Undergrounding Supporters Rally in Advance of Power Line Hearing
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
On Sept. 5 members of the State Corporation Commission will gather at Belmont Middle School to hear from residents about a transmission line proposed by Dominion Energy that will run along a portion of Rt. 7.
The 9.4-mile-long line will have a double circuit of 230 and 500 kilovolt lines on monopole towers. It is planned to run from the Aspen substation south of Rt. 7 and west of Belmont Ridge Road to the Golden substation near the intersection of Rt. 28 and the W&OD Trail near the heart of Data Center Alley.
Residents and organizations along the portion of Rt. 7 that would be affected by the transmission line have pushed for a three-mile segment to buried underground. That effort is led by the Lansdowne Conservancy and supported by the county government.
The conservancy has cited environmental concerns, viewshed impacts, economic implications, property devaluations and safety concerns related to the line’s proximity to Inova Loudoun Hospital.
RLC Engineering was hired by the conservancy to conduct a study that found that undergrounding of the line along Rt. 7 was feasible. In testimony submitted to
POWER LINE
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Vets Take Flight Over Leesburg
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
The skies over Leesburg were a little busier than normal Tuesday as several Vietnam and Korean war veterans took a once in a lifetime flight in a 1942 biplane thanks to a nonprofit dedicated to honoring those who served.
Dream Flights, of Carson City, NV, re-
turned to Leesburg after about a five-year hiatus because a veteran signed up for a ride.
“We do flights all over the country. When we get an application, we start mapping out the routes starting in the south, coming back north and working our way back south,” Dream Flights founder, president and pilot Darryl Fisher said.
Fisher said they try to do between 700 and 800 flights each year with pilots flying
the planes to airports all over the country to give vets in nursing homes, assisted living centers and retirement homes a flight.
On Aug. 27, nine veterans were at the Leesburg Executive Airport ready to take the ride of their lives with Fisher at the helm.
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Navy veteran Jack Bondurant takes a ride in a WWII-era Boeing Stearman Aug. 27 with Dream Flights founder and pilot Darryl Fisher.
VETS FLIGHT continues on page 37
HEARING
Loudoun Sees Mostly Improving SOL Scores
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN Agustin@loudounnow.org
Loudoun students have regained some ground in their Standards of Learning test scores compared to the previous two years, as they continue to work their way back from COVID-19 learning loss, according to data released by the Virginia Department of Education on Aug. 20.
According to the data, overall pass rates for reading was 81%, up from 80% the previous two years. Statewide, the overall pass rate has stayed the same at 73% since 2022.
Virginia students are assessed each year in reading in third through eighth grades and once in high school with an end of year course reading test.
When looking at Loudoun’s reading pass rates by grade, several demographics within third grade appear to continue to struggle with reading, according to the data. For example, 46% of Hispanic students and 42% of English learner students passed their reading SOL this year compared to 48% and 44% last year. And 64% of Black third grade students passed, compared to 69% last year. Pass rates for third
grade students with disabilities improved four percentage points from last year with a pass rate of 45%.
Overall, reading pass rates for division third grade students was 73%, a drop of one percentage point from last year and three percentage points compared to 2022’s 76%.
Reading at grade level by third grade is an important step in a child’s life and research shows is a strong predictor of future success.
Meanwhile, the overall reading pass rate of Black students, students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students increased by two percentage points this year, 75%, 52%, and 59% respectively. Reading pass rates for Hispanic students remained the same as last year at 58%, a drop of two percentage points from two years ago. And overall pass rates for English learner students dropped one percentage point, 35% compared to 36% the past two years.
When it came to writing, 90% of division students passed, compared to 81% the previous two years. Statewide, the overall writing pass rate is 76%.
Black students recorded a nine-point
increase in the writing SOL, to 80%, and students with disabilities saw a 14 point increase in pass rates, to 60% compared to last year’s 46%.
“We are encouraged by the overall improvement in SOL sores across the division, and we will remain dedicated to addressing the unique needs of each student,” Chief Academic Officer Ashely Ellis said. “This includes providing targeted academic interventions and support systems for our English learners and students with disabilities. LPS will continue to focus on ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
Virginia students are assessed in writing in eighth grade and once in high school.
The division’s overall pass rate in math is 79%, up three percentage points compared to last year. However, when broken down by grade, pass rates in sixth grade, though making improvements, fall behind the state pass rate.
According to the data, this year 58% of all division sixth grade students passed the math SOL compared to 53% last year. However, sixth grade pass rates fall short when compared to the overall statewide
Camp Highroad Celebrates 75 Years of Memories
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
In 1949, a small church camp serving the Alexandria District of the Methodist Church opened in the fields and forests near Mountville in western Loudoun County.
Next week, Camp Highroad, which has grown to more than 650 acres, will celebrate its 75th anniversary with the public invited for a visit to relive their childhood experiences—or to explore the property for the first time.
“We’ve done some math. If you figure 75 years, we can easily make a claim that there’s been a million people to pass through these grounds who have come here for one reason the other. That’s a lot of people,” board Chair Greg Early said.
Early said he often encounters children at the camp whose parents and grandparents also have memories of their time there.
“They’re sitting there telling stories about when they came out here as a kid. It has a legacy,” he said.
Planners of the anniversary celebration are hoping to tap into those experiences by inviting individuals to share their stories on the camp website and to join in the Sept. 7 jubilee event with a day of camp activities from zip lining to hayrides to singalongs.
While celebrating the history of the
pass rate of 63% this year and 61% last year.
Division sixth grade math pass rates for most subgroups including economically disadvantaged, English learner, Hispanic students, female, male, white students, Asian and multiple races fell behind the state’s pass rates for the past two years.
For Black sixth graders, 54% passed their math SOL this year, compared to 45% statewide. This year marks the first time since before the pandemic that the math pass rate of Black sixth graders in the division was higher than the statewide pass rate.
Sixth grade students with disabilities passed their math SOL at 43% this year, four percentage points higher than the statewide pass rate. It was the second year in a row pass rates for this subgroup was higher than the state pass rate.
“Sixth grade math is an area where we are falling behind the state, but overall we are doing great. That is why it’s so important to dig into the data and for the division to look at what our priorities are,” School
SOL SCORES continues on page 39
from Loudoun churches, schools and scout troops.
And it has its roots in the Bethany Methodist Church in Purcellville.
According to church records, C. M. Warner, a charter member of the church, led the effort to establish a camp. His first choice was to use the Bush Meeting grounds where the congregation met before the new stone church was built. After finding that property was not suitable for the use, he dedicated $9,000 from the sale of that land to establish the camp. That effort was augmented by donations from parishioners throughout the district.
“So, there was some sort of movement that said that all these people in the city, which meant people in Middleburg and Leesburg—you know that city life—they need to get exposed to outdoor activities,” Early said.
property and the memories made there, Early also is looking to the future of the camp, which he sees as an underused western Loudoun treasure.
The camp is one of five Methodist church camps in Virginia. While it serves a district that includes all of Northern Virginia, the majority of its patrons come
“It started off as probably 20 acres and in the early 1960s or late 1950s there was a move where about six or seven parcels were conveyed to the Methodist Church and it took the camp up to about 200 acres, 300
CAMP HIGHROAD continues on page 16
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Summer camp participants get some time on the water at Camp Highroad.
Loudoun
Drought Conditions Improve; County Offers Farm Assistance
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
After two months of severe and extreme drought conditions, western Loudoun last week was upgraded to a moderate drought status. However, concerns remain as the Department of Environmental Quality downgraded the area’s groundwater status.
Three weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Debby brought a wave of relief, Leesburg and eastern Loudoun continue to experience severe drought conditions. Other areas now are classified as having moderate drought conditions.
The county’s Department of Economic Development last week launched a Farmers Assistance and Relief Measures
(FARM) Fund. The initiative provides a $500 grant to farms struggling with the drought. The grants are intended to provide immediate help until further assistance from the USDA is available later this year.
Eligible farms may apply for the grant starting at 9 a.m. on Sept. 4. The application period will be open until Oct. 2, or until designated funds are expended. Learn more at biz.loudoun.gov/farmfund.
The move by DEQ to issue a groundwater warning follows several weeks of a “watch” status and comes after other indicators—rainfall, streamflow and reservoir levels—returned to normal status.
In Loudoun, towns that rely on groundwater for their utilities continue to encourage conservation, with Middle-
burg, Round Hill and Lovettsville under mandatory water use restrictions.
The Middleburg Town Council received an update last Thursday night.
Town Manager Danny Davis said the staff continues to closely monitor water production and consumers’ use. Not only is the town wrestling with falling water levels and slower groundwater recharge cycles, some wells have been off line for repairs or maintenance. Illustrating the concerns, Davis said one of the town’s main wells continues to fall at the rate of a foot per day. This summer, that well’s level has fallen from 180 feet above the pump to 143 feet this week.
“We’re still looking at limited to no precipitation in the next seven to 10 days. We’re not seeing significant [improve-
ON THE agenda
Thomas Avenue Bridge Closed Indefinitely
The Thomas Avenue Bridge connecting Lakeland Drive, Thomas Avenue and Algonkian Parkway in Sterling will be closed beginning Friday, Aug. 30 following a safety inspection.
It will remain closed indefinitely, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Residents needing to access Thomas Avenue will continue to have access but traffic will not be permitted to go beyond the bridge in either direction. Through traffic will be detoured via Thomas Avenue, Lakeland Drive, Rt. 7, and Algonkian Parkway back to Thomas Avenue.
The bridge which was built in 1970, has a posted five-ton weight limit. Construction of a replacement is scheduled to begin in late 2027.
Supervisors Approve Tourism Grants
The Board of Supervisors approved the county’s annual Restricted Transient Occupancy Tax Tourism Grants for fiscal year 2025, awarding $252,287 to 12 recipients.
ments] in our well levels, so the staff ’s recommendation is to continue with the conservation measures, as is,” Davis said. “I know it’s a challenge to some, and we’ve heard from the community, but based on our current situation of water production and water resources, we would recommend continuing for the time being, and then update you at your next council meeting.”
The Round Hill Town Council is scheduled to meet Sept. 4 and mandatory water conservation measures are expected to remain in plan at least until then.
The Lovettsville Town Council on Wednesday was expected to hear an update from Utilities Supervisor Frank Spitzer on the status of the town’s water supply. n
The grants are designed to support local tourism events and initiatives that drive visitors to Loudoun County.
BENEFIT, which hosts the annual Crossroads Music Festival, was awarded $25,000. Bowtie Strategies was also awarded $25,000 for its 19-week Tarara Summer Concert Series. Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company landed $3,500. Loudoun County Bed and Breakfast Guild, which plans to produce an immersive video and audio podcast series, was awarded $25,000. Milltown Haunt, a seasonal event in Lovettsville, was awarded $20,000. Purcellville’s Tag Sale was awarded $23,274 for its upcoming 21st anniversary event. Stone Manor Boutique Inn was awarded $25,000 to support interactive fantasy inspired events with performers participating in activities like tabletop games, scavenger hunts, archery and dancing. Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival was awarded $25,000. Purcellville received $15,513 for its Music and Arts Festival. The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association
Kalina Resigns from Electoral Board, Sanden Appointed
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The chair of the county’s Electoral Board Kristen Kalina resigned from the body during a July meeting just four months before the November election.
“I am resigning because I intend to expand my law practice which is local and to expand that over the next year,” Kalina said, adding that she is also
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continued from page 4
received $25,000 for its Annual Civil War Conference. Vineyard Voyages received $25,000 for its guided tours of DC Wine Country. Wegmeyer Farms earned $15,000 for its Lincoln Strawberry Festival.
Workforce Resource Center Offers Job Seeker Events
During September—workforce development month—the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center will feature special virtual and in-person events at
growing a family business in Ohio requiring frequent travel.
“Those efforts are going to probably impede the time that’s necessary to do this job, especially over the next six months,” she said.
Kalina has served on the board since 2019.
On July 31, Loudoun Circuit Court Chief Judge Douglas Fleming Jr. appointed Kaysi Sanden to fill the vacant seat for a term that expires Dec. 31.
The three-member board voted to appoint Shelley Oberlander to serve as the new chair, Sanden as vice chair, and Ellen Heald as secretary.
The responsibilities of the Electoral Board include running elections in the county, appointing the director of elections/general registrar; approving polling places; approving the appointment of poll workers; organizing election procedures and policies; overseeing the printing of ballots for each election; and overseeing the canvass and certifying the results after each election.
The members serve staggered three-year terms. Two of the members are appointed to represent the same political party as the governor. n
no cost for job seekers and people who are considering changing careers.
In person events will be held Monday, Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Rust Library, Wednesday Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at Segra Field, Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at the resource center office.
Virtual events will take place Friday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m., Thursday Sept. 12 at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., Wednesday Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. and Thursday Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.
For more information and to register for the events visit Loudoun.gov/workforcemonth. n
Schwartz Kalina, PLLC Attorneys at Law
Education
Aide Policy Heads to Full School Board
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
Revisions to a policy that governs the conduct and expectations of School Board aides is headed to the full board after a committee hammered out its final changes during an hour-long discussion Aug. 20.
Since May, board members have worked on changes aimed at ensuring fiscal responsibility after last year’s budget allocated nearly $1 million for board member aides and clarifying practices and responsibilities for the support positions, according to committee member April Chandler (Algonkian).
The policy, created in 2016, states each board aide is appointed by, solely serves and falls under the direct supervision of their respective School Board member. It outlines job descriptions, hours worked, the handling of confidential information, the signing of non-disclosure agreements, oversight and corrective action taken by a board member against their aide, and prohibited activities.
According to the policy, aides are not subject to the division’s personnel system, policies, regulations, processes or procedures. They are also not considered em-
Legislative, Audit and Policy Committee members voted
a revised policy that deals with the conduct and expectations of School Board
to the board. The policy has gone through several months of revisions as the committee has worked to make sure they are being fiscally responsible with taxpayer money that funds the aide position.
ployees under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and are not covered by those provisions. No proposed changes were made to this part of the policy.
A section was added about political activity at the request of Anne Donohue
(At-Large), who asked in June that it be better defined. The section includes language from a policy that deals with staff member participation in political activities and states that aides must follow the guidelines even though they aren’t division employees. The previous draft of the
School Board Declines to Pay Ziegler’s Attorney Fees
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
The Loudoun County School Board is denying a claim that it owes former superintendent Scott Ziegler’s attorney nearly $617,000 and asking a Circuit Court judge to dismiss the breach of contract lawsuit filed by the firm of Gentry Locke Rakes and Moore earlier this year.
The dismissal request was filed Aug. 23.
The law firm represented Ziegler after a special grand jury was impaneled in 2022 to investigate the school division’s handling of two on-campus sexual assaults committed by the same student.
Ziegler was fired after the grand jury released its investigative report. Last September, he was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of retaliating against an employee. Two other charges in the case subsequently were dismissed.
In April, the law firm filed the breach of contract lawsuit against the School Board seeking payment for its services.
The School Board states it is not obligated to pay the legal fees because the agreement was made between and signed by Ziegler and Erin Harrigan of Gentry Locke.
The School Board’s argument centers around the three page “engagement letter” drafted on the attorney’s letterhead and signed by Ziegler, and a one-page
guarantor agreement signed by Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby on behalf of the School Board April 26, 2022.
The engagement letter states Gentry Locke would represent Ziegler independently of the school division or the School Board. The document states multiple times that the division would be responsible for paying fees associated with the legal work conducted on Zielger’s behalf.
The guarantor agreement states that Willoughby, on behalf of the division, would provide Gentry Locke with the full prompt payment and would pay “all costs and expenses, including without limitation, all expenses, court costs and
policy had two paragraphs that prohibited aides from engaging in political activity or campaigning while on the clock or at meetings or events directly related to division business, like School Board meetings.
More changes to the policy before the recess added details to job descriptions; improved clarity around the handling of confidential information; tightened up language involving the NDA to avoid redundancy; removed language that prohibited aides form criticizing the board, its members or the division publicly or privately; added expectations for how aides should act; an added phrase that aides should refrain “from actions that undermine the implementation of decisions made by the School Board;” and added disciplinary actions board members could face based on their aide’s behavior.
The policy changed from eight pages to 10 with the additions.
On Tuesday, committee members said they were happy with the changes, but had more to add.
After an hour-long discussion that included multiple changes proposed by all three committee members, they voted
reasonable attorneys’ fees” incurred by the office if they have to try to collect payment if the division defaults.
In the new filing, the School Board acknowledges its responsibilities under the guarantor agreement, but asserts it was neither a party nor a signatory to the engagement agreement.
The board claims there are “fatal flaws” in the drafting of both documents that “leave [the] plaintiff without an enforceable legal remedy in its attempt to collect legal fees and costs from Dr. Ziegler and/or the School Board based on breach of contract.”
“Read together, the Engagement Letter and Guarantor Agreement fail to create a legally enforceable guaranty contract,” the response states.
A one-hour hearing on the dismissal motion is schedule for Sept. 30. n AIDE POLICY continues on page 8
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Aug. 20 to send
aides
Loudoun Welcomes 40 Ambassador Teachers in New Program
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
As school divisions continue to wrestle with the teacher shortage crisis, many have turned to creative solutions to make sure a licensed instructor is in class when students return.
One of the ways Loudoun County Public Schools is addressing shortages is a new partnership with Participate Learning, a company that for 37 years has worked to bring educators from all over the world to America to offer an international perspective.
