Loudoun Now for April 3, 2025

Construction Begins on Northern Virginia Science Center

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Families, students, seniors, and more are one step closer to experiencing an interactive, expansive Northern Virginia Science Center after county and project leaders gathered at the Sterling site to celebrate the building’s groundbreaking Monday morning.

The center has been a years-long

endeavor and took collaboration, investment and support from both public and private entities. Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation CEO Nene Spivy praised the ongoing support from the Board of Supervisors and private investors.

“This project proves that anything is possible when community comes together to meet a critical need,” Spivy said.

“Borrowing another perfect tagline from our friend, Buddy Rizer, in Loudoun

Economic Development – this is what Loudoun Possible looks like. This is what NOVA Possible looks like, and this is quite literally what Virginia Possible looks like.”

The 70,000-square-foot center is designed to be a world-class, interactive science museum dedicated to inspiring a love for science, technology and mathematics and serve as a hub for discovery,

SCIENCE CENTER continues on page 39

Fight Against Lanternflies Continues

BY HANNA PAMPALONI AND NORMAN K. STYER hpampaloni@loudounnow.org nstyer@loudounnow.org

Hundreds of Loudouners dispatched across the county Saturday to help stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive, crop-damaging insect found in ever-growing numbers over the past few years.

Teams worked at 12 locations including Bluemont Vineyard, 868 Vineyard, Bleu Frog Winery, Willowsford Conservancy, the Exeter neighborhood in Leesburg and Ida Lee Park, to find egg masses and scrape them off trees and posts. Preliminary numbers show at least 118,425 egg masses equating to approximately $3.5 million fly eggs were destroyed during the first day of the campaign.

The campaign was created by Visit Loudoun, in partnership with the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance, Loudoun County Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Loudoun Wineries & Winegrowers Association. This is the second year for the program, which expanded to more locations and to three days.

“We will have over a thousand volunteers by the time it is over and

LANTERNFLIES continues on page 37

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Project and county leaders celebrate the construction commencement milestone at the planned Northern Virginia Science Center in Sterling Monday morning.

You can’t eat an award, but you can savor the flavors that earned it. Now, more people than ever can enjoy the taste of our award-winning cuisine. Curious about what makes us stand out? Stop by for a sample — you might even get a chance to meet our award-winning Executive Chef. No acceptance speech necessary — just bring your appetite!

Purcellville Vice Mayor Tells Independent Assessor He Expects Next Police Chief Appointment

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

“I do intend to emerge from the current turmoil affecting our department as the permanent Chief of Police.”

That is a statement of Purcellville Vice Mayor Ben Nett in a letter to the newly hired consultant charged with conducting an independent review of the town’s Police Department.

Nett, who works as town police officer, although he is currently on administrative leave, was elected to the Town Council in November. In January, he was appointed by his fellow councilmembers as vice mayor. Since then, residents have raised conflicts of interest concerns about his relationship with the department as a sitting councilmember since the police chief reports to the town manager who reports directly to the council.

While Nett has, during some council meetings, read a public disclosure highlighting his position as a town employee

and on at least one occasion recused himself from council discussion involving the Police Department, he has refuted conflict of interest criticisms.

He has repeatedly pointed to a state statute saying it permits him to serve as councilmember and work for the town.

“No locality shall prohibit an employee of the locality, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or law-enforcement officers within its employment, or deputies, appointees, and employees of local constitutional officers as defined in § 15.2-1600, from participating in political activities while these employees are off duty, out of uniform and not on the premises of their employment with the locality,” according to the statute.

In February, Fraser told the council he would be hiring an independent third-party to conduct a review of the Police Department. There was no public discussion about a desire to hire a contractor and it is not clear what role, if any, Nett played in the decision.

four-week process for the consultant to assess and provide a report on the efficient and effective operation of the department. Key requirements of the assessment listed in the request for proposals are to conduct a survey of all police employees, ensure the integrity of the assessment and sign a confidentiality agreement specifying no disclosure of any aspect of the review or final report.

Nett wrote a six-page memo to Jones. In that document, Nett describes his vision for the department including his ultimate appointment as chief. He also requests to operate as Jones’ “second-in-command” during the assessment process.

Twelve companies applied for the contract, Fraser said during a Feb. 25 meeting. He selected Michael Jones of Major Security Consulting and Design for the $12,000 contract.

The terms of that contract lay out a

Nett was recently the subject of an internal investigation conducted by the Prince William Police Department and placed on administrative leave by Interim Police Chief Sara Lombraña. He was also placed on the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office’s

POLICE CHIEF continues on page 38

Eagle Released to the Wild After Treatment for Lead Poisoning

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

A month after a Loudoun County humane law enforcement officer was called to a wooded area south of Leesburg to aid a bald eagle that was unable to fly, the raptor was returned to the wild Saturday at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve.

The eagle, suffering from lead poisoning, was taken by county officers to Kristi’s Caring Hands Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education and then to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for treatment.

Officer Acosta said the Department of Animal Services received the call on Feb. 21 about an eagle that was hopping around in a field.

“I got there and I saw the eagle still on the ground. I chased the eagle in a field of thorns for about quarter of a mile. Once I got to the eagle, he was just hopping around between bushes and trees. Finally, I got him on the net,” Acosta said.

“He was very active, but not flying, which is never a good sign,” he said. “That’s usually lead poisoning. We were hoping for lead poisoning and not avian flu. It’s easier to treat and it is not contagious.”

He took the raptor to Kristi Titus, a Loudoun-based wildlife rehabilitation specialist.

She recognized the seriousness of bird’s condition and took him to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Clarke County.

They confirmed the diagnosis of lead poisoning and also found a fracture. After

a stay in the hospital’s ICU, the eagle was moved to the flying cage to regain strength.

Titus said the mature eagle was likely a male based on his size—although that wouldn’t be confirmed unless it laid an egg or genetic testing was conducted.

Lead poisoning, mostly from scavengers eating gut piles left by hunters,

is common.

“That’s a big problem in our birds and that’s a big reason why they come in,” Titus said.

Loudoun County Animal Services Director Nina Stively said her department is working to address the concern.

“We’ve actually switched to non-lead ammunition for our work, because when we are dispatching deer. We don’t want to be contributing to this situation. We’re always encouraging people to not use lead ammunition in any way. They can use copper or any of the other alternatives. That’s much better for our environment.”

She noted that bird flu is another threat to Loudoun’s wildlife.

“In geese right now, the primary concern is influenza for sure. It’s very common in waterfowl and has been documented here in the county. Taking good care of our wildlife is always a priority,” she said.

The eagle was released from a transport carrier in the rear yard of the Education Center at the county’s Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. In front of a crowd of families gathered to watch the event, the eagle hopped to the edge of the carrier, swooped through the yard, and flew off into the distance, disappearing into the forest. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Purcellville Vice Mayor Ben Nett speaks to residents during a Jan. 8 special Town Council meeting.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A bald eagle takes flight at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on Saturday morning after completing weeks of treatment to overcome lead poisoning.

Loudoun

‘Promise and Possibility’ County Farmers Talk Challenges, Strengths at Farm Bureau Dinner

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Fifty of Loudoun’s farmers gathered last week at Walsh Family Wine near Purcellville to talk about the state of the county’s agricultural industry highlighting its challenges and strengths.

Once primarily large farms, Loudoun’s landscape has changed rapidly since the turn of the century, with development taking over much of the open spaces and prime agricultural soil. Despite that, farming and agritourism remain a cornerstone of the county.

Attendees cited challenges facing them as high cost of living, uncertainty around zoning regulation changes, lack of agricultural understanding within the public, lack of affordable housing, less available acreage for farming and lack of value for local, high-quality products.

“It’s just the competition to agricultural products in general,” one attendee said. “I mean, why grow a slow red wheat when you can just buy white processed flour at the store for a third of the price?”

“There’s just not enough people that really understand real farming,” Maura Walsh-Copeland said, reading off a list of concerns collected by the farmers at her table.

A panel, moderated by Sarah Brown and made up of Chris Van Vlack, Tia Earman, Stacey Carlberg, Sharon Hays, Derrick Clarke and Rob Moutoux, also spoke

on the challenge of a lack of education about agriculture in the community.

Earman, who raises sheep, said they often escape – a common occurrence in the life of a farmer. But often, residents who have recently moved into the more rural parts of Loudoun raise concerns about the animals getting loose.

“I think that’s a challenge we as a county very specifically face,” she said.

“Because I think some of the choices we’re making are not necessarily welcoming in people who understand that they’re moving to an agricultural community. And I think we can do a lot more to encourage

the mindset of, ‘hey, you’re joining an ag community. You’re going to see a big sheep or wandering down the road. It’s not a crisis. Just shoo it back.’”

Shifting the perception of rural Loudoun as still a primarily farming community, is a challenge they said.

Part of the solution, Van Vlack said, is making sure the agricultural community are good neighbors.

“I also want to be the nice nearby farm where people like seeing our animals, and I’m friendly to them, not the

FARMERS

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Dominion Energy Files for Rate Increases, Proposes New High Consumer Rate Class

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Dominion Energy has submitted applications to the State Corporation Commission to increase base and fuel rates for its Virginia customers.

The company requested base rate increases of $8.51 per month in 2026 and $2 per month in 2027 for the typical residential customer.

If approved, the new fuel rate would take effect July 1, 2025, and the new base rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027, and would be the company’s

first increase in base rates since 1992.

“We know our customers are feeling the impact of inflation in other areas of their lives, and some of our customers may need assistance with their power bills. We’re here to help,” President of Utility Operations Ed Baine stated. “Our Energy Share program not only offers among the most supportive bill assistance in the country, but also provides free home energy efficiency upgrades to help lower your energy use and save on your monthly bills.”

The average monthly bill for a typical residential customer at Dominion is $140. After the fuel rate increase on July 1, that is

Landfill Water Line Work Begins, PFAS Found

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

As work to connect waterlines to homes near Hidden Lane Landfill is set to begin, officials told community members last week that forever chemicals have been found in several of their wells.

The site near Countryside was added to the EPA’s National Priority list in 2008 after being used for years as a landfill. Forty homes in the nearby Broad Run Farms neighborhood have been using treatment systems maintained by the EPA after testing positive for Trichloroethylene, or TCE, a colorless, liquid organic chemical.

Forty-three wells out of the 46 tested are also positive for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which were included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s new water standards adopted last year.

But project leaders told the community March 27 that construction is expected to begin in June on new waterlines to connect them to Loudoun Water. This stage of the project is estimated to take two years and will connect 118 homes.

Property owners will also be able to choose whether they would like to continue operating their wells for non-potable uses such as watering lawns or washing cars. However, because of the PFAS contamination, that is not recommended.

As construction commences, community members can expect to see small track loaders, skid steers, excavators and dump trucks in their neighborhoods.

expected to increase to $150.92. After the base rate increase on Jan. 1, 2026, that will increase to $159.43 and after the base rate increase on Jan. 1, 2027, that is expected to increase to $161.43.

“The fuel rate increase is driven by four factors: 1) higher PJM power capacity costs; 2) higher forecasted fuel commodity prices; 3) higher fuel costs from extreme cold in January 2025; and 4) the scheduled expiration of a $3.99 monthly fuel credit,” Dominion Director of Virginia and

RATE INCREASES

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EPA Remedial Project Manager Austin Oelschlager said they will meet with each individual homeowner before construction begins.

Cleanup efforts at the landfill continue to make progress with 15,000 tons of contaminated soil and debris removed so far, Oelschlager said.

“We’ll be doing a sampling event this summer so we can see what the initial impacts or effects were from the excavation, and hopefully we’ll see some results within the groundwater that the contamination is beginning to decrease,” she said. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Many of Loudoun’s farmers share a meal at Walsh Family Wine as they discuss challenges and strengths within the industry March 27.

Supervisors Adopt $4.7B Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, Lower Tax Rates

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors on Tuesday adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 budget totaling $4.7 billion with a real estate tax rate of 80.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, a vehicle personal property rate of $3.09 and personal property general rate of $4.15 and eliminating the $25 vehicle fee.

The real estate tax rate is a six-cent reduction from last year’s rate, while the vehicle personal property tax rate was decreased by $1.06.

The equalized tax rate, the rate at which the average homeowner’s tax bill would remain the same as last year, is 81.5 cents.

Even with the increases in property assessments, homeowners should see a slight reduction in their tax bills.

The budget includes funding for all of the resource requests from county department heads including 240 new fulltime equivalent employees across 30 departments.

The budget also provides a 4% merit increase for general workforce employees, a 2.5% salary scale adjustment and a step increase for fire-rescue personnel and a 5% salary scale adjustment and step increase for Sheriff’s Office deputies.

During Tuesday night’s meeting supervisors made a final change to the budget based on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed changes to the state budget, which reduced

the amount of money allocated to Loudoun County Public Schools by approximately $8 million.

Because of that, supervisors authorized transferring $8 million from the county’s Revenue Stabilization Fund to a newly created contingency fund for the school system. State legislators will convene Wednesday to make final decisions about the budget. That change will reduce the amount of money allocated to the Revenue Stabilization Fund from $47.7 million to $39.7 million. Even with the transfer, the fund will be 10% higher than the target amount. If the school contingency fund is not needed, the money would fall into the unassigned fund balance that the board allocates each year.

The board also amended the FY 20252030 Capital Improvement Program that totals approximately $3.8 billion for the six-year planning period and includes county and school projects. The category with the largest expenditure percentage is transportation projects at 40% followed by county projects at 33% and school projects at 27%.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) praised County Administrator Tim Hemstreet and his staff team for their work on the budget saying it was an easier process than usual.

“You all are, in every way, public servants and we never forget it,” she said. n

Planning Commission Delays Revised Hiddenwood Application Decision

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@louduonnow.org

A decision on the latest development plans for an Arcola property cited by some county supervisors as one of the most difficult cases they’ve reviewed was deferred by the county Planning Commission this week after two votes ended in

deadlocked ties.

The Hiddenwood Assemblage is made up of property owners along Hiddenwood Lane near Arcola. The group has been working to have their land collectively rezoned so they can sell their homes and move away from encroaching data center development. What was once a quiet, agricultural community is now a construction zone surrounded by data centers, they said.

keep the change. seriously. we mean it.

The assemblage’s original proposal last year to allow data centers on the properties eventually received narrow Planning Commission approval following a three-hour discussion, two failed votes and a 30-minute recess to negotiate with the group. However, that proposal was deferred indefinitely by the assemblage at the Board of Supervisors’ level amid concerns regarding the application by the supervisors.

On March 25, a revised application by the group that removed data centers as a permitted use in the rezoning request continued to garner concerns from the commission again resulting in two failed votes. The original data center application envisioned three data center buildings

HIDDENWOOD DELAYS continues on page 38

Farmers

continued from page 4

curmudgeon-ey, disgruntled farmer that’s always talking about the way things used to be,” he said.

Attendees also cited zoning regulations as a challenge facing the industry. County government is undertaking a rewriting process for the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan for rural and western Loudoun.

One of those concerns is that the current Zoning Ordinance does not include a definition for a farm, Brown said.

“There’s some hope in the group for zoning shifts that support housing that’s decent housing for farm workers, that has a less detrimental effect on the land, that also allows farms to house more people throughout the season,” one attendee said, again, reading a list of concerns collected by the group.

Another challenge is the difficulty in processing agricultural products within the county as many farmers transport their locally produced items to elsewhere for production.

“Being able to meet the consumer where they are,” Van Vlack said. “… We need zoning that allows that sort of thing. We need neighbors that understand what’s happening.”

Despite the challenges that Loudoun farmers face, the industry has several strengths including moderate weather, rich soils, access to a strong customer base and the commitment to preserving remaining

Rate Increases

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Offshore Wind Media told Loudoun Now in an email.

The base rate is driven by two factors, he said. The first is the increasing cost of labor, materials and equipment, while the second is the need for new infrastructure to serve the growing number of customers, including data centers.

The company also proposed a new rate class for high energy users, including data centers, as well as new consumer protections to ensure these customers continue to pay the full cost of their service and other customers are protected from stranded costs.

Under the proposal, high energy users would be required to make a 14-year commitment to pay for their requested power, even if they use less, according to the announcement.

Dominion is also proposing to move power capacity costs from the base rate to the annual fuel rate. These power capacity

farmland.

However, the industry’s most significant strength lies in the collaboration of farmers within the county. Sometimes that looks like neighbors pitching in to help a single mom with two toddlers haul animals out of the field and other times it’s an experienced farmer lending land, equipment or wisdom to a younger farmer still figuring things out, the panelists said.

Carlberg said in 2021 she and her husband found themselves in a difficult position when the lease for the land they were farming for their business, Fireside Farm, fell apart.

“So, that felt like maybe the end of farming for us … but Hana from Potomac Vegetable Farms said, ‘Why don’t you come over here? You can lease the front part of our farm.’ … I just wanted to bring that up as a really lovely relationship that an established farm has given to us as a beginning farm. We share infrastructure, we share the greenhouse, we share the wash pack area, we share equipment, and we wouldn’t have a business today if it wasn’t for that arrangement,” Carlberg said.

