 hours. These modules will be available starting in June.

Ellis broke it down further by giving examples of different grade level teachers,

noting that a new third grade teacher would be required to complete up to 63 hours of required training, a new special education teacher would be required to complete 79.5 hours and a returning fifth grade teacher would be required to complete 56 hours of training.

The update was part of the division’s efforts to help teachers complete the required training before the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The division staff considered several options including 16 late start days, early release, additional pay for teachers to complete training on their own time, additional professional development days at the beginning of the school year putting the first day of school after Labor Day and a proposed four stand-alone professional development days—Oct. 4, Nov. 4, Jan. 28 and June 16—which would make the last day of school next year June 13.

Superintendent Aaron Spence Friday afternoon sent an email to parents with details about the plan. He said the days fall between weekends and holidays and are considered easier for families to adjust to according to community feedback.

The original plan, presented to the School Board May 14 for a proposed 16 late start days received pushback from parents and some School Board members

saying the plan would be too disruptive to families.

The division pivoted after receiving more than 2,000 responses to the plan three days after it was proposed to the School Board. Some responses included suggestions on how to solve the problem of the additional training facing teachers. Spence said in the email the suggestion was one of those proposed by parents.

During the discussion Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) asked about banked snow days. Chief Human Resources Director Lisa Boland said per state code, every student has to receive 180 days or 990 hours of instruction every year. Boland said the division exceeds that by 45 minutes every day if a student attends 180 days. She said the division’s practice is to have a fixed calendar which they have done for 30 years that helps students, teachers and staff plan their schedules. She said because of that, a natural byproduct of the schedule allows for inclement weather days.

Boland said under the proposed calendar change the student school calendar would be reduced by four days but said because of the 45 minutes extra each day, division students still meet the state requirement.

The board will vote on the plan June 11. n

Plans for 2 School Campus Cell Towers Postponed

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Two cell towers proposed to be built at River Bend Middle School and Dominion High School have been put on hold until the School Board revises and approves the policy that allows towers on school property.

After a May 21 discussion by the Finance & Operations Committee about the division’s policy that allows outside agencies to apply for and install cell towers on school property, committee member Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) said she didn’t want to talk about the new applications until the policy revisions were complete.

The suggestion and subsequent motion to table the items came after the staff agreed to tighten up language surrounding the circumstances that would allow the superintendent to bring cell tower

proposals to the board.

Mansfield wanted the policy to include language requiring the superintendent to consider the health, safety, and security considerations for students, staff and the surrounding community.

“I don’t want that to be one of those factors that we don’t have to satisfy. I want to be able to satisfy that,” she said.

The staff agreed and changed the language.

Mansfield then asked that the discussion of the proposed towers on school property be tabled until the policy was approved by the full board.

Committee Chair Arben Istrefi (Sterling) and Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) agreed and the motion passed unanimously.

TOWERS POSTPONED continues on page 16

Aldie Student Selected for Scholarship in Turkey

Lightridge High School and Academies of Loudoun senior Akhilesh Tammana was one of 540 students nationwide selected for a National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship this summer.

NSLI‐Y is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that promotes the study of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, or Turkish.

As part of the program, Tammana will live in Turkey with a host family and study Turkish while being immersed in the community and culture. One of the goals of the program is to enhance language learning and build mutual understanding.

Launched in 2006 as part of a multi-agency U.S. Government initiative, NSLI‐Y works to increase the number of young Americans with the critical language skills necessary to advance international dialogue, promote economic prosperity and innovation worldwide, and contribute to national security by building understanding across cultures, according to an announcement.

Many NSLI‐Y alumni go on to pursue education and careers vital to U.S. national security. Tammana plans to study mechanical engineering at Georgie Tech this fall.

Applications for NSLI‐Y programs are available at nsliforyouth. org each fall.

Student Chosen for 2024 NOVEC Youth Tour

Vaibhav Dwaraka, a sophomore at John Champe High School and the Academies of Loudoun, was one of three Northern Virginia students chosen by Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to be a delegate in the 2024 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour in Washington, DC.

The students, along with nearly 1,800 from across the nation, will spend a week in June learning about electric cooperatives, visiting historic sites, and museums and seeing the federal government in action, according to an announcement.

Students were chosen after completing an application that included references. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

The cell tower at Woodgrove High School was approved in 2022 and built by Milestone Towers on property owned by Loudoun County.

School-Based Money Largely Unspent Amid Teachers Asking for Help with Costs

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

About 88.3% of money given to individual schools for instructional and administrative uses—including for teacher classroom supplies—goes unspent, according to division administrators.

The report surprised School Board members, as many teachers still ask parents to help offset classroom costs.

The School Board’s Finance & Operations Committee on May 21 was briefed on the funding by members of the Department of Business and Financial Services.

Each year the division’s budget includes this funding as part of the school operating fund. For fiscal year 2025, it includes $8.4 million for schools to use at the discretion of the principals and teachers for their needs. However, according to the presentation, the vast majority of that funding in the past has not been spent, instead it is rolled into the division’s end-ofyear fund balance.

Director of Budget and Finance Analysis, Casey Jones said the money is given to each school at the beginning of the fiscal year. There are three ways the money can be used at the discretion of the school’s administration. The first is differentiated allotments, which is money geared to offset economic disadvantages for students, such as covering the cost of field trips or college application fees. The second is instructional allotments, items bought for educational purposes, including schoolwide supplies and professional development. Third is for teacher classroom supplies to offset their out of pocket expenses.

“[The third allotment] was a School Board initiative and priority added to FY2022 to free up of pocket expenses teachers face in setting up and maintaining classrooms,” he said.

New teachers get $250 and returning teachers get $100 every year to help with setting up and maintaining their classroom, in addition to having access to the other allotments given to their school.

Jones said, to date in FY2024, more than $750,000 has been given to schools. In FY2023, more than $5 million was spent directly on educational supplies with just under $1 million used for supplies like markers, painting supplies and pencils.

“While LCPS makes this school-based

funding available, it is the unfortunate reality that it is not fully utilized,” he said.

During fiscal years 2019, 2022 and 2023, 91.6% of instructional allotments were used, while only 56.4% of differentiated allotments were spent. For the classroom allotments available in fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 75.1% were used, leaving millions of dollars unspent. The presentation did not include amounts spent during the COVID years of 2020 and 2021 because Jones said those spending patterns were out of the norm.

According to Jones, in FY2025, $7.3 million has been set aside for instructional costs, $700,000 for teachers, and $400,000 for differentiated expenses, for a total of $8.4 million for all schools.

He said administrators actively encourage the schools to fully spend their allotments, but it doesn’t always happen.

Yet teachers still request help from parents.

Jones said his team did a review of Amazon wish lists in February and March from 54 division schools to get an idea of the cost of requests made by teachers. He said the review included all three school levels from all geographic regions of the county and included both Title One schools and non-Title One schools.

He said 618 school-based employees, most of them teachers, requested about 5,200 items totaling $276,000.

He said the most commonly requested category of items was consumables— markers, pencils, papers and tissues— items that are provided to schools through a contact with a vendor. Other requested items were games, furniture and other classroom materials.

The most requested item, more so than consumables, was elementary school books, followed by toys and games.

“To summarize a few points, the School Board’s adopted budget includes significant school based resources … to satisfy the unique educational needs of individual schools and communities. Schools have traditionally not fully utilized these allotments, essentially leaving money on the table that could have been used to address current needs,” he said.

Committee member Deana Griffiths asked why teachers were asking parents

MONEY UNSPENT continues on page 14

Panel Asks Full School Board for Guidance on Renaming Initiative

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

A School Board committee voted unanimously Tuesday to seek guidance from the full board on the renaming of division schools affiliated with people, places or ideals linked to slavery or the confederacy. The panel was reviewing a recommendation to potentially rename nine schools.

The decision came after staff members asked the Finance & Operations Committee on May 7 for direction on how it should proceed with nine school names that had been identified by the Black History Committee of the Friends of the Thomas Balch Library as needing a closer look. The schools were identified after the previous School Board in 2020 initiated action to look at school names and mascots to address concerns about systemic racism.

During a brief discussion May 21, Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) again asked for cost estimates of making the changes and was told the staff was still gathering that information. She asked fellow committee members Arben Istrefi (Sterling) and Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) to postpone sending a recommendation to the full board until they received answers.

Mansfield and Istrefi disagreed, saying they wanted to get direction from the board.

Istrefi, who did not attend the May 7 meeting, said he believed renaming the schools was the right thing to do based on the work that had been done and said he felt the board needed to make a decision and then work together to figure out the “how.”

“I think given the importance and the significance that this has for many in our community, just being able to potentially say that ‘hey we believe this is the right direction’ achieves a lot and I think the how,

Money unspent

continued from page 13

for donations if there was money given to each school and ultimately money left over.

“I think that highlights the challenge we discussed earlier,” Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby said. “It is frustrating when we see these wish lists go out and then we see the several hundreds of

Committee resulted in a recommendation in 2022 to consider changing the names of 10 schools from the first two phases of the review including four named for people and six for places. John Champe High School, named for a Revolutionary War cavalryman, was removed from the list Oct. 25, 2022 to allow for additional research by the Black History Committee.

The School Board also in October 2022 unanimously amended its school naming policy to, among other things, allow it to move forward with renaming the nine schools and to allow a renaming committee to choose to the keep the school’s name.

and how much it’s going to cost and what time period and how we then prioritize those projects is another question we have to be careful and deliberate about and intentional about and I see them as two separate things,” he said.

The committee agreed and opted to send it to the board for its input on how to proceed.

History Matters was hired in 2020 to look for schools named for Confederate leaders or the Confederate cause, people who lived in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries when slavery was part of the economic, cultural and political systems in Virginia, and any facilities named for individuals or movements that promoted segregation.

The initial name review was divided into three phases. Phase one was any

thousands of dollars that are left on the table each year.”

Willoughby said the division is taking a more proactive approach in communicating with schools and principals the need to spend all of the money by year’s end.

Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) said a common request she hears is the need for more printer paper.

Management and Coordination Director Brian Stocks said the division’s distribution center fulfills all paper request for

school that might meet the criteria. Phase two was for schools named after a person. Phase three was schools named for places, ideals or inanimate objects.

The nine schools up for potential renaming are Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School, Mercer Middle School, Emerick Elementary School, all named after people; Belmont Ridge Middle School, Belmont Station Elementary School, Seldens Landing Elementary School, Sully Elementary School, Hutchison Farm Elementary School, all named after places affiliated with slavery; and Ball’s Bluff Elementary School, named after a Civil War battle won by the Confederate Army.

The review determined there were no schools in Loudoun named after Confederate leaders or the Confederate cause. However, work by the Black History

the district throughout the year. He said they’ve never not filled an order. He suggested it might be coming from a school that consumes a lot of paper and the principal is trying to manage it.

Mansfield asked if the division could display online how much each school gets and how much is left in that allotment.

“I don’t want to call people out but at the same time I want parents to know that there are funds there that are available,” she said.

