Loudoun Now for Sept. 19, 2024

Guaranteed Income Pilot Fails Board Vote

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors on Tuesday killed a proposal spearheaded by Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) to establish a pilot project giving 60 low-income residents $500 every month for 18 months.

The guaranteed income program, known as the Resident Income Stability Enhancement, or RISE Loudoun, was slated to use $2 million from the county’s budget surplus. Participation would be available to residents at or below 30% of the area median income.

Saines said the program would be “another tool in the toolbox” for the county to help struggling residents.

“I think this is a good idea. It’s a pilot program. Let’s test it out,” he said.

The proposal outlined four main objectives—to identify barriers to opportunities for low-income residents; increase income for households below 30% AMI; assess how an increase in income affects residents’ sense of self-determination, financial stability, sense of belonging and contribution in the community and aspirations for the future; and present pilot performance results to observe impact to the community.

GUARANTEED INCOME

continues on page 36

Loudoun Scrambles to Establish Fire-Rescue Pharmacy Following Federal Regulation Changes

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A big change is coming to the way Loudoun Fire and Rescue units operate. Beginning Nov. 27, the county will own and stock its own pharmacy to provide all medications carried by its first respond-

ers, rather than using hospital-owned medications.

For the past 40 years, first responders have been effectively borrowing medications from hospitals. Any dispensed in the field were refilled by a hospital when a transported patient was admitted for treatment.

Now, regulatory changes from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration are requiring new safeguards to make tracking and tracing medications more secure.

FIRE-RESCUE PHARMACY continues on page 36

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Medications used by members of Loudoun County Fire-Rescue will be supplied by the agency’s own pharmacy beginning Nov. 27. For the past 40 years, the county has been collaborating with

hospitals for medications, but due to federal regulations, that is set to change.

LEA Begins Election Process for Collective Bargaining

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnnow.org

Loudoun Education Association President Kris Countryman officially triggered the school division’s union election, the next step in the effort to begin collective bargaining.

Countryman said she submitted the required documents, which consisted of a request for certification of election and copies of certification cards from 30% of all classified and certified employees, to Director of Human Resources Lisa Boland on Sept. 9 as well as by certified mail a week earlier.

Under the terms of the School Board’s collective bargaining resolution, adopted on Aug. 13, the filing triggered a 45-day period to begin the election process.

Countryman said LEA members also began visiting schools on Sept. 9 to inform employees of the upcoming election. All division employees may vote in the election regardless of whether they are LEA members.

“With the passing of the [collective bargaining] resolution, LEA is back in buildings trying to educate all employees about the impending election,” she said. The cost of the election will be split be-

tween the division and LEA, according to the resolution.

The question on the ballot will read “do you wish to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining by [Name of Employee Organization]?” followed by an option to check “yes” or “no” for each participating Employee Organization, according to the collective bargaining reso-

lution. There is also an option to select “I do not wish to be represented by any Labor Organization on this ballot.”

Countryman said they are unaware of any other employee organization vying to be the exclusive bargaining representative for Loudoun County Public Schools. The Teamsters have been active in the collective bargaining efforts Richmond Public

Schools.

The next step in the certification of an exclusive bargaining representative is the selection of a labor relations neutral, a third party paid for by both LEA and the division, who will be responsible for running the election.

“The LRN shall establish the cutoff date for employees to be eligible to vote in the election and resolve any disputes, disagreements about procedures, or challenges arising from the election,” according to the original resolution. The LRN will also certify the election results.

Countryman said she sent the division the names of four recommended organizations that have acted in this capacity in other parts of the state. Countryman will meet with the division to discuss that selection.

Countryman said they are hoping to hold the election in October.

If the LEA is chosen to be the bargaining representative, its members would then begin canvasing its members to find out what issues they want to be negotiated.

“I feel like the School Board and LEA and the administration are making strides and working together to make collective bargaining successful in LCPS,” she said. n

Citing Demand, Schools to Expand Ombuds Support

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

After experiencing a 78% increase in cases during its second year of operations, Loudoun County Public School’s Ombuds Office will be adding a part-time staff member to help with the load, according to a Sept. 10 School Board briefing.

Led by Carey Williams, the office was created to provide a confidential, impartial, informal and independent space for parents, teachers, employees and community members to voice their concerns.

Of the 369 cases Williams had last year, 277 involved employees, 119 were parents or families, 17 were community members, and six were students. The previous year, 101 cases were from families, 100 were from employees, five were from community members and one was a student.

When it came to cases with division employees, Williams said the majority, 81.9%, came from school-based staff, while 18.1% came from the central office. She said the primary concerns were

evaluative relationships (63), peer and colleague relationships (55), services and administrative issues (42), and compensation and benefits (34).

From families, 75.4% dealt with general concerns, while 24.6% dealt with special education concerns, like Individualized Education Program matters (10), proce-

dures and compliance (8), issues with staff (7), 504 plans (3), policies and general information (6). A 504 plan lists accommodations and services for students with disabilities for them to participate in the same programs as their peers.

“With over 10,000 special education students at LCPS, I work very closely with our special education supervisors, the Parent Resource Center and school staff as an additional resource to support students and families with 504 concerns,” Williams said.

Asked if a separate ombuds was needed to deal exclusively with special education needs, Williams said she is tracking the data to make that evaluation. In the meantime, she’s partnering with special education supervisors and school staff members “to make sure that the families are heard and that they maybe outside of the formalized process have an opportunity to engage so that their concerns are

OMBUDS

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Kris Countryman officially triggered the school division’s union election, the next step in the effort to begin collective bargaining.

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Division Ombuds Carey Williams presents data during a School Board committee meeting.

Loudoun Supervisors Consider Higher Income Caps for Tax Exemption

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors on Sept. 10 heard a presentation from Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz about the impacts of expanding income eligibility for the county’s elderly and disabled tax exemption program.

Residents who are 65 years old or permanently disabled as of Dec. 31 the previous year may be exempt from both real property and personal property taxes. For homes, the property must also be three acres or less and be the sole dwelling of the owner, except for those who live in a nursing home or hospital.

Currently, elderly or disabled residents with an annual income below $52,000 and a net worth below $195,000 may be eligible for a 50% reduced personal property rate, which has been set at $2.10 per $100 of assessed value since 1998.

Elderly or disabled residents with an income below $70,000 a year and a net worth of $560,000 or less may receive a 50% real property exemption. Those with an annual income of $77,000 or less and a net worth of $440,000 may receive a 100% real property exemption.

Those limits were last updated in 2021 based on the Consumer Price Index for the Washington, DC, region.

Wertz on Tuesday told the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee that the CPI has increased by 13.4% since 2021, while real estate assessments increased by 26% for properties in the program.

“If you were to adjust the real property qualifying income limits by the CPI … the bottom of the range would go up to $55,000 from $49,000 and the top of the range would go up to $87,318, about $10,000 [more],” he said.

The program is expected to save residents nearly $10 million in real estate taxes during fiscal year 2025 on 2,000 parcels. During the last tax year, personal property savings reached $205,000.

Wertz said he could not predict what the fiscal impact of increasing the salary range would have on the county until the first year of implementation for the new limits.

“Obviously, there’s no place that we can

look where all of the varying qualifications intersect to come up with that number,” he said.

But supervisors questioned whether raising the limits to align with the increase in CPI for next year’s eligibility requirements was the right move.

Committee Chair Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) asked if, since 13.4% was more than double the last increase seen by the board in 2021, it would add many more new eligible residents to the program, and asked how the program compared with other jurisdictions in Virginia.

Wertz said it would be impossible to predict the impact on number of residents and that the county’s program was “generous” compared to others in the state.

The maximum income limit for 100% exemption in Fauquier County is $77,000 with a maximum net worth of $440,000. In Prince William, the maximum income is approximately $76,000 with a maximum net worth $340,000. Other surrounding localities drop much lower in their maximum limits, according to Deputy Commissioner Rob Drake.

Wertz said he did not think surrounding jurisdictions adjusted for increases in CPI.

“The concern I have using CPI is that that is not reality for what income increases would be across the county,” Letourneau said.

He said the average wage increase across the county would be a better benchmark than the CPI.

“Everyone else who is not eligible is subsidizing this. So, this $10 million is not

ON THE agenda

Briskman to Host Attainable Housing Town Hall

Algonkian Supervisor Juli E. Briskaman (D) is hosting an Attainable Housing Town Hall at the Cascades Senior Center in Sterling Tuesday, Sept. 24.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and include information by Assistant Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development Brian Reagan, Wellington Development Co-founder Benjamin Miller and Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Housing Alliance Executive Director Jill Norcross.

Panelists will talk about state of housing in the county including current programs available to residents and explore the challenges and opportunities to building attainable housing.

The event is free and does not require pre-registration.

free. It’s $10 million that other people are paying through their taxes to this,” he said.

Board Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) asked how the declining tax rate factored into the evaluations.

“The values of homes have gone up about 61% … but that tax bill that goes home to people has only gone up something like 23%. So, with that, have we factored in the fact that we’ve dropped the tax rate?” she said.

Wertz said that was factored in the total $10 million price tag of the real property program, but that he could bring back a chart comparing the property assessment values versus the taxes associated with them.

Briskman also asked how many people use the program.

Wertz said 2,000 parcels consistently are considered partially or wholly exempt each year.

Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said the consistency in the number suggested that the CPI was a good indication of how much the maximums should be adjusted.

“Now, the amount of savings for the individuals is probably going to varying tremendously based on property values. The amount of loss to the county is going to vary tremendously because of the loss of values, but the threshold on/off switch of whether or not you can participate in the program is going to hold constant if we zero it out based on CPI year in and year out,” he said.

The full board will consider the increase during an October meeting. n

Sterling Celebrates Hispanic and Latino Culture

The county is celebrating the history and culture of Hispanics and Latinos with a Pueblo Unido, or United Town, Day at the Sterling Community Center Sept. 21.

The event is a free festival hosting local businesses, nonprofit and commercial vendors and family-friendly activities such as a petting zoo and moon bounces. Food trucks, music and dance performances are also planned.

The festival will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. rain or shine.

Solarize NOVA Celebrates 1000th Deployment

Solarize NOVA reached a milestone this month, inking the 1,000th contract in its decade-long effort to advancing renewable energy adoption.

Launched in 2014 by the Local Energy Alliance Program in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and local governments, the project was created to accelerate solar energy deployment in the region through strategic partnerships and educational outreach

“Our partnership with these communities is at the heart of our mission, and we are excited to continue empowering Virginians to reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a sustainable future.”

Learn more at solarizenova.org. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Members of the Board of Supervisors Finance Committee listen to a presentation on Sept. 10. 2024.

County to Study Funding Options for Underground Power Lines

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors will take a more detailed look at the possibility of undergrounding high voltage transmission lines—and the question of who should pay for it—after a year marked by community concern over multiple planned overhead power projects.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) brought forward a Board Member Initiative during a meeting Tuesday night to evaluate how costs should be allocated if transmission lines are placed underground and what legislative changes would be needed to reallocate those costs.

The Lansdowne Conservancy has been leading the charge in Loudoun to underground a portion of a double circuit 500 kV line planned by Dominion Energy to run along part of Rt. 7. That application by Dominion and the counter proposal by the conservancy and county government are under review by the by the State Corporation. The final stage of the public hearing process for that project began Wednesday morning.

The proposal by the conservancy also includes a request to have the additional cost associated with undergrounding the lines—estimated by Dominion to reach over $1 billion—allocated to high-wattage power users. In Loudoun, that would mean the county’s data centers.

Letourneau said it was time for the county to develop a strategy and get a holistic view of its options surrounding the transmission line issue.

“We need to identify if there is a need to contribute revenue [to underground lines by the county,” he said.

Even if the county raised funds through a new tax or by revenue garnered from existing commercial taxes, he said the county needs to figure out how to make sure that money benefits ratepayers.

“Even if we came up with a way to defer the cost of underground power lines, essentially transitioning that over to the State Corporation Commission’s process is not a clear path for us,” he said.

The initiative will have county staff members researching that, as well as developing a strategy for any potential legislative changes needed to give the county to form a special tax district.

Currently, transmission lines are paid for by all rate payers. During this year’s General Assembly session, several legislators brought forward bills looking to shift a greater portion of infrastructure

costs on high wattage users. Those bills were pushed to the 2025 session pending a study by the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee to review data centers, energy demand and transmission lines.

“I’m very cognizant of the fact that any effort in this area will require collaboration, I would even say, with the data center industry, given the realities of Richmond and otherwise,” Letourneau said. “And it’s my full intent that we engage the industry in this discussion, because I think they recognize, as well, some of the concerns of the community about overhead power lines and what could potentially happen.”

The goal is to have the staff bring back recommendations by November, in time for the board to review the options and present a united stance to the Loudoun delegation before the 2025 General Assembly session.

“I don’t know exactly what the outcome will be in every facet of this,” Letourneau said. “There’s a lot of ideas out there, but we definitely need a focused, organized effort within county government.”

Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) who has been raising concerns about the power grid over the past year, said he supports the initiative and specifically bringing together stakeholders collaboratively.

“One of the things I emphasized in my [white] paper was we’ve got to start working together instead of in silos. It’s no one’s fault that it’s been working that way. This is a fast-moving train of data growth and power demand, but we’ve got to stop working in silos,” he said. “… We need to work with our legislative delegation, with the data center community, and let me add in PJM and Dominion in working through this issue.”

During public comment Tuesday, Waterford resident Roger Smith asked why the board would limit the cost reallocation study to underground lines.

“Above ground lines also create significant costs for Loudoun residents and many related environmental and economic costs of data centers have been well documented,” he said. “Some may argue that as practical matter … it is better to tackle only buried lines now and the other costs later. Personally, I don’t believe we have the luxury of time for a piecemeal approach to such a pressing problem. Loudoun residents should not have to pay for any costs incurred for the benefit of profitable tech companies.”

The initiative passed 8-0-1, with Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) absent. n

Leesburg

Town Council Approves Sycolin Road Rezoning

The Leesburg Town Council last week rezoned 3.56 acres in the Crescent District redevelopment zone to permit construction of a building with 52 multi-family units and 5,245 square feet of groundfloor commercial space.

The project, comprising six small parcels, is located on the west side of Sycolin Road north of the W&OD Trail near Frederick Douglass Elementary School to the northeast and the W&OD Trail

to the south. It is being developed by Leesburg-based property management company Big T Properties led by Torge Dennen.

The proposal won unanimous support from the town Planning Commission and Town Council. The applications include permission to alter a floodplain to accommodate parking and a prohibition on the establishment of smoking or vaping shops in the center.

The properties, which include older commercial residential and commercial structures some in the state of disrepair, are targeted for redevelopment as part of the town plan’s Crescent District policies.

“This transformation will introduce new commercial space and more multi-family dwelling units appealing to a wider range of the town’s population resulting in a net positive fiscal result to the town’s tax base,” according to the staff report. n

Burk Calls for Unity on 9/11 Anniversary

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Mayor Kelly Burk led a remembrance ceremony on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The program was held last Tuesday at Freedom Park, the site of the town’s 9/11 memorial and included brief remarks, the ringing of a fire bell, the playing of Taps, and a wreath-laying.

“We gather today, as we have each year, to remember and honor the lives of those tragically lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and to pay tribute to the brave men and women whose courage and selflessness shown so brightly in the face of such unimaginable adversity,” Burk said. “It’s now been 23 years since that fateful day, but the memory of those events remain vivid in our hearts and minds. The image of destruction and heartbreak and loss still bring us pain, but it’s also the stories of heroism, unity and resilience that continue to inspire us.”

