Loudoun Now for July 17, 2025

Rebalance: County Eyes Lower Data Center Taxes

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun County financial management staff will make a strong push to roll back taxes on data centers next year, saying the cuts are critical to rein in the growth of the government.

The recommendation was a core element of the fiscal year 2027 budget outlook briefing provided to the Board of Supervisors’ financial committee last week.

Management and Budget Director Megan Bourke highlighted concerns over uncertainty in the national and regional economies, slowing housing construction, and increasing unemployment rates, but stated that Loudoun’s diverse revenue base is well-positioned to weather such storms.

The increasing dependence on data center tax revenue was presented as a greater threat, however.

While the county board last year reduced both the real estate tax rate and the personal property tax on vehicles, it maintained the general personal property tax rate at $4.15 per $100 of assessed value. That is the rate charged on computer equipment in data centers, among many other things.

DATA CENTER TAXES continues on page 35

County Fair Week Opens Tuesday

The Loudoun County fair opens Tuesday, July 22 for a five-day run that will include carnival rides, concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby, and lots of barnyard animals.

Cole Shows Amusement Company will operate the carnival, which opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday, and at 4 p.m. Friday.

Other entertainment highlights this year includes bull riding, a demolition derby, magic shows, concerts and the livestock auction.

Advance tickets are available online at tickets.loudouncountyfair.com. The cost is $16.50 per day/$20 at the gate after 5 p.m. for adults and $5.75 for kids. Weekly passes are $44 for patrons ages 13 and up and $16.50 for kids. Children under 5 are free. There also is a one-time $5 parking fee good for the whole week.

Go to loudouncountyfair.com for the complete schedule and other fair information. n

Generator Use Jumps in Heat Wave; Turner Pushes for Tier 4 Upgrades

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

During the heat wave at the end of June, power demand in the region peaked at its third highest recorded usage ever, resulting in regional power coordinators requesting some customers to run on backup power to provide relief to the grid.

Residents in Loudoun County noticed, with many emailing supervisors with complaints about the constant noise from generators that typically only serve as a backup power supply to the largest concentration of data centers in the world.

PJM Interconnection, the regional power coordinator for Virginia and 13 other states, recorded its highest

peak summer load at 165,563 megawatts in 2006. On June 24, peak load was preliminarily estimated at 162,401 MW. On June 23, it was estimated to have reached 161,770 MW. A single megawatt can power approximately 800 homes.

Testimony Concludes in Trial for Man Charged in Fatal Sterling House Explosion

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The trial of former Southern States propane technician Roger Bentley moved into jury deliberations Wednesday after six days of witness testimony. Bentley is charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony, and three misdemeanors related to the handling of propane and hazardous materials.

The charges stem from his actions on Feb. 16, 2024, which prosecutors allege led to the catastrophic explosion of 347 Silver Ridge Dr. that killed volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 13 other people.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office focused its case on Bentley’s actions after being called to the site by a propane delivery driver earlier that day. They say he ignored a leaking 500-gallon propane

tank when he should have called 911 and requested the fire department.

Defense attorneys for Bentley have argued that their client did not know there was an active leak in the tank, which would mean he did not know there was imminent danger.

In turn, prosecutors allege that Bentley did know the tank was leaking and failed to act, which they say meets the threshold of gross negligence required for a manslaughter conviction.

Bentley’s attorneys have focused on the acts of homeowner Kelley Woods and propane delivery drive Mike Littman, arguing that both Woods and Littman did not tell Bentley information that might have allowed him to determine the tank was leaking. Littman testified that he called Bentley to the scene after he smelled gas

when he was filling the tank that morning. However, he also said that, if he had believed there was an active leak, he would have evacuated residents from the house and called the fire department.

The defense said there was no evidence that Woods told Bentley that she smelled gas inside her house rather than only outside, and that there is no evidence Littman told Bentley everything he knew.

“There’s no evidence that Roger Bentley knew there was a leak. There’s no evidence that Roger Bentley knew anything,” defense attorney John Boneta said, adding that Bentley performed standard tests and did not find anything to indicate a leak.