Town Hall meetings were held to in December 2022 to hear from the Mercer Middle School and Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School communities. The former board discussed appointing a renaming committee in February of last year for the two schools, which included a recommendation to keep the name of Mercer Middle School and create a permanent exhibit at the school to tell the history—both good and bad— of the school’s namesake. The board voted to postpone action until September 2023, but didn’t move forward with it before its term ended.

No schools have been renamed to date; however, Loudoun County High School’s mascot was changed in 2022 from the Raiders—a reference to John Mosby’s Confederate cavalry unit—to the Captains. That change cost the division about $1.5 million dollars, the committee was told at its May 7 meeting.

Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis suggested the board could pick up where the previous board left off, looking at schools in the first two phases of the review from the Black History Committee or hold community meetings to garner additional feedback.

The School Board’s next meeting is May 28, however it is unclear if it will discuss the issue at that time. n

Jones said it was not published publicly but said a report goes out regularly to let schools know.

Willoughby said she preferred to work with schools internally versus a public disclosure of numbers and said if they keep seeing money not being spent than they could look at other options.

Willoughby said unspent money from the school allotments is part of the $20.9 million in year-end funds the division is currently discussing how to spend. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Finance & Operations Committee members Arben Istrefi (Sterling) and Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) on May 21.

HILLSBORO’S OLD STONE SCHOOL

11 a.m.- 5 p.m.—TRAIL TALKS KID’S ACTIVITIES

ARTISANS ART SHOW FOOD LOCAL BEERS & WINE

Short Hill Mountain Boys 11:30 am

Justin Trawick & The Common Good 1:30 pm

Frank Solivan & Jillian Lea 3:30 pm

Shannon Bielski & Moonlight Drive 5:30 pm

Towers postponed

continued from page 12

During the meeting, two parents raised concerns about installing two 150-foottall cell towers at the schools.

Maryam Esfarjani, a parent, electrical engineer and biomedical engineer who has worked in the wireless communications industry asked the committee to postpone public hearings on the proposed towers until the fall and to consider the outdated FCC regulations regarding electromagnetic radiation.

“….[R]egulations regarding electromagnetic radiation are from 1996. There are all much newer frequency bands that have been added. These have not been studied. And I can attest to the fact that there is an inadequate amount of research done to ensure safety of exposure to our children,” she said adding she been an expert witness in court electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell sites.

She asked the division to not only postpone discussion until the fall when more parents could attend public hearings and be engaged, but to also inform parents at schools that feed into the proposed schools.

She offered to help the division work with the wireless carriers to find a solution that improves coverage and minimizes radiation to students.

Arman Mozahebi, a communications engineer and parent of a Dominion High School student, echoed Esfarjani’s comments, saying the new 6G spectrum hasn’t been studied enough for safety.

“My major point is going to be they can cover that area with the existing sites that they have,” he said.

Both parents said they were speaking on behalf of other parents who were concerned about the towers being built at schools.

Currently, there are two towers on school-owned properties, at Rock Ridge High School and Mickie Gordon Memorial Park. Another tower located at Woodgrove High School is placed on county-owned property at the school.

A proposal to build a 150-foot-tall tower at Freedom High School in 2022 by Milestone Towers was denied by members of the previous Finance & Operations Committee after parents expressed similar concerns.

Community meetings were held by Milestone Towers on May 13 at River Bend Middle School and May 20 at Dominion High School.

For more information on the projects go to lcps.org/Page/227914. n

Loudoun First Graders Honor Fallen Through Memorial Day Curriculum, Activity

BY SAM DOUGLAS

Loudoun County elementary school students this year had the opportunity to learn more about Memorial Day and pay tribute to Loudoun’s fallen service members through a business partnership with Flags of Valor.

The partnership called for an enriched curriculum around the holiday and gave the students a hands on opportunity to say “thank you” by making a wooden flag created by Flags of Valor and donated by AFCOM Potomac board member Jennifer Andos and other community members.

To deepen students’ learning, first graders at Legacy Elementary School and 36 other schools were given flag kits on May 22. Legacy set up tables in its cafeteria for students to have some out-of-the-classroom fun along with their math and reading “buddies” in the fifth grade.

Legacy Elementary School is designated as a Purple Star School by the Virginia Department of Education, meaning that it has shown commitment toward students and their families connected to the military.

The flag kits were made by Flags of Valor, founded originally in Loudoun by veteran Brian Steorts in 2015. The company’s goal is to give back through patriotic

goods and raising money for organizations that support veterans. Steorts was present at Legacy, helping students construct their flags.

“To be able to pass freedom on and patriotism on to the next generation through an activity and educational lesson is really important to us,” Steorts said.

Steorts served in both the Army and Air Force according to the company’s website.

Over 3,100 first graders countywide colored and assembled small wooden flags, then wrote and glued a note to veterans to the back of the flag. At Legacy, the flags will be displayed around the school before being donated to the Boulder Crest Foundation, an organization that treats veterans with Post-traumatic stress disorder at a retreat in Bluemont.

Also attending the event was Purple Heart recipient Col. Thomas Smith, who served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot. Smith, whose daughter is a reading specialist at Legacy, was one of several veterans recognized by Principal Kirsten O’Hara at the end of the activity.

“I’m here to honor and participate in Memorial Day,” Smith said. “We can relate to this younger generation that [the] day is not just a day off. It’s a day to remember

the people who have died so that we could have the freedoms that we have.”

Renée Dawson, the director of Teaching and Learning and Community Connections and Programs for Loudoun County Public Schools, was instrumental in facilitating the program. The partnership between the division and Flags of Valor took more than two years to come to fruition, and was possible with the support of AFCOM Potomac and other supporting businesses. The result, Dawson said, is a great tool to deepen the kids’ learning and engage the community.

“I’m so proud of this event because it is a community experience. It’s tied to our learning. It honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. And we’re doing it together,” Dawson said.

The event, officially called Together in Remembrance, looks to continue for years to come as division aims for students to be aware of the lives lost and honored on Memorial Day.

“As long as we remember them, they will never be forgotten,” Smith said.

Sam Douglas is a senior at Woodgrove High School and is participating in a capstone project with Loudoun Now.  n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Flags of Valor founder Brian Steorts stands with Legacy Elementary students after making wooden flags for veterans. The company made the flag kits for the students with funding provided by AFCOM and other business partnerships with the school division.

Public Safety Leesburg Police Seek Suspects in AT&T Burglary

Aldie Fentanyl Dealer Pleads Guilty to 3 Felonies

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN Agustin@loudounnow.org

A 24-year-old Aldie man pleaded guilty Thursday to two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one felony count of having a firearm by a convicted felon.

Austin Shin was arrested in January, when investigators seized thousands of fentanyl pills, a handgun and ammunition, more than $6,000 in cash, and 10.2 ounces of marijuana from his home. He initially faced 11 charges, including distribution of fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism. An agreement between Shin and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office resulted in Shin waiving his right to preliminary hearings for three charges while prosecutors agreed not to pursue the remaining charges.

Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher accepted the guilty plea during a May 23 hearing. Shin is scheduled to be

sentenced Sept. 5.

The possession with intent to distribute charges carry the heaviest penalties with the possibility of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for each conviction. Shin also could face up to two additional years in prison and a $2,500 fine for possession of a firearm by a nonviolent offender.

Shin’s prior criminal history includes convictions of grand larceny and marijuana possession, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in 2018, marijuana distribution in 2019, a probation or parole violation in 2019, a felony firearm violation in 2023, and a probation or parole violation in 2023.

Shin’s attorney asked that a youthful offender evaluation and a Community Corrections Alternative Program assessment be done to see if Shin qualified for an alternative program to incarceration. n

The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a burglary at the AT&T Store in the Village at Leesburg. Investigators are looking for four suspects.

According to the report, officers responded to an alarm at the store at approximately 4:40 a.m. May 22. Upon arrival, they discovered that the front glass door of the business was broken, and items were taken.

The suspects fled the scene before the officers’ arrival.

The department released images of the suspects captured by security cameras.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the burglary or who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to contact Detective J. Nicodemus at 703-771-4500 or 703-771-6417. Detective Nicodemus can also be reached by email at jnicodemus@leesburgva.gov. n

Loudoun County Sheriff

Austin Shin

Nest & Nook Opens in Purcellville

BY JORDAN MONROE

Purcellville’s 21st Street has a new addition. Nest & Nook, a local book and home goods store where you can also enjoy a cup of coffee, opened its doors Saturday.

The ribbon cutting was attended by Mayor Stanley. J. Milan, Vice Mayor Erin Rayner and other community members.

Nest & Nook is a home goods store and coffee shop that sells locally sourced baked goods, coffee, books, furniture and decor. Inside, visitors are greeted by a homey atmosphere with couches, chairs and throw blankets. The store also includes a children’s seating area where the kids can enjoy a screen-free zone with books and games.

During Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Milan said the shop enhances Purcellville’s hometown charm by having a place for the community to come together and relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. He said the opening was a step in rebuilding 21st Street, which helps bring in more tourism. He also noted the shop’s proximity to the W&OD Trail, saying it is the perfect spot for riders who want to stop and have a quick cup of coffee before hopping back on their bikes.

Owner Danielle Renken’s inspiration to open the store began when she was growing up and visiting her grandparents in Massachusetts. Her grandfather would take her to Pete’s General Store, and she always remembered the trips she took with him. When her grandfather met with other locals in town, she explored the store looking for fun things to purchase. He would also grab a coffee and bring goods back home to her grandmother.

“I loved the community feel of the general store and so I’ve always wanted to

recreate that,” Renken said.

The meaning behind “Nest” in the name comes from the store offering things for the home like homemade quilts, furniture, wall art, trinkets, and more made by several different artisans. The store also offers a student program for budding artists and entrepreneurs to sell their products. Currently, there is one student selling her products in the store. The “Nook” part of the name comes from having a little place to sit and enjoy a coffee or tea with a friend and relax.

Renken’s previous business ventures include owning and managing retail merchandise and establishing her own marketing firms.

She said, as a mother raising her children, it is a struggle to find a gift locally when there is a birthday party or other occasion in town and she really wanted to bring that to Purcellville.

Currently, Nest & Nook has a partnership with Nespresso for all its espresso drinks. They plan to bring in a locally sourced drip coffee in the next few weeks. For its baked goods, the shop partnered up with area bakers, including Paramore Cookies and “The Difference Baker,” which offer allergen- and gluten-free and vegan friendly treats from cookies and muffins to brookies. Even if shoppers don’t have any allergies or dietary restrictions, they are worth trying, Renken said.

The shop is also offering two specialty drinks—a hot drink called “The Raven,” made with dark chocolate, and an iced drink called “The Phoenix” made with vanilla. Both drinks are named after books and birds, a nod to the Nest & Nook name. Nest & Nook is located at 140 N. 21st St. n

Jordan Monroe/Loudoun Now

Nest & Nook owner Danielle Renken, right, Purcellville Mayor Stanley J. Milan, Vice Mayor Erin Rayner and Teresa Wheeler pose for a photo at the shop’s ribbon cutting May 25.