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for being here today, the residents, the visitors, the members of our community, for joining us as we stand together in solemn remembrance. We gather not only to mourn the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken too soon, but also to celebrate the unified spirit of our nation. We

remember the first responders, the firefighters, the police officers, the emergency medical workers who ran toward danger without hesitation, knowing the risks that they face. We honor the passengers on Flight 93 who made the ultimate sacrifice to prevent further devastation. Their bravery, their sacrifice and their love for their fellow citizens will never be forgotten,”

Burk said.

Burk called on the community to honor those lost in the attacks by stepping back from divisiveness.

“In the years since, Sept. 11 has come

Town Council Seeks Denial of 500-home Development

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Town Council is urging county leaders to deny a rezoning application seeking authority to build 500 homes south of town.

In a resolution approved unanimously Sept. 10, the council cited concerns that the Greenfield Farm property lies within the flight paths of aircraft using Leesburg Executive Airport and the proposed homes would be subject to frequent overflights.

The developer seeks to rezone 174 acres along Shreve Mill Road between Evergreen Mills Road and the Dulles Greenway to permit the construction of 496 single-family detached homes, 22 multi-family attached residential units, and 44,000 square feet of non-residential uses including a convenience store with gas pumps, a restaurant with drivethroughs, and up to 5,370 square feet of retail uses.

Because of flight restrictions in the Dulles Airport airspace, 95% of departures at Leesburg’s airport turn to the west and pass directly over the property, according to the town staff ’s review of the project. “It is important to note that aircraft will typically be at a low altitude over the subject property as they would often be arriving or departing from the airport while flying over the subject property,” according to the staff report.

Town planners suggested the developer be required to notify potential residents of the airport flight path and dedicate avigation easements, legal documents acknowledging the rights for aircraft overflights, but the developer has resisted those requests, according to the staff report.

to symbolize the strength of our shared humanity. It reminds us that in the face of terror and fear, we can find hope and unity,” she said. “As we gather today, let us also reflect on the importance of coming together as a community. We owe it to the victims and the heroes of 911 to live our lives filled with kindness and purpose and determination. Today, as we stand united remembering we renew our commitment to preserving a legacy of those who are lost by building a world filled with peace and understanding and hope for future generations.” n

The town made similar requests during the county’s review of the 1,077-home Village at Clear Springs on the west side of the airport. In that case, the developer agreed to require resident disclosure of the proximity to the airport and to require acoustical treatments in residential construction.

That rezoning was approved in April. Since then, the General Assembly approved legislation prohibiting locality from requiring airport noise disclosures. Although Greenfield Farm is farther from the airport than the Clear Springs project, town staff members said that far more aircraft will fly over that property because of its location in the flight path. n

A rendering of a mixed-use building planned for construction along Sycolin Road in Leesburg.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Mayor Kelly Burk leads the Sept. 11 remembrance wreath-laying ceremony at Freedom Park.

AROUND town

Council Awards Dentler 5% Raise

Following a closed session evaluation last week, the Town Council unanimously approved a 5% raise for Town Manager Kaj Dentler.

Dentler joined the town staff 29 years ago. He was director of Parks and Recreation in 2007 when he was tapped to be deputy town manager. He took over as the head of the town’s government in October 2014. With the raise and a 3% COLA awarded to all town employees this year, Dentler’s salary is $248,436.

Captains Celebrate 70 with Homecoming Parade

As part of Loudoun County High School’s 70th anniversary celebration, a longtime tradition is being revived. The school will hold a homecoming parade Thursday, Sept. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The parade will start at the Safeway Shopping Center and follow Catoctin Circle to the high school. Parking will be prohibited along the route from 5 to 8 p.m. and the street will be closed to traffic beginning at 6 p.m.

Cars that have not been moved from Catoctin Circle, by 5 p.m. will be subject to towing.

The parade will showcase the school’s marching band, alumni, NJROTC, and other school clubs, sports teams, sponsors, and town and county leaders.

Feedback Sought on Crescent District Master Plan Update

Town planners plan two neighborhood meetings on Sept. 30 to gather input on the latest proposed updates to the Crescent District Master Plan.

The master plan, which was adopted in 2006 to guide redevelopment of the area southeast of downtown Leesburg including the areas of Catoctin Circle, from South King Street to East Market Street, and East Market Street, from Plaza Street to the intersection with Loudoun Street.

Two years ago, the Town Council initiated an effort to reevaluate the plan’s land uses, building heights, architecture, opportunity sites, and housing goals. Community meetings were held last summer identify priorities for the work, with improved aesthetics and pedestrian mobility and the need to streamline redevelopment efforts emerging as key themes.

Land Use Manager Rich Klusek said the latest updates emphasize streetscape improvements, redevelopment in two designated activity centers, and removes a portion of the Crescent District east of Plaza Street.”

The community input meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the lower level of Town Hall.

Learn more about this project at leesburgva.gov/crescentdistrict.

Raflo Park Lighting Project Begins

Starting this week, crews will begin installing electrical service at Raflo Park to power six low-height lights along the asphalt path, similar to what was recently installed at Georgetown Park. The project also includes the installation of eight outlets to illuminate selected park trees.

Work areas will be fenced off during construction, which is expected to be complete by Oct. 16.

Treesburg initiative Earns VML Innovation Award

The Tree Commission’s tree planting and tree care education campaign—dubbed Treesburg—received the Innovation Award in the category of Environmental Quality during the annual Virginia Municipal League competition.

The annual statewide competition recognizes innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, citizen participation, and improved services to citizens.

The Treesburg program is intended to help restore the town’s tree canopy by planting and caring for thousands of new trees each year. Residents are encouraged to plant a tree and record it using a geographic information system map that shows its location and description as well as a photo that can be uploaded. Participants are encouraged to update the listing for their tree each Arbor Day to track its growth.

The Tree Commission worked with town Urban Forester Noble Atkins to develop the program.

Learn more at leesburgva.gov/treesburg. The nomination video may be viewed at bit.ly/3ZtSEdE. n

Education School Board Gets Look at New VDOE Accreditation and Accountability System

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

School Board members Sept. 10 were briefed on the Virginia Department of Education’s new Accreditation and Accountability system and the likelihood that a large majority of schools statewide will fall into lower categories than they have to date.

Chief Academic Officer Ashley Ellis said VDOE is expecting 60%-80% of schools across the commonwealth to need extra support once the new system is in place.

Ellis presented the new framework, which essentially takes the four overlapping components in the current model that deal with compliance and student outcomes at both the state and federal levels and creates two main components: Accountability and Accreditation.

Accreditation incudes all the school compliance elements from the current Standards of Quality and state accreditation areas.

Accountability will include all of the student outcomes from the state and federal levels and the school quality profiles. Accountability will be performance-based, according to the presentation.

Under the new accreditation system, VDOE will deem schools either fully accredited, conditionally accredited, or accreditation denied based on eight catego-

The Loudoun County School Board was briefed during a Sept. 10 meeting on the Virginia Department of Education’s new Accreditation and Accountability Standards and told the VDOE expected 60% to 80% of schools statewide to fall into the lowest two categories.

ries. Some of those include promotion and retention policies, instructional program requirements, staffing requirements, facility and safety provisions, and parental notification.

Schools are rated further under VDOE’s new Performance and Support Framework, which will serve as both the state and federal accountability system. The calculation under this framework is based

Student Speech Policy Updated

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Loudoun students may exercise free speech both inside and outside of classrooms, in any areas where instruction is taking place, and during school activities as long as their activities don’t lead to “substantial disruption.” That’s according to policy revisions approved by the School Board this week.

Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) was the

sole vote against the policy updates.

The policy outlines where and when students may exercise their freedom of speech at school and includes using various forms of communication to express it, including with clothing and on social media. The previous version of the policy stated activities were only allowed during non-instructional times and outside of the classroom and didn’t specifically state ways such expressions could be made.

on percentages from three performance categories—growth, readiness and mastery—for elementary and middle schools, and graduation, readiness and mastery for high schools.

“Based on the calculation in these three categories, schools will receive a summative label and potentially be identified for improvement either for a specific student group, which would be targeted support

Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) proposed an amendment to add two words “instructional time” to the end of the policy to further clarify that student speech and expression can’t substantially disrupt classes in addition to school activities or infringe on the rights of others.

Shernoff thanked the Student Behavior and Accountability Committee for its work, especially after the policy was sent back to the panel in August for more work and on Tuesday won majority support for another change stating “instructional time must be protected.”

The policy was scheduled for final ap-

or for multiple groups for comprehensive school level support,” Ellis said. She said local administrators don’t yet know much about how it will be calculated. What they do know is each of the three performance categories are weighed differently at each level. In elementary school,

VDOE SYSTEM continues on page 10

proval during the Aug. 13 School Board meeting but was amended by Anne Donohue (At-Large) to expand students free speech rights at school and to include using various forms of communication to express it, like clothing and social media.

Donohue tried to amend the policy further, but the board voted to send it back to the panel for more work.

That committee in turn shortened the policy and added more references to other policies when it met Aug. 26 then voted unanimously to send it back to the full board. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

47 Loudoun Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Forty-seven Loudoun County high school seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists in the 70th annual scholarship program.

The students are now eligible to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be awarded spring 2025.

Division National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists:

BRIAR WOODS HIGH SCHOOL

Kendall, Eric L. Mangalapurapu, Praneel V. Rusaeva, Victoria M. Shah, Aksh S.

Tamir, Kevin E.

BROAD RUN HIGH SCHOOL

Boyles, Sebastian E. Rajagopalan, Vaidehi

DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL

Alkarmi, Lamees

Yoon, Harry O.44

EVERGREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Brown, Jacob

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL

Lee, Amelia M.

Sanghavi, Palak N.

HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL

Mukundan, Shyaam

INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Bhardwaj, Siona Brunovskis, Lija S. Gaddam, Siri Malepati, Anish Shah, Naeva B. Tang, Eric

JOHN CHAMPE HIGH SCHOOL

Godavarthi, Suchir Kancharla, Lucky Kim, Ethan H. Mathias, Ethan J. Lightridge High School

Bansal, Aditya Iragavarapu, Sreeja Kishore, Richa Maskeri, Aakash N. Nishant, Nikitha

LOUDOUN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Williams, Sydney M. LOUDOUN SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES

Buchanan, Samuel J. POTOMAC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL

Chung, Sarah H. Hannan, Nawwaf

Rippey, Grant C. RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

Legaspi, Byron B. Pham, Lucas A. Short, Anijith

Sun, Callia Q.

ROCK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Goel, Rishabh

Mandadi, Apoorva S. Matta, Rohan K. Sarkar, Yoshi Sudigali, Kruthi

STONE BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Mallett, Jonathan S. Singh, Ria

ST. PAUL IV CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Beale, Logan D. Thomson, Angela M.

To be considered for a scholarship, semifinalists must take the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test their junior year. The nationwide pool of semifinalists—16,000—represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state, according to an announcement.

Over 1.3 million juniors in 21,000 high schools sat for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Once the semifinalists are announced, students can apply to become a finalist by filing out a detailed application, writing an essay, providing their high school transcripts, showing their participation in school and community activities, demonstrating leadership abilities, showing employment and listing any awards or honors they’ve received. They must also be endorsed by a school official, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s performance on the qualifying test.

About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing with half winning a scholarship and earning the National Merit title.

Three types of scholarships will be offered in spring 2025. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, about 770 students will compete for a corporate-sponsored Merit scholarship by meeting specified criteria, like being children of the grantor’s employees or who live in areas where sponsor offices are located. About 130 corporations and business organizations provide those scholarships. And 150 colleges will sponsor 3,600 finalist awards for students who will attend the sponsor institution.

Winners will be announced starting in April. n

School Board to Add Student Monitoring Committee

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BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

The School Board on Sept. 10 voted 8-1 to create a new Student Performance Monitoring Committee.

The panel will analyze and monitor division-wide student performance data and ensure transparency. Its creation was proposed by Superintendent Aaron Spence in June.

VDOE System

continued from page 8

mastery is weighed at 65%, growth is 25% and readiness is 10%. In middle school mastery is 60%, growth is 20% and readiness is 20%. In high school mastery is 50%, readiness is 35% and graduation is 15%.

All three levels include similar elements for mastery such as the reading, math and science Standards of Learning tests and the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program tests, and progress for English language learners for mastery but with slightly different percentage breakdowns within each framework for each test.

The committee was included in a policy that outlines protocols for each of the School Board’s eight standing committees and select and advisory committees. Additional revisions to the policy included what to do if quorum cannot be met and a meeting cannot be rescheduled and more guidance on the structure of the Joint Committee with the Board of Supervisors.

During the Aug. 13 School Board meeting, Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg)

asked that the proposal be put on Sept. 10 agenda’s rather than having it go through committee review. The majority of the board members agreed.

The committee will analyze student performance data on a regular basis, according to the policy and will develop policies to support all student needs.

Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) was the sole vote against the changes. n

Our print edition is delivered to Loudoun homes and businesses every week on Thursday.

Elementary and middle schools both measure growth in reading and math but use slightly different percentages. Readiness for elementary school measures chronic absenteeism and a performance task that has yet to be determined. Middle school readiness is similar but includes the addition of advanced coursework to prepare students for high school. Ellis noted that in the first year of implementation, advanced coursework will only include math. She said the division already provides advanced math opportunities in middle school.

dents for enrollment to college, employment or enlistment in the military. Schools get points for students that meet defined expectations in the 3E areas. Schools will get points for students who complete AP courses, dual enrollment or other college courses, points for CTE credentials, and points for students’ scores on military prep tests.

There also is a new six-year extended graduation rate assessment with an applied studies element added to readiness for high schools.

An additional change is to require the progress of English language learners to be assessed after three months instead of 11.

“That will likely have a significant impact on our English Learners and their performance on standardized tests,” Ellis said.

The performance category of graduation for high school is the Federal Graduation Indicator.

Based on the three performance categories, schools will earn points and be placed in one of four categories—Distinguished, 90 points or more; On Track, 80-89 points; Off Track, 65-79; and below 65 points is Needs Intensive Support.

The new framework is expected to be fully implemented at the end of the school year, using data for its first year from the 2024-2025 school year.

“The message that I really want to convey this evening is that while the goal post has moved and it has moved in the past, this is not surprising, and it will likely move again in terms of state and federal accountability. LCPS has a solid, continuous school improvement process,” Ellis said. “Our schools and central office continuously monitor student growth. We want every single student to achieve. LCPS is already intervening with schools-based criteria, performance, growth and readiness factor very similar to what’s already in the new accountability framework and we will continue to do the very best we can to support schools again to ensure every single student achieves.”

Always online at loudounnow.com.

For both middle and elementary schools, chronic absenteeism will be weighed more heavily during the first year of implementation until the performance task is created.

For high school readiness, chronic absenteeism is still weighed but the category adds a Ready for Life 3E framework, which focuses on graduation and preparing stu-

Ellis said VDOE is anticipating between 60% and 80% of schools across the commonwealth will fall into the latter two categories.

“It’s a little startling to me to think about our schools changing designation so quickly, but that is what we’ve been told and we just think everyone needs to be prepared with that,” she said, adding that administrators have not received any Loudoun-specific data as of yet, but they were told it would be coming later this fall.