The partnership began a year ago after the division saw it needed to fill 36 elementary school positions but had no candidates. Division Director of Recruiting Bob Phillips said as they researched options, they learned neighboring school districts were using the company to help fill vacancies.
“We were trying to think outside the
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unanimously to send the draft to the full board.
That draft will include stronger language for clarity concerning hours worked and participation in political activities, firmer language around their knowledge of policies, and changing the timing of the signing of NDAs from June to January.
Amy Riccardi, who ran for the Sterling District seat during the 2023 School Board election, serves as Lauren Shernoff’s (Leesburg) aide and said she felt clarification in the policy was needed.
“There’s been a lot of issues about what we’re allowed to do, what we’re not allowed to do, and the hours we work and how we bill, so I think this provides a lot of clarity around what can and can’t be done,” she said.
“I find it interesting because every single board aide, regardless of their political affiliation in my opinion, has been enormously professional in what they’ve been doing. We are all political appointees, so we all tend to have political views on things and that is fine. I work in the spirit of collaboration with everybody and assume everybody’s doing the same. I would hope that this policy is being created with that understanding that everyone’s aides are involved in some aspect of political activity in some way, shape or form,” she said.
box and come up with ways to fill the pools and fill these jobs because in Virginia, elementary certification is one of the hardest certificates to get. So it was challenging so we said ‘what are some other things we can do to help fill our pools for our principals and bring candidates to the table?’” Phillips said.
He said Participate Learning was established and already had a foothold in Northern Virginia and divisions like Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William had partnerships with them.
Phillips said Participate Learning helps the teachers by sponsoring their visa after they are hired by the division and assigned a school. He said the company helps them find housing through local realtors and helps them set up a bank account through a partnership with a local credit union. He said the division gives them a job, onboarding and mentoring.
Phillips said they have to have teaching experience, be proficient in English and be
Riccardi said she knows where the line is between working for her board member and speaking up publicly for things she doesn’t agree with. She said anytime she has opted to speak during a public comment portion of a committee meeting, she hasn’t billed for that time.
“[I] don’t want there to be any impropriety or any questions about what we’re doing. And I think part of their questions about this is they‘ve not even really asked us how we are handling that. They are just assuming,” she said.
Abbie Platt, Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) aide, asked the committee Tuesday to not take away her ability as a parent to advocate for her children.
“I don’t care one whit about that job, but I do care about my kids,” she said. “So I am asking you to take that into consideration as you review the policy that’s on the agenda. I have worked in a lot of different professional capacities, and I feel that I have always been able to use discretion and to be appropriate.”
Platt has spoken out about several division policies including mask mandates during the pandemic and a policy that addresses the rights of transgender and gender expansive students. She also has been party to lawsuits against the division. But she said she doesn’t consider herself an activist, rather a mom with kids in the division.
“I am asking you to not get in the way of my ability to participate,” she said.
them choose who they wanted.
“The school leadership and how they support these teachers is critical. Some of them with their kids have come over 8,000 miles,” Phillips said.
Jennifer Short, principal at Sterling Elementary School was one of those principals. The school will have four ambassador teachers, two from the Philippines and two from Kenya.
“It’s been a great experience, and it offers us an opportunity to just bring diversity and fresh ideas in as well,” Short said adding that the school is fully staffed this year as a result.
willing to come to Loudoun among other requirements.
He said of the over 100 teachers they screened, they narrowed it down to 40 applicants. Then they took that list to the principals who had expressed interest in being part of the pilot program and let
The Board of Supervisors’ four-page aide policy has similarities to the school policy, including that aides are political appointees under the direct supervision of an elected official and are appointed by and solely serve that elected official. Board of Supervisor aides are not subject to county personnel policies, do not receive overtime, and each Board of Supervisor member is responsible for evaluating their own aide and disciplining if necessary, according to the most recent aide policy from 2018. It also states what is and is not acceptable in terms of political activity, including that work activity can’t include political activities, no political activity or campaigning during business hours or at meetings or events outside of business hours, like a Board of Supervisors’ meeting and supervisors can’t compel aides to do work related to their political campaigns.
Shernoff said she referenced the Board of Supervisors’ aide policy as much as she could to guide her in the policy updates, but said the boards are different and have access to different information and therefore the policies would be different.
The aide policy goes back to 2016 but the first position was created in 2019. A policy was officially adopted in 2020 with aides only budgeted to work seven hours a week. Since then, the time and scope of the duties of aides has increased and aides are now allowed to work up to 40 hours a week, according to Chandler. n
“They come with good experience and they come with enthusiasm and positivity and just a desire to serve and that is exactly what you want in a school,” she said.
Short said her staff jumped in to help get the teachers furniture and other items by asking for donations on social media.
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM continues on page 9
SCHOOL notebook
Intramural Sports Program Expands
Loudoun County Public Schools’ intramural sports program has expanded to all 18 middle schools this year and offers a different sport for each quarter.
The first quarter kicks off with 7-on-7 flag football, followed by 6-on6 volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball during the third quarter and 7-on-7 soccer the fourth quarter.
The middle school intramural sports program is open to all middle school students of all skill levels.
Students interested in participating should gather a group of friends— co-ed or single gender— from their school and register at lcps-ar. rschooltoday.com. Scroll down and click on the button representing your middle school. Each participant on the team must register.
Students are responsible for providing their own mouthpiece, T-shirt, shorts, any required protective equipment and athletic shoes.
The middle school intramural sports program is an extension of the school day and is designed to reinforce leadership qualities, teamwork, respect, integrity and a sense of accomplishment through fun competitions, according to an announcement.
For more information visit the intramurals page at lcps.org or contact the school directly. n
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Janen Guldiano stands by the door to her second grade classroom at Sterling Elementary School. Guldiano is one of 40 ambassador teachers hired by the division to fill vacancies.
Ambassador Program
continued from page 8
“Because literally when we met them at the administration building, they got off the bus with a couple of suitcases, “she said.
Short said several organizations and individuals stepped up with donations and her staff members rented a U-Haul truck to deliver it to the new teachers.
Jacinta Maundiko, a teacher with over 15 years of experience is teaching fourth grade at Sterling. She comes from teaching at a large international school in Nairobi.
She said she applied for the program because she wanted the experience of teaching in another country and to grow professionally.
Maundiko said she had never traveled internationally before and was nervous and excited. She said the biggest culture shock for her upon arrival was how hot it was and how late the sun stayed up. Maundiko said when she left Kenya it was winter and got dark around 7 p.m.
Her husband, 14-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son will arrive in November and her son will attend Sterling with her.
Janen Guldiano is teaching second grade at Sterling. She comes from the Philippines with eight years of experience and has never been to America before now.
She said she taught at a small, remote village school that had one classroom they would split for fifth and sixth graders. She said students still used textbooks as their main source of information and used the internet occasionally. She said the amount of technology used in schools in Loudoun was a huge culture shock for her.
Guldiano said she’s excited for the opportunity to teach in Loudoun and grateful for all the support, adding she was so grateful for the bed that was delivered to her apartment.
“When we arrived our apartment was so blank, but I was thinking ‘oh it’s fine if I have to sleep on the floor because I’ve known that, I’ve experienced that back home,’ but they have been messaging us and asking us what we needed,” she said.
The four ambassador teachers at Sterling have created culture corners in their classrooms so they can teach their students about their country.
The 40 ambassador teachers arrived July 19 and are split among 15 schools in Sterling, Dulles South and Leesburg.
Phillips said their biggest number of ambassador teachers hail from the Philippines then Jamaica.
The division plans to partner with the company again next year and bring over more teachers, with this year’s ambassadors serving as advisors to the new cohort. n
VETERANS LAND RESCUE
Nerantzis Promoted at Claude Moore Foundation
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, which has distributed more than $100 million in grants to nonprofits since 1987, has promoted Stephanie Nerantzis to the newly created position of director of Giving.
In her new role, she will expand the foundation’s support to organizations that work to “give a leg up” to under-resourced populations in Loudoun County and across Virginia.
“Stephanie has been instrumental in helping the foundation uncover gaps in services in Loudoun County, specifically, and has worked with coalitions to tap into the strengths of educators, nonprofits and the government to help fill those gaps to better serve the needs of Virginians,” Executive Director J Lambert stated in the announcement. “Her efforts as our grants manager have made a positive impact on our communities, and we are very pleased to expand her role. She will continue to help guide the CMCF’s funding and expand our efforts to ensure that we support organizations that provide access to vital services for Virginians to create a foundation for a better life.”
Nerantzis joined the foundation as grants manager in 2022. She has been active in Loudoun County’s nonprofit community for many years including serving on the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter board of directors. She also volunteers with several local organizations and has been a certified public account for more than three decades.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation was founded in 1987 with a mission to provide assistance exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. In
Nerantzis
addition to the annual support for the Loudoun County education system and local charities, significant contributions have also been made to the Claude Moore Heritage Farm Park, the University of Virginia School of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Nursing, the University of Virginia Medical Library, the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport, James Madison’s Montpelier, Inova Health Systems, and the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. Most recently the foundation launched Claude Moore Opportunities to expand its work addressing Virginia’s workforce shortage and to provide increased career opportunities.
Learn more at claudemoorefoundation.org. n
Public Safety
Sterling Man Charged with Assaulting Officer in Capitol Riot
A Sterling man was arrested Aug. 21 for assaulting law enforcement and other charges stemming from his alleged actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
According to the criminal complaint, Anatoliy Anatolievich Lutsik, 32, was seen picking up a fire extinguisher and spraying police officers, pulling on a bike rack that was used as a police barrier, and entering the U.S. Capitol.
He faces felony charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and civil disorder, and misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to the complaint, Lutsik, seen wearing a military-style helmet, gas mask and tactical vest, confronted and assaulted officers manning the perimeter barriers at approximately 2:07 p.m. It is alleged that he entered the Capitol building at approximately 2:36 p.m. via the Upper West Terrace door and made his way to
the Rotunda, Statuary Hall, and toward the House of Representatives chamber.
At about 2:38 p.m., Lutsik walked into Statuary Hall and appeared to make a video call and stated, “Hey ma, I’m in the Senate. I told y’all I’d make something of myself,” according to the filing.
He was seen leaving the building at approximately 2:45 p.m.
Following his arrest, Lutsik was released on a personal recognizance bond under conditions that include the surrender of his passport and a prohibition on processing weapons. A status conference is set for Sept. 4 in Federal District Court in Washington, DC.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
Two other Loudoun residents in March were charged with illegally entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. n
Leesburg Apartments Arson Case Moves to Circuit Court
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
A Leesburg man waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Loudoun County District Court on Monday afternoon on charges related to a fire at the Leesburg Apartments on June 2.
Jose Misael Hernandez is charged with two counts of burning or destroying a dwelling. In exchange for waiving his rights to the preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
agreed to drop one of those charges.
Leesburg Police Officers responded to a 911 call June 2 for a laundry room fire in a dryer at 807 Edwards Ferry Road NE. An investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office determined that paper and cardboard were set on fire in the room.
Surveillance footage showed a man in a red polo shirt exiting the laundry room 17 minutes before the 911 call was made. Officers located Hernandez in his apartment in the same building wearing a red polo, according to the police report.
During a later interview, Hernandez admitted to causing the fire after becoming upset over a recent custody judgment regarding his daughter. He said he wrote his emotions on a piece of paper before lighting it and throwing it in the dryer. He then called 911, according to evidence presented in the case.
Hernandez is scheduled to appear before the Loudoun Circuit Court on Oct. 10 for adjudication of the remaining charge. n
SAFETY briefs
Suspect Arrested in Jewelry Store Break-in
Leesburg Police arrested a 34-yearold suspect in connection with the Aug. 10 break-in at the White and Ivory Diamonds jewelry store.
Terrance C. Turner is charged with burglary, destruction of property, and possession of burglary tools. He was located by police officers on Edwards Ferry Road on Aug. 24. He was arrested and held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
Turner was identified as the suspect from surveillance video at the store. According to the initial report, the suspect entered the Village at Leesburg store by breaking in the front door. Nothing was reported stolen.
Leesburg Police Arrest Two in Stolen Vehicle
Officers from the Leesburg Police Department arrested two individuals Aug. 20 after locating a vehicle reported stolen in Fairfax County.
Codi J. Brown, 40, of Mclean, was charged with narcotics possession, larceny and unauthorized use. Samantha P. Bob, 25, of Bellingham, WA, was charged with narcotics possession and larceny.
Officers on patrol located the vehicle at approximately 5:49 p.m. on Edwards Ferry Road. Brown and Bob also are suspected in shoplifting incident reported nearby, according to the report.
Both were transported to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center and held without bond. n
Department of Justice
According to a federal complaint, Anatoliy Anatolievich Lutsik was seen picking up a fire extinguisher and spraying police officers, pulling on a bike rack that was used as a police barrier, and entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Chamber Members Briefed on NASA Opportunities
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce hosted representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration last week to hear about the organization’s commitment to advancing science, technology and space exploration and learn about its future technological needs and tips for collaborating with the agency.
Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Procurement Marvin Horne discussed the evolution of NASA’s procurement practices. He said while there may not be many businesses in Loudoun that are producing large-scale products like rocket ships, the agency purchases many other products used to outfit offices across the country.
A significant portion of the agency’s contracts are related to the information technology field, Horne said.
how local businesses can play a part in the agency’s mission.
“From a procurement perspective, we’ve had to evolve how we engage, how we think about contracts, and a lot of that involves IT,” he said.
Small Business Program Manager Richard Mann advised chamber members on
best practices to keep in mind when bidding for NASA contracts. One important lesson, he said, is not shying away from subcontracting opportunities.
In fiscal year 2023, the agency issued contracts totaling $20.7 billion, with $7.6 billion of that going to small businesses.
“Of that $7.6 billion, $3.6 was at the prime level, straight between us and the small business. And then $4 billion was at the subcontract level, so we strongly encourage the subcontract level, especially as a way to get your foot in the door,” Mann said.
Building relationships with prime level businesses and NASA officials is an important step to being awarded a contract, he said.
Chief Information Security Officer Karim Said and Digital Transformation Culture and Communications Leads Krista Kinnard also shared on the importance of leveraging advancing technology and artificial intelligence to achieve goals both practically and for team building. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now NASA representatives attended an Aug. 20 Loudoun Chamber event to share on advancing technologies and
Sprouts Farmers Market Brings 83 Jobs to Loudoun
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store is opening its third Virginia location in Leesburg and planning to create 83 jobs.
The business is hosting hiring events Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne.
“Leesburg has a growing population and increasing consumer demand for fresh, healthy, and organic food products. By establishing a presence in Leesburg, Sprouts Farmers Market aims to tap into a rapidly growing market and contribute to the local community’s well-being,” a company representative stated.
Available positions include department managers and assistant department managers, clerks for produce, vitamins, meat and seafood, deli, grocery and bakery, cashiers, courtesy clerks, and administrator and scan coordinators.
Benefits include sick and vacation hours, 15% store discount, a 401(K)-retirement savings plan, life insurance and an Employee Assistance Program.
Candidates may apply online in ad-
vance at sprouts.com/careers. Walk-ins during the hiring events are welcome as well.
Sprouts opened its first location in 2002 with the goal of making natural foods more accessible. It focuses on farm-fresh produce and other healthy items providing a farmers market feel, seven days a week.
The company also plans on giving back to the community through food donations.
“Through Sprouts’ Food Rescue program, the Leesburg store will donate groceries that are no longer fit for sale but remain perfectly edible and nutrient rich to The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank—a local organization that provides wholesome food to families and individuals at risk of hunger,” according to a statement.
The Leesburg location is planned for 1021B Edwards Ferry Road NE and will open Oct. 25. n
BUSINESS briefs
Falvey Appointed Loudoun Credit Union CEO
Michael F. Falvey is the new chief executive officer of the Loudoun Credit Union.
Falvey has served as the organization’s CFO since February.
He was appointed CEO after a nationwide search following the departure of Travis Allen in June.
Falvey said he is committed to reinforcing Loudoun Credit Union’s mission of being a community-first financial institution. He plans to focus on raising the visibility of the member-owned institution, securing its next branch location, building trust and value with its members, and ensuring that the Credit Union becomes the premier financial institution in the county.
“Loudoun Credit Union is not just another financial institution,” he said. “We are your neighbors, colleagues and classmates, dedicated to helping each other. Our approach is different because we take the time to understand the individual stories behind every loan and every member.”
Previously geared to serving local government employees, the credit union recently opened its membership to anyone who lives, worships, works, or attends school in Loudoun County.
“This is an exciting time for the Loudoun Credit Union and its members, and we are excited to welcome Michael Falvey to the helm,” Board Chair
Cindy Mester stated. “Michael’s deep experience in financial management and his passion for this community make him the ideal candidate to lead our credit union into the future.”
“Our commitment is to serve our community with empathy and personalized care, making sure that we are here for you when life happens,” Falvey stated.
Learn more at loudouncu.com.
Frost Appointed to State Board
Douglas D. Frost, of Purcellville, has been appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve a four-year term on the Virginia Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyor, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects.
Frost, a registered professional engineer in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York, has more than 40 years of civil engineering experience. He previously served as senior vice president with Dewberry and today operates Frost Consulting LLC.
The APELSCIDLA Board is responsible for regulating licensure for those who practice in these occupations and the business entities that provide those professional services—approximately 35,000 individuals and entities. The board works to protect the public welfare by establishing the minimum qualifications for initial licensure/certification and the minimum standards to assure continued competency. n
Sprouts Farmers Market LLC
Falvey
Frost
Parks Planners Offer New Options for Mickie Gordon
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
After an earlier proposal to develop a cricket competition center on the property was met with strong community opposition, Loudoun County park planners this week released three new options for improvements to Mickie Gordon Memorial Park.