AROUND towns Towns

After Permit Denial, Johnson Challenges Middleburg’s Short-Term Rental Regs

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Town of Middleburg’s effort to limit the proliferation of whole-house shortterm rentals is being challenged in a lawsuit filed by Sheila Johnson.

The Town Council on April 25 denied a special use permit for Johnson to use a home built in her Salamander Resort as a short-term rental. The town’s ordinance is intended to require that homes be used primarily as occupied residences to qualify for a permit to rent them out for up to 180 days per year.

The 44-page, seven-count lawsuit filed Friday in Loudoun County Circuit Court challenges the town’s owner-occupancy requirement, in part arguing that the town is incorrectly interpreting the term ”residential” in its application of the standard.

Johnson’s representatives told the council she built the home for a family member who later decided not to move there. At the same meeting, the council denied a short-term rental permit for another home in the resort that remains unoccupied by the owner. That same night, permits were granted for a third home in the resort allowing the owner to rent the property out for up to 90 days per year, and for a Wash-

ington Street home allowing up to 60 days of rentals per year.

“The Town Council fails to recognize that the ‘use’ of a property includes not only ‘[t]he activity or function that actually takes place” on a lot, but also the activity of function that ‘is intended to take place on a lot,’” the lawsuit states. “Thus, even during times when Ms. Johnson’ home might be vacant, the intended use of her home does not convert from residential to non-residential.”

The lawsuit argues that short-term rentals qualify as residential use and occupancy.

The filing also claims the town’s regulations violate the federal Dormant Commerce Clause by restricting interstate commerce, the council treated Johnson’s application differently than others that it approved, the council lacked reasoned decision-making, the council was too vague in stating the reasons for denial, and that basing the decision on the town’s Comprehensive Plan was unreasonable.

The lawsuit asks the court to reverse the council’s denial.

In a statement issued Tuesday, town leaders expressed confidence their regulations and the council’s actions would be upheld.

“Town’s zoning regulations related to short-term rentals were adopted in 2016 after significant deliberation in order to protect the Town from the impacts of transient visitors, large gatherings, and commercial uses in residential areas. The Town’s regulations only allow consideration of a shortterm rental as a secondary use of a dwelling that is primarily occupied as a residence,” according to the statement. “The Town Council’s intent in adopting this particular regulation was clear that no home shall be used either exclusively for, or primarily for, short-term rental use. The Town Council is confident that its decision was made fairly and in accordance with the law.”

No hearings have been scheduled for what is expected to be a lengthy court process should the case move forward.

While declining to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit, Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Collection, said the litigation should not impact the long-standing partnership between the resort and the town.

“Salamander has always had an excellent relationship with the Town of Middleburg, and we will continue to work closely with the town’s council members and staff for the benefit of the community,” he said. n

Dirt Farm Brewing Opens Ridgetop Hiking Trails

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

For nearly nine years, patrons have made their way up to Dirt Farm Brewery to take in its striking ridgetop views and creative craft beers.

Now, they can go even higher.

Owners Bruce and Janell Zurchmeide have opened more than three miles of hiking trails that wind though the 800-acre Blue Ridge property, another expansion of the family’s decades-long efforts to encourage more people to connect with agriculture and nature.

“It’s another cool experience for our customers,” Janell said. “It stays on brand with what our farm offers. We want people to come out, exhale, sweat a little bit

and get a little activity.”

The project builds on the brewery’s “Dirt Don’t Hurt” philosophy that brings people close to nature and creates a special sense of place through a family farming tradition that started with pick-yourown operations at Great Country Farm and now spans three decades and includes four generations, a winery, a brewery, a cidery and events spaces.

The trail—and its 400-foot elevation change from 800 to 1,220 feet—is just the latest fitness challenge at the brewery, which also hosts yoga sessions, 5K and 10K races, and its daunting pre-Thanksgiving hill climb up the property’s steep driveway.

Bruce Zurchmeide said they’ve been working on the trail project for about a

LOVETTSVILLE

Fiber Installation Begins in Downtown

Dominion Energy plans to begin installing fiber in the downtown area surrounding the Town Commons, Town Square and West Broad Way this week.

Safety crews will be in place to reroute traffic and drivers should expect delays in the vicinity. Construction is expected to last a few weeks.

PURCELLVILLE

Cannons Kick Off Season

The Purcellville Cannons collegiate baseball team kicks off the season with its first official game Friday night at 7 p.m. at Fireman’s Field.

The team is squaring up against the Winchester Royals and boasting a roster with players from as far away as Tokyo, Japan and as close as Purcellville itself.

Community members will have the chance to meet the players one-on-one at the Purcellville Pub Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Game tickets can be bought at the gate or online at purcellvillecannons.com. Family season passes are also available.

year.

“This first trail is three and a half miles, but there might be 10 miles of trails up there that we haven’t touched,” he said.

And while the trails are only open to hikers—and their leashed dogs—the couple hopes to include opportunities for mountain bikers in the future.

The private trail will be open during business hours. Hikers may use it for free with the hope that they will support the brewery by grabbing a meal from the Kitchen Workshop or enjoy a pint. Users also may donate to help support trail maintenance by using a QR code posted at the trailhead.

Dirt Farm Brewing is located at 18701 Foggy Bottom Road near Bluemont. Learn more at dirtfarmbrewing.com. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Janell and Bruce Zurchmeide have opened a 3.5-mile hiking trail above their Dirt Farm Brewery near Bluemont, offering their patrons one more way to connect with the rural environment.

Towns Celebrate ‘Unofficial Start of Summer’

LOVETTSVILLE

Marine Corps League Detachment 1205 member Jerry Driscoll presents a commemorative wreath during Lovettsville’s Memorial Day Ceremony May 27. The event also featured a performance of patriotic songs by the town’s elementary school fifth grade chorus, taps, and a keynote address by Commander Brett P. Reistad. Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

ROUND HILL

Round Hill’s Hometown Festival celebrated its 20th year on Saturday with a full slate of family activities. The day’s events included a 5K race and parade, a Memorial Day ceremony, a pie-eating contest, a downhill derby and concerts.

PURCELLVILLE

Purcellville residents gathered at the town’s tear drop intersection on Main Street, 20th Street and Nursery Avenue to commemorate military service members killed in action May 27. Both Mayor Stanley J. Milan and Police Department Sgt. and veteran Paul Kakol spoke earlier in the ceremony at the Town Hall. Taps was performed by volunteer fire company life member Rick Reaves and the ceremony also included a gun salute and ceremonial wreath laying.

HAMILTON

Sam Douglas/Loudoun Now

Hamilton celebrated its community spirit on Monday, starting off with a family friendly Mighty Miler race with over 200 participants joining in the early morning run. The Hamilton Day parade began at 11 a.m. and traveled down East Colonial Highway, ending at Lowry’s Crab Shack. Parade participants included Crumbl Cookie, the Blue Ridge Middle School Theater Department, the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and more.  A party in the town park, running from noon to 2 p.m. welcomed all Hamiltonians, as well as residents of the surrounding areas. Free ice cream from Hamilton Baptist Church, a giant bouncy slide, balloon animals, and more were offered to partygoers.

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Ali Elliott/Loudoun Now

LIVE MUSIC

JEREMIAH PROPHETT

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

JOJO BAYLISS

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30

Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen, 1 N. King St., Leesburg. eatatrebellion.com

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com

JOJO BAYLISS

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31

The Dell, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. atthedell.com

NIGHTRAIN

7 p.m. Friday, May 31

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $20 to $50. tallyhotheater.com

BETHANY GATES

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

MARK CULLINANE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

DAVE MININBERG

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

ALEX KERNS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com

CHRIS BOWEN

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

Shane Gamble: The Best is Yet to Come

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

He did, thinking he had nothing to lose.

radio station.

Maryland native Shane Gamble has been a staple in the Loudoun County music scene for nearly 20 years, playing at venues from Bluemont to Middleburg and Ashburn to Sterling.

“I told him, ‘If I can’t break this song, I think I’m done. I’ve done 250 shows this year,’” he said.

But then nothing happened, at least that is what he thought.

His voice has been compared to a mix of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, with equal parts soul, rock, country and a little bit of ’90s grunge. He cites Petty as one of his biggest influences.

A few months later as he was picking up his daughter from preschool another dad recognized him and said he had just heard his song on the satellite radio channel.

When the singer-songwriter first emerged on the scene, he said he started as a rock singer following the sounds of 1990s bands like Dave Mathews Band, the Wallflowers and Matchbox 20 with his first two albums heavily influenced by the rock bands.

Gamble said he always loved music, writing his first song at 16, but said he never really thought about doing it for a career.

“I never had the aspiration to make a living playing music. I thought it would be something else. Then I graduated college and started playing gigs,” he said. “When I first started, I thought it was cool, I had one gig a week then two.”

He began playing three to four shows a week, sometimes traveling 50 miles away, then coming home and working as a substitute teacher in a nearby school division.

He decided with that many shows a week, he would do it full time and stepped away from subbing.

His third album, a self-titled, 12-song collection released in 2011 featured his breakout song “Turn My Way” and had more of a country feel to it.

“I wrote this song, and it really kind of had something. It had that special thing you look for in a song, where when you write it it’s like, ‘oh man, this is really connecting with me,’” he said.

It not only connected with Gamble, but with thousands of fans across the United States as it was played in heavy rotation on Sirius XM’s country station The Highway.

But that success took some time.

He said he wrote it in 35 minutes in an empty townhouse in Frederick, MD, as he and his wife were moving into a new home. He pitched the song to several producers, including Rick Beato, who called him from Atlanta and told him he thought the song was a hit and wanted to produce it.

After trying to get the song on every radio format for over a year, Gamble said he was ready to give up, but his manger convinced him to talk to a publicist in New York who mostly worked with hard rock artists.

“I didn’t believe him, so I turned on The Highway and there was my song playing on the biggest country station in the world,” he said.

Gamble’s song reached a worldwide audience and he had 16 year olds post-

Undeterred, he said he took what he made from his single and kept producing music, recording a song that was written by a friend that went to number 38 on the Billboard charts—a pretty amazing feat from an unsigned artist without the money and power backing him—and went on a nationwide tour between 2016 and 2018 while still doing regional shows and writing songs for his next album.

When his tour ended, Gamble went back to his roots of playing at wineries and breweries in Loudoun. Then COVID-19 hit and everything stopped not only in the entertainment industry but all over the world.

He said he remembers playing his

ing on Twitter that they wanted to marry his voice.

The publicist put the wheels in motion to get his song on the radio and it wound up on The Highway as a “Highway find” where it climbed the charts, topping out a number one. Gamble moved to Nashville, as an unsigned artist and worked to put out more songs and albums.

Despite watching his song climb the charts and do well for over a year, things happened behind the scenes at the recording studio he was working with. Eventually the person who was greenlighting Gamble’s projects was fired and one by one, people who had supported him disappeared. In time, his song was no longer played on the satellite

last show in March 2020 at Bear Chase Brewery. The next week everything was shut down.