The current accountability system, which has been in place since 2017, has four main overlapping areas: standards of quality, which Ellis said deals with making sure the school functions properly, is in compliance and makes sure resources are available and less about student achievement; state accreditation, which is used to identify schools who need help reaching state benchmarks and is a combination of compliance factors and student outcomes; federal accountability, which is used to identify schools that need help based on their federal designation and is focused mainly on student outcome; and school quality profiles, like public reporting. n

Loudoun Again Leads Virginia in Visitor Spending

Visitor spending in Loudoun County topped $4.5 billion in 2023, according to the latest data released by Virginia Tourism.

Overall visitor spending in Loudoun was up 12.5% from 2022, with $2.7 billion of that coming from transportation—including travel at Dulles Airport, according to the data collected by Tourism Economics. Loudoun is the largest generator of tourism spending in the commonwealth.

Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson said that, while the airport is important to the entire region, Loudoun’s countryside remains an important destination for visitors.

“Loudoun is home to 50 wineries and celebrates 40 years of winemaking in 2024. What we know is this segment welcomes 1 million visitors a year and generates more than $48 million for Loudoun’s economy. It also remains the number one visitor attraction,” Erickson said.

According to the economic impact report, in 2023 tourism supported 18,213 Loudoun jobs, up almost 6.3% and result-

ed in $1.1 million in salaries and wages in the county. It generated $147.4 million in local taxes and $80.3 million in state taxes, increases of 8% and 10.6% over 2022 respectively.

Passenger traffic at Dulles Airport is seeing strong post-pandemic rebound, ranking as the nation’s fastest-growing international airport in the U.S. in 2023.

Chryssa Westerlund, executive vice

19 Win Gold Ratings in 2024 Loudoun Wine Awards

Loudoun’s vineyards are busy with harvest-time activities, but the county’s winemakers are preparing to celebrate the best of past vintages.

This week, a panel of judges gathered at the Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg to review the entries for the 2024 Loudoun Wine Awards.

The top medal winners were announced, but the champions in each category as well as the year’s top winemaker, grower and industry ambassador will be announced during an Oct. 25 gala at Lansdowne Resort. Tickets for the gala, which includes a grand tasting of the award-winning wines are on sale now.

Here are this year’s medal winners:

8 Chains North: Gold - LoCo Vino 2023; Silver - Albariño 2023, Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Furnace Mountain Red 2021, Kindred 2021, Merlot 2021, Peacock Farm Sparkling Rose N/V, Pink Link Rosé 2023, Sauvignon Blanc 2023.

50 West Vineyards: Silver - Viognier 2022.

868 Estate Vineyards: Silver - Cabernet Franc 2022, Chardonnay 2022, Meritage 2022, Sauvignon Blanc 2023.

Bleu Frog Vineyards: Silver - 5 Dog Night Red Blend N/V, Bleu Moon Port Style Wine N/V, Cabernet Franc 2022, Merlot 2022, Vidal Blanc Bleu Blenc 2023, VIVI Blanc N/V.

Bluemont Vineyard: Gold-Cabernet

Franc 2021, Norton Reserve 2020; Silver - Albariño 2023, Chambourcin ‘Daydream’ N/V, Farm Table White 2023, Petit Manseng 2023, The Goat 2023.

Boden Young: Silver - Albariño 2023, Grüner Veltliner 2023, Triumvirate 2022.

Bozzo Family Vineyards: Gold - Petit

Verdot ‘RickC’ 2022; Silver - Boloziv Red Blend 2022, Chardonnay SteffiC 2022, Sauvignon Blanc CeciliaG 2022.

Cana Vineyards & Winery: SilverAlbariño 2023, Petit Manseng 2023, Rosé of Merlot 2023.

Carriage House Wineworks: SilverAlbariño 2023, Chardonnay 2021, Petit Verdot 2022, Shelly Sparkling White 2023, Gentry Sparkling Rosé 2023.

Doukenie Winery: Gold - Petit

Verdot 2021; Silver- Barrel Select Chardonnay 2021, Cabernet Franc 2022, Rosé 2023, Vintners Reserve 2021.

Endhardt Vineyards: Gold - Fervor Red 2021, Sauvignon Blanc Upper Block 2023; Silver - Blanc de Cabernet Franc 2023, Chardonnay 2022, Golden Turkey 2021, Kindred 2021, Merlot 2021, Petit Verdot 2021, Reverie White 2023, Sauvignon Blanc Lower Block 2023.

Fabbioli Cellars: Silver - Cabernet Franc Reserve 2021, Something White 2022, Sparkling Petit Manseng 2023, Tannat 2022.

Farm de Vine: Silver - Cabernet Sauvignon 2023.

Iron Will Winery: Silver - Admit Twenty One 2023, Cabernet Franc 2021, Metamorphosis 2021, Petit Manseng 2021, Petit Verdot 2021.

Good Spirit Farm: Gold Albariño 2023; Silver - Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Pinot Gris 2023, Red Blend 2022.

Greenhill Vineyards: Gold - Chardonnay Reserve 2022; Silver - Sauvignon 2022, Chenin Blanc 2023, Riesling 2023.

Hillsborough Vineyards: SilverOpal Petit Manseng 2022, Ruby 2021.

Holmes Wine: Gold - Wine Blend 1 2021, Wine Blend 2 2021; Silver Mimi Cabernet Franc 2020.

Iron Will Winery: Gold - Sparkling Viognier 2023.

Kalero: Silver - Cabernet Franc 2020, Viognier 2020 .

Lost Creek Winery: Silver - Allure 2021, Barrel Select Chardonnay 2023, Cabernet Franc 2021, Chardonnay 2023, Genesis’ 2021, Petit Verdot 2021, Tannat 2021, Viognier 2023.

October One Vineyards: Gold -Cabernet Franc 2021; Silver - Albariño 2023, Merlot 2021, Rescue’ Blend 2022, Viognier 2023.

Quartzwood: Gold - Chardonel 2023; Silver - Vidal Method Ancestral 2023.

Sunset Hills Vineyard: Silver - Char-

president and chief revenue officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said 2023 brought a record-breaking 9.3 million international passengers and the addition of 793,710 annual seats including expanded capacity to South America.

“The expansion of our network, including the introduction of five new airlines and 18 new routes, strengthens the airport’s position as a key driver of economic growth, supporting local businesses and tourism,” she stated.

Statewide, tourism reached a record high of $33.3 billion in visitor spending in 2023, up almost 10% from 2022, according to the Tourism Economics report. Tourism-related jobs increased by 13,000 last year, to 224,000. Visitor spending last year surpassed pre-pandemic levels in all five major categories—recreation, transportation, lodging, food and beverage and retail. Recreation was the fastest growing category in 2023, up 12% over 2022 and 24% beyond pre-pandemic levels. n

donnay 2023, Sunset Red Reserve 2022; e Wine Reserve at Waterford: Silver – Limerick Cabernet Franc 2022, Quat Cabernet Franc 2021, Lost Somewhere Petit Verdot 2019, The Wine Reserve at Waterford Prossimo 2021. ree Creeks Winery: Gold - Petit Verdot 2022; Silver - Cabernet Franc 2022, Melange Rouge 2022, Muscat Ottonel 2022, Petit Manseng 2023

Three Creeks Winery Rosé 2021, Tannat 2021, Viognier 2021.

Two Twisted Posts: Gold - Petit Verdot 2022; Chardonnay 2022, Piebald White 2023, Thomas Great’ 2021.

Walsh Family Wine: Gold - Late Harvest Petit Manseng 2019; Silver -Cabernet Franc 2021, Paeonia 2021, Petit Manseng 2021, Tannat 2021, Viognier 2022.

Williams Gap Vineyard: GoldChardonnay 2022, Merlot ‘Black Label’ 2021; Silver - Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Fieldstone’ 2021, Merlot 2022, Vidal Blanc 2022, ‘Williams Gap White 2022.

Willowcro Farm Vineyards: Silver - Petit Verdot 2022, Rosé of Sharon 2023, Vidal Blanc 2023.

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard: SilverAdeline 2021, Franc 2021, Chambourcin 2021, Chelois 2021, Friendship’ 2021, Merlot 2021, Rosé 2023 Three Captains Red 2020. n

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Travelers pass through the main terminal at Dulles Airport.

Seeing is BELIEVING

Falcons Landing, an award-winning, non-profit, CARF-accredited Life Plan Community, is nestled in scenic Loudoun County. The community is thrilled to announce that independent living is now available to individuals who meet specific criteria. These include:

• Military or Government Service: Anyone who has served at least four years in the uniformed services or the United States government.

• Special Relationships: Individuals with significant connections to the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, or other government agencies associated with national defense. This category also extends to spouses and surviving spouses. Call us at 703-293-5704 to schedule your visit and SEE for yourself why we are the premiere Life Plan Community in Northern Virginia.

Optimum Technologies to Expand Sterling Manufacturing Center

A year after opening its spacecraft integration facility in Sterling, Optimum Technologies this week announced plans to invest $999,000 to expand the manufacturing center and create 40 new jobs.

The firm designs, manufactures, integrates and tests space flight hardware and other space mission systems services.

State leaders celebrated the expansion of Virginia’s aerospace industry.

“Optimum Technologies’ decision to expand its manufacturing facility in Loudoun County demonstrates the trust manufacturers have in Virginia,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement.

“This investment reinforces Northern Virginia as a key aerospace hub that offers the infrastructure for developing and manufacturing new technologies,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick stated.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun County will support Optimum Technologies’ job creation through the state-funded Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which is designed to reduce the human resource costs of new and expanding companies

and to provide consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs.

Executive vice president of OpTech Timothy Rumford said the firm has outgrown is current space. “Our new facility will give us approximately five times the capacity and help continue our growth plans and, in turn, help support our nation’s needs for rapid and low-cost access to space,” he stated.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) said Loudoun has a lot to offer companies like Optimum Technologies.

“Our county’s skilled and dynamic workforce continues to attract and support high-tech companies like Optimum, ensuring that Loudoun remains a leading destination for companies to grow, succeed, and contribute to our economic landscape,” she stated.

Founded in Virginia in 2015, Optimum Technologies is a professional technical services company specializing in aerospace solutions related to satellite, ground, and mission systems engineering serving the U.S. Department of Defense along with civil and commercial customers. n

Chamber Announces Small Business Awards Finalists

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Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 • Leesburg, VA 20175 • 703-771-9034 Mon. & Wed.: 8am - 6pm • Tues. - Thurs.: 7am - 4pm • Fri.: CLOSED • 24hr Emergency Service

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

The Loudoun Chamber today announced the names of the 28 finalists for the 30th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards.

& Keg Tours, Empower Adventures, LVHMC – Loudoun Valley Homegrown Farmers Market Cooperative, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

The finalists are competing for top honors in seven industry categories. Each category winner will automatically become finalists for the 2024 “Loudoun Small Business of the Year.” The finalists for Loudoun’s Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced on Sept. 23.

The winners will be announced during a Nov. 8 gala at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne.

The 2024 finalists were chosen by blue-ribbon committee led by many of Loudoun’s top business leaders and industry experts, who reviewed the nearly 100 applications.

The Loudoun community will select this year’s People’s Choice Award honoree during an online voting period that opens today and continues through 5 p.m. Sept. 19. Voters may choose their favorite finalists in each industry category. The finalist earning the most votes will be the People’s Choice Award winner. To vote, go to LoudounChamber.org/SBA.

This year’s finalists are:

Main Street Business of the Year Finalists, sponsored by National Capital Bank: Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Casa De Avila Tacos, GAM - Graphics & Marketing, The Hamilton Mercantile

Loudoun Destination Business of the Year, sponsored by Bank of Clarke: Cork

Nonprofit Organization of the Year, sponsored by Claude Moore Charitable Foundation: Friends of Homeless Animals, Loudoun Education Foundation, Loudoun First Responders Foundation, Loudoun Hunger Relief

Consumer Service Business of the Year, sponsored by Microsoft: Home2 Suites by Hilton Leesburg, Homewatch CareGivers of Sterling, Purcellville Flag Company, SciGenie

Professional Service Business of the Year, sponsored by Wells Fargo: Abich Financial, CEO Consulting Group, iQuasar, Local SEO

Virtual Business of the Year, sponsored by Backflow Technology: CodeLock, POUNCE Solutions, The Sophisticated Teacher, Wright Accounting Solutions Health & Wellness Business of the Year, sponsored by Old Dominion National Bank: Ashburn Fit Body Boot Camp, Enlighten Nutrition, Counseling and Care, Kelly’s Bootcamp & Inergy, Sunstone Counseling

The event’s Signature Sponsor is One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. The Platinum Sponsor for the People’s Choice Award is BCT-The Community’s Bank. Sponsorships and tickets are available. For more information, call 703.777.2176 or go to  LoudounChamber.org/events. n

Public Safety

School, Law Enforcement Leaders Warn of Consequences Amid Wave of School Threats

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Loudoun County Public Schools and the Sheriff ’s Office last week investigated reports of threats against local schools, finding none to be credible. The investigations came amid a wave of threats reported nationwide in the wake of the school shooting in Georgia.

Superintendent Aaron Spence sent an alert on Sept. 11 notifying parents, students and staff members that authorities were aware of multiple rumored threats made against different schools and that law enforcement had been notified.

Spence said the safety precautions in place are working and that the division remains vigilant to keep students safe. He said administrators wouldn’t ask parents to send kids to school if they felt it was unsafe.

It is a standard practice of the Sheriff ’s Office to enhance patrols especially around

schools in the aftermath of a school shooting or other concerning event nationwide or in Loudoun, according to Sheriff ’s Office spokesperson Thomas Julia.

Spence urged parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of making threats or sharing threats that are made online.

“To a student, the use of threatening language might not seem like a big deal, but we have to and will treat it with the utmost caution and seriousness to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff,” Spence wrote, adding to remind children to not make threats even as a joke.

Spence said there are serious consequences for spreading false rumors and urged parents and students to report safety concerns or inappropriate behavior.

Julia said in an email to Loudoun Now that the agency received many calls on Sept. 11 regarding social media posts about the safety of various schools and students.

He said the most recent threat started out of state with a social media post and was then circulated on social media by division middle and high school students over several days.

“All were investigated and the LCSO has determined that there is no credible threat to any LCPS school or person associated with these posts,” Julia said.

Deputies were dispatched to at least one Brambleton home before 10 p.m. Sept. 11 to check the welfare of a student who may have been making threats to a school. No information has been provided about the outcome of that call.

Julia said the investigations lead to contact with several division students and their parents as a “check the welfare” visit and a review of the students’ activity on social media, LCPS sponsored alerts and their activity on the Safe2Talk app to understand the intent.

“In some instances, a student just wants to alert us about a concern, con-

sistent with ‘See something, Say Something’ where students are urged to report something to a trusted adult or School Resource Officer rather than sharing it further on social media,” he said.

Julia said if its more than a tip, like a social media post simply being passed along, it will be investigated but likely won’t result in any charges. On the other hand, if the social media post could reasonably cause others to believe there is a threat or causes fear, charges most likely will occur.

“In that case we would act with urgency, which could include a referral to the Juvenile Court Services Unit for diversion or petition, independent of any schoolbased consequences,” he said.

Threats and other concerning issues are reported to the Sheriff ’s Office via phone, Safe2Talk messages, online tip lines,

SCHOOL THREATS continues on page 16

Spontaneous Combustion Causes $1.7M House Fire

Spontaneous combustion of potting soil is blamed in a Saturday night fire that caused an estimated $1.7 million in damage to an Ashburn home.

According to Loudoun County Fire-Rescue, county dispatchers just before 10 p.m. Sept. 14 received several 911 calls reporting a fire at a Virginia Rose Place home in Brambleton.