Prosecutors said Bentley acknowledged he smelled gas on a clip of security camera footage when he told Woods that it might get smellier and that she should

not call the fire department if the smell worsened but to call him instead because the fire department would “make a big deal out of nothing.”

Lt. Chris Kerkstra, a 33-year veteran of the fire service who is a professional firefighter with Loudoun Combined Fire and Rescue, said during testimony it is typical for gas company employees to call them if they smell propane.

“I’ve never heard of anyone just leaving,” he said.

“[Bentley’s] actions and inactions are the proximate cause of the explosion,” Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Eden Holmes said.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning. n

Leesburg’s Flower Lady Surpasses $200K in Food Pantry Contributions

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

When Rachel Roberts took a few minutes off from her volunteer shift at a community thrift store to run an errand at home last Friday morning, she was greeted by a houseful of family members, representatives of Loudoun Hunger Relief and her state delegate.

They were gathered to celebrate her extraordinary milestone.

Since 2012, Roberts, known as Leesburg’s “Flower Lady,” has offered bouquets of flowers from her garden on a stand at the end of her driveway, asking for only voluntary donations on the honor system. The money left by passersby in the small collection box is donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief, the county’s largest food pantry.

This year, her contributions surpassed $203,000.

LHR President and CEO Jennifer Montgomery said that amount is enough to provide 750,000 meals to Loudoun families. “So, 750,000 meals is a lot of food to a lot of different people—to small children, to senior citizens, people with disabilities, to working families, everybody who just needs a little bit of a hand up. And not necessarily a handout, but a hand up. You have really set so many tables.”

Roberts is working to keep the contributions going.

Already this summer, she has surpassed $10,000 and is hoping to reach $20,000. She said the cash donations are important because of the food pantry’s buying power and ability to acquire more food with the money than could the typical consumer.

“I’m always looking back within myself and the fact that COVID was the very best year ever at the flower stand— that’s when people didn’t want to go in stores, right. It was just amazing to me,” Roberts said.

And there will be days when Roberts isn’t running back and forth from the house to the stand.

“When it gets cool, I’m just going to sit out there with a book, and I love to talk to the people when they come. It’s fun. I love it,” she said.

She noted that Roberts’ home is always full of flowers, jars and ribbon as she works each day to assemble creations for the stand and then to keep it restocked throughout the day.

“If you live on Edwards Ferry Road, or you travel up and down it, you will see her running back and forth to that stand all day long. It’s a full-time commitment. It’s a lot of going outside getting flowers, and it’s hard work,” Montgomery said.

“What we’re seeing is the result, but to get there, it just takes so much commitment. We’re all super proud of you.”

Del. Marty Martinez (D-29) presented Roberts with a joint resolution from the General Assembly honoring her community service.

“One of the things I love about being a delegate is I can recognize people who really get back to their communities, and I’m doing that today,” Martinez said.

Montgomery said it isn’t just the money that is important.

‘You’re really setting the example for the next generation and giving back,” she said. “I think you know right now there are folks in our community who just aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from, and they’re not sure where to go, and they’re not sure how to get help.”

Learn more at loudounhunger.org. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Rachel Roberts, right, poses with Del. Marty Martinez and Loudoun Hunger Relief President and CEO

Jennifer Montgomery at her Leesburg flower stand after receiving a General Assembly resolution commending her community service supporting Loudoun Hunger Relief.

Loudoun

Land Trust Says Private Events Would Violate JK Community Farm Easement

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After JK Community Farm announced plans this month to build a food education center that would also serve as an event venue, the Land Trust of Virginia says that is not in line with the conservation easement on the property.

The 150-acre farm south of Round Hill grows and donates food to food banks across the region. The announcement said the company envisions a 7,200-squarefoot center that would include restrooms, cold storage, and shelter for volunteers and students. The goal is to provide a space for hands-on nutrition and agricultural education, according to the announcement.

Those uses are permitted on the property, which was placed into conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia after JK Moving CEO Chuck Kuhn purchased the property in 2018. The county’s Department of Planning and Zoning determined those uses are allowed by-right on the property, as well.