Loudoun Farm Bureau Board member Stephen Bradford said that level of collaboration within the community is critical to the future of the agricultural industry within the county.

“Understand ourselves, not as isolated businesses that succeed and fail in isolation, which can be easy to feel that way, seeing your neighbors sell, seeing farm after farm succumb to development, but we can realize that we actually have fates that are intertwined,” he said. “… I feel a great sense of promise and possibility.” n

costs are set by PJM, the regional electric grid operator, and assigned to Dominion Energy Virginia.

The Piedmont Environmental Council released a statement following Dominion’s announcement reiterating its past concerns about the data center industry’s impact on residential user rates.

“Dominion Energy’s recent announcement about increasing rates and new rate classification is a tacit acknowledgement of the unique impact high energy users like data centers place on the system,” according to the announcement.

In the announcement PEC President Chris Miller urges the SCC to take action to protect users.

“The SCC has the opportunity to take action now - and ensure data centers won’t overwhelm the power grid, drain statewide water resources and further intrude on areas never meant to be industrialized,” he stated.

The SCC is expected to release a review schedule for Dominion’s request in the coming weeks. Typically, the determination process takes nine months. n

General Assembly Perry, Srinivisan Review Legislative Successes, Vetoes

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Loudoun senators, Russet Perry (D-31) and Kannan Srinivisan (D-32), met with voters in Leesburg last week to review actions during the General Assembly session to hear public input.

Prominent topics throughout the April 26 town hall session included data center policies, efforts to make President James Monroe’s Loudoun County home a state park, and healthcare.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 10 bills introduced by Perry, including legislation to help victims of domestic violence terminate leases without penalty if criminal charges are filed, to make sure that Virginia’s agricultural commodities are lined up with where they are needed, to aid law enforcement response in situations involving school shooting threats, and to improve access to care for sexual assault victims in the face of workforce shortages of nurses by establishing the Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council.

Perry also mentioned getting an 11th piece of legislation incorporated into a bill passed by Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36). That bill provides telehealth measures for school children who can’t be transported between school and a therapy appointment and back.

Notably, Perry said she worked to have a bill passed that would require utility companies that build over conservation easements to reimburse localities and the state for tax breaks given to the original landowners. Youngkin signed that bill with the stipulation that VDOT be exempt from paying back the tax revenue.

“We gave up that money,” Perry said. “We as a society decided that’s worthwhile, so we’re going to do that. And so, you’re going to put it back in where we can then spend it on our schools, spend it on our roads, spend it on our constituents here.”

Perry introduced, but later killed Senate Bill 960, which would have directed the State Corporation Commission to determine whether consumers are unreasonably subsidizing the costs of providing power to data center under current allocation of costs.

“We’re looking at Google and Amazon, some of these multi-billion-dollar industries,” Perry said. “Are you all footing the bill for that?”

Perry said that the bill’s language changed once it reached a conference committee and that she couldn’t support the new version.

“I felt like the bill that was going to

come out of it was just a restatement of the law as is, and I wasn’t really interested in doing that,” Perry said. She added that she would be back next year to try again.

Srinivisan had four bills signed by Youngkin. Those covered gun safes, hospital and nursing home license fees, certifying and licensing midwives, and the Commission on Early Childhood Care.

The nursing home fees bill provided the existing law its first update in 46 years. Srinivisan said the law will allow the Department of Health to establish a universal licensure fee for inspections for nursing homes. He also passed a bill that helps ensure a pathway for autonomous practices for nurse midwives.

One of Srinivisan’s vetoed bills would have required restaurants to post food allergy guidelines and ask customers to disclose those allergies.

“I had two Republican senators stand up and speak passionately in support of this,” Srinivisan said. “At a surprise, the governor thinks this is a burden for the restaurants. … I won’t give up.”

Another bill sought to provided toll relief for people making $73,000 and below but did not pass.

An audience member asked what would happen if cuts to Medicaid discussed at the federal level move forward.

Srinivisan said that when he first joined the commonwealth’s Medicaid board there were 700,000 residents using the service. Today, there are more than 2 million.

“We are committed to preserving Medicaid, we just have to wait and see what comes down from Washington, DC,” Srinivisan said. “It will be very painful. These are folks who have health care, these are folks who depend on this health care. Any changes, any cuts will be very tight, they can’t afford it.”

Perry said that when she thinks of Medicaid, she immediately thinks of the 760,000 children who are enrolled.

“I think we have a societal contract to look out for and protect the children, which comes first and foremost in my mind,” she said. “In my mind, there’s no one else who protects them if the adults in the room don’t protect them, full stop.”

The senators were also asked whether they would approve plans to make Monroe’s Oak Hill a state park. Youngkin’s budget amendment would permit the commonwealth to accept the gift of the 1,200-acre property provided that the parks operations and maintenance would not require money from the state’s General Fund.

Perry carried a bill supporting the park. She said none of her constituents raised

generate money for the state.”

Srinivasan said he understands the concerns of the Senate Finance Committee, which killed the project during the session, but he supports moving forward with the park plan. He added that he would be willing to work with the committee.

Srinivsan also said there is more to be done with data center regulation and that he wants to work to increase transparency on data center-related power lines and push to have power lines placed underground with data centers footing the cost.

Both cited recommendations on data center policies presented by the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission last year.

concerns about the park plan and she would commit to saying yes to it this year.

“The question is always, we don’t have enough money to operate the parks that we have, what are we doing taking on a new park?” she said. “The interesting thing about Oak Hill, in my estimation, is that I think that Oak Hill would actually

“It looks like there’s been a lot of innovation done by the industry on water usage, which is wonderful,” Srinivisan said. “But the environmental impact is important. The JLARC study is very detailed. …I think next session you will see more legislation coming out of the JLARC study.”

Senator Perry said she didn’t think the JLARC study went far enough.

“We don’t have a system to regulate them because there is no system,” she said. n

William Timme/ Loudoun Now Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) speaks at a town hall in the Loudoun County Government Building in Leesburg, April 26.

Leesburg

Heeling House Expands Training Center for Service, Therapy Dogs

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Heeling House, a Loudoun County nonprofit that works to improve the lives of children with special needs through animal assisted interactions, is relocating its base of operations to Leesburg.

The organization is celebrating the move with a ribbon cutting on Friday, April 11 and an open house for the grand opening on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. The center is located at 75 Lawson Road.

Director of Outreach and Senior Trainer Monica Chiu said the relocation and extra space allows the nonprofit to serve as a one-stop shop to provide for its expanding programs. On top of providing animal assisted therapy, and service and therapy dog training, the new health training center gives the Heeling House the space to provide general dog training, indoor dog sports, dog grooming and spa experiences, and workshops to teach people how to better engage with their dogs.

Service-Dog-In-Training

Heeling House incorporated in 2013 to take animal assisted therapy to the next level, Chiu said. The organization works with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school therapists to help

reach developmental goals. Its first facility, in Ashburn, opened in 2016.

HEELING HOUSE continues on page 9

Town Purchases Barriers for Event Safety

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Town Council last week approved spending $399,000 on a contract for mobile vehicle barrier kits designed to stop cars and improve safety at public events.

The contract, awarded to Meridian Rapid Defense Group, facilitates the purchase of three mobile vehicle barrier kits. With four barriers, the town can cover two lanes of traffic. One mobile vehicle trailer kit comes with eight barriers. They can be configured to allow for pedestrian entry and are non-lethal to oncoming drivers. They’re also reusable.

During a work session meeting on Feb. 10, the council directed staff to draft a resolution awarding a contract for the mobile vehicle barrier kits. The successful use of rented barricade trailer kits at the 2023 Flower and Garden festival was a factor in prompting the decision. Whether to purchase or rent was a focal point of discussion during the work session.

Assistant Town Manager Kate Trask ex-

plained that the mobile vehicle barricades improve safety and can be deployed across two traffic lanes by one person using a tow bar in a process that takes 10 minutes.

Trask said the town has been borrowing their barricades from the Northern Virginia Emergency response system inventory. Budget Officer Tamara Keesecker said preliminary discussions suggest it may take between two to three months to receive the kits.

Requests for barricade rentals went up this year, correlating with the national tragedy on Bourbon Street where 14 members of a New Years Eve crowd were killed by a driver, which councilmembers and staff referenced during the work session.

“I would say I would feel uncomfortable not doing this based on current events and given that we need two or three months to even acquire these things, I would strongly suggest we move forward on this proposal,” Councilmember Neil Steinberg said.

Councilmember Zach Cummings asked how these barrier kits could potentially improve safety over having a public works truck parked on the road.

“Every time you have a new employee

AROUND town

Electric Aircraft Lands

BETA Technologies’ electric aircraft “Alia” visited the Leesburg Executive Airport on Friday.

The company plans to add the town to its expanding network of electric aircraft charging stations. The Town Council approved a ground lease agreement with BETA for the installation of a charging station which took effect in January.

Log Cabin History

Exhibit Opens

The Thomas Balch Library on April 4 is inviting people to a pop-up exhibit at the Donaldson Log Cabin showcasing family trees and lineage charts from the library’s collections.

As a First Friday event that celebrates upcoming arbor day, the exhibit will display roots, both familial and arboreal.

The exhibit offers take-home resources and a small activity where guests can begin creating their own family tree with guidance and materials provided.

The Donaldson Log Cabin is located at 14 Loudoun St. SW. The event is open between 5 and 7 p.m. Interested residents can find more information by calling 703-737-7195 or email balchlib@leesburg.gov.

Town Recognized as Tree City

setting [a truck] up, there’s a potential gap where they’re not where they need to be,” Police Chief Thea Pirnat said. “You saw that with New Orleans where the vehicle was able to go around a police vehicle that was trying to block the road. They just weren’t far enough up.”

Town Manager Kaj Dentler moved the proposal off the consent agenda for the March 25 meeting because the cost of the contract rose.

According to the briefing, each barrier kit requires one “rapid gate”, which staff became aware of while finalizing the purchase. To meet Loudoun County Fire Marshal requirements, a gate is needed at the end of each closed street for emergency access.

The cost to set up and take down the barriers throughout the year totals to $45,000, which is included in the fiscal year 2026 proposed budget. A review of year-to-date personnel spending indicates that the fiscal year 2025 budget should be sufficient to cover those costs for events occurring before June 30, 2025.

The council voted unanimously to award the contract. n

The Arbor Day foundation recognized the town as a 2024 Tree City USA and granted the Growth Award.

The town has received the recognition every year since its first accreditation in 1989. The Growth Award is given to communities that go above and beyond the four standards of Tree City USA and demonstrate improved levels of tree care and community engagement.

Those four standards include: having a tree board or commission, a treecare ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Abror Day observance.

“By recognized the role of trees as critical infrastructure, Leesburg is helping shape a healthier and more resilient future,” Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation Michelle Saulnier said. “We’re proud Leesburg is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities committed to creating positive impact through trees.” n

children

William Timme/ Loudoun Now

Rocky (Golden), retrieves a toy thrown by Heeling House Workers.

Town Contributes $100,000 to George C. Marshall International Center

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The George C. Marshall International Center is receiving a contribution of $100,000 from the Town of Leesburg as part of its newly adopted budget.

The contribution is earmarked to support the development of the new George C. Marshall Museum and Visitor Center next to the Gen.Marshall’s Leesburg home, Dodona Manor.

The museum will highlight Marshall’s leadership, vision, and impact of global history through exhibits and interactive displays. It also will house the Marshall Center’s portfolio of free ethical leadership programs.

Heeling House

continued from page 8

Chiu said they moved offices a few times over the years, and that things “really changed” when COVID hit. Ever since, Heeling House has operated out of a “really small space” in Sterling, she said.

Chiu said the organization’s primary focus was providing animal therapy. The nonprofit is in its sixth year of service dog training. Those dogs typically function as mobility, psychiatric, or autism service animals, she said.

“It’s something we’re really proud to be able to give the kids that we work with a chance at experiencing life at a level that they didn’t get to before,” Chiu said.

Chiu said she can think of “a million” stories of dogs changing lives. She described one girl with so much anxiety that she hadn’t gone to school in years and couldn’t take care of her essential needs, such as doctor checkups or routine dental cleaning.

“After placing this dog with her, she was a completely different person,” Chiu said. She added that the girl is now a thriving real estate agent.

The Heeling House also trains therapy dogs and service dogs.

“[Therapy dogs] are owned by individuals who volunteer their time for us and therapy dogs do work with a large variety of different people,” Chiu said. “Therapy dogs don’t actually have public access rights, so they are technically not allowed in spaces unless they’re specifically invited. … A service dog on the other hand, is trained to specifically work with one per-

The Town Council, in adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget on April 25, designated the contribution from the town’s unassigned fund balance.

“We are deeply grateful to the Town of Leesburg for their generous support of this important initiative,” Chairman and President Emeritus of the George C. Marshall International Center Tom Greenspon said. “This funding sends a powerful message of support and is a crucial step toward creating a worldclass museum and visitor center that will educate and inspire visitors and future leaders about General Marshall’s extraordinary contributions for our nation and the world.”

To learn at georgecmarshall.org/museum. n

son and one person only, and that person does have to have a disability,” she said.

Chiu said that sometimes the impacts of therapy dog visits can be even more profound than with service dogs. She said she’s seen a therapy dog elicit a child’s first words, even at eight or nine years old. That patients have expressed that they wouldn’t be alive without their time with the dogs.

The nonprofit conducts a program for breeding, whelping, raising, and training service dogs to be paired with individuals in need, but also has an owner trained program for people who want their dogs to become their own service dogs, Chiu said.

The new space grants the Heeling House an opportunity to offer indoor dog sports as well. Indoor agility obstacle courses, and indoor agility classes will allow for year-round activities. Rally obedience, a competition where dogs score points for responding to certain commands, is also part of the package.

The organization offers competitive scent work and pool jump competitions as well.

Heeling House staff members are all certified through the Certified Professional Dog Trainer Association, but the group also works with volunteers.

Chiu said she hopes to “share the impact of animals,” and emphasized how important the human-animal bond is.

“We are always looking for supporters, and we are always looking for more opportunities,” Chiu said.

Learn more at heelinghouse.org or check out the group’s FaceBook page at Heeling House and Instagram @heelinghouse. n

Ceremony Reflects on 50th Anniversary of Ending Vietnam War

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Veterans and elected representatives gathered at the Loudoun County courthouse Saturday morning for a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the war’s end.

Capt. Andrew Wilson, who served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division during the war, was the keynote speaker. The ceremony included the reading of the names of the 12 Loudoun County residents killed in action during the conflict.

The program was sponsored by the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Virginia SAR, Leonard W. Kidd Memorial American Legion Post 2001, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1177.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Education

Equinix Partners with Schools, Education Foundation for Data Center Career Pathways

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Educators at Loudoun County Public Schools last week got an up-close look at the career opportunities available for their students during a collaborative event with Equinix organized by the Loudoun Education Foundation on International Data Center Day.

Hosted at an Equinix Ashburn site, the event gave teachers, counselors, and other school system staff a chance to see firsthand the variety of jobs available for students looking to pursue working for a data center company.

“I’m excited to talk about the Pathway to Technology initiative that I’m picking up that is going to partner with middle schools and high schools and communities, and so I do think there are a lot of opportunities through this program,” Equinix Foundation President Eric Lucking said.

That program, launched March 26, is designed to create smooth transitions into data center careers through school visits, data center tours, education days and school adoption programs.

In addition to a tour of a data center, attendees learned about the required skills and industry trends with the goal of developing a larger local talent pipeline and opening more opportunities for students.

“What we’re going to highlight today is actually the technicians who work in [data center], and the pathway to doing that type of work,” Equinix Senior Vice President of Sales Arquelle Shaw said. “… that is a pathway in for students.”

SCHOOL notebook

Prom Dress Donations Wanted for Pop-up Shop

BetterALife, a nonprofit that runs food pantries in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, is accepting donations of new or gently worn prom dresses to fill a free dress pop-up shop for local families.

The shop will open April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the nonprofit’s Purcellville location. Appointments must be made in advance and can be done by emailing Elizabeth Ford at eford@betteralife.org.

Donations may be mailed or dropped off before April 12 at 201 N. Maple Ave. Suite F in Purcellville.

Ford, who founded the nonprofit, said she has seen an increase in need this year seeing four to six new families every week since the start of 2025.

Learn more at betteralife.org.

Careers are available within the company for students as young as 18-yearsold.

“We also have, depending on where you are in terms of if you’re a high school student or you’re a college student, we have an intern program that’s typically targeted at college students, but it is throughout the business,” Shaw said. “And our internship program is very focused on bringing college students in and then enabling them to look at us as a future work location.”

One of the initiatives that is part of the Pathway to Technology program is the “Adopt a School” model. LEF Director of

Development Kari Murphy said they are still working out the details of what that could look like in Loudoun.