Crews from Arcola, Moorefield, Dulles South, Kirkpatrick Farms, Ashburn, Leesburg, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and Fairfax County responded to the scene.

The first arriving units at the two-story single-family home found significant fire showing from the rear and roof of the house and called for additional support. Crews worked for an hour to contain and extinguish all fire on the exterior and interior of the structure.

No injuries were reported. Five occupants were displaced. Damages are estimated at $1,696,864. Smoke alarms were present and operated as designed. Neighboring homes also sustained damage to the siding but remained habitable.

The LCFR Fire Marshal’s Office investigation determined the fire was accidental, caused the spontaneous combustion of potting soil stored underneath the deck.

LPD Investigates Deli Break-in

The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a Monday morning burglary at Deli Market.

Officers responded to the Fort Evans Road store at approximately 8:45 a.m. Sept. 16 for a report of a burglary. The suspect broke in through the rear door and removed items.

According to surveillance video, the suspect was wearing a black T-shirt and a grey hat. He entered the building at approximately 4:47 a.m.

Investigators ask that anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in

SAFETY briefs

the area or who may have information related to the burglary to contact Detective S. Bultrowicz at 703-771-4500 or PoliceInvestigations@LeesburgVA.gov.

Tips may also be submitted by phone at 703-771-6417 or by text to 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.

Felony Charges Filed after Animal Cruelty Investigation

A Middleburg woman is charged with animal cruelty following an investigation by Loudoun County Animal Services.

Patricia Mathis-Burby, 62, is facing felony and misdemeanor charges following the discovery of animals in her home living in conditions that were deemed to have a direct threat to their life, health and safety. In addition to the living animals, five dead dogs were found in and around the residence, including some decomposing in crates adjacent to living dogs, according to the report.

In July, 19 dogs and six cats were removed from the home. During a Sept. 6 District Court hearing, custody of those 25 animals was transferred to Loudoun County Animal Services. Mathis-Burby was ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the county to cover the cost of animal care. The judge also issued an indefinite ban on her ownership of companion animals.

In addition to her own pets and several animals being boarded in the home, Mathis-Burby allegedly was also fostering animals for a Fairfax-based poodle rescue. Investigators described the home as having urine and feces throughout, requiring the use of hazmat-style protective equipment for officers. Dogs appeared to have been confined in crates for long periods in litter and feces several inches deep and without access to food or potable water. At least one cat suffered from untreated injuries, according to the testimony.

Mathis-Burby is scheduled for trial on the felony and misdemeanor charges Oct. 3. She faces a sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $2,500 on the felony charges.

Driver Gets 6 Years for Police Chase

A Leesburg man who led police on a chase through Loudoun and Fairfax counties in October was sentenced to serve more than six years in prison.

The chase happened on Oct. 30, 2023, after dispatchers received a call

from a person reporting a potential abduction in progress. When deputies arrived on the scene, the suspect drove away in a stolen 2005 Hummer H2 on the Loudoun County Parkway and continued into Fairfax County, where Fairfax County Police officers and Virginia State Police troopers assisted with the pursuit. During the high-speed chase, the driver passed vehicles on the shoulder, swerved in and out of traffic, and drove on the opposite side of the road into oncoming traffic before stopping in Vienna, where he got out of the Hummer and attempted to carjack another vehicle before being taken into custody.

In June, Joseph C. Daniel, 43, pleaded guilty to charges of driving with a revoked or suspended license, eluding, reckless driving, felony eluding, drug possession, receiving stolen goods and obstruction of justice.

On Sept. 12, Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming, Jr. sentenced Daniel to serve six years and three months in prison—a punishment above the state’s sentencing guidelines.

Fleming and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson said it was a miracle that other motorists were not injured.

“Other motorists must have been scared out of their shoes by the sight of the vehicle of that size and coming at them at that speed in their lane,” Fleming said.

LCSO Seeks Suspect in Armed Robbery

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect in an armed robbery at the Broadlands Dollar Tree store on Friday night.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5-feet, 11-inches tall, wearing blue jeans, a black hooded jacket, a black cover over his face. He was carrying a black backpack and a firearm. The store is located at 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza.

Investigators ask anyone with information about the case to contact Detective McCormack at 703-777-1021. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 or submit a tip through the LCSO app. n

School Threats

continued from page 15

gaggle alerts, emails to SRO’s, text messages and tips from the FBI, according to Julia.

“Addressing potentially actionable social media posts is a complex challenge,” Julia said. “The use of social media for this purpose is growing and while some of it originates here, much of it migrates into Loudoun from other counties or states. While most concerns are unfounded, we want students, parents, schools and community partners to always bring them to our attention promptly, and we investigate each of them.”

So far this school year, from Aug. 22 through Sept. 16, the Sheriff’s Office has received 42 tips from Safe2Talk, including two related to drug distribution or use, seven related to gang violence or threats, 12 related to guns and three related to a possible school target, according to Julia. Last school year, they received 151 tips, including 30 related to drug distribution or use, 15 related to bullying, two related to gang violence or threats, two related to guns and one related to a possible school target. During the 2022-23 school year they received 139 tips, including 19 related to drug distribution or use, 15 related to bullying, four related to gang violence or threats, four related to guns and three related to a possible school target, according to Julia.

Julia said they charged one student last year with obstruction of justice regarding a bomb threat but noted it’s an anomaly in Loudoun.

The division sent out a joint statement Sept. 12 signed by Spence, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman, Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat, Purcellville Police Chief Barry Dufek and Middleburg Police Chief Shaun Jones and confirmed there is no credible threat to any specific division school. The email reminded parents once again to talk to their kids about the words they use and what they choose to post on social media and listed consequences, like criminal charges and school disciplinary action for making threats.

“Working together, we will continue to do everything in our power to keep our students and staff safe, but this effort begins at home with the tough conversations we’re asking you to have,” it stated. n

Leesburg Police Department Investigators released these images of the suspect in the Sept. 16 burglary at the Deli Market on Fort Evans Road.

Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop Reaches $1M Milestone

Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop in Purcellville surpassed $1 million in sales this year, a threshold of success the organization attributes to unwavering community support.

Money raised at the Main Street store supports its efforts to provide quality and compassionate care for those facing serious illness and end-of-life challenges.

“Our thrift shops serve as windows into the living rooms of our community. They reflect the spirit of giving and caring that defines Loudoun County. Reaching the $1 million mark is not just a financial achievement that supports our purpose and mission-driven work; it’s a testament

to the collective effort of a community that truly values and supports its neighbors,” President and CEO Jason Parsons stated.

“Every item donated and every purchase made is reinvested into programs that significantly impact our patients’ lives,” stated Anthony Crosen, vice president of Thrift Operations and Facilities.

“We are deeply grateful for the community’s support, which enables us to provide unique programs like certified music therapy, Paws & Purrs, We Honor Veterans and Grief Support for anyone in the community, not just patient families.”  n

Girl emPower Summit Planned Saturday

The Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls is hosting its fifth annual Girl emPower Summit, focusing this year on empowering connections and cultivating inclusivity.

This event will take place at Northern Virginia Community College on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Girls aged 12-18 are invited to register at no cost and enjoy interactive sessions with peers and mentors. Last year’s event was the nonprofit’s largest to date, and this year’s is expected to reach maximum capacity.

Breana Turner will be headlining the summit, providing the keynote address. She was a 2023 finalist for the LCWAG Women’s Hall of Fame, and a previous summit breakout session leader and last year’s emcee.

Turner has delivered two TEDx Talks, an AOL Infuse Speaks keynote address, and other engagements, often sharing her passion for kinesiology with public health to help people live healthier and more active lives.

LCWAG seeks to address some of the underlying contributors to the teen mental health crisis, by providing both resources and community of women and girls through the summit.

Topics covered in the breakout sessions include opportunities in STEM fields, leadership and entrepreneurship, creative coping and facing adversity with resilience.

High school senior, Mahsa Riar, the summit’s chair and principal youth orga-

nizer, said she is passionate about outdoing last year’s success.

“As we navigate a world filled with challenges and opportunities, our goal is to inspire and empower young girls to forge meaningful connections and embrace their unique identities,” she stated in an announcement. “Our summit is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where every girl feels valued, heard, and capable of achieving greatness. With each year, we strive to build a community where every girl can flourish, recognizing the strength and beauty within herself and those around her.”

To increase access to this year’s event, bus transportation is available from centralized pickup locations in Leesburg and Sterling. Last year, one-in-six summit participants used the public transportation option.

Register and discover more at  LCWAG.org/register. n

Damon Decker D3D Photography and Videography Breana Turner speaks at last year’s Girl emPower Summit hosted by the Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls.

Towns

Bertaut, Milan Face Off in Mayoral Forum

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Purcellville mayoral candidates Christopher Bertaut and incumbent Stanley Milan faced off in a candidate forum Monday tackling issues including utility rates and debt, annexation, traffic, and their political differences.

The forum at the Carver Center was moderated by Patrick Henry College students Nick Frye and Josh Revoir and hosted by The Blue Ridge Leader. Questions were submitted by forum attendees.

Most of the questions revolved around the town’s water and wastewater rates and the debt facing the town’s utility system. In April, the Town Council adopted a budget for fiscal year 2025 that increased water rates by 16% and wastewater rates by 18%

to offset increasing debt service payments. Bertaut voted against the budget.

Both cited the issue as their top priority if elected to serve the next mayoral term.

“Right now, with the current plan in place, our water rates will double within the next five years,” Bertaut said. “So, double digit increases the next four years, and then trickling back to single digit increases in the fifth year. That is unacceptable and doesn’t work for residents who are on limited incomes, or realistically speaking, anyone.”

To address those rates, Bertaut said the council needs to look at ways to subsidize the utility fund with money from other sources such as the meals tax and stream bed remediation credits and by reassessing the need for capital projects.

“We need to look at getting grant funding for doing this work, either from the federal government or the state gov-

continues on page 21

Purcellville Requests County Funding for 5 Projects

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounow.org

Purcellville leaders are seeking funding from the county’s Capital Improvements Program for five projects in town.

Those projects include renovations and repairs at Dillon’s Woods, improvements at Fireman’s Field, construction of a shared use path between Hirst Road and the W&OD Trail, development of a downtown master plan, and funding to build a roundabout at the Berlin Turnpike and Eastgate Drive intersection.

Council members approved four of the five staff-proposed funding requests unanimously through their consent agenda Sept. 10. The new plans for a Rt. 287 roundabout spurred debate.

Mayor Stanley J. Milan and Council Member Kevin Wright both expressed concerns with the proximity of the roundabout to improvements planned at the Rt. 7/Berlin Turnpike.

Senior Capital Projects Manager Jessica Keller said the Eastgate Drive intersection project was partially funded already by the county and included in town and county capital improvements plans. The intersection operates at a level of service F and was originally planned to be addressed through a traffic light.

However, a new study of the project concluded that a two-lane hybrid roundabout would be the best alternative, she said.

The town received $1.2 million for the traffic signal, but the roundabout is expected to increase the cost to $3 million.

In conjunction with the interchange improvements, the roundabout is expected to improve the level of service at Eastgate Drive to an A rating.

should have been more closely coordinated with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the county’s work on the interchange.

“I’m all for fixing the intersection here. It’s just a little weird that within 100 to 200 yards down the road, VDOT is spending a boatload of money and now we’re having to add money 200 yards down the road to fix an intersection,” he said.

Wright asked whether it would be cheaper to try adding the roundabout onto VDOT’s project.

“We had asked the county to include this intersection in their project, but it was out of their area of scope of work and with their federal funding they couldn’t add it into it,” Broshkevitch said. “But that’s part of the reason why they also have given us the money and allowed us to use the money for the design that we had.”

Lovettsville Lifts, Middleburg Reduces Water Restrictions

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

After a summer of severe and extreme drought conditions, municipal groundwater supply systems are stabilizing. Last week, Middleburg and Lovettsville moved out of mandatory water use restrictions.

The prohibitions on outdoor water use were imposed in July as the levels in town groundwater systems fell and wells struggled to recharge after their pumping cycles. The situation has improved in recent weeks with rains from the remnants of Hurricane Debby, occasional storms, and cooling temperatures.

On Friday, Lovettsville Town Manager Jason Cournoyer announced the town had lifted its mandatory water use restrictions. However, residents are urged to continue with conservation measures, including checking for leaks, minimizing shower times and running full loads with dishes and laundry.

According to a Middleburg Town Council briefing from the town staff and its utility contractors on Sept. 12, the well system has largely recovered, with most wells adequately producing and recharging. The council agreed to reduce the prohibition on outdoor water use and move to “Level A” conservation status. Under the town’s rules, outdoor water use will be permitted between 6 and 9 p.m. daily.

Director of Engineering and Capital Projects Andrea Broshkevitch said if the town continued to proceed on the assumption that the county would provide funding for the project the roundabout could be completed before construction on the Rt. 7 interchange starts.

Milan asked what would happen if the county did not fund the roundabout. Broshkevitch said the town would have a fully designed roundabout, even if they didn’t yet have the funding to build it.

Wright said he thought the project

“I see problems coming with the fact that we’re doing construction work and they’ll be doing construction work 100 or 200 yards down the road, but you all have done your due diligence,” Wright said.

Milan said he was concerned that funneling traffic into the roundabout would “meter” traffic and not speed things up.

“If you guys think it will work and [the county] gives us the money for it, then I’ll go for that. But I’m concerned it may be a Band-Aid on a surgical wound,” he said.

Milan and Wright joined the other council members to unanimously request the extra funding for the roundabout. n

Among Loudoun’s towns, only Round Hill remains under mandatory water restrictions. There too staff members report improving well conditions, including repairs to two wells that have resulted in greater production.

Since imposing mandatory water restrictions in June, the town has seen a 30% decrease in usage, according to the report.

The Town Council was scheduled Wednesday to assess whether to lift or reduce the restrictions. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Christopher Bertaut, right, answers questions from Purcellville residents during a mayoral candidate forum with incumbent Stanley Milan, left, Monday night.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

The intersection of Berlin Turnpike and Eastgate Drive across from the main entrance to Patrick Henry College is proposed to have a two-lane hybrid roundabout built to mitigate traffic congestion.

MAYORAL FORUM

LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT • LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

Saturday, September 28th • 11:00AM - 4:00PM

SATELLITE PARKING ONLY

Aerial Performances Begin at 1:00PM

Flying Circus Skydivers • Aerobatics

Stunt Planes • Wing Walker

Radio Controlled Plane & Jet Demos

Antique, Civilian, & Military Aircraft Two Giant Inflatable Slides

Festival Foods & Beer • Exhibitors/Vendors

Purcellville Holds 12th Annual Hail to the Trail

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Purcellville hosted its 12th annual Hail to the Trail Sunday afternoon showcasing a dozen tables ready to teach families about nature, wildlife and preservation.

The event takes place at the Chapman DeMary Trail and visitors had the chance to see a variety of owls and hawks up close and learn about what they eat, how fast they can fly and the dangers they face day to day.

Children were given a passport and received a stamp for every table they visited and interacted with. After 10 stamps, they turned their passports in for a prize.

Families learned how to identify animals based on their tracks, how to tell how

old a tree is, use a field scope, see if they can jump as far as an American Bullfrog, identify different types of leaves and create art with items from nature.

The event is hosted by the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee which focuses on environmental programs, sustainability, enhancement of the tree canopy and continuation of the Town’s Tree City USA designation.

Virginia Department of Forestry Lindsey Long presented the town with a Tree City USA flag and award.