However, plans for center also include hosting events such as farm-to-table dinners, workshops, and weddings. The revenue is planned to be used to support the farm’s operations. That requires approval of a minor special exception application by the county.

But in a letter from the trust’s Executive Director Ashton Cole to Loudoun County Principal Planner Hoa N. Dao, Cole stated the easement restrictions require the property to be used for agricultural purposes.

Conditions of the easement allow for dwellings, accessory buildings to support agricultural uses and farm buildings.

“If a building is constructed on the property for the non-agricultural event uses listed in the SPEX application, it would violate the terms of our conservation easement because such a building would not be one of the permitted building types listed,” according to the letter.

The center has been opposed by some community members who say hosting

events on the property would not be a good fit with the area.

Shawn Rene lives on Paxson Road adjacent to the farm and said 250-guest events would not be sustainable on the narrow, unpaved road.

“We were very happy when JK bought the property and said they were putting it under easement and that was really great because we were worried, obviously, that it was going to be split up and developed. So, we were really happy with the easement,” Rene said. “… You have to drive on Paxson Road around at least one blind corner and up and over a couple blind hills on a gravel road that is one lane. And they’re proposing a 100-space parking facility, and I cannot even fathom trying to get 100 cars in an hour before an event or leaving an event, trying to get that in, and what that would do to the road from a congestion purpose and everything else.”

Rene also raised safety concerns if an ambulance needed to access one of the homes along the road during an event.

“My father lives with me. He’s 88 years old, and we routinely have to call the Round Hill fire department to get him on an ambulance, and, if that coincided with

Advisory Board Vacancies Close Friday

There are vacancies on two of the Board of Supervisors’ economic development bodies, which advise the board and the Department of Economic Development on issues throughout Loudoun.

The Rural Economic Development Council focuses on policies, programs and initiatives that strengthen and diversify the county’s rural economy, including agriculture, tourism, business and outdoor recreation.

The Economic Development Advisory Commission is comprised of business leaders, entrepreneurs, executives and subject matter experts providing insight into policy, emerging trends and opportunities to advance the local economy. The body is made up of diverse sectors including technology, real estate, airspace defense, life sciences, banking and highly specialized manufacturing.

Members are appointed for threeyear terms and are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in working groups and task forces.

traffic, that could be his life,” he said. Neighbors have started a Friends of Paxson-Airmont organization to oppose plans for the education center.

“FPA opposes this project since it is inconsistent with the conservation easement and because it will produce major negative impacts to the rural environment in the Paxson-Airmont region. FPA has written two letters to LTV, the easement holder, opposing the project and asking LTV to disapprove it,” according to the website.

JK Community Farm Executive Director Samantha Kuhn said plans for the food education will still move forward.

“Our understanding from prior conversations with the Land Trust of Virginia was that the facility could also be used for mission-aligned events such as weddings and community gatherings, and we are now seeking formal clarification from them. As a nonprofit, any funds raised from facility use would only be used to support our mission. Being unable to host private events would be a disappointing outcome that would significantly limit our ability to expand our hunger relief efforts,” she stated. n

Apply online at onboard.loudoun. gov/apply. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

2025 Apartment Guide Available

The 2025 apartment guide for market-rate and affordable units in Loudoun has been released.

The online map is available in English and Spanish and is a searchable directory of the communities contained in the guide, including a search-by-school-zone feature. It includes details about apartments in the Affordable Dwelling Unit Rental Program, Unmet Housing Needs Units Program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program as well as accessibility features such as elevators, low counters and doorway clearance. The guide also allows users to search for communities available to older adults only.

Average rent amounts are provided by participating communities and are subject to change.

The Loudoun County Apartment Guide and online map can be viewed online at  loudoun.gov/ApartmentGuide. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

JK Community Farm, located south of Round Hill, grows and donates food to food banks across the region.

Application to Replace Flex-Warehouses with Data Centers Advances

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A proposal that would replace flex-warehouse buildings near Sterling with data centers and a utility substation received a recommendation of approval from the county Planning Commission this week.