He said during the pandemic he engaged with fans through live streamed concerts and writing sessions and has released 13 songs since 2020 with a focus on getting back to his roots as a singer-songwriter and not writing for a label or country radio like he said he did for his fourth album, “American Heart.”

He released a 16-track album in 2023 called “Night Like This” and several singles over the past few years including, “Forgiveness” and “Promise Land” in

Contributed Shane Gamble

Shane Gamble performs live at an outdoor venue.

SHANE GAMBLE continues on page 25

WHY I LOVE LOUDOUN Louisa Rice

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Louisa Rice studied law and worked for a while in California before moving to Loudoun in 2019, initially to grow vegetables. During COVID, she started working with horses and in 2022 established Dark Spring Stables outside Purcellville, running backroad horse trail rides for tourists to Walsh Family Wine and Old 690 Brewing Company.

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN LOUDOUN?

LO VE Loudoun Why We

Regional Park on the banks of the Potomac in Leesburg. If the water is low enough you can climb down and walk among the trees and explore. It’s never crowded and has a great history surrounding it.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR A CRAFT BEVERAGE?

King Street Oyster Bar. The restaurant always has fresh oysters on the half shell and the oyster menu changes seasonally based on where the best, freshest oysters are. There are usually some from Cape Cod or Nantucket near where I grew up. It’s nice to have a taste of home so close.

There are so many, it really depends on the mood I’m in and how far I’m willing to travel. Old 690 Brewing and Walsh Family Wine are in riding distance from the farm, and I guide trail rides there but it’s a personal goal to visit every winery and brewery in the county.

BEST HIDDEN GEM IN LOUDOUN?

The waterfall on the Phillip’s Farm walking trail in Waterford. The trail itself is beautiful and the waterfall is deep enough to jump and swim in. I found it when I first moved to Loudoun and was looking for places to walk my dog, Dionysus.

A MUST-SEE PLACE FOR AN OUT-OFTOWN VISITOR?

Red Rock Wilderness Overlook

FAVORITE EVENT IN LOUDOUN TO GO TO?

Polo in the Park at the equestrian center in Morven Park. You get to see incredible athletes and fearless horses. The vendors are all local and it’s a great experience for families who want to try something new.

HOW MANY HORSES DO YOU HAVE?

I own five but I also board horses. I work with Serenity Equine Rescue occasionally fostering horses (and more recently a donkey) for them. The number at the farm always changes but I love them all.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL STOPS ON YOUR TRAILS AND HOW LONG ARE THEY?

Most trails are about an hour and a half to two hours. The standard trail is the shortest with no actual stops, but I give a history lesson about my farm and the wider Hillsboro area. The Old 690 Brewing and Walsh Family Wine trails are longer because we hang out at each location and let the horses get spoiled with treats and affection, The ice cream trail to the Moo Thru in Hillsboro is seasonal, when the truck is open. Mayor Vance allows us to ride on the sidewalk and behind the Old Stone School right up to the Moo Thru. People love driving down the road and seeing horses and the horses love the attention. They even get ice cream sometimes!

LOVE LOUDOUN continues on page 26

Courtesy of Visit Loudoun Louisa Rice

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 22

JIM STEELE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Luckett. vanishbeer.com

RYAN FRANKO

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

KERRY MCCOOL

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

MICHELLE SWAN

5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

PERSONAL MOOSE

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 31

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

ROBERT HOEY

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

SHARIF

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DANIEL MENSH

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

LILLIAN HACKETT

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

MIXED GREENS

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

SOMETHING COUNTRY

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. vanishbeer.com

PATTY REEE

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

LOST CORNER

VAGABONDS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1

868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

NIGHTRAIN

Friday, May 31, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Nightrain returns to Leesburg to lead fans in a rocking celebration of Guns N Roses.

RED CLAY JAZZ

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

GREG RYMAN AND BILL BOWMAN

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JOE DOWNER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

RYAN SILL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

KEN KEMP

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

DENNIS WAYLAND

2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

KEVIN HENNESSEY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

ANTHONY SEMIAO

2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Forever Farm and Vineyard, 15779 Woodgrove Road, Purcellville. foreverfarmandvineyard.com

MELANIE PEARL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Chrysalis Vineyards at The Ag District, 39025 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysaliswine.com

BEST BETS

DOC MARTEN AND THE FLANNELS

Saturday, June 1, 6 p.m. Tarara Winery tararaconcerts.com

Enjoy a night of ‘90s music favorites on the Shadow Lake stage at Tarara Winery.

DREAM & THE COSMOS

Sunday, June 2, 3 p.m. St. David’s Episcopal Church loudounsymphony.org

The LSO closes its 2023-2024 season with music from Star Wars and all movements of Gustav Holst’s The Planets.

CALEB HACKER

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

STEVE AND FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

LAURA CASHMAN

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

VINYL HORIZON

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com

JIM STEELE

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

SCOTT KURT

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

SHADE TREE COLLECTIVE

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

FEEHAN BROTHERS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

FREDDIE LONG DUO

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

JOSH HUGHETT/JULIA DIGRAZIA

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DOC MARTEN AND THE FLANNELS

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Tarara Summer Concert Series, 13648 Tarara Lane, Luckett. $25 tararaconcerts.com

JACKIE AND THE TREEHORNS

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Ocelot Brewing Company, 23600 Overland Dr., Ashburn. ocelotbrewing.com

JOHN KRAMER

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1

The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com

GABE MATTHEWS BAND

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

THE REAGAN YEARS

7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $20 to $50. tallyhotheater.com

SO FETCH

7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Loudoun Station, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn. loudounstation.com

JESSE TERRY

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Unitarian Universalist of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive Sterling. jesseterrymusic.com

CHRIS TIMBERS

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

DIAMOND ALLEY

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

BLUE BOTTLENECK

BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Luckett. vanishbeer.com

JB BROWN

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DEREK KRETZER & FRIENDS

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

BRIAN HARRIS

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

PATTY REESE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

JULIANA MACDOWELL AND MIKE AULT

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

LAURA CASHMAN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

FREDDIE LONG DUO

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvetgap.com

SUMMER & ERIC

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

MELISSA QUINN FOX

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauvineyards.com

JASON MASI

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Mt. Defiance Cider Barn, 495 E.

Washington St., Middleburg. mtdefiance.com

DEANE KERN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

MEISHA HERRON

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

SCOTT KURT

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

KATE ELIZABETH

3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 2 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

SHANE GAMBLE

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 2 The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com

MELISSA QUINN

FOX TRIO

5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 Buchanan Hall, 8549 John S. Mosby Highway, Upperville. buchananhall.org

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

FIREKITE MUSIC

7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 One Loudoun, 20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn. downtownoneloudoun.com

MIKE KUSTER

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

HAPPENINGS continues on page 25

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 24

JUSTIN SUEDE

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 6

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

HOLLY MONTGOMERY

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 6 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg

HAPPENINGS

HELLO HIVE!

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 6

Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. heritagefarmmuseum.org

SCREEN SIRENS: LEADING ACTRESSES IN GOLDEN AGE

HOLLYWOOD

6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30 Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. library.loudoun.gov/Cascades

MIDDLEBURG FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1

Middleburg Town Hall, 10 W. Marshall St., Middleburg. middleburgva.gov

LOVE, 5K RACE

9:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Far Bungalow Farm, 42517 Farm Lane, Leesburg. $25 to $30. kkbrady.com

COMMUNITY FIELD DAY

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. facebook.com/ douglasscommunitycenter

AVFRD 5K WALK/RUN

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Dynasty Brewing, 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn. $40. Ashburnfirerescue.org

MR. LEESBURG PAGEANT

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1 205 Harrison St. SE., 205 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. mrleesburg.com

ONE PLANET, ONE COMMUNITY ICE SHOW

4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Ion Areana, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $30. ionareana.com

HILLSBORO FARMERS MARKET

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. oldstoneschool.org

REMEMBERING D-DAY

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2

George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor, 312 E. Market St., Leesburg. georgecmarshall.org

LOUDOUN PRIDE FESTIVAL

1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. $5. loudounpride.org

LOUDOUN SYMPHONY: DREAMS & THE COSMOS

3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2

St. David’s Episcopal Church and School, 43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. $35. loudounpride.org

STOP THE BLEED WORKSHOP

5 p.m. to June 5, 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 4 Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg. inova.org

HISTORY OR HOGWASH: YOU BE THE JUDGE

6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6

Selma Mansion, 16119 Garriland Drive, Leesburg. $40. loudounmuseum.org

Shane Gamble

continued from page 22

2022 and “Indiana Sunset” in 2024.

He also began booking heavily at area venues once things started opening up again.

Gamble said he loves to play in Loudoun because of the venues, the atmosphere and the people.

“There are so many little boroughs in Loudoun. You can play in Ashburn and it’s like its own little submarket, then you go to Middleburg and its totally different. There are so many people here and it’s

a great place to do a large volume of shows,” he said.

Gamble said he has no regrets from his time in Nashville and continues to see the blessing in being able to perform for a living while juggling his job of being a husband and father to two girls.

“Whether I do it signed to a major record company or not, If I’m playing music for a living and getting to play for fans every day that is where it is at for me. I have no regrets, I’m still enjoying it and I still love it,” he said. “The best is yet to come.”

Hear Gamble’s work and see his latest show schedules at shanegamble.com. n

Loudoun Pride Festival Planned Sunday

The third annual Loudoun Pride Festival will be held June 2 at Claude Moore Park from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This year’s festival features three stages with over a dozen performers, including Uncle Drew and the Scoundrels, Palmyra, and the Lauren Reedy Experience on the main stage; Laurie Blue, Felix Pickles and Starryville on the Jack Daniels stage; and an animal show, Bach to Rock and Steve the Magician on the family stage.

The main stage will also feature a reading of the Loudoun Pride Month

Proclamation, awards and keynote speaker, poet Christopher Thomas.

This year also sees the return of Dragstravaganza—a family-friendly PG-rated drag show that includes four performers.

The family area will have inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses, face painting, a balloon artist, crafts, activities and more. Free activities include axe throwing, a wreck it rage room, medical health screening and more.

Over 20 food and alcohol vendors will be on hand, including three local breweries and wineries and desserts. And there

will also be over 150 local and regional businesses and nonprofits on hand, crafts, shopping and outreach.

Another new feature launched this year is an interactive festival map that will be live May 28, according to Equality Loudoun.

Tickets are $5 and are required to enter the festival. They may be purchased at loudounpride.org. A limited number will be available at the event. Each ticket is a donation to a 501(c)3 charity fighting for advocacy and equality in Northern Virginia and beyond. n

Love Loudoun

continued from page 23

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO ON A RIDE AT ONE TIME?

Currently, the most I can have on a trail is five. I’m looking for another horse or two to add to the group, but I prefer my groups smaller. It allows us to have actual conversations and not have to ride in a straight line. It also allows for a little more freedom with the horses if the riders are feeling confident.

ARE YOU ALWAYS THE GUIDE?

Yes. I really enjoy leading the trails as it allows me to share what I love with people who wouldn’t normally have access to a horse. The horse I use depends on the riders I have. I like to pair people with horses I think they would do well with.