“One of the reasons why Purcellville has been able to have 17 years as a Tree City is because of people like you who appreciate trees just as much as the people who take care of them for the city, so thank you,” she said. n

Middleburg Readies for Oktoberfest

Middleburg will be closing streets and tapping kegs on Saturday for its fourth annual Oktoberfest celebration.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., South Madison and Federal streets will feature two biergartens, traditional German food, live music, and festival games. Beer, wine, cider, and traditional Oktoberfest foods will be available for purchase from

local vendors.

There will be an Artist’s Alley, coordinated by the Middleburg Arts Council, exhibiting artwork for sale from local and regional artists. Regional artisans will exhibit fine art, pottery, jewelry, wearable art and more.

For more information visit: middleburgvaoktoberfest.com. n

AROUND towns

MIDDLEBURG

Residents Offer Suggestions for Future of Asbury Church

A community center, educational space, and peace and freedom center were among the uses residents suggested for the future of the Asbury Church building during a community input meeting last week.

Representatives of the Commonwealth Preservation Group led the Sept. 11 forum before a capacity crowd at Town Hall. The group was hired by the town to help develop plans for the restoration of the town-owned building. In addition to the public meeting, the consultants have met with neighbors, church trustees, preservation advocates, and history groups, and conducted a public survey. The input will be gathered for a report to be presented to the Town Council later this year.

The 2,660-square-foot Asbury Church was established in 1829 and has been used as a Methodist Episcopal church, a storehouse, a Civil War government depot and hospital, and a Methodist Episcopal church for the town’s Black residents. The building has been vacant since 1994. It was donated to the town in 2014.

PURCELLVILLE

Forbes,

Neham, Ogleman, Giglio Honored for Years of Service

Four longtime volunteers with the Town of Purcellville were honored for their service Tuesday night. Nan Forbes, Ed Neham, Nedim Ogleman

and Pat Giglio have spent a combined 42 years serving on the town’s council, boards and commissions.

Pat Giglio served on the town’s Board of Architectural Review for 18 years, chairing the body for several of those.

A resolution presented by the Town Council touted Giglio’s as “a bulwark of Purcellville’s historic charm and unique character.”

“It’s been a long career,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without all the other BAR members who have been dedicated to do this as well as the applicants who have made the town a better place in their design and visual appeal.”

Forbes, who spent the last seven years on the Planning Commission, led the body through a Comprehensive Plan rewrite and a Zoning Ordinance rewrite as chair for several of those years.

“It’s been a great privilege, and I have really enjoyed this,” Forbes said. “I had no idea what I was getting into when I was asked to join this board and I have learned a great deal.”

Neham has worked alongside Forbes for the past seven years serving several as vice chair, also working on the body’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance rewrites.

Ogleman first served on the Planning Commission from 2014 to 2016 before being elected to the Town Council in 2016. After a four-year term, he was reappointed to the commission for an additional four-year term.

All four terms ended Aug. 31. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Community members had a chance to see this barn owl and several other birds of prey at Purcellville’s Hail to the Trail event Sept. 15.

Mayoral Forum

continued from page 18

ernment. We need to address as much as possible of capital improvement, because at the end of the day, those water rates all come out of one fund budget, and in this case, it’s the water fund,” he said.

In turn, Milan said the rate increases were necessary because prior town councils had “kicked the can down the road” using utility fund reserves to artificially keep rates low.

“The reserves set aside for our wastewater and water plant will run out in 2025,” he said.

Instead, the council needs to follow advice given by its financial advisors and consultants and raise the rates to keep the fund self-sustaining, Milan said, adding that to do that, the town needs to generate more revenue through economic development.

“Our commercial base is paramount to funding our town. Promoting local businesses, tourism and economic development is an integral part of the strategy,” Milan said.

Another question submitted by town residents focused on the pending annexation request by Chuck Kuhn for a 117acre property along Purcellville Road.

“The proposal that is on the table is unacceptable, both under our comprehensive plan and under the county’s comprehensive plan,” Bertaut said.

Kuhn also has a pending application with the county have the land rezoned to allow for 1.3 million square feet of business park/flex industrial space. Bertaut predicted the rezoning would not be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

“The project itself … cannot be provided by the county with water and sewer services. If the developer were to provide, particularly the sewage treatment on site, they would eat up most of the land area with drainfields,” he said.

Milan said it was too soon to know whether the town would benefit from annexing the land.

“All we’re doing is asking for additional information on that project to see if it’s in the best interest of the town,” he said. “… We asked for additional information so that we can make an intelligent decision and not blankly, shut our eyes and say no without knowing what is in the best interest of the town.”

Milan said if the commerce center was built under the county’s jurisdiction, it would include a portion of the Northern Collector Road. Annexing it into the town would give the council authority to decide whether that road section was built.

Candidates were also asked how they would address concerns about speeding and traffic, specifically along Maple Ave-

nue and 20th Street.

Milan said he was looking into legislation passed by the General Assembly that allows towns to lower speed limits to as low as 15 mph in certain circumstances and that he was working with the county to develop a regional traffic study.

Bertaut agreed lowering speed limits and studying traffic patterns would help.

“At all times the focus needs to be on a comprehensive solution to traffic issues within town, and part of that solution is enhanced enforcement,” he said.

The two also addressed the growing political differences since they ran on the same ticket in 2020 and Bertaut served as Milan’s vice mayor in 2023 to their opposing candidacies this year.

Milan said he had been approached by former Mayor Kwasi Fraser to run for the council when, after being elected, he realized that he had become “the mayor’s muscle.”

“One meeting, he says, ‘oh, that’s Council Member Milan’s comments, that’s not the council.’ And I was like, ‘wait a minute, you just told me to say something,’” Milan said.

After being elected to serve as mayor in 2022, Milan said he spent the year reevaluating everything he had been told by members of the prior council and learned he had been “misled.”

“After months of being mayor, my eyes were truly opened, and I understood the reality moving forward,” he said.

Bertaut said Milan’s reasons were “weak tea” and that taking counsel from a variety of sources was “part of being a responsible person.”

“If you’re taking any one source of information as being gospel, then there’s a larger issue there,” he said.

Milan touted his record over the past year and a half, citing streamlined processes and more effective council meetings.

“We’ve got more done in the year I’ve been mayor than the last administration has done in eight years,” he said.

Early voting begins this Friday, Sept. 20 for the Nov. 5 election.

In Purcellville, voters will be electing the mayor and filling four Town Council seats.

Milan is running along with an unofficial slate of candidates including incumbents Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright and Brian Dean and John Mark Gardener.

Bertaut is also running with an unofficial slate including Planning Commissioner Brian Green, Susan Khalil, Carl Nett and Jonathan Arnburg. n

Bluemont Fair Marks 54 Years

The 54th Annual Bluemont Fair will be held on Sept. 21-22, attracting thousands of visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountain village for a community festival that includes crafts, music and food.

The fair features traditional crafts, local art and authors, craft and farming demonstrations, live music, a children’s fair, blacksmithing and stone wall building demonstrations, homemade food, antiques and more.

This year, the Plaster Museum of Bluemont Heritage will offer a special exhibit on the history of Native Americans in the area.

The fair is sponsored by the Bluemont Citizens Association and proceeds go toward paying for the village’s street lights, providing student scholarships for local students, making improvements to the village’s historic buildings, supporting community beautification, and aiding neighbors in need.

The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22, rain or shine. Admission is $10 for adults with visitors nine and under free.

Learn more at bluemontfair.org. n

File Photo

The Loudoun Beekeepers Association is among the community organizations that set up booths to meet with visitors during the Bluemont Fair.

LIVE MUSIC

TEJAS SINGH

5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 Harrison St., Leesburg. macsbeach.com

DOIN’ TIME

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DUCK CHUCK GOOSE

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19

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

CARY WIMBISH

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

SHANE HINES

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

TODD BROOKS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com

SHANE GAMBLE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

DAVE NEMETZ

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

ANNIE STOKES

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. bluemontstation.com

JASON MASI

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Hillsborough Vineyards, 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. hillsboroughwine.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

Lovettsville Farmers Open Haunt on Milltown Road

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Lovettsville residents Sarah and GG Gregg share love of haunted attractions. In fact, their enthusiasm for all things scary led to a 2020 Halloween wedding and a 2022 anniversary trip to several haunted attractions around Niagara Falls.

While there, they got an idea that a property along Milltown Road they bought in 2021 could be a great location for a local haunted attraction.

Sarah said their daughters had participated as actors in The Arc of Loudoun’s Shocktober for years and they felt the call to do something.

“It’s in their blood and it’s in our blood,” she said.

The property, located at 13936 Milltown Road, was bought to be farmed by the Greggs. GG, a fourth-generation Loudoun farmer, started with cattle and now farms corn, beans and hay.

“Farming doesn’t pay. At the end of the day most farmers have a second job,” he said.

GG said, as they looked at options for the land, they decided they wanted to

contribute to the county’s ag tourism efforts, but didn’t want to open a brewery. They settled on opening a haunt.

With this summer’s drought, the enterprise could be an important boost to the family.

“This is just a small piece that helps bring in that money that maybe isn’t coming in for us this year. I mean this might actually be a blessing because our crop is not what it’s supposed to be. We only got one cutting of hay this year and we probably won’t get a second, which not only hurts us but our customers as well,” Sarah said.

When they bought the land it was overgrown and needed a lot of work. They gutted a run-down house that they now rent to a tenant, put new roofs on a barn and horse stalls, and rebuilt another barn. The haunt will take place inside the two barns, with the horse stall used for ticket sales and photo ops.

They know the land used to house a large brood of hens used for egg production in the 1950s and put those elements into pieces of the haunt.

“We know that thousands of chickens died on this property, so we may have a

chicken lady walking around the haunt,” Sarah said.

She said they reached out to other haunt operators for ideas, visiting some and taking notes on what they liked, what worked and what didn’t work. They began buying pieces of furniture and other items from haunts in Roanoke, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that were going out of business.

She said the community of haunt owners has been supportive, with several helping with their design and giving them feedback.

“We’ve been fortunate enough that this industry, in the haunt world, they are just more than willing to open their doors and say ‘come in and see us,’” she said.

“We had no idea. We started this by going to haunts and going through them and listening to our daughters talk,” GG said.

Their haunt starts with guests making their way through the horrors of “Grandma’s House.” Once visitors survive that, they head outside to a maze that will

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Lovettsville residents GG and Sarah Gregg Sept. 13 celebrated the opening of Milltown Haunt, Loudoun County’s newest haunted attraction, with a ribbon cutting. HAUNT

AMISH OUTLAWS

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $25. tararaconcerts.com

Enjoy the always high-energy show from the popular Lancaster, PA, cover band.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

ROBERT MABE & FRIENDS

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

GEORGE KATSOS

5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

IAN VEST

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

JIM STEELE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DAVID ANDREW SMITH

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Lansdowne Resort and Spa, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. lansdowneresort.com

EVERY ECHO W/JULIANA MACDOWELL

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $10 crossroadsmusicfest.org

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Honor Brewing Company, 42604 Trade W. Drive, Sterling. honorbrewing.com

LOUDOUN JAZZ SOCIETY

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. $20. oldoxbrewing.com

ELEMENTS OF KINDRED

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

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

BEST BETS

HOWARD JONES

Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $75. tallyhotheater.com

The Crossroads Music Festival culminates with an intimate interview performance by the ’80 hitmaker. Emma Rowley opens.

GABE MATTHEWS

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

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

LUDACRIS

7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $60. ionareana.com

POINT OF ROCK

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20

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

AWEN FAMILY BAND

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

EMMY

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Cana Vineyards, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

VIRGINIA RUM RUNNERS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

DAVE MININBERG

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

TOMMY GANN

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

MIKE RICHARDS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

MELISSA QUINN FOX

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

DEMENTIA MAN, AN EXISTENTIAL JOURNEY

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville franklinparkartscenter.org

Actor and playwright Samuel A. Simon performs the awardwinning autobiographical story of a man who faces his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

DAVID THONG

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

PETTY THIEVES

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozzowines.com

JOE DOWNER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

SHANE HINES

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

DEANE KEARN

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

6 SHADES OF GRAY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

ERIN HART

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

5 CENT LUCY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Lost Rhino Brewing Company, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

TOMMY GANN

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com

RYAN JEWEL

CHRIS COMPTON

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

KEN KEMP

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

CALLER N’ DOC

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

BRAD HARDEN

3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com

JOEY HAFNER

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

JASON MASI

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeninewinery.com

RED SAMMY

4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg. blackwalnutbrewery.com

STEVE BOYD & FRIENDS

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

RULE G

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

TAVAIR DOMINQUE

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Tarbender’s Lounge, 10 S. King St., Leesburg. tarbenderslounge.com

continued from page 23 LIVE MUSIC continues on page 25

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road,

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Chrysalis Vineyards, 39025 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysalisvineyards.com

Crossroads Music Festival Fills Downtown Leesburg on Saturday

On Saturday, the Crossroads Music Festival features more than 40 free performances from individuals and bands on 14 stages throughout Leesburg’s downtown historic district.

The festival is organized by BENEFIT, a nonprofit coalition of musicians and community leaders with a mission to raise funds and awareness for organizations serving children in Loudoun County.  In its fifth year, the festival kicks off on Friday night with a ticketed show at the Tally Ho Theater with Americana singer-songwriter Juliana MacDowell and the debut performance of indie folk group Every Echo, featuring Loudoun favorites Emma Rowley and Todd Wright along with Philadelphiabased musician and producer Ethan Mentzer. The festival culminates Saturday night with an intimate solo performance and interview by ’80s hitmaker Howard Jones at the Tally Ho Theater. A limited number of tickets remained available early

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 24

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club, 35271 Prestwick Ct., Round Hill. stoneleighgolf.com

THE REAL INTELLECT

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 SideBar, 24 S. King St., Leesburg. sidebarlbg.com

MO & MARY MAC

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Goose Creek Village, 21030 Sycolin Road, Ashburn. goosecreekvillage.com

CROSS CUT SAW BAND

7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Clubhouse, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne. lwva.org

ANNIE STOKES

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

King’s Tavern & Wine Bar, 19 S. King St., Leesburg. kingstavernandwinebar.com

UNCLE DREW AND THE SCOUNDRELS

8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Green Tree Tavern, 15 S. King St. SE., Leesburg. greentreetavern.com

SCOTT KURT BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

TAYLOR CARSON DUO

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchase.com

THE AMISH OUTLAWS

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts. $25. tararaconcerts.com

HOWARD JONES

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $75. crossroadmusicfestival.org

TORREY B

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

THE SURFABILLY VIBE

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Rock N’ Claws, 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn. rocknclaws.menufy.com

41 NORTH

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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

2 OF THE FOUR

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

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

TOMMY BOUCH

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com

DAVE NEMETZ

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

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

JASON MASI

1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

JOSEPH R. MONASTERIAL

4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

KK’S PRIEST

7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com

CHRIS COMPTON

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

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

DAN INGHAM

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com

this week.

Between those bookends, the core of the festival is performances of dozens of Loudoun’s favorite singer/songwriters and bands. The music starts at 4 p.m. with performances by Laurie Blue and Big Bad Juju and continue through 10 p.m. with bands ranging from Loudoun Youth Battle of the Bands winners The Wickers to veterans like the Chris Timbers Band.