“There has been a lot of support for STEM education at the middle school level, right? Because truly reaching students before high school is so important, because they’re being inundated with information constantly, and they also are starting to formulate what they like, what they don’t like,” Murphy said. “So, really starting to talk to those students in middle school, and maybe even before, is

EQUINIX PARTNERSHIP continues on page 12

School Board Calls for Underground Power Line Options, Dominion Files with SCC

BY NORMAN K. STYER AND HANNA PAMPALONI nstyer@loudounnow.org

hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After hearing two hours of public comments focusing on Dominion Energy’s proposed route alternatives for its Golden to Mars transmission line project, the School Board last week voted to oppose any option using overhead transmission lines.

The School Board was put at the center

of the intense neighborhood controversy after the Board of Supervisors endorsed two routes that would run along the campus that houses Rock Ridge High School and Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School near the Loudoun Valley Estates neighborhood.

Those routes were preferred over others that would impact far more houses in the area. However, in their action, county supervisors also cited a preference that any lines within 500 feet of a home or school be placed underground.

After hearing dozens of speakers raise concerns about the potential health impacts on students and staff members from long-term exposure to transmission lines along school property, School Board members pushed even harder for underground options during their March 25 meeting.

“I don't live in this community. This isn't my district. This is a health and safe-

POWER LINE OPTIONS continues on page 11

Empowered Girls Club Gets $10K Amazon Grant

J. L. Simpson Middle School’s Empowered Girls Club was awarded a $10,000 grant from Amazon Web Services Northern Virginia Community Fund. The organization was chosen from among over 90 applicants.

They won the grant through Change X, a platform that connects community organizations with grants. The project that earned the judges’ attention was the Empowering At-risk Girls Through Growth project, according to an email sent to the club’s advisors, teachers Jennifer Herrin and Samantha Ashley.

The club was celebrated at an AWS reception on March 20 in Arlington.

The Empowered Girls Club was created by Herrin and Ashley to help girls learn about opportunities and create a support system for them. It is for seventh and eighth graders, and the club features homework help, field trips and community service. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Educators receive a tour of an Equinix data center, referred to by the company as an International Business Exchange, or IBX, during a workforce development event March 26.

Heritage High School Performs its First Sensory Friendly Play

BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org

On Sunday, Heritage High School’s theater department performed the school’s first ever sensory friendly performance. Their play this year is “Big Fish,” which opened on March 20 for a 10-day run.

“Big Fish” follows the stories a dying father tells his son. His son, who never believed his father’s stories, starts investigating and finally begins to understand the man who raised him. The stories include many fantastical elements, including werewolves, mermaids and more.

“This play deals a lot with a mix of fantasy storytelling and kind of how we get to leave our legacy behind after we go,” Heritage Theater Teacher Emilie Fletcher said. “So, we’ve really explored using shadow puppetry, using lighting elements. We have some magical moments. We’ve got people on stilts. We’ve got confetti cannons and haze going on. So, we’ve really tried to find a balance of the ordinary everyday life and blend it with the largerthan-life myths that one of the characters tells throughout this story.”

The students have been practicing the play since December. It is guided by adult staff, but Fletcher said that the entire production is student led. She is the director, but there is a student assistant director,

Power Line Options

continued from page 10

ty issue for thousands of students,” Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) said. “While it doesn't affect me directly, and it's not in my backyard, I'm a School Board Member that cares about the health and safety of our students, and as a School Board Member it is my duty to not be pressured into voting for something that I feel is a safety hazard and will affect thousands of people. This was dropped on this School Board, and I find it to be a heavy burden, so I will be voting no to both Dominion lines. We need a better solution. All the lines need to be buried.”

Arben Istrefi (Sterling) lives in the Loudoun Valley Estates 2 community where residents have been battling the route proposals.

“As a School Board Member and someone who's talked to many neighbors in the area as well and attended the town hall, HOA town halls, I cannot support any route options that do not include a partial underground undergrounding so close to our schools at this time,” he said. “Especially because I feel that efforts to offer and look into feasibility of partial underground options were not sufficient. … At this stage, to approve one of these

stage crew, and even the music is played by a mainly student ensemble with two professionals and the music teacher on piano.

According to Fletcher, she mostly puts together the big picture and the student director is responsible for working on scenes, blocking choreography, and even organizing technical elements. There are 94 people working on the show. About 40 of those are stage crew and about 20 of those make up the student orchestra.

The sensory performance on Sunday was the first one ever performed at Heritage. It was a more “relaxed” version of the show, Fletcher said, and may be more suitable for people with sensory issues and small children.

“We’ve seen a need in our community to provide sensory friendly [plays] to our families,” Fletcher said. “It’s less of that formal atmosphere where you feel like you might have to sit down and be quiet and do this and do what’s expected. It’s a more relaxed performance where some people might be able to be more themselves without having to worry about bothering other people or any of those concerns that families might have.”

The sensory performance had lower sound effects, lower microphone volume and the house lights were kept on, all to make sure people with differing

one in Loudoun County. Several other schools have done them, as well as community organizations like A Place To Be.

“I know that a lot of schools around Loudoun County [do sensory shows]. I know that Rock Ridge does, and Broad Run. And so, since some of our families have seen some of those shows, we’ve been asked about it, and we have a lot of family members of our students who would appreciate that type of performance. So, we’ve really seen that there’s a need, and we’re trying to make sure that we can provide it for our families,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher is proud of the students’ performance, and said that they have all “clicked” during performances.

abilities were more comfortable watching the show, according to Fletcher.

Although this is the first sensory performance at Heritage, this is not the first

overhead routes and giving up on the advocacy for undergrounding to protect our schools and communities is, to me, a bit premature and too early. the impact of the overhead route options to our school communities and the wellbeing of our schools, I believe, would be untenable.”

Chair Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) made a motion to state that the board supports the continued exploration of underground options and opposes all above ground transmission lines on school

properties.

That position, which withholds approval to place the lines on the school property, was approved on an 8-1 vote with Vice Chair Anne Donohue (At Large) opposed.

Dominion on Friday submitted its filing for the project to the State Corporation Commission with all five routes included in the application. The company continued to site Route 3 as its preferred option. However, without agreements from the School Board or county government, the

“My favorite part is that everyone walks away, even though we’re all watching the same thing, everyone walks away holding different moments close to their chest. A story like this, it deals with life and death and family and love, and one of my favorite things about theater is that it always meets you where you’re at. With a lot of theater performances, no matter where you are in your life, you’re going to find a moment that you can empathize with. You’re going to find a moment that you can step into,” Fletcher said.

For more information, go to hhsprideproductions.boosterhub.com/ about/4849. n

company will only be able to build Route 5 which travels along Loudoun County Parkway further away from the schools but closer to more homes.

Dominion has also said that burying the lines underground in this case is not feasible for a variety of reasons and published feasibility on the proposal in March.

Several challenges cited in the study include difficulties of constructing through floodplains, wetlands and existing infrastructure such as concrete culverts; obtaining permits and easements on federal land or sensitive facilities; traffic impacts and spacing constraints; the need for significant land acquisition outside of public rights-of-way; the presence of diabase rock in the ground and the potential for delays because of drilling and complex construction conditions in private infrastructure areas.

“Due to these significant constructability challenges, none of the proposed eleven [underground] routes are considered constructable options for the Golden to Mars transmission project,” according to the feasibility study.

The SCC will hold a series of hearings on the project allowing members of the public to provide comments for consideration in the proposal. n

Dominion Energy

A map created by Dominion Energy shows five routes being considered for 230 and 500 kilovolt transmission lines between two new substations known as the Golden to Mars Project.

Robyne Bridges

A scene showing the main character meeting his wife as told in the play “Big Fish” performed by the Heritage High School theater department in March 2025.

Experience the power of a transformed life

Become a CSLI Fellow

n The C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program offers a tuition-free year of intensive training that leads to significant life-change. n The program prepares each Fellow to live a powerful transformed life in their church, their community and in their workplace. n It involves Bible stud y, classic readings, lectures, group discussion, personal mentoring and accountability–all in the context of a small group of likeminded believers. n The program is designed to be achievable even for busy professionals with families. n Join the Fellows Program and learn to live as a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and make an impact for Him in the world.

Selden’s Landing Student Wins Regional Spelling Bee

BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org

Selden’s Landing Elementary School fifth grader Vikyath Tanamala outlasted the two-time defending champion to win Loudoun County Public Schools’ 43rd Annual Spelling Bee on March 26.

Tanamala won with the word “groundsel,” which is a common flowering plant that resembles a dandelion in the competition’s 19th round.

Lunsford Middle School eighth grader Oviya Amalraj, who took the title in 2023 and 2024, settled for second place.

It was a tight competition, with the final five spellers battling through three rounds without an elimination. During the evening, the spellers ran through the entire list of prepared words they were able to study in advance, and were presented with words they hadn’t seen before in the final rounds.

Equinix Partnership

continued from page 10

allowing them to just open up the door to new opportunities and new possibilities that they might not have been aware of. So, we’re working closely with our community, with the Equinix Foundation to figure out, how can we create those opportunities and those moments that the students can observe and be a part of?”

Shaw said it’s important for educators to know that there are multiple pathways for students and adults to pursue a career in the data center industry and it doesn’t have look the same for everyone.

Tanamala moves on to the national competition, the nationally televised 100th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in May, to compete against the top spellers from across the country. n

the programs that exist at the school? What does that partnership look like? What are the things that we could do, whether it’s hands on, or what would curriculum look like?” Equinix Communications Specialist Michelle Lindeman said.

Equinix Head of State and Local Public Policy Rey Cheatham Banks said the event and the collaboration between the company and the school system is just one of ways the organization looks to invest in Loudoun.

Please Consider Joining Us for the 2025-2026 Loudoun County Fellows Program.

To apply or for more information, please visit: www.cslewisinstitute.org/loudoun-county

Tim Bradley CSLI City Director, Loudoun County

Email: t.bradley@cslewisinstitute.org

Phone: (301) 325-8565

“There are students who are going to go on and get four-year degree or a graduate degree, and there are pathways into the company across all of the functions,” she said. “... We’re very proud of the pathways that we have for people who are not getting a four-year degree, but maybe getting a certificate of some kind, or a technical certification. Also, a pathway for veterans, a pathway for women returning to work. So, we look at different pathways for people to come into the company, because it’s this idea that there’s value for our business to have that diversity within our employee base. And so, that applies as we look at students as well understanding that students come from all backgrounds and have many different pathways to getting established in a career.”

The March 26 event helped LCPS educators, advisors and counselors learn about those opportunities and find ways to bring them to Loudoun students in an effective manner.

“How do we take this and bring it into

“This is another way to start changing hearts and minds and perceptions. … I think that this is just another way that we can talk about the good things that data centers bring to the community, the value that we add to the community,” she said.

LCPS Technical and Adult Education Director Michael Grubbs agreed and said the kind of partnership that the school system has with Equinix will help advance the division’s goals to focus more on career and technical education.

“I think a big theme for this school year is that we’re trying to better connect with the workforce,” he said.

One of the benefits from an event like the one hosted by Equinix is that it helps educators not only have a better understanding of the careers available to their students in the future, but it creates direct connections between the teachers and the industry.

“The work that my office and [Workbased Learning Coordinator] Kristine Lee are trying to do is shorten the bridge to industries,” Grubbs said. “We’re trying to get contacts to them directly so they can then organize [those interactions] directly. … Teachers work 24/7 so we want to shorten that.” n

Amber Lucas/Loudoun Now

Vikyath Tanamala poses with his parents after winning the 43rd Annual Loudoun County Public Schools Spelling Bee on March 26.

Virginia’s Women Winemakers Celebrated at Bluemont Bash

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Virginia Women in Wine Trail program culminated Saturday with a garden party reception at Bluemont Vineyards.

The Wine Trailblazer Bash spotlighted the pioneering efforts of three female wine industry leaders and called attention to the many hurdles faced by those seeking to follow in their footsteps.

Virginia Women in Wine was founded by Nancy Bauer to support women working in the industry. During the past two weeks, 50 wineries, cideries, and meaderies across the commonwealth, including 10 in Loudoun, participated in a wine trail tour that provided special offerings highlighting the work of women, from the vineyard to the wine cellar to the tasting room. Hailey Zurschmeide Holdsworth, the chief vision officer of Bluemont Vineyard and Henway Hard Cider, chaired the wine trail event.

During Saturday’s program, Doukénie Winery co-founder Nicki Bazaco was recognized along with Sharon Horton, owner

and vineyard manager at Horton Vineyards in Gordonsville; and Debra Vascik, owner and winemaker at Valhalla Vineyards near Roanoke for their longtime industry leadership.

“Having started a small wine business here in Virginia of my own after years of working in the industry, I realized how important it is to have all the women trailblazers ahead of me whose shoulders we are standing on as women in the industry, who really paved a path for us to move forward and develop and grow our own businesses, who are hiring women winemakers and who are supporting the industry,” Megan Hereford of the Daring Wine Company in Charlottesville said.

Bazaco and her husband, George, bought their farm at the foot of Short Hill Mountain near Hillsboro in 1983 and planted their first block of vines two years later. They were on the leading edge of the growth of the state’s farm wineries that today number about 300.

“It has been an honor to be part of this industry and to watch it grow as much as it did,” she said. “To go being the 43rd winery in the state of Virginia, and to see

wine industry workforce, they hold about 17% of the winemaker positions. Thirty-eight women fill those roles. Of the 225 full-time winemaker positions in the commonwealth only 10 are women who are not affiliated with winery ownership.

Bauer highlighted the inequities further. She noted that of the 80 new wineries that opened in the past five years, only 43 hired full time winemakers in brick-andmortar operations. Of those, only 10 were women and only two of the 10 were not owners or part owners.

The study encourages women to battle stereotypes, fight for equal pay and benefits, and promote collaboration and internships, among other initiatives.

where we are today is truly amazing, and I can only imagine what you all will do to the industry in the future.”

The event included the formal unveiling of a comprehensive study of women in the industry, Closing the Gender Gap in Winemaking, that was commissioned by Virginia Women in Wine.

Among the findings is that, while women comprise nearly two-thirds of Virginia’s

“The stories and the solutions in this paper can be a starting point for conversation, action and change,” Bauer said. “I hope you read it. I hope you tell everybody you know about it. I hope you share it with people who are in hiring decision hiring places so that they can hire more women into winemaker jobs.”

Learn more at virginiawomeninwine.com. n

a program of

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Doukénie Winery co-founder Nicki Bazaco speaks after being presented with a Women in Wine Trailblazer award on March 29.

Public Safety

SAFETY briefs

Cruz Sentenced to 20 Years for Fatal Assault

The Ashburn man convicted of second-degree murder in the 2022 fatal beating of 38-year-old Pedro Casalez “Hector” Cala outside a University Center apartment in Ashburn was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage handed down the sentence March 20 after a jury in August convicted Ever R. Cruz, 24, of second-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Cruz was sentenced to 40 years on each charge, with 20 years suspended.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 14, 2023, an altercation broke out between Cruz and Cala in the apartment complex’s dog park. Cruz struck Cala on the head and punched and stomped him after he was on the ground. Cruz fled the scene but was apprehended the following day in Maryland. Cala died six days later.

Former Park View Teacher Assistant Pleads Guilty

The former teacher assistant at Park View High School who was charged with public intoxication at school and a separate driving while intoxicated violation pleaded guilty to both offenses during a District Court hearing on March 27.

According to the Sheriff ’s Office, a school resource officer was alerted a little before noon on Feb. 7 that Travis Jones was possibly under the influence while at school. The investigation ended in Jones’ arrest. He was taken to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center in Leesburg where he was released on his own recognizance.

The DWI charge happened on Dec. 2, 2024.

Jones was found guilty of a class four misdemeanor on the intoxication charge and received a $200 fine. The DWI charge garnered a $300 fine and a 120-day jail sentence, with 100 days suspended. Jones also will serve 12 months

of probation and have his driver’s license suspended for 12 months.

Electrical Malfunction Blamed in Bluemont Barn Fire

According to the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office, a March 27 fire that destroyed a barn in the Bluemont area was caused by an electrical malfunction.

After arriving at the farm on Airmont Road just after 8 p.m., crews found a 50x50 barn on fire. Several additional structures were nearby but first responders were able to contain the burn to the barn, which was used primarily for storage and had no animals inside.

Units from Round Hill, Purcellville, Philomont and Fauquier County responded and due to the absence of fire hydrants in the area, a Tanker Task Force was requested. Crews also worked to protect propane and fuel tanks that were in and around the barn.

The Fire Marshal’s office determined the fire was accidental. No injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at $150,000. n

Leesburg PD partners with County for Mental Health Crisis Training

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Police Department is launching a six-month training program starting March 31 that pairs officers with licensed mental health professionals to improve responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Loudoun County’s Co-Responder program enables professionals from the county’s Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services [MHSADS] to help officers with providing support, practicing de-escalation and providing resources to those in need.

“Our goal is to ensure individuals in crisis receive the right care at the time while also allowing our officers to focus on their core public safety duties,” Police Chief Thea Pirnat said. “By integrating the county’s mental health professionals into our response, we aim to reduce repeat crisis calls, connect individuals with immediate and long-term resources, and improve out-

comes for both those in need and the broader community.”

On July 1, 2024, MHSADS and the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office first implemented the Co-Responder Program throughout the rest of Loudoun County, coordinating 911 calls and the national 988 crisis lifeline to improve responses to people experiencing a behavioral crisis. The program is one component of the county’s behavioral health crisis services system, modeled after requirements of the Marcus-David Peters Act and tenets of the Crisis Now model.