The application would rezone 17 acres from Planned Development – General Industrial to Industrial Park and permit the redevelopment of 268,700 square feet of existing flex-warehouse space into nearly 600,000 square feet of data center uses and a five-acre substation. The application would alternatively permit 450,000 square feet of wholesale distribution or 348,000 square feet of flex building uses.

Project Manager Erin Fisher said this is the first application of an influx of proposals to convert warehouse space to data center and industrial uses along the Rt. 28 corridor. This application was submitted last year, prior to the Board of Supervisors’ adoption of a Comprehensive Plan amendment eliminating data centers as a by-right use throughout the county.

That means, if rezoned, 449,800 square feet of data centers would be permitted on the site. If the special exception request is granted, up to 600,000 square feet of data centers and a substation would be permitted.

Fisher said the planning team found several outstanding issues with the applications, including aspects of its design, transportation commitments and wildlife habitat commitments.

“The application proposes building heights, open space and density that don’t

meet the 2019 General Plan policies,” Fisher said.

The building height is proposed at 100 feet. With enhanced mitigation and resolution of impacts to wildlife habitats, Fisher said the staff would support the data center and substation proposals.

Commissioner Dale Polen Myers (At Large) asked about the status of flex spaces in Loudoun.

Director of Economic Development

Buddy Rizer said the types of buildings on the property don’t really fit into either of the categories that the county currently needs.

“They’re really not the distribution warehouse or the flex industrial that we’re

needing right now. The ceiling height, the power definitions, the loading opportunities, they just don’t’ fit,” Rizer said. “… While we are in the high 90s in occupancy rates for most of our flex products, this is older product that is lower and harder to fill. I would say this is probably in the 70s when it comes to occupancy rate.”

Commissioner Madhava Reddy Madireddy (Dulles) said the commission had received emails from constituents concerned about replacing flex space with data centers.

Rizer said Prologis, the company making the proposal, is not intending to get rid of all of the flex space.

“They actually are continuing to build

a new flex campus in the county, which is really the only one that is being built at this time. It’s more about the compatibility of the area and the type of product that we’re looking for,” he said. “… I do think that what they are building is more suitable for our clientele than what this legacy building would be.”

Prologis Market Officer and Vice President Danielle Schline said the company was working with the businesses currently using the warehouses to keep them informed of the process.

“We don’t have the timing yet, because we don’t have any of the approvals or power [for the data centers] and so there are multiple paths with which we’ll make a decision to do this,” Schline said.

She said they are working with the businesses about a possible relocation to Prologis’ other location under construction nearby.

Commissioner Mark Miller (Catoctin) asked if it takes seven years to get power for the data centers, what will happen for the current tenants.

“Some of these folks with leases now, if it’s four years from now that construction starts, because of power time, they’re leases will have come and gone, they’ll have to get in releasing situations. How will you handle tenants at that point?” he asked.

Schline said the company is experienced at collaborating with tenants to move them to other locations owned by the company if needed.

A motion to recommend approval of the application passed 4-2 with commissioners Ad Barnes (Leesburg) and Madireddy opposed, and Robin-Eve Jasper (Little River), Clifford Keirce (Sterling) and Eric Combs (Ashburn) absent. n

Supervisors Consider Leesburg-Area Substation

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors last week overturned a decision by the Planning Commission seeking to block plans for a substation planned outside Leesburg – but they said that does not necessarily mean that they support the project.

The Planning Commission in May denied a request by Tuscarora Landbay 3 LLC for a commission permit to build a utility substation along Crosstrail Boulevard near the intersection with Kincaid Boulevard. The company also has special exception applications submitted with the county to permit construction of the substation, which the Planning Commission has recommended for denial.

The substation would serve three previously approved data center buildings.

The commission voted 5-3-1, with James Banks (Algonkian), Mark Miller (Catoctin) and Dale Polen Myers (At Large) opposed and Eric Combs (Ashburn) absent to deny the commission permit. The majority of the commission opposed the application based on the location and screening of the substation, which they said is inconsistent with the planned uses for the area and that its impacts on the nearby residential neighborhood were not going to be adequately mitigated.