The options, developed by planners at Kimley Horn, range from a relatively minimal refresh—including restoring the park’s main field for baseball use, adding trails, improving parking, and adding pavilions and bathrooms—to concepts that also include additional tennis courts and introduce pickleball courts. Plans call for one cricket pitch in the park, instead of expanding to three.
Park system representatives will discuss the proposals in more detail during a Sept. 5 information session.
rural community park designed for youth sports and nature.
A key point of contention was plans to add lights to more of the park’s fields. Critics of the plan said it should operate as a dawn-to-dusk park. For those advocating that position, it meant removing lights that had been installed there decades ago.
AROUND towns
MIDDELBURG
Town Leaders to Weigh Larger B&B Options
After the Town Council last year rejected a zoning change to permit downtown inns with up to 20 rooms, it now may consider changes to allow larger bed and breakfast operations.
The 99-acre park is located along Rt. 50 east of Middleburg. The land is owned by Loudoun County Public Schools and had served as a community park since 1978.
In opposing last year’s plans to convert the park to a cricket-focus, area residents said they wanted it to remain as a
In what was likely a preview to the upcoming community meeting, speakers at the Aug. 22 Middleburg Town Council meeting, held just hours after the new options were made public, objected to plans to keep lights in place. Concerns also were raised about other aspects of the plans, including the potential for noise from pickleball courts.
The public input meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Middleburg Community Center.
More information about the project can be seen at loudoun.gov/MickieGordon. n
Fitch Upgrades Purcellville’s Credit Rating
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Town of Purcellville’s credit rating from AA+ to the highest available AAA.
The upgrade comes after a recent analysis using the company’s new U.S. Public Finance Local Government Rating Criteria. That new criteria includes a key assessment associated with demographic and economic trends and level composite metrics, which for Purcellville were addressed as “strongest.”
During the council’s deliberations over the fiscal year 2025 budget, Director of Finance Liz Krens said the agency had put the town Under Criteria Observation. A decision by the council not to increase utility rates to offset the town’s debt, resulting in a non-structurally sound utility fund, could negatively affect the rating during review, she said.
The council adopted 16% water rate and 18% wastewater rate increases to offset the debt with the FY 2025 budget.
Mayor Stanley Milan touted that controversial decision as a contributor to the upgraded rating.
“The Fitch report focuses heavily on
the town’s General Fund, which is strong and fiscally sound,” he stated in an announcement. “The town had to demonstrate to Fitch that General Funds are not being used to support the Utility Funds. Consequently, the upgrade from AA+ to AAA was largely a result of the town’s FY25 Fiscal Plan that demonstrates strong fiscal discipline and planning, especially regarding the Utility Funds.”
Town financial advisor from Davenport Kyle Laux agreed.
“Further underpinning the AAA rating is the understanding that the town’s Water and Sewer Utility Enterprise Funds have historically not relied on the General Fund for annual financial support and, in addition, the town has recently taken steps to develop and begin implementing a plan to maintain the financial sustainability and independence of the Water and Sewer Funds into the future,” he stated.
Milan said decisions by prior administrations not to increase the utility rates as needed had threatened the town’s credit ratings.
“The years of delaying fiscal responsibility have ended and as a result, we now have two AAA ratings, Standard and Poors and Fitch. Further, I would like to
thank the Town Council for their commitment to achieving and maintaining structural balance,” he stated.
In a letter to Loudoun Now’s editor former Mayor Kwasi Fraser challenged the statements, saying the new rating was not a result of the increased rates.
“This AAA rating didn’t simply materialize because you decided to burden Purcellville’s residents and businesses with double-digit rate increases,” he wrote.
“No, this rating is the result of years of careful stewardship and a gradual improvement in our debt profile—a process that began long before you took it upon yourself to raise rates. The inconvenient truth for your narrative is that this credit rating reflects the resilience and sound fiscal management of our town over time, not the sudden stroke of rate hikes in your latest fiscal plan.”
According to Fitch the rating is based on a variety of factors including the expectation that the town will maintain its reserves at or above 7.5% of spending. The town’s General Fund Balance as of FY 2023 was at 71% of spending.
The town’s fiscal policies require the funds to maintain a full year of operating costs. n
Deputy Town Manager William M. Moore last week proposed a study of the B&B zoning regulations to determine whether to add an option that such operations could be run by a manger occupant rather than require them to be owner-occupied. Also, he suggested evaluating whether to allow B&Bs to operate with up to five rooms. The current limit is three rooms.
The talks stem from a proposal last year to convert the Federal-style building at 204 E. Washington St. into an inn with up to 20 rooms. Built circa 1780 as a home, the building has long been used for office space. Working with the then-contract purchaser of the property, the Planning Commission developed a zoning amendment to allow inns of four to 20 rooms as a special exception use. In the face of opposition from neighbors, the council did not approve it.
The new owners of the property are planning to operate a threeroom B&B. However, they do not plan to live there.
Moore said the new round of amendments, which will be developed by the commission in the months ahead, would add allowances for a live-in manager. Building on the previous debate over allowing inns downtown, he suggested looking at allowing larger B&B operations to diversify options for visitors.
The council is expected to initiate that study at its next meeting.
Speakers at the Aug. 22 council meeting urged the town to maintain the three-room limitation.
Kimley Horn
One of three options proposed by county park planners for improvements to Mickie Gordon Memorial Park near Middleburg.
2 Council Candidates Vie for Lovettsville Special Election
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Every seat but one is up for election on the Lovettsville Town Council this year – but only one is set to be a contested race.
Incumbents Mayor Christopher Hornbaker, Vice Mayor Joy Pritz, Tom Budnar and David Earl are all running for reelection. Stuart Stahl who was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Bobby Merhaut in December is running for the seat he currently holds. All are unopposed.
Ann Arena and Charles Cooper are vying for the now vacant seat in a special election. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Mark Jones for a term that expires Dec. 31, 2026.
Arena and Cooper were among three applicants interviewed by the Town Council Aug. 1. That closeddoor session ended with a decision by the council to not make an interim appointment citing that they felt it was not “appropriate at this time” due to time frame of the upcoming election.
Arena said she’s running to make sure the voices in the community are heard and represented on the council.
She moved to the town four years ago from Alexandria when looking for a place with strong community and space to raise her growing family.
“We feel very lucky to have found everything we were looking for here in Lovettsville,” she stated. “Overall, my hope is to bring that same sense of community and support to my work on the Town Council. By listening and working together to address our community’s concerns, I hope to maintain Lovettsville’s charm and sense of identity while making it a
joyful community for all residents to live in.”
Arena said by working together with the Town Council and keeping the town’s best interests and residents first, she hopes to help preserve “Lovettsville as a wonderful place to live for many years to come.”
Cooper moved to the town in 2018 when looking for a way to escape development in Ashburn. He said Lovettsville offers amenities without the clutter of eastern Loudoun.
“It’s got a small-town feel. We’re in proximity to all kinds of good things that the city can give but at the same time, we don’t have to listen to sirens all night and things like that,” he said.
Cooper said he’s concerned that Lovettsville’s population will grow to 3,500, which, according to state code, would push the town to a greater level of responsibility for roadwork and safety.
“Those things come with dollar signs and those dollar signs would come with new taxes,” he said.
He said the town needs to focus on diversifying its commercial market and not expanding its residential offerings.
“It would have to be done through zoning rules,” he said.
Cooper said he would also like to see a resurgence of the town’s events and said his experience as a program manager for Airbus would be helpful, especially in coordinating with vendors.
“I’ve spent my life running government programs and dealing with things like that,” he said. “So, I would definitely like to see Oktoberfest in a big way, Mayfest in a big way. I love the Movies on the Green-type things and just the real community and frankly the flavor of Lovettsville.” n
Slots Open for Purcellville Tag Sale
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Reservations for slots in Purcellville’s well-known tag sale opened Monday and are expected to sell out quickly, according to event organizer Silas Redd.
Redd owns Nostalgia, a vintage clothing and home décor store on Main Street. He took over running the tag sale in 2020 and said this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
Homes in town can be part of the event by setting up shopping areas on their lawn and treating it like a yard sale or selling handcrafted goods.
“The main star of the show are our vendors. This year we’re going to have well over 100 different vendors,” Redd said. “We try to keep it to Main Street just because it’s harder when you get off the main pathway.”
Redd said he’s also hoping to get the shops along 21st Street involved this year.
“I think now this year that there’s more businesses, there’s more people on board,” he said. “I think it’s really going to ramp it up so it goes from 21st to Main Street.”
New to the lineup this year will be the farmers market vendors that Redd has been hosting behind Nostalgia every Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. since March.
“I’m really excited about that because I’m really curious to see how it’s going to happen,” he said. “I think it will help promote the farmers market going forward.”
Redd’s property will host vintage cloth-
Camp Highroad
continued from page 3
acres. Then a couple other parcels were given or added to it and it goes up to 600 and about 700 acres at one point,” he said.
Today, the land is under conservation easement. “It is pretty protected because of that,” he said.
Among Early’s goals is to raise the profile of the camp and provide even greater access.
“There’s 650 acres, probably about 40 miles of trails out here. We’ve got to figure out how to get people out here using it. And from a business standpoint, we got to figure out how to use that to our benefit to help maintain the property,” he said.
Last week, after the conclusion of the seven-week summer camp season, volunteer crews were busy all around the property making repairs—from replacing broken
AROUND towns
continued from page 14
PURCELLVILLE
Dufek Says Department Not Endorsing Candidates
Police Chief Barry Dufek took to Facebook last week through the department’s official page to tell residents that the agency is not endorsing any political candidates in the upcoming November election.
Town police officer Carl B. Nett is running for a council seat.
ing vendors exclusively.
“We’re trying to make it a little more curated in some spots without excluding people who just want to sell whatever,” he said.
Redd said receiving a $15,000 grant from Visit Loudon last year and then another $24,000 this year has been a game-changer and allowed the event to grow.
“Last year, despite the rain, many people said that it was the best tag sale they have ever been to,” he said. “Some of the businesses were saying it was their most successful one. That I have to attribute to getting that grant and being able to market the event more.”
In addition to the grant, the event is sponsored by Bank of Clarke and Wldwood Landscape. Homes, businesses and vendors participating in the event will be
windows to rolling new coats of paint on the numerous buildings scattered around the property. Early notes some of the lodges were state-of-the-art when they were constructed 60 years ago but could use significant upgrades to meet the expectations of some potential users.
“It’s no Hilton,” Early said.
In addition to summer camps and providing space for church groups, the property is open for bookings to a wide variety of uses, including corporate retreats.
Guests have a wide range of activities to choose from, including a ropes course and zip line, canoeing, mountain boarding, nature lessons, challenge courses, an archery range, a swimming pool, and a stable of horses for trial rides. The property also features an industrial commercial kitchen that provides a camp-wide catering service.
There’s also an eco-eternity forest that offers a green burial place. “It’s becoming more and more popular. In some cultures, it’s more popular than in here in America,
added to an online map and list for visitors to reference. The first 40 will be included in a printed map for shoppers to reference as their walking along Main Street. Slots for homes cost $15 and 10-square-foot reservations for vendors cost $30. Brick and mortar shops can be included in the advertising for $30.
Reserve your spot at purcellvillevatagsale.com for the Oct. 12 event. All of the proceeds go back into advertising and running the event, Redd.
“I want this to be a good community event that kind of puts more eyes and attention on Purcellville,” he said.
The tag sale also coincides with the town’s Celebrate Purcellville week-long initiative with a final party also held Oct. 12 at Dillon’s Woods from noon to 5 p.m. n
We’ve seen a lot of Korean-based Methodist churches really gravitate to that,” Early said.
While that may be one example of the efforts to diversify the camp and its revenue sources, Early said it is important that the camp not lose its focus on youth.
“You got kids out there that have a host of issues and you’ve got to figure out how to make sure that they have a place where they can come and build confidence and build some sort of self-worth that they can navigate with,” he said. “Our purpose is to get kids here, let them know that there are people out there who care about them and in give them an experience like rolling in the mud or going down the creek and finding a crawdad—just simple, simple stuff. That’s all we want to do.”
And, while the camp is owned by Methodist Church, that camp’s outreach is broader.
“The summer camp is our chance that we do ministry. We have a Christian cur-
“As we enter the election season, the Purcellville Police Department would like to remind the public that we do not endorse and candidates for election within the Town of Purcellville or beyond,” Dufek said. “Our commitment is to remain impartial and dedicated to the principals of fairness and integrity. To that end, we have stringent policies in place to ensure that no candidate or political entity can leverage our department for personal or political gain.” n
riculum we teach, but we have programs that go on throughout the year,” Early said. “We have a Muslim group that comes. We have non-faith-based people who come.
We have people who have things about their faith that we [Methodists] probably don’t agree with. We don’t care. We’re not here to preach. We’re just here to serve them in the state they are in.”
“I think that seems to be working pretty well, but I think there’s a lot of people in Loudoun County that don’t even know that we exist.”
Camp Highroad’s 75th Anniversary Jubilee will be held Saturday, Sept. 7 starting at 9 a.m. A picnic lunch will be served. A group celebration is planned at 2 p.m. The open house program will include the high ropes, zip line, challenge courses, hay rides and an opportunity to sing the classic camp songs. To register and to share your memories of the camp, go to camphighroad.org n
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Nostalgia vintage clothing and home decor store on Purcellville’s Main Street is owned by Silas Redd, who is organizing the town’s annual Tag Sale.
LIVE MUSIC
LINDSAY AUSTIN
5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com
DYLAN WOELFEL
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
TEJAS SINGH
6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 1757 Golf Club, 45120 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. 1757golfclub.com
JUSTIN SUEDE
6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
TEJAS SINGH
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
NATE CLENDENEN
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
JAKE PHILLIPS & PETE THOMAS
9 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com
JUNKYARD JONES
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com
DENNIS WAYLAND
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
PATTY REESE
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com
JEREMIAH PROPHETT
5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 18
Oh Boy, Palmyra Signs with Record Label
BY DANA ARMSTRONG darmstrong@getoutloudoun.com
Folk trio Palmyra had a summer for the books. They were named one of NPR’s “Favorite New Artists of 2024,” played a mainstage at the historic Newport Folk Festival, and recently signed to a major Nashville label: Oh Boy Records.
Best of all, one of the members has Loudoun roots.
Teddy Chipouras, originally from Lovettsville, plays guitar and banjo for the band. Although he started playing guitar around age 10, he didn’t start diving into music until his time at Woodgrove High School.
“In high school, I started really discovering music that I loved for the first time. Listening to The Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, and The Lumineers made me want to learn those songs. That made me want to start writing songs in high school, and then that led to performing. So, it was kind of just like a big snowball,” Chipouras said.
Chipouras went on to attend James Madison University where he met future bandmates Manoa Bell from Norfolk and Sasha Landon from Roanoke. Though they met separately during college, a songwriting class in their second semester of junior year brought the three together.
Like Chipouras, Bell and Landon also credit childhood experiences for shaping their love of music.
Bell’s parents worked at a university that offered a free childcare program where college students taught children how to play instruments. Once Bell became a teenager, he started discovering albums he loved and translating them over to bass. Now, he plays upright and electric bass for Palmyra.
Landon’s love of music stemmed from the Roanoke nonprofit Music Lab at Jefferson Center that offers kids training and master classes from high-level musicians across many genres.
“I got to see what it looked like to have a career in music at a young age, which I think was really important. I don't know that I would be doing this if not for that experience, and I had some great teachers along the way,” Landon, Palmyra’s guitarist and mandolinist, said.
During college, the trio bonded over their shared love of folk and Appalachian-inspired sounds, so much so that they decided to pursue music together. When the COVID-19 pandemic cut the members’ graduation year short, they uprooted from Harrisonburg to try out the
“In the summer of 2020, we didn't know how long the lockdown was going to last. So we moved to Boston and ended up spending pretty much the entire year inside. Every morning we would play together, and that was kind of the start of Palmyra,” Landon said.
Around the spring of 2021, once the members were vaccinated and pandemic restrictions eased, the band hit the road on tour and has rarely stopped since. Over the years, they’ve played all around Virginia, up and down the East Coast, and into the Midwest with their original music.
In that time, they also released two records. Their 2022 album “Shenandoah” is an acoustic ode to folk music, humbly recorded in their living room and filled with simple yet lush string arrangements and rich, storied lyrics. Standouts include
“Park Bench,” a beautifully vulnerable exploration of Landon’s queer identity, and “Saratoga,” a Noah Kahan-reminiscent send-off to a lost love in New England.
In contrast, their 2023 EP “Belladonna” showcases the unbridled side of Palmyra. Recorded in a three-day studio session, the work brings in pedal steel and electric guitars, fiddle, and drums—played by Jake Cochran of the Harrisonburg-born alternative rock duo Illiterate Light.
“[‘Belladonna’] formed after we had started touring, whereas “Shenandoah” was at the beginning of our touring. So, you're getting more of those feelings of what our day-to-day looks like as musicians who are traveling all the time. Sometimes it's pretty hectic and sloppy and tiring, and so many adjectives for ways
19
music scene elsewhere.
Joey Wharton
Palmyra
PALMYRA continues on page
SO FETCH
7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20. tallyhotheater.com
Relive the hits of the 2000s during this Saturday night dance party.