The Marcus-David Peters act was named after a biology teacher who was killed by Richmond police in 2018 during a mental health crisis. It was signed into law in 2020 by former Governor Ralph Northam and led to the creation of the “Marcus Alert” mental health alert system.

The Co-Responder Program is designed to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies receive appropriate care and intervention. n

Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

Loudoun County fire and rescue personnel responded to a barn fire near Bluemont March 27.

Nonprofits

Give Choose Campaign Surpasses $923K to Set Record

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Give Choose fundraising campaign has collected more than $923,000 as of this week setting a record for the program that serves as the community’s largest day of philanthropy.

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties organizes the annual day of online giving that invites residents to donate to nonprofit organizations serving Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties at givechoose.org.

On March 25, more than 2,200 individuals gave more than 3,400 gifts to 161 local nonprofits. Those numbers continue to grow as the giving portal will remain open for the next few weeks.

Last year, Give Choose raised $896,024. Since its inception in 2014, Give Choose now has raised over $6 million for charitable organizations.

“Since COVID, we have just steadily

grown the event. Our nonprofits have done that work and we’re looking forward to it continuing to grow,” Foundation Executive Director Nicole Acosta said.

While a new fundraising record is cause for celebration, she sees even greater benefits in the connections that are made through the program.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to get the word out about their work and their mission. So that right there is an important part of the day,” Acosta said. “We know everyone worked really hard on their campaigns, and they did really well. I think there’s a sense of camaraderie that everybody feels working together towards a common goal.”

The fundraising was bolstered by $40,000 in donations from corporate sponsors that provided a series of prizes for organizations that met specific fundraising benchmarks throughout the day.

“The corporate sponsors that contribute to that prize pool really help the non-

Rotarians Distribute $10K in Grants

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club on Tuesday morning distributed $10,000 in grants to seven community nonprofits.

This year’s grant recipients were All Ages Read Together, A Place To Be, the Dulles South Food Pantry, Healthworks of Northern Virginia, Just Neighbors, Loudoun Care Givers and Tree of Life Ministries.

“We’re blessed by hearing all the good stuff that’s going on, the depth of good works to help those in need in this country is unfathomable,” member Noel Brown said after representatives of each charity described their work. ”We need not to

forget that, because all of the turmoil makes us get sour on stuff and we should be uplifted. Through many faiths and through many energies, this country is being helped and that’s an important thing and the world is being helped. So, thank you all for coming and the work you’re doing. I really got blessed by being here today.”

The annual program is funded by members and its yearly community barbecue. This year the club is moving to a new format for the event—inviting area restaurants as well as backyard pitmasters to battle for top bragging rights through a Kansas City Barbeque Society competition.

The event will be held May 31 at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds. The club is signing up participants and sponsors. Learn more at leesburgdaybreak.com. n

profits leverage the prize money for more dollars from their donors. And it adds an element of fun and excitement to the whole day,” she said. “It’s really meaningful to say, ‘listen, you can help us. You can help us raise even more money by just making a donation.’”

While the event takes place over a 24hour period, the nonprofits spend weeks

What

we o er

• Cheerful, serene, state of the art of ce

• Digital x-rays (reduces radiation by 90%)

• We le all dental bene t claims

training on how to conduct campaigns and craft their messaging. That effort also makes the community’s charities stronger, Acosta said.

“I’m just so grateful that all of our nonprofits come together to do this. They’re just so positive and supportive of one another. So that’s another great part about it,” she said. n

• Cosmetic Dentistry (veneers, white llings, and Zoom Whitening)

• Crowns and Bridges, all phases of Implants, Root Canals and Dentures

• Certi ed Invisalign Provider

• We offer periodontal therapy to restore your oral health as well as oral cancer screening.

Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 • Leesburg, VA 20175 • 703-771-9034

Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club President Landey Patton, right, poses with representatives of seven community nonprofits that received grants from the club April 1.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

Lara Major Joins Claude Moore Charitable Foundation as Trustee

Longtime Loudoun County resident, business leader and philanthropist Lara Major is the newest member of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees.

Since 1987, the foundation has distributed more than $110 million in grants to nonprofits.

“We are honored that Lara is expanding her role with Claude Moore,” CEO J. Hamilton Lambert stated. “Lara is known throughout the commonwealth as a strong advocate for literacy and education, which fits nicely with our mission to ‘give a leg up’ to under-resourced populations across Virginia.”

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

Major has more than 30 years of expertise in education, board governance and nonprofit leadership. She is the chair of E3: Elevate Early Education, chair of All Ages Read Together and the vice president of 100WomenStrong, a Loudoun-based group providing strategic support to nonprofits focused on education, health, shelter and hunger.

Major also serves as Board Secretary for Claude Moore Opportunities. Her passion for education began in the classroom as a teacher and reading specialist in Fairfax and Loudoun County public schools. After leaving the classroom, she became an adjunct instructor in reading education for the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development. She also founded Major Consulting, where she supported school systems with curriculum development and teacher training.

In addition to her new role at CMCF, Major serves on the board of The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, the JMU College of Education Advisory Board and the Willowcroft Foundation board. n

Clarke Tapped as New LAWS CEO

Samantha Clarke is the new chief executive officer of LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. She will lead the nonprofit’s efforts to expand to bring transformative advancements to domestic violence and sexual assault services, prevention, care, and healing in Loudoun County.

Recently marking its 40th anniversary, LAWS provides free and confidential life-saving services to adults, youth, and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Its comprehensive, survivor-focused, trauma-informed services include crisis response, emergency shelter, legal and court advocacy services, therapy and long-term empowerment, and prevention education to stop violence before it starts.

“LAWS is continually evolving survivor services and prevention to create a future where domestic and sexual violence is eliminated. Samantha’s visionary leadership, commitment to compassionate care for all people, and her ability to build relationships across multiple community sectors is an incredible asset to help LAWS succeed in this vital mission and take us into the future,” LAWS Board Chair Terry Allen stated.

A key focus of the organization is the construction of a $10 million, 26,000-square-foot shelter and community services center in Leesburg to provide the latest advancements and national best practices in domestic violence sheltering

and response. The center will integrate community-based services for access to on-site care, employment services, job training, financial empowerment, and more.

“I am thrilled to serve in the role of Chief Executive Officer at LAWS, especially because now is such a critical time to ensure our organization and our commitment to survivors remains fortified and on a bold path forward,” Clarke stated. “LAWS has built strong cross-sector partnerships and effective programs that have allowed our prevention and life-saving services to endure for four decades. I truly believe the most effective response happens when government, nonprofits, and the community work together, and I am excited to continue and grow this community-centered work.”

LAWS provides services to more than 1,000 individuals annually. In 2024, it provided more than 3,000 nights of emergency shelter, 4,000 hours of survivor assistance and advocacy, answered more than 1,100 emergency hotline calls, and reached more than 3,800 youth and youth-serving adults with prevention education.

Learn more at lcsj.org. n

Major Clarke

Ashburn Ice House Hosts National Youth Hockey Tournament

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Ashburn Ice House this week is hosting 16 teams hailing from 10 states for the Girls Tier II U16 National Hockey Championship.

“It’s a large volume participation event for us,” Ashburn Ice House General Manager Rob Lorenzen said. “Games will take place all day, every day, from April 2 through April 6.”

The last time the Ashburn Ice House hosted a national event was in 2014, Lorenzen said. This is first time it has hosted a girl’s championship.

The championship serves as a culmination of this year’s hockey season for teams across the country.

“For some of them, this will be the pinnacle of their hockey playing career,” Lorenzen said. “It’s clearly the goal of any competitive team competing in youth hockey.”

On the national scale, 7,500 players compete for USA Hockey’s top honors in

youth, girls, high school, adult, sled and warrior classifications. With Northern Virginia as a designated location, the tournament is expected to produce an economic impact of $1.2 million to the region according to Sports Nova, a Northern Virginia Sports Tourism organization.

“Think about the number of hotel rooms,” Lorenzen said. “Each team carries roughly 17 players and parents and grandparents and family members that travel with the team, so they all have to eat meals while they’re here. They all stay in our local hotels for midweek tournaments. It’s really a tremendous benefit for the community.”

The event will appear on USA Hockey TV broadcasts and all games will be live streamed and viewable through a subscription.

“You see kids rise to the occasion, which is really a lot of fun to see them perform at their highest level,” Lorenzen said. “These kids have worked all year to reach this level.”

The Ashburn Ice House is located at 21595 Smith Switch Road in Ashburn. n

Community For Ages 55+ in

• Villa, Garden, and Single-Family Homes from the $400’s

• Outdoor Swimming Pool and Hot Tub, Outdoor Patio and Kitchen, Gas Fire Table and Seating Areas

• Pickleball and Bocce Ball Courts, Community Clubhouse with Fitness Center and Yoga Studio

• Unlimited Outdoor Recreation Options in the Scenic Shenandoah Valley

• Easy Access to Major Commuter Routes

• Minutes from Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment in Downtown Winchester and Nearby Rutherford Crossing Center

Purcellville Council Lowers Tax Rate, Lacks Majority Cited in State Code

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The Purcellville Town Council last week adopted a real estate tax rate of 19.2 cents per $100 of assessed value, more than a cent below Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser’s proposed rate of 20.5 cents – however, the rate passed without the super majority required under state law.

Virginia Code Section 15.2-1427 states, “In towns, no tax shall be imposed except by a two-thirds vote of the council members.”

The council’s March 25 vote passed narrowly on 4-3 vote with councilmem-

bers Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright opposed.

The council was operating on a tight deadline to provide the tax rate to the county government by an April 1 deadline to begin the tax bill cycle.

As of Tuesday, the impact of setting a tax rate without a super majority vote remained unknown.

Loudoun Now has reached out to Fraser about the issue but has not received a response.

The decision to lower the rate came shortly after the council kicked off its budget season with a March 19 presentation by Fraser for the budget that totals

$35.9 million for the 2026 fiscal year. A penny on the tax rate is equivalent to $214,000 in revenue. The town’s current tax rate is 20.5 cents. That rate would bring in more revenue for the town next year because of increases in property values. Assistant Director of Finance Connie LeMarr said the average homeowner’s bill would go up by $81 a year because of that increase in valuation.

During the March 25 meeting, the council was expected to adopt the 20.5cent rate, according to the motion in

PURCELLVILLE COUNCIL continues on page 22

Rt. 50 Input Sessions Wrap Up with Big Crowd in Middleburg

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The auditorium at the Middleburg Community Charter School was packed to capacity the night of March 26 as area residents gathered to provide their input on the Rt. 50 Safety & Operational Study commissioned by the Board of Supervisors.

It was the third and final community meeting on the plan before the consultant team will complete its recommendations.

The Rt. 50 Corridor Safety and Operational Study is being conducted by the county’s Department of Transportation, Construction and Infrastructure and the VHB consulting firm. It is designed to identify improvements that could be made along the road between Fleetwood Road on the east and the county boundary west of Middleburg to accommodate today’s traffic levels and those expected by 2040.

The meeting was organized by Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) after residents participating in a February community meeting raised concerns about proposals to widen roundabouts, build turn lanes, construct a pedestrian trail and other concepts that are being explored to improve safety and address congestion points in the corridor.

After that session, project planners conducted a survey to gather more feed-

HAMILTON

Merchandise Sales Open for 150th Anniversary

As the town celebrates its 150th anniversary, councilmembers are launching a one-time opportunity for residents to buy merchandise branded for the occasion.

“While we look back on the journey, we honor the vision, dedication, and hard work that have shaped the paths of our town,” council liaison to the Events Committee Heather Beardsley stated. “Throughout these 150 years, countless stories have unfolded, and countless individuals have contributed to the success we now celebrate. This milestone isn’t just a celebration of the past; it’s also a reminder of our continued commitment to the future of our fellow neighbors.”

The products available include t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts in sizes small to 4XL.

Ordering will be open until April 27 with pick up available on Hamilton Day May 26. No additional merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.

Order online at tinyurl.com/7yn6u3n2.

PURCELLVILLE

Town Launches Volunteer Webpage

The town has launched a webpage highlighting local volunteer opportunities for students, scouts and residents.

back. Michelle Cavucci, the project manager for VHB, said the March 26 meeting was to report those comments and to gain clarity on some of the concerns raised such as ways to help the Sheriff ’s Office conduct speed enforcement.

“A study like this comes with a lot of technical analysis. We go through data. We analyze traffic volumes. But the most important thing we’re doing here right

now is getting your feedback, and so we’re thrilled that we have a large number of people, and we’re really anxious to hear what you have to say,” she said.

Mayor Bridge Littleton said he was appreciative of the opportunity for Middleburg-area residents to present their ideas

RT. 50 INPUT continues on page 22

The page provides a listing of the town events for the year with links to view tasks and time slots available to sign up including the town-wide cleanup in March, music and arts festival in April, public safety fay in May, wine and food festival in July, Hail to the Trail in September, Celebrate Purcellville in October, and Holidays in Purcellville in December.

The website also includes a list of projects that residents can use to receive school or scout troop credit including at the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve and Chapman DeMary Trail.

Learn more at purcellvilleva.gov under the Events & Activities tab. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Residents review plans during a March 26 community meeting on the Rt. 50 Safety & Operational Study at the Middleburg Community Charter School.

Purcellville Town Manager Interviews Delayed 1 Week

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Applicants for the town manager position in Purcellville will need to wait another week to begin interviews after Mayor Christopher Bertaut extended the deadline for councilmembers to review the applications.

The job posting was opened Feb. 4 after Rick Bremseth was fired from the post during a Jan. 8 special meeting. Former mayor Kwasi Fraser was appointed as interim manager that same night.

Director of Human Resources LaDonna Snellbaker said the town has received 82 applicants for the positions. Fraser is among the applicants.

Residents have expressed concern about Fraser’s appointment to the interim position, calling it a “quid pro quo” since he campaigned with Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett and Councilmember Susan Khalil leading up to the November election.

Snellbaker organized the applicants

according to a matrix of the requirements for the council and presented them to the council during a March 11 meeting. Bertaut expressed concern that Fraser did not meet the requirements included in the posting, saying that Snellbaker had changed them after they had been approved by the council. Snellbaker disputed that saying she had only made format changes before publishing the announcement. The council voted 4-3 that night to “accept as presumptively qualified” any person who had served as town manager or interim town manager.

At that time, councilmembers also decided to give themselves until March 25 to review the applicants, however during Tuesday night’s meeting it was revealed that only councilmembers Erin Rayner, Kevin Wright and Caleb Stought met that deadline.

During the March 25 meeting, Councilmember Susan Khalil said she had trouble accessing the website to complete the review.

“I guess I need a ruler slap on my knuckles. What is the new deadline since

I just got logged in today?” she asked, suggesting an extension through Friday March 28.

Bertaut proposed an extension to Friday, April 4.

Wright objected to the longer day, saying it had taken him one day to complete the review and that he had stayed up late to finish by the deadline.

Stought also said the councilmembers should dedicate the time needed to complete the review on time.

“We have a responsibility to conduct this town’s business effectively, ethically and professionally and in a timely manner,” he said.

Bertaut said he had only received access Friday, March 21 and that the original deadline was predicated on receiving access March 12.

“I couldn’t get access for a few days,” Rayner said. “But what did I do? I called her multiple times ‘til we got it done. All of you could have done that in a timely manner.”

Bertaut said the new deadline would be close of business Monday, March 31.

The position was advertised with an annual salary of $140,000 to $224,000 and lists essential functions as administrative oversight, budget and financial management, personnel management, policy development and implementation, community relations and communication and emergency management.

A bachelor’s degree in public administration or a related field is required while a master’s degree in public administration is preferred.

Prior to the delay, five to seven of the top candidates selected by the council’s recommendations are scheduled to be contacted by April 2. Initial background checks were set to be conducted by April 8 with the round of interviews completed by April 25. The first round is expected to be conducted by two panels – one made up of department heads and the second by two councilmembers, two community members and two members of the town hall administration, according to the staff report.

The selected candidate is expected to begin in the position by the end of July. n

Lovettsville Celebrates New Fire-Rescue Station Opening

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Lovettsville community members filled the bays at the town’s new fire and rescue station Saturday morning to celebrate the building’s opening.

Crews began operating out of the station March 19, enjoying its increased safety and wellness features that were highlighted by System Chief Keith Johnson.

“Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter’s health and safety,” he said. “There’s a lot of other things that can hurt firefighters or our citizens. Cancer is a big killer in the general public, but according to NIOSH, the National Institute of Safety and Health, firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer in the US population. Cancer is estimated to cause about 65% of the career firefighter’s line of duty [deaths],” he said.

Among the improvements is the county’s first hot decontamination area where firefighters can prevent the transfer of carcinogens and other harmful substances. Another feature allows the

for its investment in their personnel –career and volunteers.

“This building represents progress. It represents investment in public safety and stands as a promise that we will be ready when the call comes,” Station Chief Michael Baker said.