Supervisors voted unanimously July 9 to reverse that denial, upholding the appeal by the Tuscarora Landbay 3 LLC. Supervisors said the reasons cited for the commission’s denial were not appropriate.

“I am completely undecided on the next application and the special exception,” Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said. “I do not know if I will

support it, and if I did support it, I think I would probably want to see more than what’s in the application by way of buffering. However, specific to the Planning Commission and the commission permit, it is fairly obvious to me that the Planning Commission erred legally in its in its decision. They made findings that are outside of what is legally permissible in a commission permit.”

Residents of the nearby Tuscarora Crossing community raised concerns about the substation’s impact on their neighborhood. They asked for the board to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision and then to deny the special exception.

“Approving it would directly violate the intent of Loudoun County’s 2019 General Plan,” Brett Sposa said. “… This land is meant for employment-generating uses, not high impact infrastructure like a sub-

station and multiple data centers.”

Community members said the substation would turn their neighborhood into an industrial park.

“There’s nothing an unpleasant wall and a few trees will do to change that,” Sposa said.

Data centers were approved on the site as part of a mixed-use plan in 2012, according to developer Michael Capretti. After Tuscarora Landbay 3 LLC bought the property in 2018, it received approval to build 180 affordable housing units instead of a shopping center and to increase the data center density.

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) noted that data centers were approved there prior to the housing and said it would be unjust to allow the data

TUSCARORA SUBSTATION continues on page 7

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Buildings along Executive Drive in Sterling housing businesses and a Catholic charity are proposed to be replaced with data centers.

County Gov’t to Add Weight-Loss Drug Coverage to Employee Health Plans

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

County government employees could see a 12.2% increase in health care premiums next year estimates approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The board approved adding weight-management drugs to the health care plan along with required participation in weight maintenance and nutrition coaching programs. The inclusion of those services adds $1.7 million to the cost of the county’s self-insured health insurance plan.

The dental/vision elements of the plan are projected to increase by 3%, according to the presentation.

Overall, the self-insurance plan is projected to cost $110 million in 2026.

During a briefing to the board’s finance committee last week, members questioned the merits of adding coverage for weight-loss drugs. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are designed to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity. They also questioned the need for a monitoring program for those using the drugs, which would add to the increased cost.

Staff members said there is strong demand to add coverage for the popular weight-loss drugs.

“I can tell you this particular topic has gained more attention than anything I have seen in the last eight years,” said Rob

Tuscarora Substation

continued from page 6

centers but not the substation needed to power them.

“This area was long zoned industrial and much of it was heavy industrial. There were residential rezonings that were made into that that industrial and heavy industrial area and I actually voted against the one residential rezoning that came forward because I do not think that we should be putting residential in industrial areas,” she said.

Beth Taylor, who moved into the Tuscarora Crossing neighborhood from Fairfax, told Loudoun Now that their properties were sold to them as neighborhood communities, not ones in the middle of an industrial park. She said they knew it was going to be a mixed-used area, but that is different from entirely industrial.

“They’ve taken that and skewed it fully to say, ‘actually this was always supposed to be industrial and the residential never should have been built,’” Taylor said.

The nearest home would be 750 feet

Krouse, the county’s assistant director of Human Resources, who also noted the wave of advertisements the drug producers are pushing out.

Although committee members unanimously supported the staff recommendation, some suggested more needs to be done to promote fitness among the workforce.

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) highlighted a county policy to provide standing desks to office workers when requested.

“I asked that because sitting is generally considered to be pretty bad for your health,” she said.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) said she has noticed a decline in staff fitness programs since the return to offices following COVID. For example, she said fewer people working in the government center are joining in planned mid-day walk exercise programs.

Supervisors acknowledged the premium increase would not be popular. Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said it was important to note that the higher costs also would apply to the county government’s share of the premium payments.

“This will be the highest increase in the last six years. That’s a tough pill to swallow,” Committee Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said.

The full board approved the new plan on a 8-0-1 vote with Supervisor Koran Saines (D-Sterling) absent. n

from the substation, but Taylor said the neighborhood playground, which serves as a community gathering place, is directly across from the site.