GET OUT
LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 17
HANSON & HERB
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com
COLD NORTH
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
THE BRUNO SOUND
5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com
SOMETHING’S BREWING
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com
JOHN “JP” JONES
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com
CONNER HITCHCOCK
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
DAVID ANDREW SMITH
6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Parallel Wine & Whiskey Bar, 43135 Broadlands Center Plaza, Ashburn. parallelwinebistro.com
BOBBY THOMPSON
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com
BEATOLDS BAND
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
BEST BETS
LOCO FEST
12 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. $25. 868estatevineyards.com
A roster of Loudoun’s favorite performers and some up and coming artists perform during a daylong concert showcase.
Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com
ANDREW RENNER
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Tarbender’s Lounge, 10 S. King St., Leesburg. tarbenderslounge.com
ROWDY ACE BAND
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
DAN GALLAGHER
12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Cana Vineyards, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com
THE FUNICULAR PROJECT
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
HUGH & THE LOST CORNER VAGABONDS
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com
KNOX ENGLER
1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
EMMA BAILEY
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com
DEJA BLUE
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com
BRIAN FRANKE
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com
SCOTT HETZ CLARK WITH BIG NIGHT
6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $25. tararaconcerts.com
Enjoy a night of classic hits from Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack and your Big Band favorites.
LOCO KIDS FEST
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 Segra Field, 42095 Loudoun United Drive, Leesburg. loudoun.gov
Close out summer with a day of fun family activities in the Segra Field parking lot.
SCOTT KURT
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. susethillsvineyeard.com
JULIET LLOYD
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com
DAVID GOODRUM
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com
JASON MASI
2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com
TED GARBER
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com
GXB BAND
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com
JUSTIFIED
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
JET CAPRIEST
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com
GARY SMALLWOOD
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com
CHRIS ELLINGHAUS
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 The Barns at Hamilton Station
Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com
HOPELESS SEMANTICS
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com
JIM STEELE
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com
CHRIS COLLAT
3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com
ZAC QUINTANA AND THE SAGES
3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com
ROBERT MABE & FRIENDS
4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
STEVIE ONESHOES
5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
DAVID MININBERG
5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
MARK CULLINANE
5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com
BADLANDS
6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com
SIDETRACKED
6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
ERIC CAMPBELL
6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchase.com
ELIZABETH’S FURNACE
6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $25. tararaconcerts.com
TRAIL MIX LANE
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com
EAST RIVERΩ BAND
7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 Adroit Theory Brewing Co., 404 Browning Ct., Purcellville. adroit-theory.com
SO FETCH
7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20. tallyhotheater.com
BRITTON JAMES
7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com
THE JUNIOR
BRYCE BAND
8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com
PATCHWORK DORATHY
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
THE LEFTOVERS
12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane,
Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
LOCO FEST
12 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. $25. 868estatevineyards.com
ROWDY ACE
1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com
FREDDIE LONG
1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
JASON MASI
1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com
TEJAS SINGH
1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com
SHARIF
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com
MATT BURRIDGE
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com
HUME FRYE DUO
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacegfarm.com
RYAN SILL
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 21
Palmyra
continued from page 17
to say, exhausting, really. So, the music is informed by those feelings,” said Bell.
“Belladonna” captures some of the raucous, live energy of Palmyra’s shows. The upbeat, bluegrass-inspired opener “Happy Pills” with its fun-loving hollers and twangy strings is an instant earworm. The closing “Burnt Bridge” is equally catchy, transforming their well-loved encore song into a silly anthem ripe with gang vocals, hip-hop drums, and a brash reflection on losing friends.
Just this year, Palmyra played at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in Canada and was on a mainstage at Merlefest. But perhaps the band’s biggest feat to date occurred during their set at Newport Folk Festival in July where they dropped a big announcement.
“At the end of the set, Jody [Whelan] and Fiona [Prine] of Oh Boy Records came up and announced that we were going to be signing to Oh Boy for the rerelease of “Belladonna” and also release our next full-length record that we're working on right now. It was a really special time,” Chipouras said.
Oh Boy Records is an independent label based in Nashville and run by the
family of the late country-folk singer/songwriter John Prine, the label’s founder.
“One thing we're stoked about with our partnership with Oh Boy Records is getting the music in front of more people. They're a really cool label; it's artist-friendly and champions good, honest songwriting. To get to be a part of that family is sick and I’m excited to see where that goes from here,” Landon said.
Palmyra’s new album is expected to be released next spring. In the meantime, they’ll continue performing both independently and as an opener for separate tours with the bands Mipso and Illiterate Light.
So what can audiences expect from this new chapter of Palmyra?
“Certainly high energy [songs]. We're so proud of [the upcoming album]. It's incredibly complex, beautiful, and also intimate. We have put over a year of work into it, probably over hundreds of hours recording, and every sound you hear on the record is intentional,” Bell said.
“It really feels like we’re living in a dream. I’m just excited to keep being in this band and playing shows.”
Palmyra performs at High Moon Sanctuary in Bluemont on Sept. 15. To see more tour dates and updates check out their website palmyratheband.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram (@palmyratheband). n
Musicians Join Forces for LoCo Fest 2024
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
LoCo Fest returns Sunday as a Labor Day weekend tradition featuring some of the area’s favorite musicians and a roster of up-and-coming performers.
The day-long concert showcase at 868 Estate Vineyards near Hillsboro is in its seventh year. Proceeds from the event are used to support area musicians with grants to purchase equipment and other needs. To date, more than $50,000 has been raised.
For winery co-owner Nancy Deliso the event is an extension of her yearround promotion of the local music scene. In addition to raising money to support musicians, she likes the events focus on introducing young performers to Loudoun audiences. She noted that two performers on this year’s season of American Idol—Lillian Hackett and Sela Campbell—performed during the festival when they were young teens.
She said the event also has helped performers on Loudoun’s music circuit meet each other in person, interactions that have resulted in creative
collaborations.
Included among the 18 performers on this year’s roster are Loudoun Youth Battle of the Bands winner Downe Lands and rising stars Emilia Battaglia and Nick Demolay. They join longtime favorites including Gary Smallwood, Mike Ault, Laura Cashman, Todd Brooks and Delta Spur. The Darby Brothers will perform at the festival for the first time. Also new this year is Ramona, which will perform a tribute to The Ramones.
Brooks, who helped create the festival, enjoys the comradery of the event and the opportunity to highlight young artists. But having a good crowd of concert goers is important, too.
“The more people we have, the more money we have available to help our local musicians,” he said.
The concert runs from noon to 9 p.m. In addition to wine, Lost Rhino Brewery will provide beer for sale. There will be food trucks and other vendors. Bring chairs and blankets. Pop-up tents are encouraged.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.
Learn more at 868estatevineyards.com.
Music For Dessert Concert Series
Select Wednesdays at 7:00pm $15 per performance or $75 for
This mid -week series features jazz, classical, Celtic, barbershop, Americana, and world folk fusion music for in -person and virtual audiences.
The series subscription includes eight live music concerts that you can enjoy in-person or virtually in an intimate listening room setting.
Let us sweeten your week with live music.
Here’s the line-up:
9/4 Alfred Yun, jazz piano
Tanglewood Marionettes: The Fairy Circus
Wed., September 11 at 10:00am $5
Featuring over twenty beautifully hand -crafted marionettes, The Fairy Circus is a showcase for turn -of-the-century-style trick puppetry.
9/11 Sonic Escape: Bach to the Classics, violin & flute
9/18 Mendelson Play McGuinn, American popular folk
10/2 One Street Over, Celtic & Irish tunes
10/9 Old Dominion Chorus, barbershop
10/23 Tutti -tones, jazz band w/ vocalist
11/6 Melanie Bates, violin
11/13 Project Locrea, world folk fusion, *presented with VCA Funding
FILM: Exhibition On Screen:
Klimt & The Kiss
Thurs., September 12 at 4:00pm $8
Connect with artists and art lovers and learn about the artist Gustav Klimt, a titan of the Art Nouveau movement. After the film enjoy refreshments and post - film discussion while you take in the mixed media exhibit in our gallery.
Dementia Man, An Existential Journey
Wed., September 25 at 1:00pm Admission FREE
Dementia Man, An Existential Journey is the award -winning autobiographical story of a man who faces his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, by actor and playwright Samuel A. Simon. It is a peek into the head and heart of the struggle with a broken medical system and a personal and family challenge.
GET OUT LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 18
CAZHMIERE
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
CHRIS DESANTIS
2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com
DAVE TROTTIER
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com
TED GARBER
4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bunglowlakehouse.com
SCOTT ERICKSON
5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
MacDowell’s Beach, 202 Harrison St. SE., Leesburg. macsbeach.com
SCOTT HETZ CLARK
WITH BIG NIGHT
6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $25. tararaconcerts.com
CHICK COREA TRIBUTE CONCERT
7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. franklinparkartscenter.org
BRITTON NIESSLEIN
1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
ADRIEL GENET
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2
50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com
JAKE PHILLIPS
2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2
Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com
DELTA SPUR
2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2
Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
JASON MASI
6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4
The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com
MUSIC FOR DESSERT: ALFRED YUN
7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. $15. franklinparkartscenter.orm
HAPPENINGS
TRIAL OF MILES OPENING NIGHT
5:15 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 Morven Park, 17339 Southern
Planter Lane, Leesburg. $20. trisignup.com
COMEDY NIGHT BY THE DC IMPROV
7 p.m. & 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $20 to $32. tallyhotheater.com
CARS AND CRUISERS
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Loudoun Station, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn. loudounstation.com
LOVEPAWS DOG ADOPTION EVENT
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 8 Chains North. Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com
PHOENIX RISING FC AT LOUDOUN UNITED FC
7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Segra Field, 42095 Loudoun United Drive, Leesburg loudoununitedfc.com
HILLSBORO FARMERS MARKET
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098
Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. oldstonechool.com
PORKTOBERFEST
12 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com
LOCO KIDS FEST
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2 Segra Field, 42095 Loudoun United Drive, Leesburg. loudoun.gov
LOUDOUN RETIRED EDUCATOR
PICNIC
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. facebook.com/LoudounEA
WRITING IN NATURE
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5
Morven Park, 17339 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org
Pets
TikTok, Insurance, Pain Relief What’s Happening in the Veterinary Industry
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
As technology continues to change every aspect of human lives, it’s also changing pets’ lives—for better and sometimes for worse—as owners and care givers now have ready access to a wide variety of resources, previously untapped by animal lovers.
Ken Melberger and Moriah McCauley of Leesburg Veterinary Hospital sat down with Loudoun Now to talk about how technology is continuing to revolutionize the way pet owners and veterinarians, like themselves, interact with their furry friends.
While 20 years ago, a veterinarian having to take X-rays of a pet would either have had to keep a radiologist on staff or send physical copies to an expert for reading. Now they can be sent to experts in seconds, dramatically decreasing the time until the patient can be treated. And that kind of access isn’t just limited to radiology.
“Most of the things that you would see in human medicine, we’re able to offer in vet medicine nowadays,” McCauley said. “I think almost every week we’ll have someone who’s like, ‘there’s a cardiologist for dogs? Or an ophthalmologist for dogs?’ It’s pretty cool that we can now offer these things. And it’s not just up to us as [general practice] vets to be like, ‘well, that’s the extent of our abilities or knowledge.’ We can actually refer them on to someone who has extensive specialized medicine.”
And, Melberger added, now those experts are down the street instead of hours away. As a result, pets are living years longer than they used to.
But there’s plenty of challenges that come with greater access to technology.
“So, there was essentially one source of information, but now we’ve got however many resources they look for on the internet.”
More information is not always a bad thing, Melberger and McCauley added, but it’s better with input from your local veterinarian.
“We’re not just a service—you come in, you get your vaccine, you leave. We want to talk to you about your overall entirety of the pet. We want to develop that relationship with our pet parents,” McCauley said.
With the increasing access to technology, better medicine and better treatments, comes an increasing cost in caring for pets as well.
McCauley said she points her clients to Pawlicy Advisor, which provides a tool to compare a variety of different plans.
“Some of the changes in the last 20 or 30 years is that we’re now much more preventative health care. We used to be reactionary,” McCauley said.
Part of that preventative health care is enabling domesticated pets to live longer than ever before. The life expectancy of dogs has doubled in the past four decades and house cats now live twice as long as their wilder counterparts, according to QRILL Pet.
That achievement also brings new challenges for owners.
Leading those challenges are social media trends that often can inflict more damage than good when unknowing, well-intentioned pet owners try them out.
“Nutrition is probably the number one [problem] we see,” McCauley said of the variety of trends being promoted.
TikTok fad diets of grain-free food or the raw diet—feeding only raw meats and vegetables to your dog or cat—can cause unintended consequences when not properly vetted with a doctor, they said.
“There’s a lot of misconception about vaccines,” Melberger said. “People sometimes have concerns about the use of preventatives—heart worms, flea and tick—and concerns that they cause damage. In reality, not using them causes a lot of damage.”
“It used to be the only source of information people had before they came to the vet was a breeder,” Melberger said.
A study by Synchrony Financial Services Company shows average annual costs for basic pet care range from $1,270 to $2,803 for dogs and $961 to $2,487 for cats. The overall 15-year cost of a pet’s lifetime can range from $19,893 to $55,132 for dogs and $15,055 to $45,790 for cats.
As a result, owners using some form of pet insurance is on the rise. Pet insurance works like human insurance. There’s a monthly fee for a plan that covers differing levesl of services with a range of deductibles.
“Ultimately, this is a consumer decision,” Melberger said. “… I think it’s important to look at the websites of reputable programs and really find the policy that works for you, because some folks want all the bells and whistles that cover vaccines and dental cleanings. They’re willing to pay more per month to have that kind of comprehensive level. Other folks just want to know that if their pet has a serious injury or serious illness, that that is covered. And they’re willing to take care of the basic annual care on their own.”
“Dogs and cats are living longer so they’re simply experiencing more age-related joint disease,” Melberger said.
“And they’re good at hiding it,” McCauley added.
Dogs, always looking to please their owners, are hesitant to show signs of joint or muscle pain.
Top ways to identify that your dog might be experiencing pain include panting more than usual when not exercising or hot, moving less or hesitating before jumping on the sofa or bed, and stiffer joints when first standing up. For cats, top pain identifiers include hiding more than usual, a decrease in activity, and muscle mass loss identified by a more protruding spine.
Melberger and McCauley said they and other local veterinarians are in the industry to help and bringing your pet to the vet too often or calling frequently, is never bad.
“Develop that relationship, because then they can help guide you to other resources that are specific to the needs of your pets and your family,” McCauley said. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Doctors Ken Melberger and Moriah McCauley pose for a photo with Stella at Leesburg Veterinary Hospital, which was named Loudoun’s Favorite Veterinary Practice in 2024.
County Releases New Pet Services Mapping Tool
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Loudoun County Animal Services on Friday announced the release if its new online pet services mapping tool, designed to help residents easily locate a range of services for their furry friends.
The interactive map, Pet-Friendly Loudoun, has been added to the county’s GeoHub and provides locations and information about parks and trails that allow pets, pet friendly lodging, pet friendly restaurants and veterinary clinics.
“We think this will be a very useful tool for our residents and their pets,” LCAS Director Nina Stively stated. “We know that more and more residents and visitors have pets as part of their daily lives, and this map is a great way to help everyone know all the places their furry friends are welcome to join them in their travels, and get the care they need.”
The new resource was created in response to requests from residents and calls
to LCAS with questions about pet-friendly destinations and veterinarians.
“We just saw a real demand for centralized information for pet owners,” Stively said. “We have so many folks who have exotic pets or for pet owners who speak a language other than English.”
The idea expanded to include off leash parks as well.
“The biggest part of the map is the pet friendly dining,” Stively said. “So many folks come to Loudoun or live in Loudoun and want to bring their dogs along with them when they go out to a bar or a restaurant and we have so many pet friendly dining establishments in Loudoun. So, putting these things together on a map just seemed to make sense for our community.”
Members of the public are encouraged to help develop and maintain the online resource for their fellow pet owners by submitting suggestions for additions to the listings for consideration through this online form. n
Beyond Fido: The Most Popular Dog Names
These days there is probably an app to help new dog owners find the perfect name for their new furry best friend. But sometimes it is just better to go with the tried and true.
According to the records of the American Kennel Club, these were the most popular dog names in 2023
Boy Dog Names
1. Max 2. Charlie 3. Cooper 4. Teddy 5. Milo 6. Ollie 7. Bear 8. Rocky 9. Finn 10. Leo
Girl Dog Names
1. Luna 2. Bella
3. Daisy
4. Maggie
5. Willow
6. Lucy
7. Bailey
8. Rosie
9. Sadie 10. Lola
Leesburg’s First Cat Cafe
Obituaries
Elmer “Lee” Lockhart
Elmer “Lee” Lockhart, of Front Royal, VA, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024, at the age of 80. Born on December 16, 1943, he was the son of the late Elmer Merle Lockhart and Leslie Simons Lockhart.
Lee had many loves in his life, including the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley, music, family, animals of all kinds, and baseball. While Lee spent his early years in Warren County, he first played baseball in Loudoun County, VA, in the mid-1960s. This marked the beginning of more than four decades of playing, coaching, and passing on his knowledge of the game. From the Loudoun County Men’s League, Upper Loudoun Little League, Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth, and Notre Dame Academy, he coached countless players, including his sons and grandsons. Lee Lockhart is a name synonymous with Loudoun County baseball history. He was known for his eye for talent and commitment to his players.