“Our volunteer personnel are normal everyday people. We talk about heroes, but these heroes are your secretaries, bus drivers, waiters and gardeners in their day job,” Rescue Gemma Starkie said.

The upgrade was welcomed by the Lovettsville Town Council, which adopted a proclamation commemorating the station’s opening during their last meeting.

firefighters’ contaminated gear to be cleaned on site, rather than sent out, which can take seven to 10 days for a station to get them back, and a cascade compressor so the department can fill its own SCBA, or air tanks.

“All our apparatus have onboard diesel exhaust systems that filter the diesel

exhaust so we don’t really breathe it in. You look above us, you see these airbag systems that are filtering the air in the apparatus bay so that and when out apparatus start the diesel doesn’t go into our lungs, it goes into this exhaust system,” Johnson said.

Station leaders thanked the county

“I don’t think that the 12 good old boys in 1966 would have guessed that we’d have these fancy digs,” Mayor Christopher Hornbaker said, referencing the dozen local residents who established the Lovettsville Volunteer Fire Company with a borrowed ambulance over 50 years ago.

The new station also includes several quality-of-life improvements including a dining table large enough to fit everyone on the shift, a dedicated gym, offices, black-out shades for the bunk rooms, large locker rooms and a large kitchen. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Members of Loudoun County’s combined fire and rescue system, Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Lovettsville Mayor Christopher Hornbaker celebrate the opening of the town’s new fire station with a hose decoupling.

Presenting sponsor is proud to launch the EXCELLENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM AWARDS

Loudoun Now Excellence In High School Journalism Awards Program

2025 AWARDS CEREMONY

Date/Time:

May 28 at 6:00pm-8:00pm

Venue:

Loudoun County High School

Loudoun Now, the county’s free, independent, nonprofit news source, is delighted to partner with Google to host the first annual Excellence in High School Journalism Awards on May 28, 2025.

Open to all Loudoun County high schools, this competition will honor the best work from school newspapers and yearbooks in five journalism categories:

• Feature writing • News writing • Videography • Photography • Podcasts

For the 2025-2026 school year, the Excellence in High School Journalism Awards Program will be expanded to THREE COMPONENTS, thanks to Google’s ongoing support:

• September: Keynote speaker program featuring journalism professors from DMV colleges and universities

• December: Roundtable discussions with prominent journalists from the DMV

• May: Loudoun Now’s 2026 Excellence in High School Journalism Awards.

OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISTS

We encourage teachers, advisors, and journalism students at every high school in Loudoun to attend and participate in all aspects of the program.

Questions or inquiries: kaschermann@loudounnow.org.

Speed Monitoring Signs Installed in Round Hill

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Drivers entering Round Hill are being encouraged to slow down with the installation of the town’s first driver-alert speed limit signs last week.

Five pole-mounted signs that display vehicle speeds were installed along the town’s four main entrance roads.

The county government authorized $150,000 for their purchase and installation at the request of the town.

In this case, funding wasn’t the biggest hurdle.

Town leaders struggled with the Virginia Department of Transportation to secure the authority to post the signs. Most recently a two-year speed study on the town’s main streets was conducted. That work found that the 85th percentile speed of drivers routinely exceed the town’s posted limits by more than

Purcellville Council

continued from page 19

the staff report. However, a proposal by Councilmember Susan Khalil to adopt the equalized rate, which keeps bills unchanged on average, garnered majority support.

“With this rate, we hope to give our residents and business owners some relief,” she said. “No, we can’t reduce the water bills as they currently are because that would be an administrative headache. So, in lieu of that, we can give our residents and business owners some relief by not seeing any increase in water this year or any increase in real estate taxes.”

Khalil said the council would make operational cuts to offset the decrease in projected tax revenue.

But Wright, Rayner and Stought said they were concerned about having to cut even more from the budget and questioned why lowering the tax rate had not been proposed earlier in the year.

“You keep on removing things and removing things and putting us in a bigger hole. This will throw off the whole budget, correct Connie?” Rayner asked LeMarr.

LeMarr said if the council wanted to reduce the rate to 19.2 cents, they would need to cut $279,000 of expenditures from the budget.

Wright said if the Town Council was not able to cut the money from the budget, they would have to draw more money from the town’s reserve fund to balance

10 miles per hour.

The signs are in place in the eastern and western entrances to the downtown area on Loudoun Street, near Hyman Lane at the town’s southern entrance on Airmont Road, and at two locations at the town’s northern entrance on Woodgrove Road and Main Street. n

Rt. 50 Input

continued from page 19

and for the community’s strong interest in the plans.

“I know with the dozens of emails and 100 or so phone calls over the last six or eight weeks I’ve received from folks this is a really important issue for everybody,” he said. “We are all very, very passionate about preservation of our rural area.”

During the program, participants were grouped at tables with staff members recording their comments on all aspects of the study area between the cluster of roundabouts in the area of the Gilbert’s Corner intersection and the county’s western boundary.

“Let’s dig in. Let’s take the time needed to make sure we get it right and capture it all” Littleton said. “Again, I real-

2026 budget shows the median home value for town residents increasing steadily from 2013 to 2023.

the budget.

“My bet is that it will be a combination of the two,” he said. “… I don’t see how this is going to be possible without doing some severely harmful things to the town.”

Wright said the council majority, consisting of Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett, Councilmember Carol Luke and Khalil weren’t listening to the concerns he, Rayner and Stought have

ly want to say thank you to everybody for all the energy and the love for the community.”

TeKrony said the additional input will help build a better plan.

“I think that we had a great crowd. People are concerned about some of the improvements, but I think they got to voice their opinions and that’s what it’s all about—making sure the public has a voice,” she said. “This area has been an area that the board has been protecting for many years. So, I don’t see the board making too many changes to it, because it’s a beautiful area and there isn’t too much development here that would increase the traffic significantly.”

“This is a long process and a future looking plan, and there is a lot to do yet,” she said.

Learn more about the study, including the results of the recent survey, on the project website. n

said an audience member had asked the council to reduce the tax rate. He was referencing comments by Christie Morgan that night.

“Due to a 6.5 percent increase in property evaluations, residents tax bills will rise by that same percentage. If you were truly serious about helping residents save money, you would lower the property tax to the $0.192 ensuring no increase for homeowners,” Morgan said.

Stought proposed setting the rate at 20.5 cents and if the council can cut $279,000 from the budget, reducing other taxes and fees that are less time sensitive.

“If we do this tonight at the equalized rate and then cannot find the savings, we cannot then go back to the county and say, ‘hey we made an oopsy,’” he said. “… It’s irresponsible.”

But Bertaut said the amount is only a fraction of the entire budget.

“[It] represents 8/10 of one percent of our $35 million budget,” he said. “We’re not cannibalizing the reserves if we have to further dip into them.”

been raising.

“We are listening,” Nett said. “Just because you’re on the losing end of a vote here and there doesn’t mean that we’re not listening.”

“Ninety-nine percent of the people are saying you’re not listening to us,” an audience member shouted.

Nett said he was able to find common ground with people he disagreed with and

The General Fund reserve has $4.1 million more than the town’s fiscal policy requires, he said.

Fraser’s budget proposed a $1.8 million transfer from the reserve fund to offset the council’s decision to divert meals tax revenue to subsidize utility operations.

The motion included adopting a threecent Fireman’s Field special tax district rate. n

Town of Purcellville

A chart included in the proposed Purcellville FY

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now A new speed display sign on Loudoun Street in Round Hill.

LIVE MUSIC

MELISSA QUINN FOX

1 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 4 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JOEY AND THE WAITRESS BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 3

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

FIREHOUSE

7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, April 3

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $35. tallyhotheater.com

CABARET

7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 3 Lansdowne Woods Clubhouse, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne. lwva.org

THE LUBBEN BROTHERS

7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 4 Patrick Henry College, 10 Patrick Henry Circle, Purcellville. thelubbenbrothers.com

DAVE NEMETZ

8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, April 4 Green Tree Tavern, 15 S. King St., Leesburg. greentreetavern.com

GARRETT MABE

4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 4

Three Creeks Winery, 18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton. 3creekswinery.com

ADAM FORBES

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4

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

JASON MASI

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4

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

MATT DAVIS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4

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

HUME-FRYE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4

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

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

A Place To Be Puts on ‘Best Friend’

BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org

A Place To Be, a nonprofit music therapy organization, is putting on the original musical “Best Friend” starting this weekend.

The play was written by Tom Sweitzer, co-founder and creative director of A Place To Be, and includes a cast of nine music therapy clients of all abilities and four community volunteers.

“Our mission is to create community belonging and hope through music therapy, performance and the expressive arts. So, the productions are that second kind of method that we use, the performance aspect of what we do, music therapy,” said Artistic Manager Kyle Boardman. “There’s a myriad of goals that can be accomplished. Most commonly, self-expression is a huge one. There’s a lot of executive functioning that goes into being a show.”

A Place To Be serves children of all abilities through music therapy services. The staff uses performances to help children reach goals, and many in the cast have been identified as someone who would benefit from being in the play, Boardman said.

“Best Friend” tells the story of a boy and a transformative friendship with a shelter dog. It deals with themes of loss and friendship, and speaks to anyone who has loved a pet. At the beginning of the

play, a little boy named Harvey loses his father, his best friend, and at the same time a dog named Star is brought to the shelter from an abusive household.

Harvey ends up adopting Star, and they become best friends after learning to trust each other. Harvey eventually goes off to college, and Star is left with his mother. The play walks through the entire life and friendship of the pair. Since the play deals with heavy topics, Boardman said they recommend the show to ages eight and up.

The musical was originally performed in 2014, written to fill the gap of an adaptable show, Boardman said. They had performed “The Little Mermaid” the year before, but because of licensing laws they couldn’t change the show at all to adapt to the needs of children with different abilities.

This led to Sweitzer writing “Best Friend,” which A Place To Be owns and can change the show any way and at any point necessary.

“Our co-founder Tom Sweitzer, just decided let’s just [write] our own show. He’d written a few before as part of another organization years prior, so he wrote this show. So, it’s kind of like our inaugural original production. Every year since then, we’ve written multiple original productions,” Boardman said.

Boardman is the director of “Best Friend,” as well as his other duties at A Place To Be. He has been with the organization for 14 years and spent time

through his school-age years volunteering as well.

Participating in music therapy and especially the musical has been beneficial for many children. Suzanne DuBois said her daughter loves the musical and attends music therapy once a week where she works on singing, articulation, expression and other related topics.

“She’s in these plays. Its great because she gets to be with other peers. They have great interactions, social skills, they talk about handling different emotions. It’s just a wonderful place to be I guess,” DuBois said. “She looks forward to this time every week. She enjoys doing the play, she enjoys doing the recitals. She gets to perform, it enables her to be the star in her own little eyes.”

DuBois said participating in music therapy has helped her daughter, who plays a poodle named Coco in the play, immensely. She said she loves seeing her daughter thrive in a place where there is no judgement and she gets to be herself.

“Best Friend” will be performed April 4-6 and April 11-13. There will be a special sensory friendly performance on April 12 at 2 p.m. The sensory performance will feature American Sign Language interpreters, lower volumes, and dimmer lights. The first two rows of chairs will also be moved to allow for more free movement.

For more information on A Place To Be and for tickets, go to aplacetobeva.org/bestfriend. n

Amber Lucas/Loudoun Now

The cast of “Best Friend” by A Place To Be, including music therapy students, staff, and community volunteers, perform an exercise called “energy ball” before their March 20 practice.

BEST BETS

KATE MACLEOD

Friday, April 4, 7 p.m.

Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

Neo-traditional Americana songwriter/singer/musician Kate Macleod performs with her Mind the Gap Band. Doors open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $15.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 23

DEREK KRETZER

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

DUELING PIANOS

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4 Honor Brewing Company, 42604 Trade W. Drive, Sterling. honorbrewing.com

NATE DAVIS

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

SCOTT CLARK

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

ANNIE STOKES

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 4 CRAFT, 3 W. Market St., Leesburg. anniestokesmusic.com

DOC MARTEN AND THE FLANNELS

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 4

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com

THE LINDA BRADY REVIVAL

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 4 Schmidt’s Barbecue, 14 Loudoun St. SE., Leesburg. schmidtsbarbecue.com

REBECCA ST. JAMES

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 4 Cornerstone Chapel, 650 Battlefield Parkway SE., Leesburg cornerstonechapel.net

ZAC JONES

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern

THURSTON HOWELL

Saturday, April 5, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

A night of classic yacht rock hits from Toto and Michael McDonald to Hall and Oates and Steely Dan. Tickets start at $20.

Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhouseva.com

CHRIS HANKS

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4

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

KATE MACLEUD

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 4

Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. $15. oldstoneschool.org

TEJAS SINGH BAND

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, April 4

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

MATT & MATT DUO

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5

Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, 38506 John Wolford Road, Waterford. wheatlandspring.com

DIXIE MITCHELL

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

MO & MARY MAC

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com

SHANE HINES

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

JASON MASI

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5

50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

RYAN SILL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

MIKE MCCABE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry

Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

STEVE BOYD AND FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

DENNIS WAYLAND

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. larkbrewingco.com

DEANE KERN & ERIC SELBY

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Good Spirit Farm, 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill. goodspiritfarmva.com

LUCAS MASON

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

THE MISSING YEARS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

CHRIS COMPTON

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

CHEVRE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville. bozwines.com

JESSICA PAULIN

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

MICHELLE HANNAN & ONE BLUE NIGHT

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

LAURA CASHMAN

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

HOLDING A GRUNGE

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

LEROY BURKS & THE VOODOO WHISKEY BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 5

Honor Brewing Company, 42604 Trade W. Drive, Sterling. honorbrewing.com

WILL SHEPARD

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

TOMMY & KIM

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

THURSTON HOWELL

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $20. tallyhotheater.com

ELEMENTS OF KINDRED

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

JASON TEACH

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 5

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

TORREY B

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 5

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 25

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 24

Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive, Sterling. crookedrunfermenation.com

GHOST PEPPER

7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Ion Arena, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. $25. ionarena.com

ACOUSTIC CHICKS BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6

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

JOE DOWNER

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6

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

EMPTY POCKETS

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JASON MASI

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6

Mt. Defiance Cider Barn, 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg. mtdefiance.com

SHANE GAMBLE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6

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

ROBBIE LIMON

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6

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

ZACH JONES

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

DAVE MININBERG

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

FREDDIE LONG

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingace.com

WESLEY SPANGLER

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

JASON TEACH

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

THE COLD NORTH

3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6

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

ELIJAH GREELEY

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

RED NOT CHILI PEPPERS

7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, April 6

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 9

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

WEDNESDAY 13

7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 9

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $28. tallyhotheater.com

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 10

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

HAPPENINGS

4X4 DAY

3 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 4

Chrysalis Vineyards, 39025 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysaliswine.com

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

7 p.m. Friday, April 4

7 p.m. Saturday, April 5

1 p.m. Sunday, April 6 St. Paul VI Catholic High School, 42341 Braddock Road, Chantilly. $15. paulvi.net

NEWSIES JR. MUSICAL

7 p.m. to April 6, 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 4

Harmony Middle School, 38174 W. Colonial Highway, Hamilton. $8.

7 p.m. Friday, April 4

2 & 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5

2 p.m. Sunday, April 6 lcps.org/o/hrm

BEST FRIEND | A NEW MUSICAL

7 p.m. Friday, April 4

2 & 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5

2 p.m. Sunday, April 6

A Place To Be, 1600 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. $5. aplacetobeva.org

SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Morven Park, 17339 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

BELMONT GREENE BAZAAR

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Belmont Greene HOA, 43003 Chesterton St., Ashburn. belmontgreene.org

LAST CALL PARTY

12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 6

Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. sheriff.loudoun.gov

WATERFORD QUILTERS GUILD SALE

10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 9

Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company Banquet Hall, 215 Loudoun St. SW., Leesburg. Waterfordquiltersguild.org

HISTORY OR HOGWASH

6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10

Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. $45. larkbrewingco.com

STORYTIME ON THE FARM

2 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, April 3

2 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, April 10

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, 15855 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. novaparks.org

TEMPLE HALL - BUG HUNT

1 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 4

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, 15855 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. novaparks.org

HARTFORD ATHLETIC FC AT LOUDOUN

UNITED FC

4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5

Segra Field, 42095 Loudoun United Drive, Leesburg. loudoununitedfc.com

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

Why I Love Loudoun – James Knowles

In March 2024, Round Hill resident James Knowles, his wife Autumn and three friends purchased the beloved century-old Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse & Garden Center in Lincoln. After major renovations over the winter, the center has reopened to the public.

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN LOUDOUN?

My mom’s house. No baker can beat her cookies! Outside of that I love the Massaman Curry Chicken at Patama Thai Kitchen in Purcellville. I also recommend everything on the menu at Hamilton Station Gastropub.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR A CRAFT BEVERAGE?

I don’t drink, but if I did it would be Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in the heart of Purcellville. If a Loudoun brewery, distillery or bar holds a trivia night, it’s always worth going. They all have great menus, some with non-alcoholic beverage options as well.

BEST HIDDEN GEM IN LOUDOUN?