The performers are donating their time to support the festival’s community fundraising efforts. Concert-goers will be encouraged to make donations to support BENEFIT’s local grants program. Proceeds from last year’s festival supported grants totaling $17,000 to six nonprofits. See the complete lineup schedule and purchase tickets for the Tally Ho Theater performances at crossroadsmusicfest.org. n

RED, WHITE AND BLUES BAND

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

CARY WIMBISH

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

CARLEIGH JANE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

LENNY BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

ANTHONY SEMIAO

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Chrysalis Vineyards, 39025 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysalisvineyards.com

NOVEMBER MORNING

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

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

THE HUME-FRYE DUO

3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Bluemont Fair, 33846 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont. $10. bluemontfair.org

BENJAMIN WEIMER

3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24

Rebel Taco, 22850 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn. rebeltaco.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

ROWDY

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26

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

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

BEN O’CONNOR

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 Cana Vineyards, 38600 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

HAPPENINGS

ZONING ORDINANCE REWRITE PUBLIC MEETING

11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. leesburgva.gov

THIRD THURSDAY GALLERY TALK

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, National Sporting Library, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg. nationalsporting.org

MOONLIGHT MOTH MANIA

8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19

Aldie Mill Historic Park, 39401 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. novaparks.org

OUT OF ATTIC SALE

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Leesburg VFW, 401 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. womansclubofloudoun.org

MEET THE MAYOR

8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Dunkin’ Donuts, 521J E. Market St., Leesburg. leesburgva.gov

Photo by Norman K. Styer

The Chris Timbers Band returns to perform on the stage at Schmidt’s Barbecue during the 2024 music showcase at the Crossroads Music Festival.

GET OUT HAPPENINGS

continued from page 25

NOOKS & CRANNIES TOUR

12 to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

The Davis Mansion at Morven Park, 17269

Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. $15 to $25. morvenpark.org

NOT YOUR KID’S SPELLING BEE

6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

Belmont Country Club, Loudoun County. $150. loudounliteracy.org

LVFC PANCAKE BREAKFAST.

7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Station 1, 215 Loudoun St. SW., Leesburg. leesburgfire.org

FALL FEST AND PHOTO EXPO

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Claude Moore Park Visitor Center, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. loudoun.gov

MIDDLEBURG OKTOBERFEST

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 South Madison Street, Middleburg. middleburgva.gov

GILBERT’S CORNER

WANDERING WARBLERS

Aldie Mill Historic Park, 39401 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. novaparks.org

SALSA NIGHT

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $10. ionareana.com

HILLSBORO FARMERS MARKET

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

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

PINTS 4 PAWS

12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. $30. loudouncommunitycats.org

SCIENCE ON TAP

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

COCKTAILS & CONVERSATION: ELIZABETH LETTS

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25

National Sporting Library, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg. $30 to $50. nationalsporting.org

ROUTE 7 WEST SAFETY STUDY MEETING

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 Bluemont Community Center, 33846 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont. loudoun.gov

BOOK TALK WITH NANCY SPANNAUS

6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 Loudoun Museum, 16 Loudoun St. SW., Leesburg. loudounmuseum.org

Haunt

continued from page 23

eventually take them to the “Barn of Fears.” They leave the barn and enter the farm midway filled with food and beverage trucks, games and firepits—a special feature in that the haunt isn’t the only attraction for guests.

A fun fact about Grandma’s House is there are pictures of each of the actors grandma’s along a hallway.

GG said the level of how scared a person gets depends on their fears.

“Some people are scared of spiders. Some people are scared of snakes. Some are scared of the dark,” he said. “It’s a little bit of everything and some rooms might not be scary at all, but they grab your attention.”

GG noted it’s the actors who make the haunt. There will be 40 experienced actors working each night to create the scare.

“A good actor can catch you off guard,” he said, adding they don’t use a lot of animatronics.

Most of the actors worked in the Shocktober and the Scream Loco haunts before they shut down.

The Gregg’s said the haunt is probably rated PG-13, but they’ll leave it to parents

to know their children’s tolerances.

“We aren’t going to tell you no. If you have to exit, you tap an actor and let us know. We have exits all throughout,”

Sarah said.

In addition to many exits, the course also was built with fire safety in mind, according to GG, who has worked for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue for over 20 years. There will also be a safety and security team on hand.

Milltown Haunt opens the last weekend in September and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of October. They plan a special blackout night on Nov. 2 that involves guests walking through a completely dark haunt with nothing but glow sticks.

The gates and farm midway open at 6 p.m. with the haunt opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person for access to the haunt and the midway, or midway tickets may be bought for $5. R.I.P. passes, allowing guests to skip the line, are available for $40. Parking is free. The haunt takes place rain or moonlight, unless conditions make it unsafe for guests.

Go to milltownhaunt.com for tickets. n

Obituaries

KRISTINE WYNN

KRISTINE WYNN, 76, of Leesburg, VA, passed away peacefully at home on September 5, 2024, with her son by her side. Kristine lived a remarkable life. She was born on January 16, 1948, in Saigon, Vietnam. She took up water skiing as a teenager and spent many a weekend skiing the Saigon River as gunboats went up the river in the opposite direction. As a child, Kristine learned three languages - Vietnamese, French, and English. When her father passed away suddenly, she stepped into a parental role to help raise her younger brother and sister. Once her siblings were older, she used her language skills to take a job as an interpreter at an American company operating in Vietnam - Philco Ford, which was later known as Ford Aerospace (the aerospace and defense division of Ford Motor Company). It was here that she met her husband, Jim Wynn, who was also a Philco employee and stationed in the country as a field engineer leading the installation of communications towers for the US Military. After a long courtship, Kristine and Jim married and embarked on a world adventure following Jim from station to station. They lived in Canada, Germany, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. They traveled the world from each of these locations and embraced life as expats. After a nearly 10-year period abroad, they chose to settle in the United States and start a family. Kristine and Jim welcomed a son and spent those first six years in Las Vegas. While there, and raising a young toddler, Kristine studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to work in retail banking and then eventually as an accounting clerk. The family moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania and then eventually in 1993 relocated to Leesburg, Virginia where Kristine worked in the accounting department of Barber & Ross Co. Kristine adapted to life in the United States quickly. She converted to Catholicism and then raised her son in the Catholic Church. She was an avid sports fan who did not miss a single one of her son’s sports events and embraced all things Loudoun County High School sports. She remained an active member in the St. John the Apostle Catholic Church and cared for her husband Jim through his prolonged illness. Kristine is survived by her son, James Franklin Wynn II; daughter-in-law Danielle Wynn; as well as three grandchildren: Gregory, Logan, and Taylor Wynn. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, Leesburg, VA 20176, at 10am. Interment and eulogy will follow at St. John the Apostle Cemetery in Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please share condolences with the family at www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com.

EMILY SUE ENGLUND

Emily Sue Propst Englund, 83, of Lovettsville, Virginia and formerly of Franklin, West Virginia, moved to heaven to live with Jesus on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. She was born July 31, 1941 in Franklin and was the daughter of the late Arthur Herbert Propst and Catherine Susan (Ruddle) Propst.

She attended Franklin Elementary and Franklin High School, graduating in 1959. She was employed by Potomac Edison Power Company in Washington, D.C. and retired as a special education aide in Loudoun County, VA. Her love was working with children.

On November 14, 1964 she married Richard Albert Englund, who survives. Also surviving are her son, Jeffrey Scott Englund (Shannon) of Lovettsville, two grandchildren, Will and Catherine Englund of Lovettsville, two sisters Doris Short of Franklin, WV and Sandra Propst of Mardela Springs, MD, two brothers James “Garb” Propst of LaPlata, MD and William “Bill” Propst (Phyllis) of Manassas Park, VA. Also surviving are one brother-in-law, Billy Swadley of Salisbury, NC and one sister-in-law, Nancy Booth (Howard) of Huntington, MD and numerous nieces and nephews, including a very special niece.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Jean Swadley; a brother-in-law, Jess Short, a sister-in-law, Shelva Propst; a brother-in-law, Eddie Englund and a nephew, Charlie Booth.

The family received friends on Saturday, September 14 at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, where a funeral service was held in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jerry Turner officiating.

Interment was at the Cedar Hill Cemetary in Franklin. Memorial contributions may be made to Laurel Hill Church of Christ c/o Robin Kile, 239 Sugar Camp Lane, Franklin, WV 26807.

Yard Sale

SHOP AND SELL AT PRIVATE RESIDENCES THROUGHOUT THE BROADLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ONLINE LISTING OF ADDRESSES, COMPLETE THE YARD SALE SUBMISSION FORM ON THE WEBSITE AT: BRAODLANDSHOA.ORG/YARDSALE-FORM

IT IS THE RESIDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE WEBSITE TO ENSURE INCLUSION AND ACCURACY. RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE ON THE LIST OF PARTICIPANTS TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY YARD SALE.

FALL YARD SALE

SATURDAY 28th 8:00AM - 2:00PM

Check out the list of participants to see what’s for sale and view the community map to find each unit at Broadlandshoa.org/yardsale

TOWN OF LEESBURG PUBLIC NOTICE

CATHODIC PROTECTION

The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, for the following:

IFB NO. 500620-FY25-09

CATHODIC PROTECTION

Work includes performing cathodic protection measurements at approximately 131 test stations (locations) associated with an existing 24-inch diameter reuse water main. Some locations are to test the cathodic protection system, while other locations are to replace the cathodic protection system in its entirety.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 9/19/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § §1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

Case No. CL24-3126

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176

Commonwealth of Virginia in re: Rachel Catherine Thomas v. Faisal Jamal El Awamleh

The object of this suit is to change name of minor.

It is ORDERED that Faisal Jamal El Awamleh appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before October 25, 2024 10:00 AM.

9/5, 9/12, 9/19 & 9/26/24

ABC LICENSE

Bay Leaf Kitchen LLC, trading as Bombay Tandoor Bar | Grille, 19405 Promenade Dr. L-106, Leesburg, VA 20176.

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.

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.

9/12 & 9/19/24

Legal Notices

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case Nos.: JJ048309-03-00, 04-00, 05-00, 06-00, JJ048310-03-00, 04-00, 05-00, 06-00 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Paula Banegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father and Unknown Father hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Paula Banegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1283 for Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas. Paula Banegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father, and Unknown Father, are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas. Paula Banegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father, and Unknown Father, are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor children, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas. Further, Paula Banegas, Mother, Marbin Echeverria, putative father, and Unknown Father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas for adoption and consent to the adoption of Yanelis Banegas and Yadiel Banegas.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Paula Banegas, 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.

9/5, 9/12, 9/19, & 9/26/24

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

MURM CARRY ON TRAILER 4YMBU1213KV003325 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888 2024 NISSAN KICKS 3N1CP5BV2RL5532254 DOUBLE D 703-777-7300 9/12, 9/19/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047045

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Maria Jose Nunez Torres Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Mario Obel Nunez, putative father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Maria Jose Nunez Torres.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Mario Obel Nunez, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 15, 2024 at 10:00am.

9/12, 9/19, 9/26 & 10/5/24

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 Rodriquez Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Liliana Rodriquez, 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 Rodriquez.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Liliana Rodriquez, 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

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR:

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Circuit Court of Loudoun County in re:

ESTATE OF JOANNE SINCLAIR EARLEY, Probate File No. 20267 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AGAINST DISTRIBUTION

It appearing that the accounts of Laurence Elliott Earley, Jr., Executor (the “Executor”) of the Estate of Joanne Sinclair Earley (the “Estate”), deceased, and of the debts and demands against the Estate has been filed in the Clerk’s Office, and that six months have elapsed since the qualification, on motion of the Executor;

IT IS HEREBYORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate of Joanne Sinclair Earley do show cause, if they can, on the 4th day of October, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., before this Court at its courtroom, against payment and delivery of the Estate of Joanne Sinclair Earley, deceased, to the distributees without requiring refunding bonds. 9/19 & 9/26/24

PURCHASE OF STREAM MITIGATION CREDITS FOR CROSSTRAIL BOULEVARD SEGMENT C - REISSUE, IFB No. 660837 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, October 16, 2024. Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun. gov/procurement . If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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

9/19/2024

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a public hearing in the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING ROOM, on the first floor of the Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

LEGI-2024-0007

CROSSROADS SIGN PLAN: ZMOD-2024-0003

(Sign Development Plan)

Crossroads United Methodist Church has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan for a property approximately 6.64-acres in size and is located at the northeast intersection of Ashburn Farm Parkway (Route 625) and Crossroads Drive (Route 1880) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is zoned Planned Development – Housing 4 (Legacy) and more particularly described as PIN’s 117-29-1659-000 and 117-29-9553-000 and Tax Map #’s /79/ E10/////1 and /79/E/2////CS/. Pursuant to Section 10.11.03 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance), the applicant seeks approval for a Sign Development Plan to modify the sign regulations of Table 8.04-1 and Table 8.04-2 of the Zoning Ordinance to the following: increase the number of signs allowed from two to nine signs, increase the maximum individual sign area of one individual ground sign from 15 square feet (SF) to 30 SF and two individual pole signs from 10 SF to 24 SF and 20.8 SF, respectively; increase the height of two individual pole signs from 5-feet to 6-feet, and increase the total cumulative area of signs from 20 SF to 96.12 SF. In total, three signs will be modified on the Subject Property.

BOZA-2024-0001

(Special Exception for Error in Structure Location –Swimming Pool at 36551 Wynhurst Court, Middleburg, Virginia)

Joseph A. Mason has submitted an application for a special exception for an error in structure location for a property approximately 9.14 acres in size located on the south side of Wynhurst Court (Route 3248), approximately 0.16 miles east of the intersection of Wynhurst Court and Leith Lane (Route 733), in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is zoned AR-2 (Agricultural Rural - 2) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) and is more particularly described as 36551 Wynhurst Court, Middleburg, Virginia, PIN: 533-16-5127-000, Tax Map # /73//16/////7/. Pursuant to Section 10.11.04 of the Zoning Ordinance, the applicant seeks to permit an existing swimming pool to be setback 0.14 feet from the rear property line, reduced from the 5 feet minimum as required under Section 7.01.04.B.2.g. Permitted Structures and Uses in Setbacks and Yards; All Setbacks and Yards, Except Front Yards of the Zoning Ordinance.

APPL-2024-0001

(Appeal of Zoning Determination ZCOR-2023-0271 for the Placement of a Fence at 21454 Grey Slate Court, Ashburn)

Mohan Sunkara has submitted an application for an appeal of zoning determination # ZCOR-20230271 issued the April 17, 2024, regarding the placement of a fence within the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD) at a property more particularly described as 21454 Grey Slate Court, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN: 118-29-6039-000, Tax Map #/79//86////2/, in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is approximately 0.889 acres in size and is zoned R-1 (Single Family Residential - 1) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

Copies of the applications and related documents listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. County staff reports will be made available Friday, September 20, 2024. Documents may also be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding these matters. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 no later than 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments may be sent to the Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to stephanie. capps@loudoun.gov. Members of the public may also submit comments electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in the public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) or, TTY-711. Three business days advance notice is requested.

Nan M. Joseph Forbes, Chair

Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals

9/12 & 9/19/2024

A message to Loudoun County Property Owners regarding the Land Use Assessment Program

Robert S. Wertz, Jr., Commissioner of the Revenue

The Land Use Assessment Program provides for the deferral of real estate taxes on property that meets certain agricultural, horticultural, forestry, or open space use criteria.

• First Time Applicants: must submit an application and the required fee no later than November 1, 2024. Applications are available online, in my office, or can be mailed directly to you.