Lee is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jane Lockhart, and his children Michael Lockhart (Wendy) of Purcellville, VA, and Christopher Lockhart of Purcellville, VA. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren: Adam, Zachary (Brie), Nick, Justin, Anna, and Morgan Lockhart, and a great-grandfather to Cooper Lockhart. He was preceded in death by his brother Dennis Lockhart and sisters Carol Jean Lockhart Fisher and Linda Lockhart Neff.
Pallbearers were Adam Lockhart, Zack Lockhart, Nick Lockhart, Justin Lockhart, Tim Lockhart, and Todd Amos. Honorary pallbearers were a host of former baseball players whom Lee coached and shared enduring friendships.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 11 AM at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, VA with Sammy Campbell officiating. Burial followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society of Warren County.
Lee will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Libby Cable
Libby Jean Cable (nee Moore), 91 of Purcellville, VA, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024. Born on March 24, 1933, in Raleigh, NC, she was a daughter to the late James C. Moore and Mattie G. Moore. A graduate of Washington Lee High School, Libby was a beloved figure in her community, known for her passion for painting, gardening and sewing. Her handmade dresses, costumes and dolls brought joy to many, embodying her creative spirit and love for detail. Libby was the cherished wife of the late Walter H. Cable and a devoted mother to Michael L. Cable, Dennis R. Cable, Susan J. White, Judith A. Miller, and Jean M. Castle. Also, predeceased by two brother’s and one sister; James C. Moore, Jr., Oliver W. Moore and Edna Joyce Poch. She was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren and great grandmother to 14. Her life was a testament to the love she shared with her family, friends and neighbors, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and kindness. The Celebration of Life will be held at Loudoun Funeral Chapel in Leesburg, VA, on Friday, August 30, 2024 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm where the Cable family entrusted her care. Libby’s life will be celebrated and remembered for the joy and beauty she brought into the world.
James Richard Byrne
James Richard Byrne, 81, of Inwood, West Virginia, died peacefully at home on Thursday, August 22, 2024 in Leesburg, Virginia.
Mr. Byrne was born May 19, 1943 in Leesburg, Virginia to the late Richard Beverly Byrne and Julia Marie Solomon Byrne.
Jim retired from Safeway as meat department manager. Jim never met a stranger and spent his life in service to others.
He married Mary Virginia Melton Byrne on November 10, 1962 in Frederick, Maryland. He is survived by three daughters, Connie Miller, Debbie Byrne, and Julie Byrne; a brother, Melvin Byrne (Rebecca); one sister, Beverly Goode (Phil); one granddaughter, Erin Pitcher (Will); and two great grandchildren, James Hudson Pitcher and Camilla Rose Pitcher. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife and grandson, James “Justin” Byrne. A funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M., Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Daniel Wray and Rev. Jim Smith officiating. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home, Berryville. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Patricia Buckley Moss
Patricia Buckley Moss, widely known as P. Buckley Moss, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, surrounded by family. With her departure, the art world mourns the loss of a talented and influential artist and philanthropist whose work and charity touched the lives and hearts of countless supporters.
Throughout her career, P. Buckley Moss became renowned for her distinctive artistic approach. Her paintings often depicted rural landscapes, barns, and idyllic scenes that captured the essence of the American countryside. Pat’s work was characterized by vibrant colors, intricate details, and a sense of warmth and nostalgia.
Pat was a devoted mother of six and a cherished grandmother of ten. Her enthusiasm for travel, food and the many pleasures of life was shared with everyone she knew.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her first husband John Gordon Moss as well as her son John Damian Moss. She is survived by her remaining five children, daughters Mary Donnelly (Kerry), Rebecca Ghezzi (Roberto), Patricia Moss (Mary Morgan), Virginia Moss (Corrado Gabellieri), her son Christopher Moss (Lisa) and her daughter-in-law Maureen Moss. Pat is also survived by her grandchildren Kate Harvey (Michael), Sarah Donnelly (Anthony Frate), Sean Donnelly, Sofia Ghezzi, Michela Ghezzi, Pier Francesco Gabellieri, Chiara Gabellieri, Kristina Moss, Diana Moss and Amanda Moss.
At a later date to be announced, Pat’s family will hold a ceremony to celebrate the life of P. Buckley Moss. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can send donations to the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education, the American Cancer Society or the Glioblastoma Foundation. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, Virginia is assisting the family.
Legal Notices
COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA
PLAT-2024-0194 Tseng Webb
Mr. Matthew Kroll of Timber Ridge Management, LLC of Ashburn, VA is requesting preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately forty-six (46.5826) acres into sixty (60) residential lots, one (1) open space lot, and accompanying right-of-way dedication and easement creation. The properties are bounded by Fleetwood Road (Route 616) to the west. The properties are zoned Transitional Residential – 1 (TR-1) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance
The properties are more particularly described as Parcel Identification Numbers 245-19-0650-000 and 245-18-2557-000 in the Little River Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0194. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Samantha Lockwood at Samantha.Lockwood@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by October 3rd, 2024. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
8/29/2024
TOWN OF HAMILTON REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOWN-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
The Hamilton Town Council (“Council”) requests proposals for the sale and development of two Town-owned parcels. An approximately .14-acre parcel located at 43 E. Colonial Highway (LC PIN 418-20-3171-000, Tax Map /37/A/1////28/), was the former location of the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and contains a 3,600 square foot one-story masonry building on concrete slab with two roll-up drive-in doors. The adjacent parcel located at 41 E. Colonial Highway (LC PIN 418-20-2769-000, Tax Map /37/A/1////34/) is approximately .09 acre and contains a two-story building. Both parcels are commercially zoned. The Town Council will consider submissions for the individual parcels or proposals for the development of both parcels.
The Request for Proposal, submission forms, tax maps, surveys and other information are available at the Town website: hamiltonva.gov, and at the Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia. Please contact the Town at 540-338-2811 to retrieve the information and schedule a tour of the properties. Proposals must be received at the Hamilton Town Office, by 3:00 P.M. EST on Monday October 7, 2024. The opening of proposals will take place during the regular monthly Town Council meeting beginning at 7:00 P.M. EST, at the Hamilton Town Office. Those who have submitted proposals and members of the public are welcome to attend the Town Council Meeting on Monday October 7, 2024. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. Kenneth C. Wine. Mayor
08/29 & 9/5/24
ABC LICENSE
Ebisu Sushi and Thai LLC, trading as Ebisu Sushi and Thai, 101 S. King St., Leesburg, VA. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer ApplicationRestaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises.
John Puglise, Owner
Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.
Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
8/29 & 9/5/24
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: 107CL2400300300
Circuit Court of Loudoun County YADALKIRIS CISNERO v. MICHEL A. SOHO
The object of this suit is to: Divorce. It is ORDERED that MICHEL A. SOHO on 09/27/2024 at 2pm appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before this date.
8/15, 8/22, 8/29 & 9/5/24
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case Nos.: JJ049277-01-00; JJ049278-01-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Aydan Allaberg and Abram Allaberg Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Dildora Ali and Malika Sultanova
The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-281 for Aydan Allaberg and Abram Allaberg.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Dildora Ali and Malika Sultanova appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 18, 2024 at 1:30 pm.
8/15, 8/22, 8/29, & 9/5/24
LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLE
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..
YEAR MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE NUMBER
2006 KAWASAKI UNKNOWN JKAEXVD1X6A099702 DOUBLE D 703-777-7300
2019 CHEVROLET BLAZER 3GNKBJRS1KS685299 DOUBLE D 703-777-7300
2000 GMC C6500 HA119790 ROADRUNNER 703-450-7555
1986 CHEVROLET P30 1GBHP32M6G3300865 ROADRUNNER 703-450-7555
1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER 1GNDT13W6V2176150 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888
8/29, 9/5/2024
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: CL24-3989
Circuit Court of Loudoun County CHELSEA MENJIVAR v. STEVE VASQUEZ
The object of this suit is to: Santiago Menjivar to change middle and last name. It is ORDERED that STEVE VASQUEZ appear at the abovenamed court and protect his/her interests on or before September 27, 2024 at 2pm.
8/15, 8/22, 8/29 & 9/5/24
A MESSAGE TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED LOUDOUN COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM
Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue
Residents 65 years of age and older OR totally and permanently disabled who wish to apply for 2024 Personal Property (vehicle) Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the September 3, 2024, filing deadline.
Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.
Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor
Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza Internet: loudoun.gov/taxrelief Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Phone: (703) 737-8557 Email: taxrelief@loudoun.gov
Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804
8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22 & 8/29/24
ABC LICENSE
Saigon Bistro VA LLC, trading as Saigon Bistro, 47100 Community Plaza 124, Sterling, VA 20164. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application - Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises.
Thang Nguyen, CEO/Owner
Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.
Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
8/22 & 8/29/24
LEGAL NOTICENOTICE
Legal Notices
On July 17, 2024, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an application (“Application”) for approval and certification of electric transmission facilities in the Counties of Fairfax and Loudoun, Virginia. Dominion filed its Application pursuant to § 56-46.1 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), and the Utility Facilities Act, Code §§ 56-265.1 et seq.
Through its Application, the Company proposes to complete the following (collectively, “Project”):
(1) Construct two new overhead double circuit 230 kilovolt (“kV”) transmission lines by cutting the Company’s existing 230 kV Lincoln Park-Loudoun Line #2008 and existing 230 kV Bull Run-Sully Line #265, which are collocated within an existing variable 100- to 120-footwide right-of-way. As proposed, existing Lincoln Park-Loudoun Line #2008 will be cut at a location between Structures #2008/66 and #2008/67, and existing Bull Run-Sully Line #265 will be cut at a location between Structures #265/88 and #265/89. The Company represents that the two new double circuit lines will extend approximately 0.3 mile from the respective cutin locations before terminating at a new proposed 230-34.5 kV substation located in Fairfax County, Virginia (“Takeoff Substation”) on property to be owned by the Company (“Takeoff Loop”). Dominion states that the cut-ins ultimately will result in (i) 230 kV Loudoun-Takeoff Line #2008, (ii) 230 kV Lincoln Park-Takeoff Line #2356, (iii) 230 kV Bear Run-Takeoff Line #2285 and (iv) 230 kV Sully-Takeoff Line # 2357. Dominion further represents that at the cutin between Structures #2008/66 and #2008/67, the Company will install two new monopole structures to provide a network connection to the Takeoff Substation. Similarly, Dominion states, at the cut-in between Structures #265/88 and #265/89, the Company will install two new monopole structures to provide a network connection to the Takeoff Substation. According to the Company, these network connections will allow the Takeoff Substation to connect to other existing substations for increased reliability. Dominion states that while the structures installed at the proposed cut-in locations are within the existing right of way, the proposed 0.3-mile Takeoff Loop will be constructed in a new 160-foot-wide right-of-way supported primarily by double circuit weathering steel 2-pole structures and utilizing threephase twin-bundled 768.2 thousand circular mils (“kcmil”) 20/7 Aluminum Conductor Steel Supported/Trapezoidal Wire/High Strength (“ACSS/TW/HS”) type conductor with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA, with one new Design Number (“DNO”)-11410 shield wire over each circuit. Dominion refers to this proposed work is referred to collectively as the “Takeoff Loop and Substation.”
(2) Partially reconductor and rebuild Sully-Takeoff Line #2357 entirely within existing right-of-way in Fairfax County, Virginia (“Sully-Takeoff Partial Reconductor/Rebuild”). As discussed above, Dominion states that Sully-Takeoff Line #2357 will result from cutting existing Bull Run-Sully Line #265 between Structures #265/88 and #265/89 (“Sully-Takeoff Cut-in”) and extending 0.3 mile of new double circuit lines to the proposed Takeoff Substation. The Company represents that the resulting approximately 2.2-mile Sully-Takeoff Line #2357 will consist of the new 0.3-mile segment from the Takeoff Substation to the Sully-Takeoff Cutin, and the existing 1.9-mile segment from the Sully Takeoff Cut-in to the Sully Substation. Hence, according to Dominion, only a “partial” reconductor and rebuild of Sully Takeoff Line #2357 – namely, within the 1.9-mile existing segment – is required, as follows:
a. Sully-Takeoff Partial Reconductor: reconductor the existing 1.9-mile segment of Sully-Takeoff Line #2357 between the Sully-Takeoff Cut-in and the existing Sully Substation by uprating the existing conductors from three-phase 1590 kcmil 45/7 Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced type conductor and 1534 Aluminum Conductor Alloy Reinforced 42 EC/19 type conductor to three-phase twin-bundled 768.2 kcmil 20/7 ACSS/TW/HS with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA.
b. Sully-Takeoff Partial Rebuild: rebuild five of the existing painted steel double circuit monopole structures supporting Line #2357 (i.e., supporting the existing Bull Run-Sully Line #265) and existing Discovery-Sully Line #2107 (existing Structures #265/98 / #2107/72, #265/99 / #2107/71, #265/102 / 2107/68, #265/104 / #2107/66, and #265/107 / #2107/63) in order to maintain proper clearances. According to the Company, the five structures proposed for rebuild are located within an existing 0.9 mile segment between existing Structure #265/98 / #2107/72 and Sully Substation. Dominion states that the five removed structures will be replaced with five double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures.
(3) Construct a new overhead double circuit 230 kV transmission line beginning at the Company’s future Aviator Substation located in Loudoun County, Virginia, and extending approximately 3.2 miles to terminate at the Company’s new proposed Takeoff Substation located in Fairfax County, Virginia, resulting in (i) 230 kV Aviator-Takeoff Line #2358, and (ii) 230 kV Aviator-Takeoff Line #2359 (“Aviator-Takeoff Lines”). The Company states that while the proposed Aviator Takeoff Lines will commence and terminate on Company owned or to-be-owned property (from Structure #2358/25 / #2359/25 at Aviator Substation to Structure #2358/1 / #2359/1 at Takeoff Substation), the proposed Aviator-Takeoff Lines will be constructed in new 100 foot wide right-of-way supported primarily by double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures and will utilize three-phase twin-bundled 768.2 kcmil 20/7 ACSS/TW/HS type conductors with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA, with one new DNO-11410 shield wire over each new circuit.
(4) Perform minor substation-related work at the Company’s future Aviator Substation.
According to the Application, Dominion asserts the proposed Project is necessary to relieve identified violations of mandatory North American Electric Reliability Corporation Reliability Standards, to provide service requested by a data center customer of Dominion, and to maintain the structural integrity and reliability of its transmission system.
Dominion states that for the Takeoff Loop, the Company identified one 0.3-mile overhead proposed route in an approximately 160-foot-wide right-of-way (“Takeoff Loop Proposed Route” or “Takeoff Loop Route 1”), as well as an approximately 0.3-mile overhead alternative route in an approximately 100-foot-wide right-of-way (“Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2”).
Dominion states that for the Sully-Takeoff Partial Reconductor/Rebuild, the total length of the existing right-of-way, which is currently maintained at variable 100 to 120 feet in width, is approximately 1.9 miles. Dominion further states that no new right-of-way would be required because the existing rightof-way and Company-owned property are adequate for the Sully-Takeoff Partial Reconductor/Rebuild. The Company asserts that it did not consider any alternative routes requiring new right-of-way for the Sully-Takeoff Partial Reconductor/Rebuild, given the availability of existing right-of-way and the statutory preference given to the use of existing right-of-way, and because additional costs and environmental impacts would be associated with the acquisition of and construction of new right of way.
Dominion states that for the Aviator-Takeoff Lines, the Company identified one 3.2-mile overhead proposed route (“Aviator-Takeoff Proposed Route”) and two overhead alternative routes that are either 3.3 or 3.1 miles long (respectively, “Aviator Takeoff Alternative Route 2” and “Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3”).
Dominion states that the Takeoff Substation will be constructed with three 112 MVA 230-34.5 kV transformers, two 84 MVA 230 34.5 kV transformers, and nine 230 kV breakers arranged in a breakerand-a-half configuration. Dominion states that the total area of the Takeoff Substation is approximately 4.3 acres.
The Company states the desired in-service date for the proposed Project is August 1, 2027. The Company represents that the total estimated conceptual cost of the proposed Project is approximately $168.3 million, which includes approximately $93.1 million for transmission-related work and approximately $75.2 million for substation-related work (in 2024 dollars).
Description of Routes for the Proposed Project TAKEOFF LOOP
Takeoff Loop Proposed Route/Route 1
The Takeoff Loop Proposed Route is approximately 0.3 mile in length. The Takeoff Loop Proposed Route originates at cut-in locations on the Company’s existing Lincoln Park-Loudoun Line #2008 and Bull RunSully Line #265 between Structures #2008/66 / #265/88 and #2008/67 / #265/89, north of Route 50 and east of Airplane Road. From the cut-in locations, the Proposed Route heads west collocated along Route 50, crosses Airplane Road, then turns north and terminates at the proposed Takeoff Substation, which is located north of Route 50 and east of Avion Parkway in Fairfax County.
The Takeoff Loop Proposed Route proposes construction of two new double circuit 230 kV overhead continued on next page
LEGAL NOTICE
continued from previous page
Legal Notices
transmission lines, which primarily will be supported by double circuit weathering steel 2 pole structures. For the Takeoff Loop Proposed Route, the minimum structure height is 100 feet, the maximum structure height is 110 feet, and the average structure height is 103 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2
Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2 is approximately 0.3 mile in length. Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2 originates at a cut-in location on the Company’s existing Lincoln Park-Loudoun Line #2008 between Structures #2008/65 and #2008/66, south of Route 50 and east of Lee Road. From the cut-in location, the route heads northwest collocated along the south side of Route 50 and crosses Lee Road, then turns north, crosses Route 50, and terminates at the proposed Takeoff Substation, which is located north of Route 50 and east of Avion Parkway in Fairfax County.
Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2 proposed construction of one new double circuit 230 kV overhead transmission line, which primarily will be supported by double circuit weathering steel monopoles and 2-pole angle structures. For Takeoff Loop Alternative Route 2, the minimum structure height is 95 feet, the maximum structure height is 125 feet, and the average structure height is 106 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
SULLY-TAKEOFF PARTIAL RECONDUCTOR/REBUILD
Reconductor/Rebuild Proposed Route
The Reconductor/Rebuild is approximately 1.9 miles long, including approximately 1.0 mile of reconductor only and 0.9 mile of reconductor and partial rebuild, which will entail replacement of five existing structures. The Reconductor/Rebuild Proposed Route begins at the existing Sully Substation located in Chantilly, Virginia, east of Lees Corner Road and north of Fatlick Branch and heads northeast along an existing transmission line right-of-way, crossing Centreville Road, then continues along the Washington Dulles International Airport (“Dulles Airport”) property, crosses Route 28, and terminates at the cut-in location between Structures #2008/66 / #265/88 and #2008/67 / 265/89, north of Route 50 and east of Airplane Road.
The Reconductor/Rebuild Proposed Route will replace approximately five exiting double circuit painted monopole structures with five double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures within an approximately 0.9-mile segment of existing right-of-way. For the 0.9-mile segment of the Reconductor/Rebuild Proposed Route, the minimum structure height is 90 feet, the maximum structure height is 130 feet, and the average structure height is 108 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
AVIATOR-TAKEOFF LINES
Aviator-Takeoff Proposed Route (Route 1).
The Aviator-Takeoff Proposed Route is approximately 3.2 miles in length. The Proposed Route originates at the future Aviator Substation, south of the intersection of South Perimeter Road and Willard Road. From there, the Proposed Route briefly heads north and enters Dulles Airport property, then turns southeast and follows South Perimeter Road, exits Loudoun County and enters Fairfax County, then crosses Stonecroft Boulevard. Still on Dulles Airport property, the route continues southeast, then turns south along Lower Perimeter Road until it terminates at the proposed Takeoff Substation, north of Route 50 and east of Avion Parkway.
The Aviator-Takeoff Proposed Route primarily will be supported by double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures. For the Proposed Route, the minimum structure height is 95 feet, the maximum structure height is 140 feet, and the average structure height is 114 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 2
Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 2 is approximately 3.3 miles in length. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 2 originates at the future Aviator Substation, south of the intersection of South Perimeter Road and Willard Road. From there, the route briefly heads north before turning southeast within a parcel cleared for a future data center. The route heads east and then southeast through a mix of industrial parcels and scattered forest. The route then exits Loudoun County and enters Fairfax County and the Cub Run Resource Protection Area (“RPA”). Alternative Route 2 turns south along developed areas west of Cub Run and then heads southeast as it collocates with Route 50 and an existing buried utility line, crosses Cub Run, and continues to collocate with Route 50. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 2 continues east and crosses Avion Park Court and Stonecroft Boulevard, then follows Virginia Mallory Drive and crosses Avion Parkway. Aviator Takeoff Alternative Route 2 then turns south and terminates at the proposed Takeoff Substation, north of Route 50 and east of Avion Parkway.
Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 2 primarily will be supported by double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures. For Alternative Route 2, the minimum structure height is 100 feet, the maximum structure height is 135 feet, and the average structure height is 115 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3
Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3 is approximately 3.1 miles in length. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3 originates at the future Aviator Substation, south of the intersection of South Perimeter Road and Willard Road. From there, Aviator Takeoff Alternative Route 3 briefly heads north before turning southeast within a parcel cleared for a future data center. The route heads southeast along Sand Branch, crosses Pleasant Valley Road, and continues southeast before exiting Loudoun County
and entering Fairfax County and the Cub Run RPA. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3 turns south briefly along the western boundary of the Cub Run RPA and then bisects the Cub Run RPA as it heads southeast and collocates with an existing buried utility easement, crosses Cub Run, and then continues to collocate within a private road and water utility easement. Continuing east, AviatorTakeoff Alternative Route 3 crosses Avion Park Court and Stonecroft Boulevard, then follows Virginia Mallory Drive and crosses Avion Parkway. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3 then turns south and terminates at the proposed Takeoff Substation, north of Route 50 and east of Avion Parkway. Aviator-Takeoff Alternative Route 3 primarily will be supported by double circuit dulled galvanized steel monopole structures. For Alternative Route 3, the minimum structure height is 100 feet, the maximum structure height is 140 feet, and the average structure height is 114 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal and subject to change based on final engineering design.
All distances, heights, and directions are approximate. A sketch map of the proposal accompanies this notice. A more detailed map may be viewed on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/ pages/Transmission-Line-Projects. A more complete description of the Project also may be found in the Company’s Application.
The Commission may consider a route not significantly different from the route described in this notice without additional notice to the public.
The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on Dominion’s Application. On December 17, 2024, at 10 a.m., the Hearing Examiner assigned will hold the telephonic portion of the hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before December 10, 2024, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting
On December 17, 2024, at 10 a.m. or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff.
To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and has required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.
Electronic copies of the Application and other supporting materials may be inspected at: https://www. dominionenergy.com/NOVA. An electronic copy of the Company’s Application also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Vishwa B. Link, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or vlink@mcguirewoods. com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the Application and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.
On or before December 10, 2024, any interested person may submit comments on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/ Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00131.
On or before October 15, 2024, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00131.
On or before November 6, 2024, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc. virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2024-00131.
Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.
The Company’s Application and other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information
AND POWER COMPANY
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, September 11, 2024, in order to consider:
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1460 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY GRANTS OR LOANS FOR RENTAL PROPERTY AND CERTAIN OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTY
Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 1460 Grants or Loans For Rental Property and Certain Owner Occupied Property, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.
The proposed amendments clarify that the disposition of real property owned by the County is an option included in the definition of “Grant” that may be approved by the Board for the public purpose of preserving existing housing in safe and sanitary condition or producing new housing for persons of low and moderate income. In addition, the proposed amendments include the following changes (underlined below):
Amendment to Section 1460.01, The Purpose of Grants or Loans: Clarifies language and states that the enabling legislation for the Ordinance is Virginia Code §15.2-958 and that the purpose of the grants or loans for the benefit of certain owner-occupied property is the rehabilitation of an owner-occupied residence.
Amendment to Section 1460.02, Definitions: To amend the following definitions:
[a] “Applicant:” To clarify that the term “Applicant” means an owner of residential rental property that consists of at least two rental units occupied, or to be occupied, by persons of low and moderate income or a person or entity who seeks to improve certain owner-occupied dwelling units, who submits a completed application for the purposes stated in section 1460.01.
[c] “Grant:” To clarify that the term grant also includes the disposition to an applicant of County owned real property occupied, or to be occupied, by persons of low and moderate income to be used for the public purpose of preserving existing housing in safe and sanitary condition or producing new housing for persons of low and moderate income as set forth in section 1460.01.
Amendment to Section 1460.04, Conditions and Restrictions: To make some stylistic changes to improve the flow of language in this section, and to update the reference to Virginia Code § 6.1-125 to current §6.2-604.
Amendment to Section 1460.05, Administration by the County Administrator; Approval of Certain Loans, Grants, and New Programs by the Board of Supervisors: To clarify in the title that Section 1460.05 includes approval of loans, and grants as well, and that the reference to Multi-family Housing Loan Program Guidelines dated July 3, 2018, not only includes the first amendment on July 13, 2019, but any other successive amendment.
A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced proposed amendments may be examined at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays or call (703) 737-8213 to request hard copies or electronic copies, A complete copy of the proposed amendments are on file and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator 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 the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/ bosdocuments
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1450 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY AFFORDABLE DWELLING UNITS
Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Chapter 1450, Affordable Dwelling Units, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.
On September 8, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously adopted the Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (UHNSP). Within the UHNSP, Objective 4, Strategy 4.1, Key Action C, calls for the County to “extend the ADU covenant affordability control period beyond 15 years to retain affordable housing stock.” Chapter 1450 of the Codified Ordinances administers the County’s Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program.
The proposed amendments for consideration include: to extend the control price affordability period for the ADU Program for Purchase and Rental, from 15 years to 30 years and from 20 years to 50 years,
respectively; to renew of the control price affordability period for ADU Purchase units, any time an existing ADU unit is sold within a control price affordability period; and to update terms and clarify text to make the provisions more comprehensible. Additionally, amendments to the Housing Trust are proposed to support potential rehabilitation needs of existing ADUs in the future pursuant to a prospective loan program that will be brought to the consideration of the Board.
A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced proposed amendments may be examined at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays or call (703) 737-8213 to request hard copies or electronic copies, A complete copy of the proposed amendments are on file and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator 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 the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/ bosdocuments
SBEX-2020-0003 CROSSTRAIL INDUSTRIAL PARK (Subdivision Exception)
Crosstrail Industrial Land Condominium is requesting a subdivision exception (SBEX) pursuant to Section 1245.01(2) of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO) to amend the Development Conditions as approved with SBEX-2009-0001 to reflect changes that have taken place since the approval of SBEX-2009-0001. The proposed Conditions of Approval would require the Owners convey or obtain conveyance of all dedicated right-of-way and/or easements necessary for their Condominium unit or Parcel to access Crosstrail Boulevard, if any, prior to or concurrent with approval of the first site plan, or site plan amendment, whichever is first in time, and require the Owners to vacate the existing right-of-way reservation in its entirety, prior to or concurrent with approval of the first site plan or site plan amendment, whichever is first in time. The Crosstrail Industrial Land Condominium is located south of Crosstrail Boulevard (Route 896), north of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) in the Leesburg Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
150-26-4327-000 19473 Samuels Mill Ct. /61/E/1CM/PH1/ 150-27-1504-000 19430 Samules Mill Ct. /61/E/1CM/PH2/ 150-27-9990-000 N/A /61/E/1CM/PH3/ 150-26-8040-000 19431 Samules Mill Ct. /61/E/1CM/PH4/ 150-26-6169-000 N/A /61/E/1CM/PH5/ 150-36-9787-000 19383 Samuels Mill Ct. /61/E/1CM/PH6/
150-37-2312-000 N/A /61/E/1CM/PH7/ 150-37-3700-000 N/A /61/E/1CM/PH8/
150-27-0553-000 19397 Samuels Mill Ct. /61/E/1CM/PH9/ 150-27-2717-000 19422 Samules Mill Ct. /61/E/1CMPH10/
ALEGI-2024-0002, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW LOVETTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT
The current period of the New Lovettsville Agricultural and Forestal District (District) will expire on January 2, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors (Board) has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally bounded by Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671) to the west, Morrisonville Road (Route 693) to the south, Berlin Turnpike (Route 287) and Milltown Road (Route 673/681) to the east, and the Potomac River to the north, in the Catoctin Election District.
During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:
1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture,
Legal Notices
land use tax deferral
2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.
3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.
4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.
Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Lovettsville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.
Parcel Listings:
332-45-6758-000 //9////////92/ 2.12 408-17-2553-000 /16//49/////2/ 3.64
332-47-0153-000 //9///9/////1A 6.9 408-17-3189-000 /16//49/////1/ 7.15
334-15-3609-000 //9//11/////2/ 10 408-35-7146-000 /16///1/////2/ 10
335-15-6108-000 //9////////72D 10 408-35-8282-000 /16///1/////1/ 10
335-15-9934-000 //9////////72E 10 409-47-4462-000 /16////////95A 10.59
335-25-0663-000 //9////////69/ 2.27 437-15-7050-000 //2/////////4A 14.02
335-25-3278-000 //9////////70A 3.17 437-18-6110-000 //2///////109/ 4.06
335-25-6496-000 //9////////70/ 3 437-25-2747-000 //2/////////4B 14.02
335-36-3975-000 //9////////71/ 34.97 438-15-4243-000 //2////////92/ 25.97
335-46-4474-000 //9////////65B 10.23 438-17-0237-000 //2////////94A 4.6
336-45-2262-000 /17//24/////G/ 10 438-17-4252-000 //2////////94/ 3.07
367-17-2567-000 //3///6/////6B 10.2 438-20-9261-000 //2//14/////3/ 6.43
367-17-9949-000 //3///3/////3/ 10 438-27-3301-000 //2////////95/ 3
367-18-7208-000 //3///3/////1A 2 438-40-2019-000 //2///3/////2A 3.66
367-26-4625-000 //3///6/////6/ 19.07
439-10-5210-000 //8//24/////5/ 10.23
367-27-6067-000 //3///3/////4/ 25 439-10-6966-000 //8//24/////1/ 10.3
367-35-4219-000 //3//11////11/ 10.22 439-15-4818-000 //8///////155/ 9.2
367-35-9790-000 //3/////////8/ 57.25 439-15-7959-000 //8////////14/ 17.64
367-45-4695-000 //3/////////9B 10.65 439-15-8491-000 //8////////11A 18.2
367-49-5702-000 //3////////18/ 35.19
368-40-8141-000 //9////////99/ 4.95
439-19-4182-000 //8//24/////3/ 10
439-25-9194-000 //8/////////6/ 25.91
368-48-6786-000 //3///3/////2B 2 439-27-6405-000 //8///////121/ 72.01
370-15-8588-000 //9////////35/ 71.11
370-36-1745-000 //9//13/////7/ 15.1
370-37-2253-000 //9//13/////9/ 13.82
371-27-2763-000 //9////////54/ 20.57
371-29-6476-000 //9///2/////2A 4.83
371-47-9326-000 //9////////47/ 30.78
372-19-2882-000 /17//25/////4/ 15.75
372-29-2298-000 /17//26/////E/ 5.02
372-29-2461-000 /17//25/////3/ 10.11
402-20-7603-000 //3/////////3/ 70.42
403-20-4175-000 //3//11////14/ 10.4
403-27-2792-000 //3///9////20/ 10.6
403-28-8065-000 //3///9////17/ 20.14
403-29-3411-000 //3//13////27/ 10.62
403-29-4096-000 //3///9////16/ 10.42
439-29-3368-000 //8//17/////2/ 3
439-35-8423-000 //8///////147/ 23.68
439-36-9594-000 //8/////////1/ 3.07
439-37-2366-000 //8///////127/ 0.5
439-37-8236-000 //8///////121A 1.07
439-47-1866-000 //2////////96A 18.49
439-47-8210-000 //2///////101D 10
439-48-5151-000 //2///9////PT/ 47.56
440-10-6645-000 //8///////140/ 12.34
441-19-6273-000 //8////////88/ 162.5
441-26-5866-000 //8////////97/ 12.18
443-30-8447-000 /16//25/////2/ 13.51
472-29-8903-000 //2////////11/ 71.42
472-30-2654-000 //2/////////5/ 19.38
474-10-3827-000 //8////////20C 5.75
403-29-9088-000 //3//11////15/ 10.4 474-19-6261-000 //7///2/////8/ 22.13
403-40-5043-000 //3//11/////7/ 10.24 474-28-8300-000 //7////////98B 24.94
404-15-1994-000 //8//23/////1/ 3.41 474-29-4442-000 //7///2/////9/ 18.22
404-15-2036-000 //8//24/////6/ 10.3
474-30-3888-000 //8///////146/ 13
404-30-4836-000 //9/////////1A 48.43 474-39-2526-000 //7////////95A 24
405-28-1327-000 //8///////138/ 6 474-39-9015-000 //8///////156/ 5.63
405-36-7116-000 //8//21/////8/ 10.04 474-40-7528-000 //8/////////4/ 21.26
405-39-5091-000 //8///3/////4/ 10.24 475-40-4084-000 //8////////20A 11.5
406-46-7192-000 //8///5/////7/ 15.89 *403-30-4696-000 //3//11/////8/ 10.05
407-20-8723-000 //9//41/////1/ 21.16
407-30-5782-000 //9////////49/ 82.35
*406-38-8529-000 //8//22/////2/ 15
*479-48-9241-000 /15////////98/ 6.47
*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.
The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board at its public hearing.
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection 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 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at:https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (6-10-2024 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
ALEGI-2024-0003, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW MOUNTVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT
The current period of the New Mountville Agricultural and Forestal District (District) will expire on January 2, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 50 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors (Board) has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of the Goose Creek and Beaverdam Creek, west of Lime Kiln Road (Route 733), Oatlands Road (Route 650) and Sam Fred Road (Route 748), east of Pothouse Road (Route 745), Foxcroft Road (Route 626), and Leith Lane (Route 733), and north of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), in the Little River Election District.
During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:
1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.
2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.
3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.
4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.
Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Mountville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.