HOW MANY VISITORS DO YOU GET A YEAR–AND DO THEY ALL KNOW HOW TO RIDE?

This is only my third season, but I’ve been getting more guests each year. Most of the people who come for a ride have little or no experience but everyone I take out is fun to ride with. I get to meet new people all the time and share what I love with them.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE HORSES WHEN YOU ARE AT THE WINERY OR BREWERY?

They usually just hang out. I tie up their reins and because they are so kidand-dog-friendly they like to chill. People ask all the time why they just stay there. I say the same thing every time: they live a good life, like what they do and they get snacks and attention. What’s not to love?

WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO RIDE?

I started when I was very young and just never gave it up. That being said, learning to ride and working with a trainer is an ongoing process. There’s never a limit to the amount you can learn and while I do start young horses and give them a good foundation, I also work with a trainer.

JUNE IS NATIONAL GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH AND JUNE 5 IS NATIONAL TRAILS DAY–HOW SHOULD PEOPLE IN LOUDOUN CELEBRATE?

Book a trail ride with me! If you can’t do that, I suggest any of the amazing trail locations in Loudoun. We even have the Appalachian Trail. Explore it and learn its history! n

Visit Loudoun strives to bring tourists to the county, but locals can be tourists, too. In this series we ask Loudoun residents to tell us about the joys, secrets and delights of their own backyard. Discover something new and share your local adventure with Visit Loudoun using #loveloudoun.

Loudoun Now

The first-ever Loudoun Pride Festival was held in 2022 at Claude Moore Park.

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will conduct a public hearing during its work session on Thursday, June 13 ,2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia. The items proposed for public hearing during this work session are as follows:

LEGI-2023-0038, GOOSE CREEK VILLAGE WEST:

ZMAP-2022-0013, SPEX-2022-0034, ZMOD-2022-0046, ZMOD-2022-0047, ZMOD-2022-0048, ZMOD-2022-0049, ZMOD-2023-0030, ZMOD-20230044, ZMOD-2023-0045, & ZMOD-2023-0047 (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, and Zoning Modifications)

Goose Creek Commercial LLC has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 20 acres of land located west of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) on the north side of Sycolin Road (Route 625) and east side of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN 153-17-2472-000, Tax Map # /78/U/1////AL/. For ZMAP-2022-0013, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit) Zoning District in order to permit 221 residential dwelling units, including 103 single-family attached dwelling units, 46 multifamily stacked dwelling units, and 72 multifamily attached dwelling units. For SPEX2022-0034, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum lot width for single-family attached units, and reduce the minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for single-family attached, multifamily stacked, and multifamily attached dwelling units. For ZMOD-2022-0046, ZMOD-2022-0047, ZMOD-20220048, ZMOD-2022-0049, ZMOD-2023-0030, ZMOD-2023-0044, ZMOD-2023-0045, & ZMOD-20230047, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: allow dwelling units to front onto open space instead of a street, increase the maximum number of single-family attached dwelling units from eight to ten dwelling units per building, increase the maximum building height from 45 feet to 50 feet for single-family attached buildings, increase the maximum building height from 45 feet to 55 feet for multifamily stacked buildings, increase the maximum building height from 45 feet to 60 feet for multifamily attached buildings, reduce the minimum building setback from Sycolin Road from 75 feet to 15 feet, provide a Type 1 Road Corridor Buffer instead of a Type 2 Road Corridor Buffer along Sycolin Road, eliminate the street tree requirement along the garage side of private streets, eliminate the required Type 1 Buffer requirement along the garage side of private streets, reduce the minimum building setback from 150 to 75 feet and minimum parking setback from 100 to 35 feet from the Dulles Greenway, eliminate the required Type B Buffer adjacent to a portion of the larger property to remain in the PD-OP (Planned Development – Office Park) Zoning District, and reduce the minimum lot width for single-family attached end units from 22 feet to 19 feet. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0083, TRAILSIDE PARK:

CMPT-2023-0009 & SPEX-2023-0020

(Commission Permit and Special Exception)

Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV has submitted applications for a commission permit and special exception on a 20.22-acre property located south of Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and west of Claiborne Parkway (Route 901) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 20375 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN 115-171969-000, Tax Map # /79/J11////PK/. The Subject Property is zoned PD-H4 (Planned Development –Housing 4) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance). For CMPT-2023-0009, the applicant seeks a commission permit per the Zoning Ordinance, as amended, to allow a 150-foot telecommunications monopole and associated equipment compound on the Subject Property. For SPEX2023-0020, the applicant seeks a special exception to allow a 150-foot telecommunications monopole and associated equipment compound in the PD-H4 Zoning District.

LEGI-2023-0030, ARCOLA TOWN CENTER RESIDENTIAL: ZCPA-2022-0001, ZMOD-2022-0013, ZMOD-2022-0014 & SPMI-2023-0016 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Zoning Modifications, and Minor Special Exception)

Arcola Residential Development, LLC, submitted applications for a zoning concept plan amendment, zoning ordinance modifications, and a minor special exception for approximately 38.20 acres of land located south of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), north of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), and east on Stone Springs Road (Route 659) in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property) and more particularly described as a portion of PIN 162-26-6525-000, Tax Map # 101///////G1A/. For ZCPA-20220001, the applicant seeks to amend the Concept Development Plan and Proffer Statement associated with ZMAP-2012-0004, Arcola Center, and other subsequent approvals, to permit the development of up to 70,000 square feet of commercial uses and up to 524 residential units at a density of 15.58 dwelling units per acre. For ZMOD-2022-0013 and ZMOD-2022-0014, the applicant seeks to increase the maximum percentage of residential uses to 89.77 percent of gross floor area and to reduce the minimum requirement for ground floor pedestrian-oriented business to 2,500 square feet in the PD-TC (Planned Development –Town Center) Zoning District, and to allow residential lots that do not have frontage on a Class I, Class II, Class III road, or private access easement to front on open space when private street access is provided at the rear of the lot. For SPMI-2023-0014, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum building setback from Arcola Boulevard from 75-feet to 35-feet. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www. loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5).

Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing portion of the work session. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the work session; however, speakers may also sign-up at the work session. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the work session to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission work sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month. In the event the work session cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event the work session may not be held on the third Tuesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the Thursday following the third Tuesday.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.

BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR

LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 5/30 & 6/6/24

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Legal Notices

Pursuant to Code of Virginia §§15.2-2111, -2119, and -2143,The Round Hill Town Council will hold a June 12, 2024 public hearing beginning at 7:30 pm, at the Round Hill Town Office, 23 Main Street, Round Hill, Virginia, to consider and adopt the following proposed utility rates, fees and charges. Copies of the proposed rates/fees and charges and related documents are available for inspection and copying on the Town’s website (www.roundhillva.org) or at the Town Office.

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2023-0005, AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE (COMMERCIAL USES AND STANDARDS REVIEW)

ARTICLE 42-I, IN GENERAL; ARTICLE 42-II, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT; ARTICLE 42-V, ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS, ZONING MAP; ARTICLE 42-VI, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; ARTICLE 42-VII, COMMERCIAL AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS; and ARTICLE 42-VIII, GENERAL REGULATIONS.

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2253, and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing at its meeting on Thursday June 13, 2024, at 6:30 pm, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia, to consider an amendment to Chapter 42, Articles I, II, V, VI, VII and VIII of the Zoning Ordinance. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that include but are not limited to adding, deleting or modifying permitted and conditional uses in residential and commercial zoning districts, modifying the review criteria for conditional use permit applications, removing the Town Center Fringe designation from the T-C, Town-Center zoning district, modifying lot and building standards in the C-1, Community Commercial zoning district, modifying the buffer requirements of the CI-1, Commercial and Limited Industrial/Flex zoning district, adding modification provisions in commercial districts and establishing new standards for temporary retail sales and electric vehicle charging stations.

All people desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required.

The proposed amendment is available for review at the Town Office, 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia 20180, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted, and on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission/. You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning/Zoning Administrator at (540) 822-5788. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

5/30/24, 6/6/24

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:

SAND, STONE, AND GRAVEL PRODUCTS, IFB No. 653822 until prior to 4:00 p.m., July 1, 2024.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www. loudoun.gov/procurement . If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT

5/30/24

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE

WILL BE ACCEPTING COMPETITIVE BIDS PROPOSALS FOR:

Professional Engineering Services and Field Inspection Services for developing a service line inventory of the Town’s utility side and the customer-owned side of each service line in the distribution system to complete with the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Revised Rule requirement.

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND FIELD INSPECTION SERVICES FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY SUPPORT, RFP 2024-05-0001 until prior to 4:00pm, June 14, 2024. The solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting the Town’s website at www. lovettsville.gov/project-request-for-bids/

The mailing of proposals is preferred. However, if a proposal is hand delivered, it will be received in the Town of Lovettsville Government Office at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia 20180 and date stamped by a staff member between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Requests for information related to this Request for Proposal should be directed to: Jason Cournoyer, Town Manager at (540) 755-3000 or townmanager@lovettsvilleva.gov 5/30/24

Legal Notices

Loudoun County Public Schools

Capital Budgets Community Meetings on Future School Facility Projects

Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services is hosting three community meetings to share information on funded, planned and proposed school capital projects.

Date & Time

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 6:00 p.m. River Bend Middle School 46240 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 6:00 p.m. Loudoun County High School 415 Dry Mill Road SW, Leesburg

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 6:00 p.m. John Champe High School 41535 Sacred Mountain Street, Aldie

More information about the capital budgets is posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools website at www.lcps.org/Page/81470.

Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in the community meetings should contact the Support Services office at least three (3) days prior to the specific meeting.

Kevin L. Lewis, Chief Operations Officer

Loudoun County Public Schools

Department of Support Services 21000 Education Court Ashburn, Virginia 20148

Telephone: 571-252-1385

Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG

5/23/2024, 5/30/2024 and 6/6/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048309-02-00, JJ048310-02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Paula Banegas, Mother, Marvin Echeverria, putative father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1281 for Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Paula Banegas, Mother, Marvin Echeverria, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before June 11, 2024 at 11:00 am.

5/9, 5/16, 5/23 & 5/30/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047413-03 -00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yessiah Recinos Morales Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Ebony Morales, Mother and Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father

The object of this suit is to hold a Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Yessiah Recinos Morales.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Ebony Morales, Mother and Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before June 18, 2024 at 10:00 am.

5/9, 5/16, 5/23 & 5/30/24

Loudoun County Public Schools

Park View High School Community Meeting

June 6, 2024

Loudoun County Public Schools will be hosting a meeting with the Park View High School community on the design of their new school on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.

This meeting will continue the conversation with students, staff, parents, and the community to receive input on the replacement school. The June 6 meeting will include information on the progress of the building and site design.

Additional information is posted at www.lcps.org/Page/252014.

Park View High School is located at 400 West Laurel Avenue, in Sterling.

Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any disability in order to participate meaningfully in the community meeting should contact the Support Services office at 571-252-1385 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Kevin L. Lewis, Chief Operations Officer

Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148

Telephone: 571-252-1385

Email: ParkViewReplacement@LCPS.org 5/23 & 5/30/24

TOWN OF LEESBURG DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES

NOTICE OF WATER MAIN FLUSHING

The Town of Leesburg will conduct controlled flushing of water mains throughout the Town beginning April 15 through May 31st , 2024. This preventative maintenance program is essential for maintaining the Town’s high standards of water quality.

Water mains are flushed by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. The flushing cleans out sediment, removes air which may accumulate in the water mains and restores chlorine levels in areas of limited water use.

Water is safe to drink and safe to use during flushing. However, flushing may result in temporary discoloration and sediment in the water. If discoloration or sediment is evident, the Town recommends residents avoid doing laundry until the discoloration subsides. Flushing may also introduce air into the water, which may temporarily cause erratic flow or a milky look. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed.

Some residents and businesses may experience lower than normal pressure during the flushing in their neighborhood. The Town regrets any inconvenience the flushing operation may cause.

Please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075 for further information. For after-hour emergencies, call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500.

4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE#

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2024, in order to consider:

AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE VOLUNTARY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REGARDING ANNEXATION AND RLEATED ISSUES WITH THE TOWN OF LEESBURG

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-1427 and 15.2-3400, the Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia hereby gives notice of its intent to approve, by ordinance, the proposed Voluntary Settlement Agreement between the Town of Leesburg, Virginia (the Town) and the County of Loudoun, Virginia (the County). The Virginia Commission on Local Government issued its report, dated April 30, 2024, and titled “Report on the Town of Leesburg-Loudoun County Voluntary Settlement Agreement” (the CLG Report).

The CLG Report recommended approval of the Agreement with a technical amendment to Section 7 clarifying that the limitation on the Town’s ability to seek city status will begin to run upon the lifting of the moratorium, regardless of the manner in which it is lifted. The proposed Voluntary Settlement Agreement intended to be adopted is modified to include a technical amendment to Section 7 discussed above and a clerical change.

The Voluntary Settlement Agreement (the Agreement) provides for the annexation of approximately 402.8315 acres of unincorporated territory into the Town commonly referred to as Compass Creek. The properties subject annexation into the Town are more fully described as:

PIN TAX MAP # PARCEL ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER

234-29-4515-000 /60/D/4///A-5/ 19460 Compass Creek Pkwy, Leesburg, Virginia Realty Income Properties 18 LLC

234-29-0522-000 /60/D/4///A-6/ 19450 Compass Creek Pkwy, Leesburg., Virginia CC Outparcel LC

234-37-8457-000 Portion of Dulles Greenway (Rt. 267) Toll Road Investors Partnership II LP

235-29-7431-000 /60/D/3///A-1/ 19540 Compass Creek Pkwy, Leesburg, Virginia Microsoft Corp.

234-38-2603-000 /60/D/6//A-2A1 (County Portion) 19275 Compass Creek Pkwy, Leesburg, Virginia SI NVA06A LLC

234-19-2469-000 /60/D/3///V-P/ N/A Leesburg Commercial LC

234-39-2601-000 /60//16////53/ 19360 Compass Creek Pkwy, Leesburg, Virginia Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust Compass Creek Parkway Dedicated Right of Way Loudoun County

The Agreement provides for the Town to obtain consent from the property owners who will be annexed into the Town.

The Agreement addresses certain other matters related to the annexation of Compass Creek. With respect to utilities, the Agreement provides that the Town will provide water and sewer service to Compass Creek. The Agreement provides that the owner of real property identified as County PIN: 235-29-7431-000, currently owned by the Microsoft Corporation, will retain the option to use Loudoun Water for future phases of development. The Agreement establishes the Economic Development Incentive Program (the EDIP), under which the Town will not charge the out-of-town water and sewer rate surcharge for County residents who receive service from the Town, or each year that the County makes an annual EDIP payment to the Town. The Agreement will also limit the Town’s ability to seek city status for a period of 25 years after the lifting of the moratorium on granting city charters in Virginia Code § 15.2-3201, or any successor statute. The Agreement will also limit the filing of any future annexation by the Town for a period of at least 25 years. The Agreement also includes other miscellaneous and administrative provisions including those related to approval processes, enforcement, amendment, dispute resolution, and notices.

A copy of the full text of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement, as modified, is on file with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Loudoun County, located at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, and is open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement, the CLG Report, and full text of the proposed ordinance may be examined in Office of the County Administrator at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling or by calling the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200 to request hard copies or electronic copies.

LEGI-2023-0101, ATLANTIC BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL REZONING: ZMAP-2023-0013, SPEX-2023-0041, ZMOD-2023-0069, ZMOD2023-0070 & ZMOD-2024-0001

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, and Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

AtlanticBlvdDominionStation LLC has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 3.12 acres of land located east of Sully Road (Route 28) on the northwest side of Atlantic Boulevard (Route 1902) and east of the W&OD Trail in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN 04310-9468-000, Tax Map Number /80//////VDOT6. For ZMAP-2023-0013, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property to the R-24 ADU (Multifamily Residential 24 Affordable Dwelling Unit) Legacy zoning district in order to permit 80 residential multi-family attached dwelling units. For SPEX-2023-0041, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum rear yard setback required for multifamily attached dwelling units from 25 to 15 feet. For ZMOD-2023-0069, ZMOD-2023-0070 & ZMOD-2024-0001, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: increase the maximum building height from 45 feet to 55 feet for multifamily attached buildings, reduce the minimum parking space requirement for affordable dwelling units and affordable housing units to 1.3 parking spaces per unit, and eliminate the Type 2 Road Corridor Buffer required along the northern portion of the Subject Property’s Atlantic Boulevard frontage. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023

LEGI-2023-0073, MARS SUBSTATION: CMPT-2023-0005, SPEX-2023-0017, & SPMI-2023-0011

(Commission Permit, Special Exception, and Minor Special Exception)

Dominion Energy Virginia (Dominion Energy) has submitted applications for a commission permit, special exception, and a minor special exception for approximately 153.72 acres of land located east of Carters School Road (Route 857) north of Washington Dulles International Airport and southeast of Old Ox Road (Route 606) (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: PINs: 093-38-2322-000 and 093-18-5459-000, Tax Map #s 102/////////4/ and 102/////////5A. For CMPT-20230005, the applicant seeks a commission permit for a Utility Substation, Transmission per the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, as amended. For SPEX-2023-0017 the applicant seeks to construct a Utility Substation, Transmission, use within the PD-GI (Planned Development – General Industry) zoning district. For SPMI-2023-0011, the applicant seeks to eliminate the minimum and maximum evergreen tree planting landscape buffer requirements along the north, south, and east property boundaries. SPEX2023-0017 and SPMI-2023-0011 are being processed under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0012, FLEETWOOD NORTH:

ZMAP-2020-0008, ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050

(Zoning Map Amendment and Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment and zoning ordinance modifications for approximately 70.92 acres of land located south of Sleeping Woods Court (Route 616), east of Fleetwood Road (Route 616), and west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

243-10-7274-000 N/A /91////////33/ 244-40-6257-000 23547 Evergreen Mills Rd., Aldie, VA /91////////29/ 244-30-4062-000 N/a /91////////30/ 201-45-1579-000 23541 Evergreen Mills Rd., Aldie, VA /91////////26A

243-10-7419-000 23160 Sleeping Woods Ct., Aldie, VA /91////////28/ 244-40-0641-000 23184 Sleeping Woods Ct., Aldie, VA /91///1/////1/

For ZMAP-2020-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the TR3-UBF (Transitional Residential – 3 Upper Broad Run Upper Foley) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the (R-4) Single Family Residential – 4 zoning district utilizing Affordable Dwelling Unit regulations in order to develop 244 single family detached residential units at a proposed maximum density of 3.44 dwelling units per acre. For ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road; to reduce the front yard for single family detached

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Legal Notices

units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to reduce the side yard for single family detached units from nine feet to five feet; to reduce the rear yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to permit a 50 percent reduction of the parking requirement for public assembly (community/recreation center) use; reduce the required lot width for single family detached, suburban, from 50 feet to 36 feet minimum; increase maximum lot coverage for single-family detached units from 35 percent to 46 percent maximum; and to permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0025, DEFENDER DRIVE: ZMAP-2021-0023

(Zoning Map Amendment)

NFD Acquisition LLC has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment for approximately 13.8 acres of land located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), east of South Riding Boulevard (Route 2201) and north of Mountain View Drive (Route 834), in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

128-48-4437-000 N/A

128-48-8353-000 43394 Valley Vista Ln., Chantilly, VA 101////////79/

128-48-9540-000 N/A 101////////79D

128-48-9920-000 43405 Valley Vista Ln., Chantilly, VA

The applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the PDH-4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district and the CR-1 (Countryside Residential – 1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a maximum of 161 single-family attached dwelling units with a maximum density of approximately 11.7 dwelling units per acre. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0058,

BAYS DULLES INDUSTRIAL PARK: ZRTD-2022-0008

(Zoning Map Amendment)

Superior Investments LLC has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment (ZRTD) for approximately 1.5 acres of land south of Moran Road (Route 635) between Powers Court (Route 875) and Pacific Boulevard (Route 1036), in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN 044-18-1028-000, Tax Map # /94///5/////2/. For ZRTD-2022-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 1.5 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the IP (Industrial Park) zoning district under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the IP zoning district at a maximum Floor Area Ratio of 0.6.

LEGI-2023-0044, 3 Dog Farm: SPEX-2022-0039

(Special Exception)

Gina Schaefer has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 23.02 acres of land located north of Shannondale Road (Route 714), and west of Edgegrove Road (Route 716), in the Catoctin Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 15268 Shannondale Road, PIN 550-46-7353-000, Tax Map # /24///2/////1/. For SPEX-2022-0039, the applicant seeks to permit a dog kennel use in the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) zoning district. The proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Table 2-102 in Section 2-102 of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance). The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

ZOAM-2020-0002

PRIME AGRICULTURAL SOILS AND CLUSTER SUBDIVISIONS

(Zoning Ordinance Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 21, 2022, the Board of Supervisors hereby give notice of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in order to amend the regulations governing the Cluster Subdivision Option in the AR – 1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) and AR – 2 (Agricultural Rural – 2) zoning districts. The proposed amendments will establish new and clarify, revise, and/or delete existing regulations and definitions in regard to the preservation of prime farmland soils, rural cluster development design, and uses for the Cluster Subdivision Option. A complete copy of the text of the proposed amendments may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, as described below.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each land use application listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

Board of Supervisors public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Meetings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Meetings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on May 31, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on June 12, 2024. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL,

CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD

OF SUPERVISORS

5/30 & 6/6/24

Public Notice

The Town of Leesburg Residential Traffic Commission Vacancy

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Residential Traffic Commission. The vacancy must be filled by a resident of the Northwest quadrant of Town. Citizens meeting the Northwest residency requirement and interested in serving on the commission can find additional information or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-andcommissions. Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov 5/23/2024 & 5/30/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048910-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Andrea Isabel Benitez

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Wasnat Mojamet, putative father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Andrea Isabel Benitez; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1281 for Andrea Isabel Benitez.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Wasnat Mojamet, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 20, 2024 at 10:00am (Adjudicatory); and June 24, 2024 at 10:00am (Dispositional).