• Existing Land Use Program Participants: if your property is currently enrolled in the program, you are only required to renew your land use status every 6th year. Existing Land Use Assessment Program participants must submit a renewal form, documentation supporting the bona fide production income for agricultural and horticultural land use, and the required fee, no later than November 1, 2024. Participants who are up for renewal will be mailed personalized forms the first week of September (you may check your renewal year at www. loudoun.gov/parceldatabase by entering the property’s address, or parcel identification number, and selecting the LAND USE STATUS tab). Properties showing a Reval/Recert Year of 2019 are up for renewal this year.

An additional deferral of taxes may be available to current Land Use Program participants if they sign, and record, an agreement to keep the property in its qualifying use for more than 5 years, but not exceeding 20 years. The commitment must be filed with my office no later than November 1, 2024, and recorded in the Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court´s office no later than December 16, 2024.

DEADLINES

Applications must be submitted no later than November 1, 2024, to avoid late filing fees. Applications submitted between November 2, 2024, but prior to December 5, 2024, are subject to a $300 per parcel late filing fee in addition to the standard filing fee. Applications will NOT be accepted after Dec. 5, 2024.

FILING FEES

Received, or postmarked, by November 1, 2024

• $125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof

Received, or postmarked, between November 2 and December 5, 2024

• $125 plus $1 per acre or portion thereof plus a $300 per parcel late filing fee

Online: loudoun.gov/landuse

Email: landuse@loudoun.gov

Phone: (703) 737-8557

Mailing Address PO Box 8000 MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

Overnight Deliveries

1 Harrison Street, SE, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20175-3102

In Person Drop Off

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Leesburg Office – In Person 1 Harrison Street, SE 1st Floor Leesburg, VA 20175

Sterling Office – In Person 46000 Center Oak Plaza Sterling, VA 20166

9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24 & 10/31/24

PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE

The Town Council of the Town of Purcellville will hold a public hearing in the Town Council Chambers located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the following item:

Town Code Amendment: The Town hereby gives its intent to modify Chapter 74-Taxation, Article VII, Transient and Lodging Tax as follows:

1. Section 74-224 Reports and remittances.

a. Change quarterly remittance to monthly remittance aligning due date in agreement with Code of Virginia § 58.1-3827. The new text will appear as follows: The person collecting any tax as provided for in this article shall make out a report thereof upon such forms setting forth such information as the administrator may prescribe and require, showing the amount of lodging charges collected and the tax required to be collected and shall sign and deliver such reports with the remittance of such tax to the administrator. Such reports and remittances shall be made monthly on or before the 20th day of the calendar month following the month being reported.

At this public hearing, all persons affected, or otherwise desiring to present their views concerning this matter, will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact Kimberly Bandy, Town Clerk, at kbandy@purcellvilleva.gov, three days in advance of the meeting.

Stanley J. Milan, Sr., Mayor

9/12 & 9/19/2024

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL

The Middleburg Town Council will hold public hearings beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024 to hear comments on the following:

Special Use 24-05 Request of Aleco Bravo-Greenberg for a special use permit for self-storage at 104-106 S Pendelton St zoned C-3 General Commercial District.

Special Use 24-06 Request of Salamander Resort, LLC to modify existing Special Use Permit 06-03 for a rural resort at 500 N Pendleton St zoned A-C Agricultural Conservancy District. The modification would entail the enclosure of 1700 square feet of additional space on the north side of the resort building.

Special Use 24-07 Request of Margaret Fortier for a special use permit for a Short-Term Rental at 609 Martingale Ridge Dr zoned R-3 Residential District.

Zoning Text Amendment 24-01 An Ordinance to amend Articles II, VIII, X and XII of the Middleburg Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to Definitions; Permitted and Special Exception Uses, Lot Requirements and Building Height in the R-2 Single Family Residential District; Nonconforming Lots of Record; and Permitted Extensions into Required Yards

The hearings will take place at the Town Hall, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. The application materials may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/publichearings or in the Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov

The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.

9/12 & 9/19/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.: JJ049330

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Bimen Aziz

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Mariam Welson Henin, mother, Rady Aziz, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Bimen Aziz; and to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Bimen Aziz.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Mariam Welson Henin, mother, Rady Aziz, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 25, 2024 at 3:00pm (Adjudicatory); and October 21, 2024 at 11:00am (Dispositional).

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.

9/12, 9/19, 9/26 & 10/5/24 ABC LICENSE

Two Twisted Posts Tavern LLC, trading as Two Twisted Posts Tavern, 12976 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville, VA 20132.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Limited Brewery to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048199-04-00, 05-00, 06-00, 07-00 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Diana Aljanabi Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Dalya Alkhkree, 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 Diana Aljanabi, and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Dalya Alkhkree, Mother, Zaid Aljanabi, Father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Diana Aljanabi. Dalya Alkhkree, Mother, and Unknown Father, are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Diana Aljanabi. Dalya Alkhkree, Mother, and Unknown Father, are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Diana Aljanabi; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Diana Aljanabi; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Diana Aljanabi. Further, Dalya Alkhkree, Mother, and Unknown Father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Diana Aljanabi, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Diana Aljanabi for adoption and consent to the adoption of Diana Aljanabi.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Dalya Alkhkree, Mother, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before November 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m..

9/19, 9/26, 10/3 & 10/10/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048910-02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Andrea Isabel Benitez

8/29, 9/5, 9/12 & 9/19/24

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.

9/12 & 9/19/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048861

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Carlos Josue Vasquez Argueta Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Flor Merlyn Argueta, Mother, Ronald Ofmin Vasquez, Putative Father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Carlos Josue Vasquez Argueta; and to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Carlos Josue Vasquez Argueta.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Flor Merlyn Argueta, Mother, Ronald Ofmin Vasquez, Putative Father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 25, 2024 at 3:00pm (Adjudicatory); and October 21, 2024 at 11:00am (Dispositional).

9/12, 9/19, 9/26 & 10/5/24

NOTICE OF HEARING

CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Civil Action No.: CL24-4796

H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Petitioner, in re Treasurer of the County of Loudoun, Virginia

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT, H. Roger Zurn, Jr., who was the Treasurer of the County of Loudoun, Virginia from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2023, has filed his petition with this Court requesting that he be released of liability and granted his final discharge as Treasurer as set forth in § 58.13145 and § 58.1-3146 of the Virginia Code.

Pursuant to § 58.1-3146 of the Virginia Code, Petitioner has asked this Court to issue a rule to show cause against the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the County of Loudoun governing body, and the County of Loudoun School Board, to show cause, if any, why H. Roger Zurn, Jr. should not be discharged. The hearing on the rule to show cause is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. on the Loudoun County Circuit Courthouse located at 18 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA 20178.

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Wasnat Mojamet, 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 Andrea Isabel Benitez.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Wasnat Mojamet, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before October 15, 2024 at 10:00am.

9/12, 9/19, 9/26 & 10/5/24

Should you know of any reason why the aforesaid H. Roger Zurn, Jr. former Treasurer of the County of Loudoun, Virginia should not be released from liability, you should file an objection to release from liability or appear in Court on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. on the Loudoun County Circuit Courthouse located at 18 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA 20178.

THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA

Leo P. Rogers

County Attorney

9/12, 9/19, 9/26 & 10/3/24

Legal Notices

JOINT

PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FY2025-FY2030 SECONDARY ROAD SIX-YEAR PLAN AND FY2025 CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PRIORITY LIST

In accordance with Virginia Code §33.2-331, the LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS and the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION will jointly 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, October 9, 2024, in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, to consider adoption of the FY2025 - FY2030 Secondary Road Six-Year Plan and the FY2025 Construction Improvement Budget Priority List (Secondary Road Six-Year Plan) developed for the secondary roads in Loudoun County.

All projects in the Secondary Road Six-Year Plan that are eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds.

Citizens are invited to be present and express their views regarding the above-mentioned documents.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The list of highway improvement projects in the proposed Amended Six-Year Plan, and the proposed annual Construction Improvement Budget Priority List, taken from the Amended Six-Year Plan, 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 by calling the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www. loudoun.gov/bosdocuments. Copies are also available at the Virginia Department of Transportation Leesburg Residency Office, 41 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (703) 737-2000.

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) 7770200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on September 27, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on October 9, 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 Farid Bigdeli

Chair Assistant District Administrator Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Virginia Department of Transportation

9/19 & 9/26/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Circuit Court of Loudoun County in re:

ESTATE OF EUGENE LEROY MORRONI, Fiduciary No. 18736

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AGAINST DISTRIBUTION

It appearing that the account of David L. Morroni and Teresa M. Bailey, Co-Executors of the Estate of Eugene Leroy Morroni (the “Estate”), deceased, and a report of the debts and demands against the Estate have been filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Loudoun County, and that more than 6 months have elapsed since the qualification of the Executors before this Court,

It is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate of Eugene Leroy Morroni, deceased, do show cause, if any they can, on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., before this Court at its courtroom in Leesburg, Virginia, against payment and delivery of said Estate to its beneficiaries, after payment of remaining administrative expenses and debts, in accordance with Va. Code § 64.2528 and the Executors’ petition.

9/12 & 9/19/24

Loudoun County Public Schools

Formation

of School Renaming Committees

The Loudoun County School Board is considering whether some school names reflect Loudoun County Public Schools’ values on inclusion and diversity. The first two school names to be considered are Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School.

The School Board will appoint two school renaming committees – one for Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and one for Mercer Middle School.

Persons interested in serving on either committee are asked to submit a letter of application, including their connection to the school and community, by Friday, September 27, 2024, to:

Loudoun County Public Schools

Division of Planning & GIS Services

960 Sycolin Road SE, #110 Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG Telephone: 571-252-1050

On October 8, 2024, the School Board will consider school and community representatives interested in serving on the renaming committees. In addition to appointing school staff, parents and students, the School Board will include alums and community members who reside in the respective school’s attendance zone and have no children currently enrolled in the school. Serving on a renaming committee is voluntary, with no compensation.

Information on the school name review is provided on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage (www.lcps.org/o/support/page/school-names).

9/19 & 9/26/2024

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A BUDGET

AMENDMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2507 and 15.2-1427, notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, October 8, 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 provide written and oral comments on a proposed budget amendment that will increase the budget by more than one (1) percent of the currently adopted budget. The proposed amendment will amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Capital Improvements Program and increase the Fiscal Year 2025 budget of the Utilities Fund by $3,990,000 to reflect a grant award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for $3,040,000 and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for $760,000 and includes the Town of Leesburg’s required local match of $190,000. The grant provides for the purchase and installation of two emergency back up generators, one at the Water Pollution Control Facility and one at the Western Pressure Zone Pump Station.

A copy of the proposed resolution is 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 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. 9/19 & 9/26/24

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION

The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024 to hear comments on the following:

Zoning Text Amendment 24-02 An Ordinance to Amend Articles II, X, And XI of the Middleburg Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Definitions for Bed & Breakfast, Domestic Employee, and Family; Use Regulations for Bed & Breakfast and Rooming & Boarding House in Residential and Commercial Districts; and Use Regulations for Dwellings in Commercial Districts

The hearing will take place at the Town Hall, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. The application materials may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/publichearings or in the Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to Deputy Town Manager Will Moore at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@ middleburgva.gov

The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.

9/12 & 9/19/2024

Legal Notices

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, October 9, 2024, in order to consider:

LEGI-2024-0015, ALDIE WATER STORAGE TANK UPGRADE & RELOCATION: SPEX-2024-0031 & SPEX-2024-0032

(Special Exception and Minor Special Exception)

Aldie Water Company has submitted an application for a special exception and minor special exception for approximately 27.94 acres of land located at east of Snickersville Turnpike (Route 734), north of Little River Turnpike (Route 50) and west of James Monroe Highway (Route 15) in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 39254 Little River Turnpike, Aldie, Virginia, PIN 396-19-7772-000, Tax Map # /89////////58/. For SPEX-2024-0031, the applicant seeks a special exception to permit a Utility, Major use (10,000-gallon water storage tank), in the CR-1 (Countryside Residential - 1) zoning district under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance and to modify Road Corridor Buffer Type 1 requirements. For SPEX-2024-0032, the applicant seeks a minor special exception to modify Buffer Type C requirements.

LEGI-2023-0083, TRAILSIDE PARK: CMPT-2023-0009, SPEX-2023-0020 & SPEX-2024-0036

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

Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV has submitted applications for: a commission permit, special exception, and minor special exception on a 20.22-acre property located south of Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and west of Claiborne Parkway (Route 901) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 20375 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN 115-17-1969-000, Tax Map # /79/J11////PK/. The Subject Property is zoned Planned Development – Housing 4 (PD-H4) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance). For CMPT-2023-0009, the applicant seeks a commission permit per the Zoning Ordinance, as amended, to allow a 152-foot telecommunications monopole and associated antenna hub site on the Subject Property. For SPEX-2023-0020, the applicant seeks a special exception to allow a 150-foot telecommunications monopole and associated antenna hub site in the PD-H4 Zoning District and to eliminate the requirement for landscape buffering around the monopole. For SPEX-2024-0036, the applicant seeks a minor special exception to modify landscape buffering around the antenna hub site.

LEGI-2023-0076, STONE HILL: ZMAP-2023-0007, SPEX-2023-0042, ZMOD-2023-0065, ZMOD-2023-0066, ZMOD-2023-0067 & ZMOD-2024-0004

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

Toll VA LP has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 16.64 acres of land located east of Loudoun County Parkway (VA Route 607), south of Evergreen Ridge Drive (VA Route 3100), and east of Creighton Road (Route 774) in the Sterling and Little River Election Districts (the Subject Property), The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

123-15-0056-000 N/A

/92/C45//4R-1/

123-25-5394-000 N/A /92/C45//4R-2/

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.

For ZMAP-2023-0007, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/ Multifamily Residential-16 Affordable Dwelling Unit) legacy zoning district to permit 80 residential multi-family stacked dwelling units and 24 single family attached dwelling units at a density of 6.25 dwelling units per acre. For SPEX-2023-0042, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum front yard setback required for multifamily stacked dwelling units from 25 to 5 feet. For ZMOD-2023-0065, ZMOD2023-0066, ZMOD-2023-0067 & ZMOD-2024-0004, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to, increase the maximum building height for multifamily units from 45 feet to 55 feet, modify lot access to allow frontage on open space, eliminate the road corridor buffer required along internal private roadways, and reduce the Preservation Buffer on the south side of the cemetery from 25 feet to 20 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 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance 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 September 27, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on October 9, 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

9/19 & 9/26/24

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 (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.

& Capital Projects

$74,596-$164,924

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

Fire-Rescue Pharmacy

continued from page 1

One result of the changes is a decision by all Virginia hospitals to stop providing medications to EMS units.

An official letter was delivered to the LCFR May 8, signed by Inova, Sentara, UVA Health and VHC.

“The Food and Drug Administration will begin enforcement of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) starting Nov. 27, 2024, requiring the tracking and tracing of pharmaceutical products through each step in the supply chain. While EMS agencies are exempt from these requirements, hospital and health system pharmacies are not, so it will not be feasible to maintain the current medication exchange practice and comply with the strict new record keeping and audit requirements.”

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Johnson told county supervisors last week they were operating on a tight deadline to build out a main pharmacy and several satellite locations where the first responders can refill their medication kits.

He said, while the regulations have been in place for years, the enforcement was delayed. He learned of the Nov. 27 enforcement deadline from the hospitals’ letter in May. The Northern Virginia EMS Council has been discussing the possible implications of the change since late

Guaranteed Income

continued from page 1

Part of the 39-month program timeline would be spent evaluating feedback from participants via a voluntary survey. Finance and Procurement Division Manager Megan Cox said while taking the survey could not be made mandatory, they would offer a $25 incentive to provide information on how the program affected them.