Parcel Listings:
391-25-5852-000 /75A1/1////26/ 10.45 498-27-9840-000 /73///2/////3/ 10
391-26-6668-000 /75A1/1////24/ 10.35 499-25-1613-000 /73//21/////2/ 100
391-27-2834-000 /75A1/1////22/ 11.41 499-36-5927-000 /73//17/////2/ 50
391-37-4204-000 /75A1/1////21/ 11.51 499-46-8984-000 /73////////35/ 2.33
393-18-4162-000 /75///8/////2/ 31.16 500-10-8875-000 /74///1/////1/ 3
426-17-9754-000 /75A2/1////64/ 15.2
427-17-0166-000 /74///8/////2/ 19.9
427-20-0840-000 /75A2/1////30/ 13.79
427-27-1326-000 /74////////39B 26
428-38-5924-000 /74////////42/ 355.44
462-10-2124-000 /74///2/////1/ 15.64
463-40-0861-000 /74///2/////2/ 24.3
465-15-4047-000 /74///1/////2/ 10
Legal Notices
500-10-9206-000 /88//21/////1/ 6.77
500-17-7473-000 /87////////57/ 77.32
500-29-9671-000 /74////////13A 96.03
500-30-5992-000 /74/B/1/////3R 18.42
500-47-9968-000 /73//17/////1/ 168.48
501-27-3719-000 /87////////53/ 434.41
501-38-8451-000 /87////////56/ 40.68
501-46-8702-000 /87////////55/ 27.1
465-15-4311-000 /88/////////3B 3 532-10-7739-000 /73////////17A 16.69
498-16-7892-000 /73///2/////5/ 11.96
498-17-7351-000 /73///2/////1/ 11.52
498-17-8304-000 /73////////28C 17.57
498-26-8239-000 /73///2/////6/ 10
498-26-9874-000 /73///2/////7/ 12.5
498-27-7302-000 /73///2/////2/ 12.5
533-27-9786-000 /73///3////13B 27.06
534-19-3347-000 /73//21/////1/ 225.27
535-46-9524-000 /73////////42/ 145.85
536-46-5841-000 /87/////////8A 55.29
537-20-3377-000 /87////////58A 40
*427-10-6142-000 /75A2/1////16/ 10.83
*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.
The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board at its public hearing.
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection 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 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac (6-10-2024 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
LEGI-2023-0066, LAKEVIEW CENTER PLAZA:
SPEX-2023-0009 (Special Exception)
Consolidated Petroleum, LLC, has submitted an application for a special exception (SPEX) for a 1.99acre property located north of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) on the southeast corner of Lakeview Center Plaza and Riverside Parkway (Route 607) in the Algonkian Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 20070 Lakeview Center Plaza, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN 057-40-6876-000, Tax Map # /63/E19/////2/. The Subject Property is zoned PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (1972 Zoning Ordinance). The applicant seeks a special exception, per the 1972 Zoning Ordinance, to allow an automobile service station in the PD-RDP Zoning District.
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-2023-0044, ZMOD-2023-0045, & ZMOD-2023-0047 (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, and Zoning Ordinance Modifications)
Goose Creek Commercial LLC has submitted applications for zoning map amendment (ZMAP), special exception (SPEX), and zoning ordinance modifications (ZMODs) 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 20851 Century Corner Dr.. Ashburn, PIN 153-17-2472-000, Tax Map #78/U/1////AL/. For ZMAP-2022-0013, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from PD-OP (Planned Development - Office Park) 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 SPEX-2022-0034, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum lot width for single-family attached units, and reduce the minimum front, and side yard setbacks, and reduce the minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for multifamily stacked, and multifamily attached dwelling units. For ZMOD-2022-0046, ZMOD-2022-0047, ZMOD-2022-0048, ZMOD2022-0049, ZMOD-2023-0030, ZMOD-2023-0044, ZMOD-2023-0045, & ZMOD-2023-0047, 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, eliminate the street tree requirement along the garage side of private streets, eliminate the required Type 1 Buffer require-
ment 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 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-2023-0030, ARCOLA TOWN CENTER RESIDENTIAL: ZCPA-2022-0001, ZMOD-2022-0013, ZMOD-2022-0014 & SPMI-2023-0016 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Zoning Ordinance Modifications, and Minor Special Exception)
Arcola Residential Development, LLC has submitted applications for: a zoning concept plan amendment (ZCPA), zoning ordinance modifications (ZMODs), and a minor special exception (SPEX) for approximately 38.20 acres of land located south of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), north of north of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), and east on Stone Springs Road (Route 659) in the Dulles Election District and more (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as a portion of PIN: 162-26-6525-000, Tax Map # 101///////G1A/. For ZCPA-2022-0001, the applicant seeks to amend the Concept Development Plan and Proffer Statement associated with ZMAP-2012-0004, Arcola Center, and other subsequent approvals, to allow for the development of up to 70,000 square feet of commercial uses and up to 595 residential units at a density of 15.58 dwelling units per acre. For ZMOD-2022-0013 and ZMOD-2022-0014, the applicant seeks to allow the maximum percentage of residential uses to exceed 50 percent of gross floor area and to eliminate the minimum requirement for ground floor pedestrian-oriented business 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 Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution, dated December 13, 2023.
LEGI-2023-0059, GREENLIN PARK: ZMAP-2022-0024
(Zoning Map Amendment)
Cammack Brothers, LLC, has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment (ZMAP) for approximately 81.17 acres of land located on the north side of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), south side of Shreve Mill Road (Route 653), and west side of Sycolin Road (Route 625) in the Leesburg Election District (the Subject Property). and the Subject Property is more particularly described as a portion of PIN: 237-39-5293-000, Tax Map # /60////////55/. The applicant seeks to rezone an 81.17-acre portion of the larger 467.1-acre property from the Transitional TR-10 (Residential – 10) zoning district and the JLMA-20 (Joint Land Area Management – 20) zoning district to the IP (Industrial Park) zoning district in order to develop data center and utility substation uses. The application is being processed under 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, 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 703-7770246 (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 August 30, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on September 11, 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
08/22 & 08/29/24
Legal Notices
NOTICE OF BLOND ELECTION
CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $224,621,000.
Civil Action Order No. CL24-3826 ORDER
THERE HAVING BEEN PRESENTED to the Court the following resolutions adopted by the Loudoun County School Board (the “School Board”) and the Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia (the “Board of Supervisors”), respectively:
(a) A copy of a resolution adopted by the School Board on May 28, 2024, requesting the Board of Supervisors to request this Court to order an election in the County of Loudoun, Virginia (the “County”) on the question of issuing general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $43,684,000 for certain school capital projects including, School Bus Replacement and Associated Infrastructure and LCPS Capital Facility Renewals and Alterations; and
(b) A certified copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 18, 2024, finding it advisable to contract a debt and issue general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $224,621,000 to finance school capital projects and other County capital projects as stated therein, and requesting this Court to order a special election for this purpose; and
IT APPEARING TO THE COURT that such resolutions have been duly adopted and that a special election for the purpose set forth herein is authorized pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2.2610 and 15.2-2611; it is hereby ADJUDGED, ORDERED and DECREED as follows:
1. Such resolutions are approved and are hereby filed.
2. The regular election officers of the County shall, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, that being a day not less than eighty-one (81) days from the date hereof and being the same day as the general election, hold a Special Election in accordance with § 24.2-681 et seq. of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, and take the sense of the qualified voters of the County on the following questions regarding contracting a debt and issuing general obligation bonds of the County in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $224,621,000 for the purposes set forth in such resolutions.
3. The ballot to be used at the election shall pose the questions in substantially the following forms
School Projects
QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $10,000,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the design, construction, equipping and other costs of LCPS Facility Renewals and Alterations and the costs of other public school facilities as requested by the Loudoun County School Board?
( ) YES
( ) NO
Public Safety Projects
QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $9,669,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the design, construction, equipping and other costs of Fire and Rescue Capital Apparatus and Fire and Rescue Station #08 - Philomont Station Replacement; and the costs of other public safety projects approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?
( ) YES
( ) NO
Parks and Recreation Projects
QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Vriginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $53, 787,000 to finance in whole or in part, the design, construction, equipping and other costs of, the Western Loudoun Recreation Complex, Dulles South Community Park, and the Westpark
Improvements; and the costs of other public parks, recreational and community center projects approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?
( ) YES
( ) NO
Transportation Projects
QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $151,165,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the design, construction and other costs of improvements for Braddock Road / Trailhead Drive Roundabout, Braddock Road Widening — Paul VI Eastern Entrance to Loudoun County Parkway, Crosstrail Boulevard Segment C — Sycolin Road to Dulles Greenway, Dulles West Boulevard —Northstar Boulevard to Arcola Boulevard, Evergreen Mills Road / Reservoir Road / Watson Road Intersection Improvement, Lake Drive Improvements, Northstar Boulevard Widening — Tall Cedars Parkway to Braddock Road, Route 7 / Route 287 Interchange Improvements, Route 15 Widening —Whites Ferry Road to Montresor Road, Ryan Road Widening — Evergreen Mills Road to Beaverdam Drive, Sycolin Road Widening — Loudoun Center Place to Crosstrail Boulevard, and Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail; and the costs of other public road and transportation projects approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?
( ) YES
( ) NO
4. The election shall be conducted, the ballots counted, and the returns made and canvassed in the manner provided by law, and the results thereof shall be certified to this Court, to the State Board of Elections and to the Board of Supervisors.
5. A copy of this Order shall serve as the Writ of Election. The Clerk of this Court shall forthwith send two certified copies of this Order to the Loudoun County Sheriff. Upon receipt, the Sheriff shall forthwith serve one certified copy of this Order upon the General Registrar of the County at the following address:
Judy Brown, General Registrar
750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Upon execution, the Sheriff shall file his return of service with this Court.
6. The Clerk of this Court shall forthwith send a certified copy of this Order to the State Board of Elections and to the Loudoun County Attorney.
7. Pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2610, the County of Loudoun shall cause a copy of this Order, preceded by the caption, “NOTICE OF BOND ELECTION,” to be published in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the County. Such publication shall be made at least once but not less than seven (7) days before the election.
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR:
OPIOID ABATEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN, RFP No. 662834 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, September 19, 2024.
PORTABLE LITTER FENCINGREISSUE, IFB No. 661845 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, September 24, 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) 7770403, 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
08/29/2024
Legal Notices
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ045449
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Cristino Membreno, 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 Mackenzie Berenize Membreno Membreno.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Cristino Membreno, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 29, 2024 at 10:00am.
8/29, 9/5, 9/12 & 9/19/24
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE
21st Street Shared Use Path – Hirst Road to the Suzanne Kane Trail
UPC# 121760
Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Purcellville is designing improvements to connect the existing shared use path along Hirst Road to the Suzanne Kane Nature Preserve Trail along 21st Street. Proposed improvements include a ten-foot-wide shared use path, a pedestrian bridge crossing South Fork Catoctin Creek, and a marked crossing of 21st Street approximately 250’ northwest of Baffin Place from the path to the existing sidewalk. The path improvements will improve accessibility for residents and visitors, provide additional recreational facilities, and connect existing and future pedestrian routes in the Town.
For more information or to provide comments please contact Jessica Keller, Town of Purcellville Capital Projects Manager, at jkeller@purcellvilleva.gov or by telephone at (571) 509-1896 by September 13, 2024
If your concerns cannot be satisfied, The Town of Purcellville is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Ms. Jessica Keller, Project Manager, Town of Purcellville, 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, VA 20132 or by email to jkeller@ purcellvilleva.gov on or prior to September 13, 2024. Please reference “21st Street Shared Use Path” in the subject line.
The Town of Purcellville ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you require an accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance, please contact Kimberly Bandy, Town Clerk, at kbandy@purcellvilleva.gov.
8/29 & 9/5/24
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ048309-03-00, JJ048310-03-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yanelis Benegas and Yadiel Benegas Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Paula Benegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father and Unknown 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 16.1281 for Yanelis Benegas and Yadiel Benegas.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Paula Benegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 8, 2024 at 11:00am.
8/29, 9/5, 9/12 & 9/19/24
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE TOWN OF LEESBURG ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION VACANCY
The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Environmental Advisory Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, 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.
08/29 & 09/05/2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE TOWN OF LEESBURG AIRPORT COMMISSION VACANCY
The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Airport Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, 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.
08/29 & 09/05/2024
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ044061
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Allison Rodriguez Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Liliana Rodriguez, Mother 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 Allison Rodriguez.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Liliana Rodriguez, Mother and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 8, 2024 at 10:00am.
8/29, 9/5, 9/12 & 9/19/24
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/boardsand-commissions. 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.
8/29/24
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 3:00 p.m. on October 3, 2024 for the following:
RFP No. 500640-FY25-04
CATIONIC EMULSION POLYMER WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY
The Town of Leesburg is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms for Cationic Emulsion Polymer as described herein. Delivery will be to the Town’s Water Pollution Control Facility located at 1391 Russell Branch Parkway SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20175. For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard
8/29/24
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER MINOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSPEX2024-0009 CORNWALL COMMONS ARCHITECTURE
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.22205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Minor Special Exception application TLSPEX2024-0009, Cornwall Commons Architecture.
The subject of the application proposes minor site changes and an update to the previously approved Special Exception condition regarding architecture. The property is zoned MC, Medical – Hospital Center and is further described by Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 230-17-6511-000.
Minor Special Exception Application
TLSPEX2024-0009 is a request by Gibson –Cornwall LLC to allow for minor site changes and an update to the previously approved Special
Exception condition regarding architecture pursuant to Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance Section 3.4.15.
Additional information and copies of this application are available at the Department of Community Development located at 222 Catoctin Cir. SE, Suite 200, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Ashleigh Goedeke, Zoning Analyst by telephone at 703737-2395, or by email at agoedeke@leesburgva. gov.
At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
8/22 & 8/29/24
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF OLD TOLBERT LANE AND MILLER DRIVE AND AUTHORIZING A BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT WITH ADJACENT TOWN PROPERTY
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-2006, notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on: TUESDAY, September 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider an ordinance vacating the use of a portion of old Tolbert Lane, at the southwest corner of old Tolbert Lane and Miller Drive, for public street right-of-way purposes. The proposed ordinance will also authorize a boundary line adjustment to consolidate the vacated right-ofway with the adjacent property of the Town. The portion of the right-of-way proposed to be vacated is a portion of area dedicated for public street purposes that has never been in use and is no longer necessary for future planned road
improvements.
A copy of the proposed ordinance and additional information are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.
At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/ TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
8/22 & 8/29/24
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER A STANDARD LEASE AGREEMENT WITH TEXTRON AVIATION INC. FOR OFFICE SPACE IN THE STANLEY CAULKINS TERMINAL AT THE LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1800, notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the proposed lease agreement with Textron Aviation, Inc. for a 240 square-foot office space owned by the Town of Leesburg and located at 1001 Sycolin Road SE, Suite #4 in the Stanley Caulkins Terminal at
the Leesburg Executive Airport, for a term of one year with four one-year renewal options, upon certain terms and conditions.
A copy of the proposed Resolution and the proposed Lease are available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Town Clerk, at 703-771-2733.
At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring reasonable accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-7712733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
8/22 & 8/29/24
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLZM-2023-0003 AND SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSE-2023-0002 CRESCENT SYCOLIN
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.22205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2023-0003 and Special Exception application TLSE-2023-0002 Crescent Sycolin.
The Subject Property is located at 23 to 33 Sycolin Road SE and consists of 6 parcels totaling approximately 3.56 acres (Loudoun County Property Identification Numbers (PINs) 188-151721, 188-15-1715, 188-15-1708, 232-40-9196, 189-45-1396, and 189-45-0586). The Subject Property is zoned CD-MUO (Crescent Design –Mixed-Use Optional).
Rezoning Application TLZM-2023-0003 is a request by Big T Properties, LLC to allow multifamily residential dwelling units (52 units) and 5 stories building height in the CD-MUO zoning district.
Special Exception Application TLSE-2023-0002 is a request to allow “other activities that cause no increase in flood height” in the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District.
The Subject Property is located in what the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan (LLTP) describes
as an “Area to Transform or Evolve” on the Area Based Land Use Initiatives Map (LLTP pg. 72). The property is further designated within LLTP as “Crescent Area” on the Character Areas for Preservation and Change Map (LLTP pg. 76).
The application includes requested three (3) modifications to the requirements of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) regulations for mix of uses required, ground floor use requirements, and building occupy 66% of the Build to Line. The application also includes a modification to the requirements of the Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM) for minimum entrance spacing requirements.
Additional information and copies of these applications are available at the Department of Community Development located at 222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200, Leesburg, Virginia 20175 during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Christopher Murphy at (703) 737-7009 or cmurphy@leesburgva.gov.
At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation at the meeting should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
8/22 & 8/29/24
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 (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 final by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certified Check.
Loco Service Providers
Town of Leesburg
Employment Opportunities
Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.
Regular Full-Time Positions
Assistant Project Manager for Construction or Project Manager for Construction
To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible parttime positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.
All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.
Works & Capital Projects
$74,596-$164,924 DOQ Open
Construction Project Manager/Project Engineer
Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to handle all aspects of construction project management. Duties include Preparing, scheduling, coordinating and monitoring the assigned projects. Monitoring compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards and specifications.
Interacting daily with the clients to interpret their needs and requirements and representing them in the field.
We are looking for an accountable project engineer/project manager to be responsible for all engineering and technical disciplines that projects involve. You will schedule, plan, forecast, resource and manage all the technical activities aiming at assuring project accuracy and quality from conception to completion.