It wouldn’t be hidden if I told you! Loudoun is full of talented people and interesting or entertaining things to do. The best to me are the gardens that I’ve built with my wife. That’s my hidden gem.

WHAT’S A MUST-SEE PLACE FOR AN OUT-OF-TOWN VISITOR?

Bluemont, a historic little town with several breweries and wineries. I really like the steep half-mile hike to Bear’s Den Overlook, a rocky outcrop at the top of the mountain just outside of the town. The views and the sunsets are incredible.

FAVORITE EVENT IN LOUDOUN?

The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Christmas Bird Count. Walking around the county all day long with a small group of friends and bird enthusiasts counting and recording all the species you spot along the way … try to describe a better day than that!

WHAT’S A FUN FACT TO SHARE ABOUT LOUDOUN?

That we live in the foothills of the second oldest mountain range in the world. At one point, the Blue Ridge Mountains were also some of the highest mountains in the world. It’s a beautiful place, ecologically, thanks to that rich history.

A&S IS 100 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR. WHO FOUNDED THE ORIGINAL CENTER AND WHAT WAS IT CALLED?

The nursery was founded as Hill Top Gardens by E.B. Gregg and his son, Holmes Gregg.

IS THE FAMILY STILL AROUND?

LO VEL d n Why We

Holmes Gregg’s daughter Susan still lives in the family home next to the nursery. We have learned so much from her and we couldn’t have a better neighbor.

ASIDE FROM THE GREENHOUSES, HOW MANY ACRES OF FIELDS DO YOU CULTIVATE AT A&S AND WHAT IS PLANTED IN THEM?

We are dedicating an arboretum to the Gregg family, where we will continue planting more than 100 native species of trees, shrubs and perennial wildflowers across six acres, through which there will be walking trails accessible to visitors of Abernethy & Spencer.

HOW OLD ARE THE ORIGINAL GREENHOUSES – AND WHERE ARE THEY FROM?

The earliest documentation we’ve found is from the Loudoun News of Dec. 16, 1937, stating that “Mr. E. Bentley Gregg is building a new greenhouse at his Hill-Top nursery.”  This is most likely the small propagation greenhouse connected to the bird house.  The greenhouses believed to be from Arlington Experimental Farms were transported to the property in approximately 1942. Susan said her father and grandfather brought them to Hill Top right after Pearl Harbor.

THE MAIN GREENHOUSE IS THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD – HOW MANY PLANTS ARE IN THERE?

Depending on the time of year, we’re growing thousands of plants at a time. Soon, our giant greenhouse will be dedicated just to production—seed starting and plant propagating—and all of our other greenhouses will feature shoppable spaces for plants.

WHAT ARE THE MOST RARE OR UNUSUAL SPECIES YOU GROW OR SELL AT A&S?

We have more than 100 varieties of trees, more than 200 varieties of shrubs and well over 600 varieties of perennials so you’re bound to find something unusual when you visit! Next year, we will offer almost all of the old heirloom Martha Washington Geraniums. There are more than 100 different varieties and cultivars. Late in 2024, we realized we had a fairly

rare succulent tucked away on a table, so we removed it to propagate it and we will return it for sale in an upcoming year. We are introducing a coffee cart to A&S and we actually have a few Arabica coffee plants!

WHAT REFRESHMENTS CAN PEOPLE GET AT A&S AND WHAT IS YOUR COFFEE CART CALLED?

We named the beverage cart Lola after our cockatoo. She is regionally famous and very sociable, always raising her little scaly hand and saying, “Hi!” to people. Lola’s Coffee Cart will offer espresso drinks, drip coffee, chai, teas, smoothies, hot chocolate, snacks and more. We will only be using and selling coffee brewed from bird and habitat-friendly bean producers.

HOW MANY TROPICAL BIRDS DO YOU HAVE?

Five – three Macaws and two cockatoos. They are in large outdoor cages that allow visitors to see and interact with them.

YOU HAVE A CONSERVATORY GIFT SHOP - WHAT IS THE IDEAL GIFT TO GIVE A LOVED ONE THIS SPRING?

A plant, of course! There are no words to describe the connection that plants give us to each other, the world around us and its history. Our new conservatory will feature a great selection of gifts including work from local artisans and gardening books. I always recommend a good pair of hand secateurs. It’s hard to garden well without a reliable and sharp pair of pruners on your hip.

ASIDE FROM A&S WHAT OTHER WONDERFUL GARDEN CENTERS ARE THERE IN LOUDOUN?

There is a great little place in Hamilton called Watermark Woods Native Plants. If there is a native perennial you can’t find at A&S, we always recommend checking there. As a side note, having the backing of the local community is a great feeling. Last year I began to help local schools in the county design their horticulture/ garden areas. It is one of the community projects I am most looking forward to this year. n

Visit Loudoun

James and Autumn Knowles in a greenhouse at the century-old Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse & Garden Center in Lincoln.

Obituaries

George Franklin

Longtime Loudoun resident, George B. Franklin, died March 24 at his home in Powhatan, VA.

An Air Force veteran, Franklin retired to manage his family dairy farm on Tranquility Road in Purcellville, the largest commercial dairy in the area. During that time, he served a term as a member of the Loudoun Planning Commission. Franklin Park in Purcellville is part of the former farm, as is Franklin Farms in Fairfax County, where the original farm was located. Following sale of the farm, Franklin worked as a Zoning Inspector for the county, retiring to Lake Anna. He attended Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland University College while serving deployments to Germany and Japan.

Franklin was an active member of the Purcellville Rotary Club and, later, the Stafford and Huguenot Trail Rotary Club in Midlothian. At Lake Anna, he was a vestryman at St. James Episcopal Church and president for Rebuilding Together.

Franklin is survived by his wife of 38 years, Juliana Franklin, whom he first met when her father was his English professor at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal. Their blended family included five children who survive him: Deborah F. Hill (Roger) of Lake Anna, Carey M. Reamer (John) of Powhatan, Michael J. Franklin (Erin) of Edinburg, Stacy M. Hartranft (Scott) of Rockville, MD, and David G. Franklin (Rachelle) of Buckeye, AZ. He also is survived by his brother, Stanley M. Franklin of Vienna, VA, 15 grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and a very special nephew, Benny Wisnes of Oslo, Norway. Funeral services will be private.

Mike Rich

Clayton Michael Watkins Rich passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Spring Arbor in Leesburg, VA. He was 80 years old. Mike was born on March 16, 1945 in Washington, D.C. He was the son of William Wallce Rich and Virginia Watkins Rich of Arlington, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sally Reed Rich, stepdaughter Tiffany Hawkins, her husband, Kent Hawkins, two special granddaughters; Gracie Hawkins and Emma Hawkins who he loved dearly, and 4 nephews; Kener Rich, Las Vegas, NV, Allen Rich, Sandy, UT, Steven Rich, Las Vegas, NV and Jeffrey Rich, Garden Grove, CA.

Mike graduated in 1963 from Washington and Lee High School in Arlington. He attended BYU for one year and then transferred to East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. He graduated in 1969 with a degree in Business Administration.

Mike was the owner of Rich Insurance Agency, Inc., in Leesburg, VA located in the former Virginia Village Shopping Center. He was in business for 38 years and retired March 1, 2013. The Agency was sold to Preferred Insurance Company. He spent his retirement years enjoying life with his family and friends. Mike’s wonderful personality, his sense of humor, his kindness, and his ability to make us all laugh will be greatly missed.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 2 pm – 4 pm. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Leesburg, VA for family only. Memorial contributions may be made to Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, #405, Winchester, Va 22601.

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION

TLZM-2018-0005 AND MINOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION TLSE-2018-0011 GREENWAY MANOR

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold public hearings on TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2018-0005 and Minor Special Exception application TLSE-2018-0011 Greenway Manor.

The Subject Property consists of two parcels totaling approximately 8.856 acres and are further identified as Loudoun County Property Identification Numbers (PIN) 273-39-1389 and 273-49-2205. The Subject Properties are zoned B-1 (Community [Downtown] Business) and are also subject to the H-1, Overlay, Old and Historic District.

Rezoning Application TLZM-2018-0005 is a request by The Stanfield Company, LLC for a zoning Concept Plan and Proffer Amendment to amend the previously approved concept plan and proffers for TLZM-2008-0005 to allow the following:

Up to 101,306 square feet of existing buildings, building additions, and new construction for a Commercial Inn with up to 40 rooms, Office, Indoor Theater, Place of Worship, School of General Education (48,740 square feet), Eating Establishment Without Drive-In Facility, and Retail uses.

Minor Special Exception Application TLSE-2018-0011 is a request by The Stanfield Company, LLC to establish a School, General Education for a parochial school serving grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade with a maximum attendance of 300 students.

The school will initially operate temporarily out of the Manor House (Building A) with temporary trailers. The school will expand into the Barn (Building C) temporarily and then ultimately take permanent residence in Building D. The new school (Building D) will include a facility which will be used for school performances (musical and theatrical) as well as physical education classes and a place of worship, having a maximum portable seating capacity of five hundred (500) persons.

The Subject Property is located in an area described by the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan (Town Plan) as “Areas to Strengthen (and Protect)” on the Area Based Land Use Initiatives Map (Town Plan page 72). The property is further designated as “Special Use” on the Character Areas for Preservation and Change Map (Town Plan page 76). There is no recommended density for nonresidential uses or a Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for uses associated with Areas to Strengthen (and Protect). The proposed maximum commercial density on the Subject Property is approximately 0.263 F.A.R.

1. The application includes five requested modifications of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance regulations, including three landscaping and buffer yard modifications, a reduction of the dumpster setback to residentially-zoned property, and a reduction of the front yard setback.

Additional information and copies of this application are available at the Leesburg Department of Community Development, 222 Catoctin Circle, Suite 200, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Christopher Murphy, AICP, at 703-737-7009 or cmurphy@leesburgva.gov.

At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation at the meeting should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

4/3 & 4/10/25

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.

PLAT-2025-0008

Cascades Marketplace Towns

Mr. Avery Cooper, of Gordon, of Chantilly, VA is requesting preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately thirteen (12.762) acres into forty-two (42) lots, and associated easements. The property is located west of Whitfield Place (Route 1796) south of Palisade Parkway (Route 1795), and east of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794). The property is zoned TC (Town Center) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 019-28-2708-000 in the Algonkian Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2025-0008. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Suzanna Brady at Suzanna.Brady@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by April 23, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/17/25

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLE

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

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

YEAR MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE NUMBER

2005 SCION TC JTKDE177650050400 ROAD RUNNER 703-450-7555

2010 FORD FOCUS 1FAHP3GN0AW181364 ROAD RUNNER 703-450-7555

2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 1GNKRJED4CJ225799 BLAIR’S TOWING 703-661-8200

1991 TOYOTA CAMRY 4T1VV22E3MU057105 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888 3/27 & 4/3/25

PUBLIC NOTICE

The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.

PLAT-2024-0366 Evans Pond Road Subdivision

Dr. Marianne Evans Mount, of Marianne Evans Mount, Trustee of Leesburg, VA is requesting preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately One Hundred and Ten (109.67) acres into twenty-one (21) lots and associated easements. The property is located east of the intersection of Evans Pond Road (Route 658) and Farewell Dance Drive (Route 2947), west of Spinks Ferry Road (Route 657), and south of Lost Corner Road (Route 662) The property is zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1), under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as MCPI # 103-38-9924-000 in the Catoctin Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www. loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0366. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Samantha Swift at Samantha.swift@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by April 10, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 & 4/3/25

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVRZ 2023-0001, Hk&S SERVICES

REQUEST TO REZONE 12745 BERLIN TURNPIKE FROM THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, TO THE R-C, RETIREMENT - COMMUNITY ZONING DISTRICT

The LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on the above referenced application at their meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the application filed by Dr. Hassan El-Kalla representing HK&S Services LLC, of Aldie, Virginia, to rezone the subject property from the R-1, Residential Zoning District, to the R-C, Retirement Community Zoning District, in order to construct an 80-bed extended care facility. The application also proposes to modify Zoning Ordinance Section 42-237(e) (10), Use ratio, to increase the maximum land area for extended care facilities from 10 percent to 16.5 percent of the total R-C district. The subject property is a 4.38-acre parcel identified as 12745 Berlin Turnpike, and by Loudoun County Parcel Identification (PIN) Number: 370-19-5365-000.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this hearing virtually by visiting https:// www.lovettsvilleva.gov/town-hall-videos/.

The rezoning application is available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/ plan-ning You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director, at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays, holidays excepted. 3/27, 4/3/25

PUBLIC NOTICE

The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary record plat of subdivision for the following project.

PLAT-2025-0009

Cascades Marketplace Multi-family Residential

Mr. Avery Cooper, of Gordon, of Chantilly, VA is requesting preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately thirteen (12.762) acres into forty-four (44) lots, and associated easements. The property is located west of Whitfield Place (Route 1796) south of Palisade Parkway (Route 1795), and east of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794). The property is zoned TC (Town Center) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 019-28-2708-000 in the Algonkian Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www. loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2025-0009. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Samantha Swift at Samantha.Swift@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by April 23, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).

3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/17/25

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES

Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires. All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Children’s bicycle, pink SO250003249 4/24/2025 Citation Dr/Secretariat Ct Ashburn, 571-367-8400

Children’s bicycle, blue SO250003249 4/24/2025

3/27 & 4/3/25

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL REAL PROPERTY FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

On or after thirty days from the publication of this Notice, judicial proceedings will be commenced pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3975, et seq. to sell the following real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes:

OWNER DESCRIPTION DEED/INSTRUMENT NO.

41873 Bald Hill Road LLC Vacant land .65 acres, more or less NO SITUS ADDRESS

Catoctin District

PIN 221-29-9150-000

Tax Map No. /19////////55/

Eric & Julie Allstrom Single family dwelling .24 acres, more or less

724 Valley View Avenue SW

Leesburg, Virginia 20175

PIN 232-36-0876-000

Tax Map No. /48//52/////4/

American Technical Service LLC & Cool Factory Inc

Commercial condo 0 acres more or less

45681 Oakbrook Ct #101

Sterling, Virginia 20166

PIN 031-27-7704-003

Tax Map No. /80//15CM/101/

Jonathan D Barton

Single family dwelling

.05 acres more or less

43035 Demerritt Street

Chantilly, Virginia 20152

PIN 128-25-3021-000

Tax Map No. 106B2/5/////8/

Virginia Smith Carlin

David Janiga

Residential Condo 0 acres more or less

20991 Timber Ridge Ter #10

Ashburn, Virginia 20147

PIN 117-29-0489-001

Tax Map No. /79/E14P6-101A

Residential Condo

0 acres more or less

312 E Furman Drive

Sterling, Virginia 20164

PIN 022-27-4797-183

Tax Map No. /81/FCMPB/183/

Zhonggang Li

Instrument No. 202003230019756

1101-1271 BLA, 783-295, 115--538 WB

Instrument No. 202104230047973

John P Ludwig

Salvador Mendoza Turcios

Maria Y Fuentes Rivas

Single family dwelling .17 acres more or less

24710 Marshy Hope Street

Aldie, Virginia 20105

PIN 247-10-3376-000

Tax Map No. 100//30///132/

Single family dwelling 2.12 acres more or less

37038 Pinehill Lane

Hillsboro, Virginia 20132

PIN 473-15-4423-000

Tax Map No. //1////////41/

Residential condo 0 acres more or less 982 Holburn Ct

Sterling, Virginia 20164-4805

PIN 032-18-2966-197

Tax Map No. /81/FCM-9/982/

Instrument No. 201701170003364

Between the Hills Deed Book 607-159

Instrument No. 201611020074660

Newberry Condo PH.9 BLK.A UNIT 12 200510180117337

Instrument No. 201811290068865

Ronald J & Amy White

Single family dwelling .57 acres more or less 20167 Redrose Dr

Sterling, Virginia 20165

PIN 027-35-5927-000

Tax Map No. /63B1/2////28/

Instrument No. 200305010050210

South Riding Sec 3C LOT 8 Deed Book 1627-2115

Westmaren Condo PH.6 UNIT 20991-101

Deed Book 1272-1103

Pembrooke of Loudoun #183 Deed Book 811-699

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No.: CJ24-127

Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA 20178

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jacqueline L. Garcia Merdano v.

Jose Alexander Aguilera

The object of this suit is to appeal a custody order entered by the Juvenille District Court of Loudoun County

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Jose Alexander Aguilera appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

3/13, 3/20, 3/27 & 4/3/25

Basil L & Marlene E Wilson

Deed Book 1342-1330

Single family dwelling .18 acres more or less

20652 Longpier Way

Sterling, Virginia 20165

PIN 006-20-9036-000

Tax Map No. /82/E/5///244/

The owner of any property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest and costs thereon, including the pro rata cost of publication hereunder. Partial payment of delinquent taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney fees, interest or costs shall not be sufficient to redeem the property, and shall not operate to suspend, invalidate or make moot any action for non-judicial sale.