5/16, 5/23, 5/30 & 6/6/24

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN

OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA FY 2023/2024 BUDGET AMENDMENT

Pursuant to Code of Virginia, as amended, Section 15.2-2507, the Hamilton Town Council will hold a public hearing at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 East Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia, on Monday, June 10, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. to receive comment on a proposed budget amendment. The proposed amendment to the FY 2023/2024 budget is to accept the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ emergency funding grant for the repair/replacement of Well 14 Pump. The grant will be allocated to “Revenues” to reimburse “Expenditures-Repairs of Plant Equipment”.

REVENUES

Board funding

TOTAL REVENUES

EXPENDITURES

Repairs Plant Equipment

TOTAL EXPENDITURES

$ 45,000

$ 45,000

$ 45,000

$ 45,000

Information regarding the proposed budget amendment is available at the Town Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

Kenneth C. Wine Town of Hamilton 05/30/2024

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE WILL BE ACCEPTING COMPETITIVE BIDS PROPOSALS FOR:

Civil Engineering Design Services for local and/or federally funded projects including projects that will be developed utilizing Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) policies and procedures and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines.

CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR LOCAL AND FEDERAL PROJECTS, RFP 2024-01 until prior to 4:00pm, June 28, 2024. The solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting the Town’s website at www.lovettsville.gov/project-request-for-bids/

The mailing of proposals is preferred. However, if a proposal is hand delivered, it will be received in the Town of Lovettsville Government Office at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia 20180 and date stamped by a staff member between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Requests for information related to this Request for Proposal should be directed to: Charles A. Mumaw, P.E., Project Manager (540) 755-3005 or cmumaw@lovettsvilleva.gov

5/30/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048585-02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Carlton Platt

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Sabrina Whitney, Mother

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1281 for Carlton Platt.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Sabrina Whitney, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before June 25, 2024 at 2:00pm 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, 6/13/24

Misc.

VEHICLE

AUCTION

MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com

Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.

VEHICLE AUCTION

ADESA WASHINGTON DC 705-996-1100

44475 OLD OX ROAD, DULLES, VA 20166

20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale (monthly) on Wednesdays (6/19/24, 7/17/24, 8/14/24, 9/11/24, 10/9/24, 11/6/24, 12/4/24). Auction doors open at 8:00 a.m. Sale starts at 9:50 a.m. ET. Registered persons may preview/ inspect vehicles on the day of the sale before bidding. Bids accepted only when a vehicle is presented for sale. The auctioneer will conclude the sale when bidding stops. All results will be nal by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certi ed Check.

Construction

Loco Service Providers

The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable and capable of planning, overseeing, and coordinating of the work of Town utility billing, metering and revenue collection activities for all water and sewer bills and utility service fees, business licenses and other taxes. In addition, this position is to serve as the focal point of contact for the Town in greeting visitors to the Municipal Complex and responsible for the internal administrative and clerical work of the organization.

For more details regarding the position and to nd the employment application, please visit the Town’s webpage at: www.lovettsvilleva. gov/careers

ARPA funds

continued from page 1

programs, according to a staff report.

During last week’s meeting, Saines agreed to use ARPA money for the list of construction projects if the board agreed to designate $2 million in unspent county budget funds for the mobility program. His motion also directed the county staff to present an implementation plan for the program to the finance committee by September.

“I’ve been working on this for quite some time and … I believe this initiative is the right approach to help many of our families and individuals here in Loudoun County. For example, the goal would be possibly to look at helping families with an [area median income] of no higher than 30% which is $46,000 for a family of four in Loudoun County,” he said.

He said in an email to Loudoun Now that he likes the majority of what he has seen in surrounding programs.

Fairfax County’s pilot program provides monthly cash payments of $750 to eligible, randomly selected households for 15 months, in addition to offering optional financial wellness support. That program is supported with ARPA funding and the Human Services Council’s Innovation Fund.

Saines said while county staff is still working out the details, the board will have the opportunity to fine tune the program in the fall. One of the details considered by staff will be selection criteria for residents who apply to the program.

“The objective with this program is to get funding directly to families and

Affordable housing

continued from page 3

the people who serve the county,” she said.

Romero said her organization also feels the effects of a higher-than-average AMI. APAH is a nonprofit that provides affordable apartments in the DC Metro area.

“A one bedroom 60% AMI unit in this market is $1,700,” she said. “How is that affordable?”

Romero said the average income of her residents is $39,000 a year.

Turner said he felt like local, state and federal governments are “throwing money at programs just to staunch the bleeding,” but that because of the frequent changes

individuals that need it most in Loudoun County, as it is not money that these families and individuals had previously allocated in their budgeting so it will help them to move forward and alleviate some of their struggles,” Saines stated. “Whether used for paying down debts and loans, applying to savings, moving into new house or apartment, or other, I believe the people in a household are the best at knowing how and where they could use this money.”

Saines said the money could be a “steroid shot” to help families that do not qualify for other county or nonprofit programs.

“Not everyone who applies to certain nonprofits for grants is qualified, as nonprofit programming does not fit everyone. This program will strategically target those that are not qualified for the programs already in place,” he stated.

The pilot program garnered support from supervisors Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run), Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn), Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) and Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian).

“It’s proven also in the stories I’ve heard, that [program participants] aren’t just using this for a vacation or not to work because they’re getting a check, right?” Briskman said. “These are used for necessities and for things like I mentioned: getting a job interview or maybe buying a computer at some point which you couldn’t buy before because now you can put $500 toward rent and then you can buy a computer to actually go look for a job.”

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Supervisor Matthew F. Le-

in administrations, funding for housing is unpredictable.

Heckles said there is a change in “the face of homelessness” as inflation results in a higher cost of living affecting the older generations.

“We’ve seen a lot more people who are going into homelessness for the first time that are senior citizens on fixed income,” he said.

This is a new phenomenon, Heckles said.

But the problem is also a supply and demand issue, Virginia Housing Alliance Executive Director Brian Koziol said during the chamber event.

“We’re building about 40,000 units, which is not near enough to get us to where

tourneau (R-Dulles) opposed the action, citing lack of clarity on what exactly the program would be and whether it’s “too broad a stroke” to address the problems.

“I think using taxpayer dollars in this way does present questions about who is going to get it. There will be some people who will want it and won’t be able to get it, we’ll have a lottery and so on and then the overall uses of the funding,” Letourneau said.

Randall said, while she supports economic mobility programs, she is unsure about the proposal’s details and that she is hesitant to allocate $2 million this early in the process.

“This is so nonspecific at this time that it’s actually bothering me a little bit,” she said. “Since we’ve been up here, I’ve been listening very closely. I have heard everything from it could be used for businesses to it could be used for education to now we’re buying a suit and a computer. I don’t know what we’re doing here.”

Randall suggested waiting to allocate the funds until they had more details from staff.

“Why not let them come back and tell us an amount versus us tell them an amount?” she asked.

Saines said based on his research of other programs, $2 million seemed like the appropriate amount.

“I think this is a worthwhile program. I understand some of your concerns but those will be addressed,” he said. “I think in spirit everybody is supportive of this idea so let’s go ahead and vote and say yes. Let’s move forward with this initiative.”

TeKrony asked what the long-term plan for the program would be since the funding source is one-time.

we need to be statewide where we’re about 300,000 affordable units short,” he said.

Hall agreed, saying the state of housing is reaching “near crisis levels.”

“Twenty-two million nationally spent more than 30% of their income for rent and utilities combined. This is an increase of two million households over the last few years. Now 12.1 million had housing costs that consume more than half of their income, an all all-time high for severe cost burdens.”

The increasing cost of homes is outpacing income increases, Hall said.

“In 1985, for example, the median household income in the country was $22,400,” he said. “During that same time, the median sales price of a home was

“We collect the data, do some surveying of the participants in the program, get all that information, look at how their spending was—how they started at the beginning of the program, middle of the program, end of the program—and then we can take that, talk to staff, look at our partners and then make a collective decision if we want to move forward with something else more permanent or another period of programming,” Saines said.

Seven projects around the county are getting a bump in funding after the Board of Supervisors approved reallocating unspent federal funding May 23. The board also set in motion a new “economic mobility” program to provide extra income to some residents.

The vote to fund the Economic Mobility Program passed 6-2-1 with Randall and Letourneau opposed and Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent.

In the reallocation of the unspent ARAP money, the towns of Round Hill and Hillsboro got boosts. The board approved sending Round Hill an additional $1.5 million to help construct a new 500,000-gallon water tank, a project that has been hit hard by inflationary costs. Hillsboro got an additional $495,000 to complete the construction of its sewage treatment system. The village of Aldie’s water system received $94,294 for the construction of a water tank. Funding was approved for a $350,000 flood mitigation in Howardsville. Supervisors allocated $400,000 to support a transit marketing project to seniors and residents with disabilities and $250,000 to increase transit ridership. Another $100,000 was allocated to a Launch Loudoun mentorship program. n

$78,000. Fast forward to current day where the median household income is $74,000 and the median sales price of a home is $433,000.”

Koziol is confident that the problem can be solved.

“We can end unsheltered chronic homelessness in our lifetime—hopefully,” he said.

Some of the efforts by HUD to achieve that include providing Federal Housing Administration loans to avoid foreclosures, rental subsidies and housing vouchers.

“We’re working to protect and expand fair housing rights, as well. Housing has to be affordable, but it also has to fair and it has to be healthy,” Heckles said. n

School security

continued from page 3

when it came to the recommendation for more security personnel at elementary schools, he didn’t think the debate should be about whether to have SROs or school security officers; both should be included.

“We’re counselors. We interact. We teach. We are teaching drug prevention. We help,” Chapman said, referring to the D.A.R.E. program that is currently the only LCSO presence in elementary schools.

He said the problem with having only security officers in schools is in the event of an active violence incident, like a school shooting, they don’t have the integrated training that SRO’s have with other emergency personnel in the county like fire and rescue.

“It’s good to know that you’ve got a group of people that are well trained and that have an operational plan in place … so we can do things that say for example a security guard doesn’t have access to,” he said.

He said SROs are trained above and beyond what it takes to be a deputy, adding that policing or offering security is only a small part of what they do in schools.

Effective last January, state code requires any law enforcement officer assigned to be an SRO to complete an SRO basic course and have at least two years of experience in law enforcement.

The Sheriff’s Office’s Basic SRO School includes a week of training in state and federal laws, school and personal liability issues, security awareness within the environment, mediation and conflict resolution, including de-escalation techniques, disaster and emergency response, awareness of systemic and individual racism, cultural diversity and implicit bias—recognizing implicit biases and how

it impacts and skills and information to reduce and manage biases—working with students with disabilities, mental health needs, substance use disorders, or past traumatic experiences and student behavioral dynamics, including current child and adolescent development and brain research.