RISE Loudoun was supported by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties President and CEO Nicole Acosta.

“I see the RISE program is a way to help families secure more financial stability, and also an opportunity to bring together the county government and the nonprofit community to strengthen support services while we work towards common goal,” Acosta said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) said giving $500 to 60 families for

last year.

“Obviously, this comes with a significant increase in administrative functions to maintain compliance with all aspects of program oversight, record keeping, management and licensing and documentation,” Johnson said.

The main pharmacy ultimately will be operated out of a newly leased LCFR facility on Red Rum Drive in Ashburn.

“That will not be ready by Nov. 27. So, in that interim we have identified space at our headquarters at 801 Sycolin [Road] that we fully intend to have ready by Nov. 27 to build out an initial pharmacy,” Johnson said.

The medications will be stored in automated dispensing machines at the headquarters and eventually at six other satellite locations around the county.

The annual cost of medications is estimated at $250,000 and will be covered in part by the EMS Transport Reimbursement Program and in part by taxpayer dollars.

Patients who are transported by ambulance receive a bill from fire and rescue, but Johnson said they do not have the capability to individually charge for specific medications.

Other than the financial impact, LCFR Operational Medical Director Dr. John Morgan said residents in Loudoun should see little change in their interactions with rescue personnel.

“We’re working very hard to make sure the change is seamless, that the av-

18 months only totaled $540,000.

“Why does it cost $2 million?” she asked.

Finance and Procurement Director George Govan said the remaining $1.5 million would be spent on administrative costs.

“There’s several different parts,” he said. “You have the program administration, you have the research and evaluation cost, and then you have the actual banking and disbursement costs.”

Cox said the price tag could reach over $2 million to fund additional temporary staffing as well.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said the feedback gained from the survey would be unreliable since residents would be self-reporting the information if they took it at all.

“In addition, there are other jurisdictions who are doing this, and if we’re really that interested in seeing what the outcome is, then we can just simply wait for those things to conclude and we can see

erage citizen who gets hurt or injured or is ill will notice no change after Nov. 27. Sure, it will cause some changes internally in our operations and how our crews go through the restocking process, but that’s all behind the scenes,” he said.

However, Johnson, Morgan and County Administrator Tim Hemstreet told supervisors during a Sept. 10 committee meeting they were concerned about the implications on more rural parts of the state that do not have as much financial support as Loudoun.

“If you’re not in a metropolitan area after Nov. 27, don’t get in a car accident,” Hemstreet said.

Virginia is one of the only states operating under this system of hospitals loaning out medications to EMS units.

“The history behind this program is EMS medication delivery was looked at as: This is a hospital patient, they just haven’t gotten to them yet,” Morgan said. “And it’s in everybody’s best interest to medicate them sooner rather than later, right? If you break your hip, it’s better to have pain medicine before you hit the doors of the hospital. And so, the understanding between the hospitals and EMS for decades was, we support you because you’re bringing this patient to us, and we all have a vested interest in being properly cared for throughout that continuum of care.”

The difficulty in that system lies in tracking and tracing medications, according to a letter sent March 15 by the Virgin-

what the results are,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re using a couple million dollars of taxpayer money, and we’re giving out checks to folks with absolutely no strings attached for any possible purpose. And that, to me, is not a good use of taxpayer dollars, and it’s not the most effective way, I don’t believe, to help those who are in need.”

As of this week, it remained unclear whether the program would have been available to undocumented residents. During a committee meeting last week, Cox and Govan said they would work with County Attorney Leo Rogers to find out if the program could be accessible to undocumented immigrants.

On Tuesday, a representative of New Virginia Majority spoke in favor of including undocumented immigrants in the initiative.

“We are part of the community of essential workers who drive the economy city,” she said through a translator. “We pay our taxes and must be included in the

ia Society of Health System Pharmacists.

“Hospital systems are not optimized to track the transfer of ownership to parties other than a patient in their direct care. Additionally, the information capture, record keeping requirements, and audit requirements make compliance exceptionally challenging, especially given the volume of drugs supplies for routine replenishment to EMS,” according to the letter. “The forthcoming federal regulations conflict with the current process for EMS kit exchanges. Hospitals need to meet these federal requirements and cannot put their sites at risk of federal investigation, fines and/or loss of their pharmacy and/or DEA licenses.”

Last week supervisors approved a funding request by Johnson to hire four new full-time equivalent employees to run the pharmacy program and for $1.3 million in startup costs.

During the Sept. 10 meeting County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) won support for a motion to oppose legislation that results in costly mandates for local government services.

“I don’t remember being forced to vote on an item that was this ridiculously illogical, and I think for a lot of reasons is a very, very bad idea,” she said. “… I couldn’t live with myself if we didn’t put something forth to say, ‘we’re doing this under duress because we have to, but we do not agree with it.’” n

guaranteed income program regardless of our immigration status.”

She said the monthly checks would be used for childcare, rent payments, food, gas and medicine.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) compared the proposal to a school voucher programs, which she doesn’t support. This proposal would be “school vouchers on steroids,” she said.

“It’s not even only about the amount to me, because if we are saying we’re going to put amount of money aside for people to get tuition reimbursement, OK, I’ll do that, or childcare reimbursement, I’ll do that,” she said. “But to just say we’re going to hand cash to people randomly with no guard rails at all is the same thing as a school voucher program that I have never, ever supported.”

The motion to approve the program failed 3-5-1 with Saines, Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Sylvia Glass (D-Broad Run) in favor and TeKrony abstaining. n

A Loudoun Moment

Ombuds Support

continued from page 3

heard prior to those meetings.”

Of the general concerns, Williams broke it down further. She said 27 cases dealt with staff issues, 14 were about behavior and discipline, 14 dealt with safety and environment, seven dealt with discrimination and harassment and five dealt with attendance and boundary issues.

Williams’ data showed the largest percentage of cases came from the Little River District, 22.1%, followed by Leesburg with 16.1%, Ashburn with 14.4%, and Sterling with 11%.

There were 316 school-specific cases, with 125 dealing with elementary school, 115 with high school and 76 with

middle school.

Williams said most cases, 321, were resolved and 48 were categorized as quick inquiries. She said quick inquiries mean questions were answered or resources were provided without speaking with her.

She noted that most cases took one to two days to resolve, with 42 taking three to five days and 21 cases taking six or more days.

In 148 cases, Williams referred the person to the appropriate office or provided information, in 146 she listened to the person’s concern and discussed options, in 49 cases she took the concern to the appropriate office. Ten cases involved informal mediation. In four, Williams acted as an intermediary and shuttled information between the two parties.

She said she observed three trends in cases this year: the importance of relationships, appreciation for clearly defined processes and the value of confidential spaces.

“When trusting relationships and open lines of communications exist, constituents are able to navigate issues and concerns and explore options for potential resolution with greater ease and confidence,” she said.

She said clearly defined processes helps constituents have defined expectations, predictable timelines and greater transparency. Whereas issues surrounding topics that have less structured processes can lead to “feelings of uncertainty and ambiguity.”

Feedback provided by constituent

groups has shown an appreciation for having a confidential space to be heard without fear of retaliation she said.

Last year’s trends revolved around communication breakdowns, fear of retaliation from both parents and staff and families wanting a partnership with teachers.

Williams’ goals for the office for its third year include expanded outreach, continuing to build and strengthen relationships with constituents, expand professional development opportunities for school based and central office leadership and create resource documents to help constituents navigate their issues.

Loudoun is one of 40 K-12 school districts nationwide to operate an ombuds office. n

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now Fishermen using a drift boat on the Potomac River near Point of Rocks fish for bronze backs during a lazy afternoon.

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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.

A Hand Up

A majority of county supervisors this week voted against the plan to launch a pilot program that would have provided a monthly income boost to a few dozen families in need. While the concept has scored successes in other jurisdictions and had the support of some philanthropic leaders around the region, its merits here remained unclear.

Aside from questions of fairness in distributing tax money through a near random lottery, a chief concern was that of the $2 million to be allocated to the 18-month program, nearly 75% would be absorbed by staffing and other overhead costs. Just over 40,000 residents would meet the eligibility criteria and as many as 60 would be selected for the benefit. That’s a pretty poor return on investment by any measure.

One of the more powerful arguments supporting the program was that the unrestricted nature of the funds would allow the recipients to spend the money on needs of their choosing. While there are numerous charitable and government programs to help with the basics like housing, groceries, and utility bills, what happens when the car breaks down or can’t pass inspection? Or there’s a need for a cell

Major Change

Editor:

This past week, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors considered a motion to permit the construction of a massive new data center complex on 82 acres in central Loudoun a few miles south of Leesburg. The property is currently zoned for light industrial/commercial applications but not data centers.

The developer is proposing to build a hyperscale data center 60+ feet tall with over 2.2 million square feet. But instead of five stories each 12 feet high, they are planning three stories each 20 feet high. The new 20-foot height represents a major change in data center design for Loudoun County, understating the comparable square footage by 66%. Using the 12-foot planning criteria Loudoun has previously used for data centers, the actual size is about 3.7 million square feet, with electric power demand of 500 MW, not the 300 MW Dominion proposed. And, if it is provisioned with new NVIDIA AI chips, power demand for this one data center complex could be 850 MW to over 1GW.

To put this into perspective, that's more electric power than the entire Panda Stonewall power plant in Loudoun produces today. What Dominion didn’t say was that this data center would require new power lines from everywhere into

LETTERS to the Editor Opinion

phone or laptop or some other critical “non-essential” item? Or there is an extra class or certification that could be helpful? Providing support in those fields, and others, certainly can be viewed as offering a hand up more than a handout.

And with an extra $2 million sitting around, the county government is well positioned to offer that hand. A better approach is to use that money to leverage community partnerships that can provide these targeted “non-essential” needs through the existing nonprofit network where the staffing and other overhead is in place.

Perhaps there could be a voucher system using area garages to provide car repairs. Not an insignificant number of smartphones and laptops are discarded by the county government and school division—and our private employers—as part of their continual equipment upgrades; could these be redistributed to residents needing a tech boost?

The government has the ways and means to get extra help to those who need it. But that work should not be left to the lightning-strike randomness of a handout lottery to very few. n

and across Loudoun County, in addition to those planned for current rights of way, or else the construction of a new Panda Stonewall power plant in central Loudoun County.

The board should have denied the application outright based on size, location, impact and necessity, but instead they delayed the vote until their October business meeting to quell citizen opposition.

If they do approve this application, then this board is fully committed to facilitating the development of the second Data Center Alley in Loudoun County, from Leesburg to Goose Creek and Rt. 7 to Evergreen Mill Road. It will be bigger than the first one, consume more electric power, adversely impact the environment, and permanently transform Loudoun County from primarily residential communities with parks, recreation, shopping and natural beauty into a massive industrial complex where people are forced to live among encroaching data centers and electric power infrastructure that are both ugly and unsafe.

And if the board does this, there is no stopping a third Data Center Alley in the Arcola/Rt. 50 area and more to follow. This is no longer a question of tax base or by right development for money-hungry corporations and individuals. This is an issue of whether Loudoun County will be

a place where people want to live. — Tony Virgilio, Leesburg

Deaf to Reality

Editor:

Regarding the Board of Supervisors’ proposed $2 million “Resident Income Stability Enhancement” program for a populace within Loudoun County, I foresee this as another government welfare program with no end once implemented for potential current and future residents.

Somehow, a majority of board members believe the taxpayers lack the knowledge that monies form a “pilot” surplus fund now will no doubt become another ever-growing expenditure that each of us must support through higher taxes. Are these supervisors deaf to the realty that too many here and elsewhere have no savings and are maxed out on their credit cares for the basic purchases of food and clothing? I believe that the alternative for those who cannot afford to live in expensive Loudoun County seek residency elsewhere, perhaps additional employment opportunities, etc., but not expect Loudoun County residents to provide a monthly stipend to compensate them.

Finance Committee Chair Matthew LETTERS continues on page 39

READERS’ poll CHIPshots

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• 3.5% Healthcare

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

How should the cost of new electric transmission lines be allocated?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

F. Letourneau and Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd’s lack of support for the proposal is commendable, citing other existing programs are already supported by county taxpayers, all monies derived from our own personal resources, which are depleted already.

May commonsense prevail and this proposal not see fruition. (Please know that I continue to maintain my own 21+-year-old vehicle for a reason—to avoid the expense of a new one.)

— Rebecca Reeder, Leesburg

Preventative Therapy

Editor:

Each day, thousands of older Americans fall. These falls lead to prolonged pain, broken bones, hospitalizations, and even death. They also significantly increase the financial strain on our healthcare system, with estimated costs totaling $100 billion a year by 2030, according to the CDC. Fortunately, falls can be prevented, and Congress can help expand seniors’ access to the preventative care they need.

Recently, The Jackson Clinics in Ashburn welcomed representatives from Sen. Mark Warner’s office to discuss a new bill that, if passed, would enhance preventive care and streamline patient

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 39

access to physical and occupational therapy. To help keep seniors on their feet and improve patient outcomes, the bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618) was introduced in the U.S. House to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive a nocost fall risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist as part of their Medicare wellness benefits. A similar bill must be introduced in the U.S. Senate.

The SAFE Act aims to ensure more seniors receive a fall assessment from a falls expert to prevent avoidable accidents, injuries, and hospitalizations.

The Jackson Clinics strongly supports the SAFE Act, which will enhance beneficiary access to preventive physical therapy, enabling older Virginians to live safer, more independent lives. We are very grateful for Sen. Warner’s support in improving access to physical therapy and urge the Senator to consider supporting a companion bill in the Senate.

— Jeff Camara, Ashburn

Health Literacy

Editor:

As we look to the future, one of the most important skills we can equip young people with is health literacy—the ability to understand, process, and make

informed decisions about their health.

Defined by Healthy People 2010, health literacy is crucial to navigating our healthcare system, yet nearly 90% of American adults have less-than-proficient skills in this area, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

While we’ve seen incredible advances in medicine, we must also ensure our education system evolves to help students better understand these complexities. I believe there is an opportunity here to empower students with the knowledge they need to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape. By introducing foundational health literacy education in K-12 schools, we can provide students with the tools to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

As a high school senior, I’ve noticed that many students graduate without essential knowledge in areas such as health insurance, basic medical terminology, and the importance of preventive care. While subjects like biology and psychology are important, they could be supplemented with lessons on public health, common diseases, and navigating the healthcare system.

One possible solution could be to introduce a health literacy curriculum similar to the required Economics and Personal Finance credit, which

has been so effective in preparing students for financial responsibility. A similar requirement could focus on understanding healthcare systems, the basics of infectious diseases, and the principles of patient rights, all of which would benefit every student, regardless of their career path.

Loudoun County Public Schools has made strides in offering health and medical science electives through the Academies of Loudoun and the new Health & Medical Sciences Academy. These are valuable opportunities for students interested in the medical field, but expanding health literacy education to all students would have a much broader impact. It would prepare the next generation to be informed, proactive participants in their own healthcare—a lesson that’s more important than ever in our post-pandemic world.

Inspired to make a difference in my community, I founded Health4US, an organization dedicated to improving health literacy for young people. By engaging students early on, we can help create a future where everyone has the skills to understand and manage their health. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at joinhealth4us.com. — Reyhan Haider, Chantilly