Henry C. Eickelberg, Treasurer, County of Loudoun, Virginia 1 Harrison Street, S.E., First Floor P.O. Box 347 Leesburg, Virginia 20178 (703) 771-5656

3/27 & 4/3, & 4/10//25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047581

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Haseena Ali

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Mahmood Ali, Putative Father

The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing in child in need of services matter pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-228 and 16.1241 for Haseena Ali

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Mahmood Ali, Putative Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

3/27, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/17/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No.: CL24-2755

Loudoun County Circuit Court

18 East Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Loudoun County Tanya Diaz v.

Dylan Terry

The object of this suit is to change last name of Mia Terry to Mia Diaz

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Dylan Terry appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

3/13, 3/20, 3/27 & 4/3/25

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

CPAM-2024-0003: Review of the 2019 General Plan (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2225, and 15.2-2229, and a Motion and Project Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 4, 2024, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) in order to address issues that staff identified through implementation of the 2019 GP since its adoption five years ago and the drafting, review, and adoption of the new Zoning Ordinance (ZOAM-20200001), to update information and data, and to incorporate other adopted Zoning Ordinance Amendments (ZOAMs) and Board of Supervisors direction.

The CPAM proposes revisions to Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, the Glossary, the Implementation Matrix, certain 2019 GP maps, and such other Chapters, policies, and provisions of the 2019 GP as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update crossreferences to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the 2019 GP. The proposed changes would apply County-wide. The proposed CPAM includes, without limitation, the following:

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 1- Introduction:

• Add the Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (2021) (UHNSP), the Linear Parks and Trails Plan (2021),and the County Energy Strategy (2023) (CES) as policy documents that supplement the 2019 GP.

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 2 – Land Use:

• Quality Development:

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding conformance with the County Equity Policy; accessibility and safety of public spaces; calculation of floor area ratio; evaluation of building height; evaluation of infill development with large residential components; and incorporation of universal design features into all residential development.

• Infill and redevelopment:

o Delete references to “reinvestment” and incorporate former “reinvestment” policies into policies for redevelopment, infill, and adaptive reuse.

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding creation of infill overlay districts; addressing housing affordability and displacement issues associated with redevelopment; use of Planned Unit Development Zoning Districts for certain infill sites; use of affordable housing development loan programs to incentivize redevelopment; exchange of abandoned or vacated roads for affordable housing; support of small business/entrepreneurial activities as infill; encouraging housing as adaptive reuse; and flexible requirements for infill that contains certain elements.

• Urban Policy Areas:

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding promotion of attainable housing within proximity of transit nodes and Metrorail stations; provision of safe and accessible parks and/or recreation opportunities; and regulatory flexibility for affordable housing.

• Suburban Policy Area (SPA):

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding provision of safe and accessible parks and/or recreation opportunities; methods to support conversion of office and commercial uses to multifamily residential uses in certain areas; provision of attainable housing options; and further explanation of criteria for the Suburban Compact Neighborhood place type.

o Establish new policies regarding conformance with the SPA Design Guidelines.

o Establish new policies regarding the height of a building story for all SPA place types; core uses and building height for the Suburban Compact Neighborhood place type; and adaptive reuse or conversion of existing office uses to multifamily residential for the Suburban Employment place type.

• Transition Policy Area (TPA):

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding evaluation of whether character and visual landscape of the Transition Policy Area is being achieved.

o Establish new policies regarding conformance with the TPA Design Guidelines.

o Establish new policies regarding the height of a building story for all TPA place types, and core and conditional uses for the Transition Community Center and Transition Industrial/Mineral Extraction place types.

• Towns and JLMAs:

o Establish new policies regarding conformance with the JLMA Design Guidelines.

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 3 – Natural Resources

• Sustainability:

o Update the list of programs and plans that the County had developed and implemented regarding sustainable development.

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding continued implementation of the CES; development of plans for renewable energy; greater participation in MWCOG and regional funding opportunities; development of a Natural Resources Strategy; provision of electric car charging stations at County facilities; incorporation of water conservation measures into new and existing developments; greater private implementation of green building measures and more sustainable site design; and increased development of solar energy.

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 4 – Housing

• Trends and Influences:

o Establish new policies regarding County absorption of capital facilities and road impacts for all proffered attainable housing units and adjusting capital facilities contributions to encourage smaller housing units.

o Establish new actions under various policy strategies regarding incorporating and achieving the goals of the UHNSP; development of technical assistance and funding programs for the development of accessory housing units; preservation of existing affordable housing; dedication of land and a community land trust/ land bank for affordable housing; and collaboration with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

o Delete existing action under Strategy 3.4 regarding the First-time Home Buyers Savings Plan.

Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 6 – Fiscal Management & Public Infrastructure

• Fiscal Management:

o Update, revise, and clarify existing policies regarding Capital Needs Assessment, Capital Facilities Standards, Capital Intensity Factor (CIF), and Capital Improvement Program to better explain the capital facility planning process and reflect more current demographic data and methodology for calculating the CIF

Amendments to the 2019 GP Glossary

• Establish new definitions for “attainable housing”, “community solar”, “equity”, “sustainability”, and “sustainable development”.

• Revise existing definitions for “affordable dwelling unit (ADU)”, “open space”, and “public facilities”.

• Delete existing definition for “reinvestment”

Amendments to 2019 GP Implementation Matrix

• Update and revise the existing Actions column to match the changes to actions under various policy strategies reference above and add references to ZOAMs that were adopted to implement the Action.

• Update and revise the existing Responsibility column to reflect current Department names.

Amendments to 2019 GP Maps

• Establish a new Place Types map that shows all Place Types within one map.

• Update and revise the existing Impaired Streams, Natural & Environmental Resources, Prime Agricultural Soils, River and Stream Corridor Resources, Existing and Planned Facilities, and Trails and Parks maps to reflect current data and information and the adoption the new Zoning Ordinance and subsequent ZOAMs.

continued on next page

Legal Notices

LEGI-2024-0027, JESSE COURT: ZMAP-2024-0007 and SPEX-2024-0044

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception)

Repulse Bay II, LLC, and Andrew J. Parker have submitted applications for a zoning map amendment and a special exception for approximately 16.26 acres of land in the Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District located south of East Severn Way (Route 847), east of Sully Road (Route 28), and northwest and west of Atlantic Boulevard (Route 1902) in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property) and more particularly described as 21593 Jesse Ct, Sterling, Virginia, PIN #: 043-40-7465000, and Tax Map # /80//16/////2/.

For ZMAP-2024-0007, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) Zoning District under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the Industrial Park (IP) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For SPEX-20240044, the applicant seeks a special exception to allow Machinery and Equipment Sales and Services use in the IP Zoning District.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703777-0246 (option 5).

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

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing.

Ace Fuel Services LLC, trading as Ace Fuel Services LLC, 10178 Winchester Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Convenience Grocery Store, Wine, Beer, Consumed Off Premises application.

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.

3/27 & 4/3/25

Omar Enterprise LLC, trading as Sakura Grill Ashburn, 43670 Greenway Corporate Dr STE 112, Ashburn, VA 20147. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Consumed On and Off Premises application.

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.

4/3 & 4/10/25

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

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.

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

BY ORDER OF: CLIFFORD KEIRCE, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

PUBLIC NOTICE

4/3 & 4/10/25

The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary record plat of subdivision for the following project.

PLAT-2025-0062

Fleetwood North – Phase 1

Ms. Angela Rassas, of Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company of Leesburg, VA is requesting preliminary/ record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately fifty-six (56.15078) acres into fifty (50) lots, associated easements, and right-of-way dedication. The property is located west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), south of the intersection of Evergreen Mills Road and Hartland Drive (Route 616). The property is zoned R-4 (Single Family Residential), under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as MCPI # 244-40-0641-000, 243-10-7419-000, 244-40-6257-000, and 244-30-4062-000 in the Little River Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2025-0062. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at Eric.Blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by May 07, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).

4/3, 4/10., 4/17, 4/24 & 5/1/25

ABC LICENSE

ABC LICENSE

Loudoun County Public Schools

Legal Notices

Dulles South Secondary School Attendance Zone Change Process Spring 2025

The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a series of meetings to facilitate the review of Dulles South area secondary school attendance zones. The current boundaries for Freedom High School/J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, John Champe High School/Mercer Middle School, and Lightridge High School/Willard Middle School will be reviewed in the attendance zone process.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025* 4:30 pm/6:30 pm

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 6:30 pm

Monday, May 5, 2025 6:30 pm

Tuesday, May 20, 2025* 4:30 pm/6:30 pm

Monday, June 2, 2025 6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 10, 2025* 4:30 pm/6:30 pm

*Regular School Board Business Meeting

School Board Attendance Zone Overview

School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session

School Board Attendance Zone Public Hearing & Work Session

School Board Review of Secondary School Attendance Zone Recommendations (Information)

School Board Attendance Zone Briefing & Public Hearing

School Board Adoption of Secondary School Attendance Zone Changes (Action Item)

The meetings will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and broadcast live on Comcast channel 18 or 1070 (HD) and Verizon Fios channel 43, as well as viewable via the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.LCPS.org/webcast).

Attendance zone information and data, as it becomes available (including potential attendance zone plans being considered or reviewed by the School Board), will be posted on www.LCPS.org/2025DSBoundary.

Details on how to sign up to speak at an attendance zone public hearing will be provided at www.LCPS.org/citizenparticipation.

Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any disability in order to participate meaningfully in the School Board meetings or public hearings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Division of Planning & GIS Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050

Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG

4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29 & 6/5/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048585-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Carlton Platt

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

v. Sabrina Whitney, mother

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Sabrina Whitney, mother, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

3/13, 3/20, 3/27, & 4/3/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047165-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ivory Green

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

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 Ivory Green.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

4/3, 4/10, 4/17 & 4/24/25

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:

JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR PRCS COMMUNITY CENTERS, IFB No. 676866 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, April 22, 2025.

STAFF AND CAMP APPAREL, IFB No 676858 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, April 28, 2025.

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

4/3/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Probate No.: 21685

Circuit Court of Loudoun County Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Estate of Marilyn C. Galvin

It appearing that the Personal Representative has petitioned this Court to enter a Rule to Show Cause against Distribution; that the debts and demands against the estate has been filed herein, that six months have elapsed since the qualification, and that the Final Account has been filed with the Commissioner of Accounts, on Motion of the said Personal Representative;

It is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interest in, the Estate do show cause, if any they can, on the 25th day of April 2025 at 9:00 a.m. before this Court in its Courtroom, against the payment and delivery of the Estate of Marilyn C. Galvin, deceased, to the payees without refunding bonds.

13/27 & 4/3/25

Add your voice to the conversation.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 59-3-2

Case No.: 25-A-18

Circuit Court of Berkeley County, West Virginia, in re: The matter of the Adoption of LANGSTON PETE VEACH, an infant

The object of the above entitled action is to give notice to the Respondent herein that a Petition for Adoption has been filed by the Petitioner in the Circuit Court of Berkeley County, West Virginia against him. It appearing that the address and whereabouts of the said Respondent are unknown to the Petitioner.

It is so ORDERED that the said Respondent is hereby notified that a hearing regarding said Petition is scheduled for the 29th day of April, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., before the Honorable Catherine A. Delligatti, Berkeley County Family Court, Martinsburg, West Virginia, and that should Respondent fail to appear at said hearing, judgment by default will be taken against him/ her at anytime thereafter. A copy of said Petition can be obtained from the undersigned Clerk at the office of the Circuit Clerk located at 380 W. South Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia. 4/3 & 4/10/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 59-3-2

Civil Action No.: 24-D-302

Family Court of Jefferson County, West Virginia, in re: The Marriage of Christopher Leigh McAllister, petitioner and Caroline Smith McAllister, respondent

The object of the above entitled action is to give notice to the Respondent herein that a Motion to Modify Spousal Support has been filed by the Petitioner in the Family Court of Jefferson County, West Virginia against her. It appearing that the address and whereabouts of the said Respondent are unknown to the Petitioner.

It is so ORDERED that the said Respondent is hereby notified that a hearing regarding said Motion is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 11:00 o’clock a.m. before the Honorable Christine L. Glover, Jefferson County Family Court, 119 N. George Street, Charles Town, West Virginia, and that should Respondent fail to appear at said hearing, judgment by default will be taken against her at any time Motion can be obtained from the undersigned Clerk at the office of the Circuit Clerk located at 119 N. George Street, Charles Town, West Virginia.

4/3 & 4/10/25

Legal Notices

Loudoun County Public Schools Public Hearing on Proposed School Renaming

In reviewing whether some school names are consistent with the Loudoun County School Board’s adopted vision, mission, goals and values, the School Board is considering changing certain school names and is seeking public input.

The first two school names being reviewed are Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School

The School Board has scheduled a public hearing on April 9, 2025 to receive comments on the proposed renaming of Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School. The hearing will be held at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) at 6:30 p.m. Details on how to sign up to speak at the April 9 public hearing will be provided at www.LCPS.org/citizenparticipation.

The School Board is anticipated to vote on the potential renaming of Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School on April 22, 2025.

Visit www.LCPS.org/schoolnames to learn more about the review of school names.

Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any disability in order to participate meaningfully in the School Board public hearing should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools

Division of Planning & GIS Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050

Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

3/27 & 4/3/25

PURSUANT TO SECTION 15.2-2507 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, 1950, AS AMENDED, TO CONSIDER A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION

Pursuant to Section 15.2-2507 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on April 10, 2025 at 6:30 pm, or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia to consider the following budget amendment:

A supplemental appropriation in Fiscal Year 2025 in the amount of $400,599.91 in funding associated with awarded grant funding and appropriation of Utilities Fund Net Position and General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance, which exceeds one percent of the total expenditures shown in the Fiscal Year 2025 adopted budget.

Anyone desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00pm on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically. https://www.lovettsvilleva.gov/town-hall-videos/

A copy of any additional information regarding the proposed appropriation is available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov.

3/27 & 4/3/25

NOTICE OF

INTENT

TO SELL REAL PROPERTY FOR DELINQUENT TAXES

On or after thirty days from the publication of this Notice, proceedings will be commenced pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3965 et seq. to sell the following real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes:

OWNER DESCRIPTION DEED/INSTRUMENT NO.

A R Minchew

Kenneth E Minchew

Thomas R Minchew

Vacant land

1.3 acres more or less NO SITUS ADDRESS

Sterling, Virginia PIN 023-40-3878-000

Tax Map No. /81///////125/

Maria Alicia Yanes Julio Yanes Vega Vacant land .07 acres more or less NO SITUS ADDRESS PIN 231-35-3103-000 Tax Map No. /48////////52F

Instrument No. 197209220083991 558-237

Residue of Parcel 1 197209220083991

DB 3597/561-Fairfax Co

Instrument No. 200601180005181

The owner of the property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest and costs thereon, including the pro rata cost of publication hereunder. Partial payment of delinquent taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest or costs shall not be sufficient to redeem the property, and shall not operate to suspend, invalidate or make moot any action for judicial sale.

Henry C. Eickelberg, Treasurer, County of Loudoun, Virginia 1 Harrison Street, S.E., First Floor P.O. Box 347 Leesburg, Virginia 20178 (703) 771-5656

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

3/27 & 4/3/25

EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY, VACATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1800 and 15.2-2006 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, notice is hereby given that the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on April 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to receive public comment on the exchange of real property, and the potential vacation of right-of-way associated therewith, between the Town of Lovettsville and Donald E. Walker, Sr. The subject properties are identified by Loudoun County Parcel Identification Nos. 369-109-081-000 and 369-108-814-000 and are identified and described in Instrument Nos. 20110104-0000657, 20140623-0033409, and 20140801-0042472 recorded among the Land Records in the Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

Any person wishing to comment on the aforementioned exchange or vacation may appear and be heard. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted at the Town’s Offices or to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00pm on the day of the meeting during which the hearing will be held. Members of the public may access and participate in this hearing virtually by visiting https://www.lovettsvilleva.gov/town-hall-videos/.

3/27 & 4/3/25

ONLINE. ALWAYS. LOUDOUNOW.COM

Loco Service Providers

VEHICLE AUCTION

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

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

VEHICLE AUCTION

ADESA WASHINGTON DC

20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale monthly on Wednesdays. 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.

Graphic Design

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.

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time 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.

Published by Loudoun Community Media

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

NORMAN K. STYER

Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org

BILL CLIFFORD Chief Development Of cer bclifford@loudounnow.org

EDITORIAL

AMBER LUCAS Reporter alucas@loudounnow.org

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

WILLIAM TIMME Reporter wtimme@loudounnow.org

ADVERTISING

SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.org

TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.org

VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.org

Life in Mayberry

Opinion

Three months into the term of the new Purcellville Town Council, the choices posed in the “Mayberry not Metropolis” theme of last fall’s campaign are becoming clear. The choices may not be what voters thought they would be.

Based on the actions of the council’s four-member majority so far, championing a Mayberry vision for the town is not just about stopping development. It appears to be a return to back-room deals, petty political fiefdoms, and bureaucratic bumbling. It is not small-town government at its best.

While town residents may welcome a budget that lowers the tax rate and forgoes needed utility rate increases, they easily should recognize the fiscal foolhardiness of unprecedented across-the-board spending deficits. And then there is the conflict-infused jockeying for the town’s top management posts.