Potential SROs then go through a week of basic crisis intervention training that includes more training in de-escalation techniques and working with individuals with mental health concerns or substance abuse concerns among other training around crisis intervention.

They then go through three days of advanced crisis intervention training.

SROs also receive training for active violent incidents, threat assessments, and youth suicide awareness and prevention.

Virginia law requires an MOU between schools and law enforcement to be reviewed annually and updated at least once every two years. It outlines the roles of SROs, SSOs, administration and teachers and the scope of their authority; including that SROs are required members of the schools threat assessment team, can search student’s property with reasonable suspicion and can question students about criminal activity. It also includes the required training and states SROs are to be aware of the division’s policies, especially its policy around student restraint and seclusion and know to use it as a last resort.

But there are several community groups and parents who disagreed with several of the recommendations.

In a letter endorsed by several organizations, including the Loudoun Democratic Committee and Loudoun4All, the signees objected to the recommendation to place SROs at elementary schools, have SROs be involved in every threat assessment, and to designate the division’s Safety and Security Department as a law enforcement unit.

Citing two studies, the groups argued an increase in law enforcement at schools did not increase student safety and stated Black and disabled students were “disproportionally referred to police, especially in younger grades,” and that Virginia refers more Black and disabled students to law enforcement than any other state.

School Board member April Chandler (Algonkian) at the May 14 School Board meeting also expressed concerns over the recommendations to add SROs to elementary schools citing multiple studies that said they did not stop school shootings, had “disproportionate consequences for Black, indigenous and LatinX students and students with disabilities,” and “can cause harm to students and criminalize behavior that is typically normal adolescent behavior,” she said.

Loudoun resident Jasmine Tyler is the executive director of the Justice Policy Institute, a nonprofit that research’s solutions to problems in the juvenile justice system. She said she is worried about having police in school.

“I have a Black son and it terrifies me. I can’t imagine that when we don’t have the number of guidance counselors and other resources that are heralded by our educational organizations in schools that law enforcement should be an answer for our kids,” she said. “Police have no business in schools. They have zero early childhood education knowledge.”

Division Director of Safety and Security John Clark, who oversaw the panel, presented the recommendations to the School Board and its advisory committees. During a May 1 meeting with the Special Education Advisory Committee, he addressed questions raised by committee members, including what the reclassification of the safety division to a law enforcement unit meant, the role of SROs in elementary schools, and what data drove the recommendations.

Clark said the recommendations were made by the panel in no particular order after evaluating the physical, technical, cybersecurity and mental health aspects of safety in the division and that there were no current issues that lead them to reach their recommendations.

Clark said the role of an SRO in elementary schools would be the same as middle and high schools—to be a mentor, friendly face, trusted adult in the school and enforcing criminal laws if a situation rose to that level. Currently SROs are in every middle and high school in the county, some elementary schools have SSOs. He said a reclassification of the division’s security unit to a law enforcement unit would not mean a loss of any Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protections, but that it would mean they could label security videos as security rather than educational records and that videos could be shared with law enforcement when necessary.

SEAC Chair Liz Crotty said since the committee was given the presentation at its final business meeting of the year, members would provide their official concerns and recommendations in the fall.

Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee Chair Errin Kunkel said the committee had no comments at this time but is aware of the recommendations and is following it closely.

Loudoun Now reached out for comment from Clark and was told by division spokesperson Dan Adams they would not grant any interviews about the panel at this time.

The School Board was presented with an overview of the panel’s findings and feedback from over 400 community members at its May 14. Spence said he plans to go through the recommendations and feedback and present it to the board in June as part of his post entry plan. n

Published by Loudoun Community Media

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 703-770-9723

KURT ASCHERMANN Executive Director kaschermann@loudounnow.org

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org

EDITORIAL

ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.org

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

ADVERTISING

SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.org

TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.org

VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.org

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

Opinion

Building Resilience

On the same night a Board of Supervisors majority committed $2 million to launch a program intended to temporarily boost the monthly income of some low-income families, it also voted to disburse $2.8 million to 33 community-based safety net nonprofits.

While the details of the economic mobility program championed by Supervisor Saines are not yet known, the concept is based on campaigns rolled out in Richmond, Alexandria and Fairfax County in recent years to help families struggling to make ends meet.

In Fairfax, a county of more than 1.15 million residents, 180 were selected to receive a $750 per month stipend for 15 months. Alexandria boosted the incomes of 170 residents by $500 per month for two years.

There’s no doubt that extra support can be impactful, even transformational, to those selected.

Our Future

Editor:

Every day I travel between where I live in western Loudoun and where I work in Fauquier. My drive, which typically involves taking St. Louis Road and then Zulla Road, is absolutely stunning. There is something infinitely healing in the rolling hills and picturesque fields of our corner of Virginia. It is also, and we do not acknowledge this enough, the key to our economic success.

Agritourism, meaning businesses like wineries, wedding venues, and open farms generates over half a billion dollars a year in Loudoun County and over 4,000 jobs. In a recent survey of local businesses conducted by Visit Loudoun, 78% said tourism was important to their business and the biggest concern of residents is over development destroying our green and open spaces.

In her recent State of the County address, County Chair Phyllis Randall

But does that approach make the most benefit of the investment, particularly when it is local tax dollars— and not federal emergency grants—that are footing the bill.

It is notable that of the 33 nonprofits awarded local grant funding last week, 20 of the requests were at or near the $113,000 maximum permitted under the program. What would the community—and family—impact be of shifting $2 million more into those programs? What greater reach could Loudoun Hunger Relief or the Dulles Food Pantry have with an additional $100,000? How much more could be done by nonprofits already providing families with the assistance they need to keep the bills paid? Rather than a lottery-like approach that will benefit very few, if county leaders have identified unmet needs, they should continue to work with their nonprofit partners to address them and help build resilience in the entire community. n

LETTERS to the Editor

said that updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances is crucial to ensuring that Loudoun’s rural policy area and western Loudoun remains intact.

In May, the county had launched a review of planning policies and zoning regulations for rural western Loudoun and sent the proposal to the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee to review. The motion, made by Chair Randall, also directed the staff to proceed with initiating a public input process. I applaud Chair Randall for moving to ensure public input is part of this process, because the importance isn’t doing something, it’s doing something right. Hopefully the county will invite public comment soon so that it is part of the process from the beginning.

Populations grow, and new people need new jobs, and I want to live in a region where the children living here today have a future right here if they want one.

It is not reasonable to plan for a future in which nothing changes. But change is no more inherently good than it is inherently bad, it’s what we make it. Is our future to slowly lose the distinction between western Loudoun and eastern Loudoun? Or will we instead build on the success of industries like agritourism that are already flourishing here? As the county makes its plans for western Loudoun, I hope that it will let western Loudoun take the lead in deciding what our future looks like.

— Ryan Ruzic, Purcellville

Heartbreaking

Editor:

The other day I came home from playing outside and felt really hot and sweaty, since the temperatures are getting warmer. I started thinking about how the

READERS’ poll

The opening of a dedicated pickleball center in Leesburg is the latest sign of the sport’s rapid growth. Are you in?

• 65.5% It’s not for me

• 16.1% I want to try it

• 12.1% I’ve tried it

• 6.3% I play often

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

Should county supervisors pursue a guaranteed income program?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 38

kids in Gaza were going through harsh temperatures without shelter from winter to summer and are suffering for no reason. It’s bad enough that grownups like parents and teachers in Gaza are getting hurt and dying, but the fact that children are experiencing this at such a young age is heartbreaking.

Many are starting to open their eyes to this violence and are taking action by protesting and boycotting companies that support the ongoing war against Gaza. I have seen a lot of people participating in protests on the news calling for a ceasefire. While protests are a great first step, we need to come together and do more.

Sadly, I don’t believe our president will call for a ceasefire, even though he is supposed to be there for our country and listen to our concerns. This makes me very disappointed and angry. I am only 12 years old and I cannot vote yet. However, if I could, I would want to vote for someone who had our country’s best interests in mind.

I do not think supporting war is in our best interest.

We’ve become so desensitized to being involved in so many wars, that some people don’t see the impact. But I believe that if those people spent just one day in Gaza, they would immediately change their minds.

— Mehreen Raja,

Aldie

Memorial Day

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He told the story of Technician Fifth Grade John J. Pender Jr., a native in McKees Rocks, PA, who has serving with the 1st Infantry, the Big Red One, on D-Day— June 6, 1944—his 32nd birthday. Pender and other soldiers were dropped 100 yards from shore under heavy enemy fire. He made repeated trips from the boat to the beach to assemble critical radio equipment to the makeshift command post, even after being struck in the legs by machine gun fire. A third shot proved fatal. The Medal of Honor was presented to his father on Jan. 26, 1945. Pender was buried in Pennsylvania after the war.

Seelinger also highlighted the deeds of Jimmy W. Monteith, Jr. The Virginian was drafted into the army in October 1941 and landed a spot in Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant. After serving in North Africa and Sicily, his unit joined the initial landing at Omaha Beach. He is credited with leading soldiers across the beach and up the bluffs under heavy fire while coordinating the attack against enemy positions. He was killed during a German counterattack. He—along with 9,387 others—is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery that overlooks Omaha Beach.

The story of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. may be better known, as the son of President Theodore Roosevelt was portrayed by Henry Fonda in “The Longest Day.” Roosevelt was a decorated

CHIPshots

— By Chip Beck

the Normandy American Cemetery. Seelinger also highlighted the action of Private Carleton Barrett, of New York, who served with the First Infantry Division on D-Day. He was credited with saving several soldiers from drowning in the heavy surf at Omaha Beach, bringing wounded men to rescue boats, and carrying dispatches across the beach. His Medal of Honor citation notes his “coolness” and “dauntless daring courage” while risking his life for many hours.

“By the end of D-Day, some 150,000 Allied troops, primarily American, British and Canadian, were ashore in Normandy, made possible by the sacrifices of Barrett, Pender, Monteith, Roosevelt and many others,” Seelinger said. Another 10,000 were killed, wounded, or missing.

World War I veteran who was called up for service during World War II. Despite suffering from poor health, including arthritis that required him to walk with a cane and heart problems, he sought special permission to land with the opening assault on D-Day. He is credited with providing calm, experienced leadership to help the troops push inland to join with airborne forces behind Utah Beach. He survived the incursion, but died a month later from a heart attack and was buried in

“The soldiers I just mentioned are among those of the hundreds of thousands who have made the ultimate sacrifice not just for the country, but for those they served with. These are all the soldiers their fellow servicemen can be all proud of. These are all soldiers—as well as sailors, airmen and marines—that all Americans should remember honor especially on Memorial Day,” he said.

The Town of Leesburg, joining with the Thomas Balch Library and the George C. Marshall International Center will hold a special event on the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Sunday, June 2 at Dodona Manor. Free tours of Marshall’s home will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beginning at 2 p.m. there will be a presentation by a panel of World War II historians. Learn more at georgecmarshall.org/events. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Military historian Matthew Seelinger and Mayor Kelly Burk lay a wreath at the World War II memorial during the 2024 Memorial Day observance.