Qualifications
• BS degree in Engineering/Construction Management or relevant field
• Prior federal government project experience is preferred, but not required
• Entr y-level/mid-level Position
Contact Info: Katherine Hicks 305 Harrison Street STE 100 Leesburg, VA 20175
Send Resume to: khicks@meridiengroupllc.com (703) 777-8285
DELIVERY
DRIVER WANTED
Loudoun Now has an opening for a dependable contractor to deliver the newspaper to bulk distribution locations in Ashburn and the Rt. 50 corridor. Delivery begins midday on Wednesdays and requires about 3-4 hours to complete. Please direct inquiries to publisher@loudounnow.org
Splitting the Bill: How Transmission Costs are Allocated
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Each month Loudoun County residents pay their electric bills with the goal of keeping their AC running and the lights on. But plans for new transmission lines can leave some users wondering how the cost of those multi-million-dollar projects will affect their monthly fee.
A typical residential bill is split into two main portions—the base rate and the transmission rate/riders.
Base rates fund generation and distribution costs. A generation assessment comes from the cost to build and maintain power plants which traditionally have been from nuclear, coal or natural gas plants, but are shifting toward solar and wind. Distribution costs are generated from constructing and maintaining low voltage power lines that run power to homes and businesses.
Typically, generation and distribution costs make up 88% of a residential electric bill, which for Dominion Energy users averages $128, according to the company. Because electric bills are based largely on
Powerline Hearing
continued from page 1
the SCC, RLC Power System Studies Manager Brian Conroy states that the company developed the underground concept that was shared with Dominion Energy and subsequently updated based on the utility’s feedback.
“We concluded that this hybrid alternative mitigated negative impacts to facilities in the area and was feasible,” he stated.
However, Dominion conducted a feasibility study of its own and found undergrounding the lines to be “infeasible or impractical despite the perceived advantage of mitigating visual impacts,” according the third volume of the company’s SCC application.
There are a variety of reason’s the company deems the proposal unfeasible, according to Dominion Transmission Communications Consultant Rob Richardson.
The leading challenges are cost, timeframe and environmental impacts, he said—in addition to the novelty of it.
Undergrounding the lines could increase the project cost from the currently
how much power is being consumed, the average home bill can increase to $250 during the hottest summer and coldest winter months and drop to $75 during the milder portions of the year.
Decisions by elected officials in Richmond also can impact a bill’s base rate. In 2020, the General Assembly adopted the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which includes a mandate for Dominion and Appalachian Electric Power to produce 100 percent renewable electricity by 2045 and 2050.
Dominion’s Offshore Wind Project near Virginia Beach is estimated to provide 2.6 gigawatts of zero-carbon energy to help achieve that goal. The plant is estimated to cost $9.8 billion. A decision by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initative reduced residential users’ bills by an average of $5 a month, according to Dominion.
If generation and distribution costs make up 88% of a residential bill, the remaining 12% is made up of transmission costs and riders that fund specific state-mandated requirements and the cost
estimated $170 million to over $1 billion, according to the utility.
The conservancy’s alternative proposal feasibility study calls for a rate change that would have high wattage users paying for the entirety of the additional costs associated with undergrounding. Currently, transmission project costs are distributed throughout Dominion’s Virginia rate payers.
In addition to the cost, Richardson said undergrounding 500 kV lines has only been done in one other location in the United States. While Loudoun has 230 kV lines buried along a portion of the W&OD, undergrounding 500 kV lines is a much bigger ask, he said.
“We don’t have any experience doing that, which is a consideration,” he said. “… 500 kV is the highest voltage that we currently have in our system.”
To accommodate that higher voltage, the equipment needs to be larger and sturdier and installed in shorter intervals.
“You need more infrastructure underground to carry the same amount of electricity underground versus overhead,” he said.
But General Counsel for Lansdowne Conservancy Bryan Turner said that as the
to build high voltage lines carrying power from the generation sites to substations where the energy is transferred to distribution lines.
Costs for transmission projects, such as the Aspen to Golden line planned in eastern Loudoun, or the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link line that was recently rerouted around western Loudoun, are distributed among users.
But the cost is not evenly distributed.
Dominion Energy assigns a different portion of the cost to different customer classes based on how much energy a user needs. While the list of classes is long, there are four main distinctions—residential, small businesses, state and local users, and large commercial/industrial users. Data centers, which consume exponentially higher amounts than residential users, fall into the last category.
The State Corporation Commission is charged with reviewing base rates every two years and transmission rates each year in an open forum that can last six to nine months.
In 2020, residential users were charged for 58.9% of the overall transmission costs
that Dominion pays. Data centers paid 22.4%.
This year, those numbers have shifted by 10%, leaving residential users responsible for 48.6% and bringing data centers up to 32.7%.
That change reflects the growing share of the system that is made up of data centers—a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years, according to the company.
While the average Dominion residential bill is $128 a month, the average data center can pay thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.
During this year’s latest General Assembly session, Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) proposed a bill that would look into whether the cost allocation between classes is proportionate. If the study found that it was not, the State Corporation Commission would be charged with reallocating the percentages.
That bill was forwarded to 2025 pending a broader assessment of data center-related legislation assigned to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. n
data center capital of the world Loudoun is the perfect location to pioneer a project like this. He noted 5000 kV lines are frequently installed underground in Europe.
He also pointed to another proposed Dominion project, the Mars to Golden line, where the utility is considering undergrounding 500 kV and 230 kV lines.
Another concern by Dominion is the additional time undergrounding the Aspen to Golden line would take, delaying the needed power boost.
“Not having this line in service by June
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Lansdowne Conservancy General Counsel Bryan Turner, left, and Loudoun County Attorney Leo Rogers, right, stand next to maps and signage supporting an undergrounding proposal for planned transmission lines along Rt. 7.
Powerline Hearing
continued from page 36
2028 means that we could be compromised as far as providing reliable power in this area,” Richardson said. “And so, an underground transmission line would call that timeline into question.”
If approved, the above ground lines are expected to be brought online by December 2027.
Undergrounding the line would also require two transition stations where the lines enter and exit the ground. Those would likely need six to eight acres, Richardson said.
But County Attorney Leo Rogers said RLC already took that into consideration, proposing five-acre stations on the campuses of two data centers planned nearby.
Richardson said the company also has concerns about accessing the underground lines for maintenance.
“It’s a lot easier to identify, fix and replace equipment when its above ground then when it’s underground,” he said.
The conservancy has garnered support at the local, state and federal level with letters from Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D10), delegates Kannan Srinivasan (D-26), Atoosa Reaser (D-27), David Reid (D28), Marty Martinez (D-29), Geary Higgins (R-30), senators Russet Perry (D-31) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-32), former Del. Joe May, retired Lt. Gen. James Clapper who lives along the highway, Waterford Foundation, Coalition of Loudoun Towns, Loudoun Coalition of Homeowners and Condominiums, Lansdowne Resort, Lansdowne on the Potomac Homeowners Association, Lansdowne Village Greens Homeowners Association, Lansdowne Woods of Virginia Community Association and Belmont Homeowners Association.
“We have widespread support with almost 7,000 signatures over two petitions supporting undergrounding,” Turner stated.
Opponents to the above ground application have cited concerns about the impact the lines will have on their property values.
Testimony submitted to the SCC from real estate appraisers William Harvey and Richard Olsen supported those concerns.
The $3 billion valuation of properties along Rt. 7 would likely lose $252 million in value as result of the line’s construction, according to the testimony.
Properties along the 3-mile segment proposed to be undergrounded are val-
ued at $1.6 billion. If the line is built above ground, they are estimated to see a value loss of $133 million.
During a teleconference hearing Aug. 6, homeowners said they relied on their property values as part of their retirement plans.
“Preserving [our] biggest asset, mainly [our] homes, is paramount. No one would choose to build their retirement home near these towers, but we did not have the benefit of knowing about the proposal in advance just two short years ago,” resident of the Regency at Belmont 55+ community Mary Badger said.
“We have widespread support with almost 7,000 signatures over two petitions supporting undergrounding.”
—
Bryan Turner (General Counsel for the Lansdowne Conservancy)
“I would like Dominion to stop and think about ways they can bury the lines as opposed to finding ways they cannot,” Turner said. “The county and our community have a viable, feasible plan to underground these lines and I would request Dominion help in that effort.”
County supervisors also have voiced support for the proposal in addition to their formal notice of participation in the SCC case.
“I think the citizens group that’s gotten together with the county has a strong case to bury the portion of the line and I’ll be supporting it” Ashburn Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D) said.
The SCC hearing will be held Thursday, Sept. 7 starting at 6 p.m. Belmont Middle School is located at 19045 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. Residents wanting to speak are asked to arrive 15 to register. Statements will be limited to five minutes per person. n
Vets Flight
continued from page 1
Irena Williams, a 73-year-old Army veteran, traveled with Paul Spring Retirement Community from Alexandria.
She said when she heard about the opportunity she jumped at the chance.
“I’ll try anything once,” she said, adding she hoped the plane would do some tricks like flipping over while she was taking her ride.
Ninety-two-year-old Andrew Jackson “Jack” Bondurant also traveled from Alexandria. He served in the Navy for four years as an electronics technician beginning in 1951 and then worked as a civilian in the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir for 34 years.
He said he was a little apprehensive at the start, but enjoyed his 15-minute flight.
“It was a lot less scary than driving around the beltway,” he said.
He wished everyone could take one or two flights like that each week.
“It does something for people. They are in their ’80s and ’90s and they are in the twilight of their life. When they get to do it, it opens their world and puts a spring in their step,” Fisher said.
Fisher recalled one of the most memorable flights he gave was to Eddie Lamken, a World War II vet, in 2016 in Stevens Point, WI.
“He was done. He was cranky. He was in a wheelchair and he was ready to go,” he said.
He said once the flight was over, Lamken refused to use his wheelchair saying he didn’t need it. Fisher said Lamken never used his wheelchair again during the last five years of his life.
“It changed his entire outlook on life. And his son said, ‘you gave my father back to me.’”
Dream Flights, founded in 2011, start-
ed by accident, according to Fisher.
Fisher said he not only grew up in an aviator family—having a pilot father, grandfather and grandmother—but he also grew up in the senior living world. He developed a passion for both.
“I went to college and became a commercial airline pilot with no intention of getting paid to fly and went into the senior living business with my family,” he said.
In 2011, his dad, Bill Fisher, asked him to fly a restored 1946 Boeing Stearman biplane with him from Mississippi to Oregon.
As he mapped the trip, he realized they would have to make 15 fuel stops on the way back. He thought about the senior living company he owned and its program that worked to make dreams come true for its residents.
“So I thought, what the heck? Why don’t I call senior care facilities and have them bring veterans out and we’ll give them a lift,” he said.
That first flight, March 29, 2011, in Oxford, MS, was one of 25 they gave that trip and lead to 6,960 flights all over the United States in 14 years.
The organization owns six World War II-era Stearman biplanes—the plane pilots of the era trained with before moving on to advanced aircraft—and 16 volunteer pilots all across the country.
All of his pilots have experience either flying commercial planes, or are active duty or retired veterans. They participate in annual training at Dream Flights University located at the Castroville Municipal Airport just outside Military City USA in Texas.
“We have a very specific operation because safety is a big deal for us,” Fisher said. Flights can be requested by an individual or a senior living facility through the organization’s website, dreamflights.org. Volunteers and donations are accepted through the website. n
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Vietnam veteran Tony Ardizzione gives a thumbs up before taking off from the Leesburg Executive Airport. Ardizzione and eight other veterans participated in a Dream Flight Aug. 27.
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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.
Triple-A Conduct
The Town of Purcellville got a welcome vote of confidence last week with a bond rating boost that landed its second triple-A designation.
The action by Fitch evaluators follows a volatile year when the town’s management battled with its political leadership over financial management strategies, a period that included the departure of three town managers and the continued depletion of its utility reserves.
Early this year, heeding the recommendation of yet another new town manager, the council majority adopted significant and controversial utility rate hikes to begin to rebalance the system. Even with that action, the payments from water and sewer service users won’t cover the bills; another $1.5 million will come out of the reserve funds this year.
The burn through reserves hasn’t come without
LETTERS to the Editor Opinion
consequences. Last month, the town learned its new water tower, a critically needed upgrade to the system, will cost nearly twice as much as expected. Typically, reserve funds would offer a ready source to cover such a shortfall. Using reserves for one-time capital costs fits with most fiscal strategies; using reserves to artificially lower user rates does not. Instead having surplus reserves to help pay for the water tank, the town had to shift funding for 19 other town projects—including many other long-planned priorities— to fill the gap.
As indicated by the town’s election-season rhetoric, the future direction of Purcellville’s fiscal management remains uncertain with the two competing camps portraying radically different visions. While town’s voters attempt to sort through the facts, perhaps they can draw some amount of solace from Wall Street’s confidence in their judgment n
Breaking the Cycle
Editor:
I was one of Loudoun’s Delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and I am a lawyer who has been in courtrooms across Virginia. I’ve prosecuted cases on behalf of the commonwealth in Colonial Heights and Arlington, but most of my career has been as a public defender.
I’ve served in Hampton, Fauquier, and here in Loudoun County. As a public defender, I’ve worked with and across from many, many prosecutors. Many are dedicated public servants who believe they’re fighting to lower crime. Sadly, not everyone understands that to truly reduce crime we can’t only punish offenders, we need to address the underlying issues that lead to crime in the first place.
When elected by the Loudoun Democrats to go to Chicago and cast one of Virginia’s official primary votes as a delegate, I did so proudly for Vice President Kamala Harris. Not because she was a prosecutor, but because she was the best version of what a
prosecutor could be.
As an elected district attorney, what we would call a commonwealth’s attorney here in Loudoun, she not only did her job as a prosecutor, she sought to address the systemic issues that lead members of our community to be trapped in a vicious and pointless cycle. This not only ruins their lives, but hurts the lives around them. If you place a drug addict in jail for six months with no rehabilitative program to facilitate their reentry into society, six months later you still have a drug addict, though one likely without a job or a home.
One of Vice President Harris’ efforts as district attorney was the Back on Track diversion program. Participants received individualized support and job training, performed community service and found work or enrolled in school. Successful graduates had their convictions removed so they could move forward without the millstone of a conviction upon their necks. Graduates had a re-offense rate of about 10%, compared to 50% for
similar populations in the state. This is a massive reduction in recidivism and is exactly what our justice system should be doing. Not only did that mean that far more people were able to build better lives, it meant there were less crimes, less economic costs for future court cases, and most importantly less future victims.
That’s justice. Loudoun should demand this. America should demand this. We have a right to demand a just future.
— Ryan Ruzic, Purcellville
An Improvement?
Editor:
I see in your recent readers’ poll that two-thirds of the respondents do not think collective bargaining will improve Loudoun schools.
I agree with this outcome. I would be glad to know exactly how collective bargaining would improve Loudoun schools.
— John Witmer, Purcellville
READERS’ poll CHIPshots
The presidential slate is officially set. How do you feel about the election?
29.3% Optimistic
22.6% Fearful
20.9% Disappointed
17.2% Excited
10.0% Ambivalent
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Should undergrounding be required for the proposed Rt. 7 power line?
Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls
SOL Scores
continued from page 3
Bord member Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) said. “There are two different tales, and we need to make sure we are telling both stories and being honest about where we are putting our resources and what efforts we are doing to make up the gaps.”
Overall, in math, 70% of division Black students passed, 57% of Hispanic students passed, 53% of students with disabilities passed and 58% of economically disadvantaged students passed.
Math is assessed every year in third through eighth grade and at the secondary level in Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.
In science, 75% of division students passed the SOL, up one percentage point over last year and 7 percentage points higher than the statewide pass rate. The overall pass rates for Black, Hispanic, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students and English learner students all either increased or stayed the same from the previous year.
Students are assessed in fifth and eighth grade and at the end of secondary courses of Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry.
Overall, 82% of division students passed the history SOL, a two percentage point increase from last year and 17 points higher than the overall statewide pass rate
of 65%. The pass rates for division Black, Hispanic, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students and English learner students all increased from last year.
Breaking down the history data further, the overall pass rate for Virginia and U.S. history, a high school-level course, was 43% compared to 49% last year and 52% in 2022. English learner students saw the largest increase in pass rates in Virginia and U.S. history with 27% compared to 18% last year.
Eighty-five percent of students passed their Virginia studies SOL, an elementary level course, compared to 83% the past two years.
The overall pass rate for the World History I SOL, a high school-level course, dropped 39 percentage points to 47% compared to 86% last year. Looking at the different subgroups taking the World History I SOL, no pass rates were publicly posted for the less than 30 division Black students that took the test in 2024 because it could identify them, according to Chief Communications Officer Natalie Allen. The pass rate for the previous two years was 74%. Hispanic students, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities also saw significant drops in pass rates from last year to this year, according to the data.
Allen explained the drop-in pass rates as being the result of a new state option
where students can earn graduation credit by submitting a portfolio instead of taking the SOL. Additionally, once a student meets that graduation requirement they can’t take another class in that content area. According to Allen, in 2022, 6,601 students took the World History I SOL, while only 81 took it in 2024.
Students are assessed in history in elementary school with Virginia Studies, once in middle school with Civics and Economics and at the end of their secondary courses of Geography, World History I and II and Virginia and U.S. History.
In a statement, Superintendent Aaron Spence celebrated the scores and acknowledged more needs to be done to get kids back to pre-pandemic levels.
“We still have work to do, but I am proud of everything our dedicated educators have accomplished to get us where we are today. Thank you to our families and community for your continued support as we work to make Loudoun County Public Schools the top school division in the nation.”
No SOL tests were administered during 2020 because of the pandemic. Tests were brought back in 2021, however with VDOE opt-out waivers, participation rates were lower than in previous years. The 2022 SOL tests marked the return to normal levels of student participation. n
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