In Mayberry, it appears that foundational government principles such as fiscal stewardship and transparency

The Spirit

Editor:

I am writing regarding the article on the creation of the “Guide to Loudoun in the American Revolution” by Rich Gillespie. As we prepare to celebrate our 250th anniversary as a nation, I was thrilled to see our statue “Spirit of Loudoun” on the cover.

The founding officers of this committee were members of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution (Ketoctin Chapter). We had several meetings, but the first where minutes were kept was held Jan. 13, 2003. I was honored to be the secretary who kept the minutes from that day until our dedication. At that meeting, we chose our official name: Loudoun Revolutionary War Memorial Committee.

During those 12 years, many obstacles were overcome. Proposals were sent out. Several maquettes were submitted for the people of Loudoun to vote on. From the beginning, we wanted this to be a community project.

Finally, on Nov. 11, 2015, “The Spirit of Loudoun” was dedicated.

Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

You can read the whole story and history in a wonderful article in Loudoun Now by Margaret Morton from Nov. 12, 2015.

— Gail Ann Adams, Leesburg

aren’t as important as long as you have four votes. By contrast, we must assume that Metropolis is something other than visions of skyscrapers and unchecked development.

It might be a place where the town government functions with civility and openness and where the recommendations of experienced advisors are valued. The Metropolis’ mission-critical water and sewer systems are probably adequately funded with investments made as needed to address known potential points of failure. The business community likely is viewed as a partner in improving the quality of life for the townspeople. The Police Department is probably recognized for the responsiveness of its service, not for a command power struggle being played out with Barney Fife-like ineptitude. One thing about the campaign is proving to be true— the difference between living in Mayberry and living in Metropolis is quite stark.

LETTERS to the Editor

Wellbeing or Wealth?

Editor:

Bill Sutherland’s recent letter concerning Ms. DeSaix’s views on the Trump administration showed passion but no telling facts. He had high praise for the incumbent’s attack against fraud, waste, and abuse, but was short on data.

The federal government’s budget for 2024 was $6.75 trillion, and projected to be $7.75 trillion for 2025. The Government Accountability Office estimates that fraud, waste, and abuse range between three and seven percent. These issues require attention and resolution. It is not beneficial to indiscriminately “chainsaw” government services. Policy makers should pinpoint their actions.

The current approach shows no planning, no thought to unintended consequences, no thinking of economic impact, and no concern for people—30% of federal workers are veterans. Seventeen thousand federal workers live in Loudoun County. They pay taxes, buy real estate, and consume goods from our merchants. The wholesale firings will reduce levels of service to veterans and recipients of Social Security and other programs, as well as significant reductions in income

tax collections.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, private industries/organizations lose five percent of their annual revenue to fraud. The U.S. insurance industry estimates that 10% of property/casualty claims and 20% of health claims involve fraud.

Mr. Sutherland maintained that the current administration made strides in economic growth and job creation. Two major metrics for economic health are consumer confidence and the U.S. stock markets. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to 92.9 in March. Consumer confidence has not been that low for 10 years. The Expectations Index, which reflects shortterm outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions dropped to 65.2, well below the threshold of 80 that signals a potential recession. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 3.6% since Trump’s inauguration. The S&P 500 index, which tracks the 500 largest publicly traded companies, declined 4% since January 20th. The Nasdaq Composite losses exceed 10%.

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online,

READERS’ poll

It’s finally spring. What’s the best part of the season?

44.6% The weather

32.0% The blooms & birds

9.7% Turning off the heat

8.6% Not the allergies

2.9% Outdoor festivals

2.3% Spring Break

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

County Supervisors completed their budget work with lower tax rates for homes and cars. How did they do?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor

Trump’s inconsistent trade and tariff policies have caused international anxiety. European countries cannot rely on U.S. support during times of distress. The call for Canada to be the 51st state, as well as coveting the resources in Greenland call into question the integrity of U.S. policy. A considerable number of international travelers are avoiding visits to the United States. The travel industry claims that trips from Canada will decline by over 50%.

The Trump administration’s lust for Canada and Greenland reflects the greed archetype ubiquitous at the White House. The current cabinet, approved by the Republican Senate, comprises at least 13 billionaires. If the wealth of Elon Musk is included, the combined net worth of these individuals may exceed $460 billion. The very recent “Signal Gate” fiasco brings into focus the lack of security skills by the civilian leadership. While these folks may be billionaires, they are a far cry from being “brilliantaires.”

In closing, I ask people to ponder: Does the current leadership care more about the wellbeing of the great people of the United States or increasing their own wealth?

— Chuck Hedges, Lovettsville

continued from page 37

Pull the Threads

Editor:

Dishonesty - the foundation of the current presidential administration - has tentacles that reach everywhere in the country. There are officials in Washington, D.C. who are running our government but who cannot or will not speak the truth about the 2020 election. Because of this they are untrustworthy.

But there are also officials in every state and county in America who similarly cannot or will not speak the truth about the 2020 election, including here. These local government officials similarly cannot be trusted.

My mother-in-law taught her children and kindergarten students this truth: "oh the web we weave when we begin to deceive." Citizens should, with respect and kindness, pull on any thread of dishonesty as they appear and expose this web. Then the entire administration, a house of cards built on lies and deception, will collapse on itself.

— Chris Stevenson, Purcellville

Lanternflies

continued from page 1

done,” said Mike Littman, of the invasive removal alliance. “We’re doing this for the rural economy. We’re doing it for the environment. There are a lot of good reasons to do this.”

Volunteers hoped to reduce the damage the invasive insect will inflict this year, especially in area vineyards. Scrapers at Bluemont were destroying hundreds of egg sacks in every row of vines, with an estimated 30 to 60 eggs in each sack.

Mother and daughter duo, Tiffany and Cassadee Jensen, said this was their second year helping out with Scrape for the Grape.

“I like to hike, and I like the outdoor aspect, and I do a lot of volunteering, this is just a nice combination of the two. And it’s awesome. I like meeting new people and doing things in groups and getting to know people in this area,” Tiffany said.

Another scraper said she traveled up from Williamsburg to take part in the initiative. The environmental scientist had heard about the program when she was in the county working on an unrelated project.

Spotted Lanternflies are a threat to many crops including fruit trees and ornamental trees, and, most significantly, wine grapes. Loudoun County has more

than 850 acres under vine producing 2,300 tons of grapes annually, the most in Virginia.

Littman said even with the massive volunteer turnout, the campaign is more about education than eradication.

“This is an awareness campaign. We’re not going to get them all, but we’re going to make a difference,” he said, noting that when the volunteers return home, they’ll know what to look for in their yards and neighborhoods.

Volunteers will also have the chance to get involved April 5 and April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on days two and three of the Scrape for the Grape initiative. To learn more or register go to  loudouninvasives.com/scrape-for-thegrape. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now A volunteer works at Bluemont Vineyard to destroy Spotted Lanternfly egg masses as part of Scrape for the Grape on Saturday.

Hiddenwood Delays

continued from page 5

totaling 756,024 square feet with a maximum height of 55 feet. This revised proposal would allow 334,000 square feet of light and medium industrial uses and commercial uses with a maximum height of 39 feet.

Project Manager Allison Britain said her team is not able to support the application because the proposal does not fit with what the county’s General Plan has envisioned for the area. The revised application also does not include several setback and buffering commitments made previously by the Hiddenwood group to help mitigate impacts by data centers.

The commissioners expressed concerns surrounding the easternmost of the three proposed buildings because of its proximity to Briarfield Estates.

Walsh-Colucci Land Use Planner Michael Romeo said, while the group could not eliminate the building plans, it could work on additional ways to mitigate its impacts.

Included in concerns by Hiddenwood residents are plans for a data center on the

Police Chief

continued from page 3

Brady List – reserved for officers deemed unreliable by the office. Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson, in a letter to Lombraña, said he would no longer be able to rely on Nett’s testimony in cases after he was deemed to have taken sick leave from his duty assignments on two occasions to complete Town Council-related business.

Nett told Jones that Fraser had instructed Lombraña to end the suspension, but the chief refused.

“I call your attention to outstanding issues affecting my employment and duty status,” Nett wrote to Jones. “In defiance of the Town Manager’s directive to reinstate me to full duty status from administrative leave – a directive supported by legal guidance from the Town Attorney - … Lombraña defied that lawful directive and proceeded with retaliatory IA investigations against me and a resulting notice of intent to terminate my employment.”

Throughout the letter, Nett also describes his efforts to replace Lombraña with other members of the police force.

“I suggested that another member of the Purcellville Police Department be named as Interim Chief in order to gain control of this rogue department. Sgt. Ray Starkey, my first choice respectfully declined because – and I take this as a

property across from their homes, referred to as JK2. That data center project was permitted through a rezoning application. Residents have expressed concern that the current open space will now become a multi-story data center directly across from their gravel road.

The county’s General Plan places an emphasis on the importance of transition areas between uses, Romeo said.

“The transition between the data center on the JK2 site versus the residential on Briarfield through Hiddenwood in what we’re proposing is a transition that we’ve worked hard on and hopefully this is up to the standard of the commission,” he said.

Piedmont Environmental Council Field Representative Gem Bingol was the only person to comment during the public hearing. While sympathizing with the Hiddenwood residents, Bingol said she still had concerns about the application.

“This situation represents a profound failure of local zoning to prioritize the residents it’s intended first and foremost to serve,” she said. “… we feel it is vitally important to address the northern buffer between the site and the neighborhood which will be the greatest impact by such a change in the underlying zoning.”

great compliment – he admitted he isn’t as tough as me and couldn’t weather the public storm,” according to the memo.

Nett also stated he offered the position to Sgt. David Camp, who ultimately declined for the same reasons. That is confirmed by a draft press release Nett sent to Camp from his personal email account announcing Camp’s appointment to the position. It was obtained by Loudoun Now through a Freedom of Information Act request.

In his letter to Jones, Nett offers eight recommendations for consideration – reduce the force from 22 to 17, reduce command staff from four to three, eliminate the civilian accreditation manager/public information officer position, eliminate the deputy chief position, eliminate the operations lieutenant position, add a detective position, reduce the officer corps from 10 to eight and reduce the sergeant corps from six to four.

“In short, PPD will have a chief, a captain, a lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 8 officers, a detective and 1 civilian,” according to the letter.

Nett said the goal was to make Purcellville into a “model police department.” He cites the most glaring deficiency in the department as a lack of 24/7 staffing coverage because of a shortage of officers.

The department currently has 13 sworn personnel after losing four officers, including Dufek, following Nett’s election

A motion by Commissioner Dale Polen Myers (At Large) to send the item to a future work session to continue amending the project failed 4-4 with Chair Clifford Keirce (Sterling), Vice Chair Mark Miller (Catoctin) and Commissioner Eric Combs (Ashburn) joining her in support. Commissioner James Banks (Algonkian) was absent.

Myers said regardless of whether the commission recommended approval or denial in the end, the residents deserved more time in collaboration with the commission to develop as good an application for the supervisors to review as possible. She also noted the absence of Briarfield Estates residents during the public hearing and said she had not received any calls or emails from them—much different that during the data center talks when she received many and the residents attended every meeting.

“That is so different than last time we were around here and it doesn’t feel like anybody is even taking that into consideration,” she said.

But Commissioner Madhava Reddy Madireddy (Dulles) in whose district the properties are located, said he felt like the application was going backward because of some of the commitments that were removed.

to office.

In a staffing assessment conducted by Management Analyst John Anzivino in 2022, he describes the department as “well-organized around traditional police functions” with a “relatively simple and highly effective” command structure.

Anzivino recommended expanding the department saying two additional officers should be added to the staff in Fiscal Year 2026.

“Staffing in the Purcellville Police Department at the average level of the police departments in the comparison towns would be 22 sworn officers and 27 totals [full-time equivalent],” according to Anzivino’s report.

In the memo, Nett tells Jones that he is not an “average” officer, acknowledging that some might “balk” at an officer being promoted to chief.

“An enhanced quality of life is what I want for our personnel as well – and end to pay disparity, more competitive pay with surrounding jurisdictions, a restoration of the compensatory leave bank, individual cruiser assignments, and the building of a new police station on townowned property. I, as vice mayor, unlike any other potential chief have the power to bring those goals to fruition. As head of our department, I would certainly have the motivation,” Nett wrote.

Loudoun Now contacted Nett who declined to comment on the matter.

“It’s a worse application than it was before,” he said.

A motion by Madireddy to recommend denial of the application also failed 4-4 with commissioners Robin-Eve Jasper (Little River), Ad Barnes (Leesburg) and Michelle Frank joining him in support.

A second motion by Myers to again forward the application to a future meeting with a specific focus on improving the application surrounding the eastern most building passed 7-0 with Jasper abstaining.

Several commissioners agreed the situation had been created at a county level.

“There’s been just a colossal failure at the county level to the folks at Hiddenwood and we owe them anything that we can do to help them mitigate those impacts to the north,” Combs said.

Jasper said she felt that the county should be more directly involved in solving the problem.

“I think that we can get to a solution that’s an appropriate solution, not a compromised solution. But we can’t do it if we accept this application and send it forward export the problem so we’re facing the same problem again with regard to Briarfield,” she said. n

In a joint statement by councilmembers Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright, the three members called for Nett to recuse himself from any future council discussions relating to the Police Department or the town manager recruitment.

“When VM Nett voted to terminate Rick Bremseth from the Town Manager position and appoint Kwasi Fraser, he filed a conflict of interest statement with the town clerk,” according to the joint statement. “In this statement, he claimed he could consider the matter fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. It is now clear that he can do no such thing. His desire to become police chief, a position appointed by the Town Manager, makes it impossible for him to consider any candidate for town manager ‘fairly, objectively, and in the public interest.’”

Rayner, Wright and Stought also called for Nett to recuse himself from any further contact with Jones and said Jones should “publicly disclose, during a town council meeting, all contact he has had with members of town council and the interim town manager since the assessment began.”

“Town Council should direct staff to review town policy regarding access to independent consultants, determine if any violations were committed, and determine whether any revisions to the policy are warranted,” according to the joint statement. n

A Loudoun Moment

Science Center

continued from page 1

innovation and community engagement. The building will have five expansive galleries allowing visitors to take an expansive journey across the solar system and beyond; a gathering place for families with young learners to explore, experiment and create; a rain wall; a habitat theater, a room for blending a person’s understanding of life science with the celebration of what it means to be human; an innovation hub and studios; a living lab, a nature terrace and more.

“It’s about the moments,” Science Museum of Virginia Chief Wonder Officer Rich Conti said. “That’s what places like this create. They create special moments. It’s the dad who improves their kid’s wheelchair in the makerspace, right? It’s the couple that get engaged and later get married at the Science Center. It’s the teen volunteer who goes off to Cambridge and studies string theory with Stephen

Hawking. The senior citizens who expand their friends group by participating in senior programs. The veteran with PTSD who thanks you because you’ve created evenings where he can feel normal with this family. Those are the kind of moments that are going to happen here in just a couple of years thanks to all of your generosity.”

Del. David Reid (D-28) praised the state’s $70 million contribution to the building’s construction.

“This investment in our community will directly serve over 300,000 children and their families across Northern Virginia and the broader DC region, inspiring those children to become the next scientists, engineers, rocket scientist and doctors, whose imaginations will heal disease and face global challenges and propel humanity forward to the next great generation. Here, young minds will see vast possibilities and opportunities and not limits,” Reid said.

The project is also supported through a $19 million contribution by Loudoun County to be used on exhibits, with many

of the other features sponsored by private companies and individuals.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said the Board of Supervisors has been a supporter of the project for years praising Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) and Ron Meyer for their vote supporting the center when they were both supervisors.

Randall also touted the economic benefits the center will bring to the county.

“This is not just a regional or state science center,” she said. “This is a multi-state science center. People will come from Maryland, from Virginia, from Pennsylvania, from West Virginia. They’re going to come from all over, and do you know what they are also going to do? They are going to leave their money right here in Loudoun County.”

The project’s first major contributor was Northwest Federal Credit Union. Company CEO Jeff Bentley said they committed to the project six years ago.

“This is the project that seemed like it would never get off the ground,” he said. “…When we moved here, I was really shocked that we didn’t have a science cen-

ter in Northern Virginia. And so, when this project came in front of us, it was an easy yes, we love this opportunity. We love to be a small part of it and I can only imagine the kids that will be coming here in the future. Those are our future doctors, our future engineers, our future inventors. And it’s just something really awesome to be a part of.”

The speaker’s praised Spivy’s efforts saying the center would not be a reality without her.

“I used to fly jets, not for the airlines, but for the Navy and the military loves assigning code names to projects,” Conti said. “So, in the deepest recesses in my mind, this project has always been ‘Operation Nene,’ right? No one has met a force as formidable as Nene Spivy. She has pushed me, cajoled me, shamed me, but mostly, inspired me to do whatever I could do to get her to this stage today.”

Construction on the project is expected to take two years with the center’s opening expected in 2027. Learn more at novasci.org. n

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in and around Loudoun County this week ringing in spring and ample amounts of pollen.