Taylor also raised concerns that adjacent land owned by Loudoun County Public Schools had been planned as open space, but that an application to use it as an industrial site is currently being reviewed by county staff.

Planning Manager Marchant Schneider said the school division had submitted an application to build a 130,000-squarefoot flex industrial warehouse building on that property.

In addition to the discussion surrounding uses planned for the area, supervisors said they were concerned with the substation’s height given the nearby four-story townhomes. Even with a retaining wall, homeowners would still be looking directly at a substation, they said.

Supervisors proposed using a semi-covered gas insulated substation, quieter tier 4 generators, and urged the developers to meet with community members prior to the item returns to the board in September. n

The Town of Leesburg’s Incredible Free Outdoor Concert Series Lawn

Subramanyam Warns of Federal Budget Impacts in Town Hall

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) last week warned constituents of the coming impacts of the recently signed federal budget bill during a town hall at John Champe High School.

The legislation has been touted by Republicans and the White House as the “largest tax cut in history for middle- and working-class Americans” including no taxes on tips, overtime and social security. The bill is also expected to fund the completion of a wall along the southern border, the hiring of thousands more Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol officers and modernize air traffic control systems across the country.

The White House has also said the bill will strengthen Medicaid by eliminating waste and fraud and by blocking undocumented immigrants from receiving it and drive down energy costs through an expansion of domestic oil and gas production capacity.

But Subramanyam said the bill will

harm community members.

“I thought it was important to have this discussion, to talk about how it’s going to impact our community and what’s next, as

Local news every morning. Wherever you get podcasts.

well as what’s in the bill,” he said during the July 10 event.

He said the legislation will make it harder for legitimate Medicaid users to receive the care and that no undocumented immigrants are recipients of the program now.

“This was the largest wealth transfer from poor to rich in American history,” he said. “It’s the largest cut to health benefits in American history. It’s the largest cut to food assistance in American history and it’s pretty amazing. The Medicaid provisions, along with the [Affordable Care Act] provisions alone will mean up to 17 million people will likely lose their access to care.”

Subramanyam’s staff have estimated that 16,586 people in the 10th District, which includes all of Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties as well as Manassas City, Manassas Park City and parts of Prince William and Fairfax counties, are at risk of losing health insurance coverage either from Medicaid or the ACA.

Constituents from across Loudoun attended to say they are concerned about the impacts on themselves and their family members who are currently using Medicaid.

Leesburg resident Linda Ace, who lost her job with the Department of the Interior due to diversity, equity and inclusion program cuts, said her daughter, who has Down Syndrome, is currently a beneficiary of Medicaid.

“She lives in a group home, and she’s thriving, and she lives with people like her, other adults with disability,” Ace said. “It’s an awesome home. They provide her loving care. There’s no hatred there, just love and she can live in her community through Medicaid. She has a Medicaid

waiver. Without that Medicaid waiver, the only option for her when I pass would be for her either to live with her sister or to be in an institution.”

Another resident said he was a lifelong Republican but had voted for Subramanyam. He said the bill is a “direct attack” on his family. His wife, who worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been forced into early retirement; his daughter, who worked for a federal contractor has been told the contract was terminated and his job as a contractor with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be terminated in October.

The bill is also expected to impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and 1,000 Loudoun residents could lose their eligibility, according to Subramanyam’s estimates.

“The long story short is a lot of kids are going to go hungry because of this bill,” Subramanyam said.

Subramanyam also said that most people will see an eight percent increase in their utility bills because of clean energy provisions that were cut by the legislation.

“And we’re going to see tens of thousands of clean energy jobs in Virginia cut as a result of this,” he said.

Speakers also raised concerns about continued firing of federal workers and the actions by ICE agents to deport undocumented immigrants.

“Now ICE is the 16th largest military in the world because of this bill, and they have more budget now than agencies like the FBI and agencies and law enforcement all around the country,” Subramanyam said. “And what this bill doesn’t do though, is fund immigration judges and process people, because it seems like they don’t want to do due process anymore when it comes to immigration. And so that’s a real problem. We should be funding real law enforcement. We should be funding immigration judges; we should be funding processing of applications and not ICE and masked men going around kidnapping people with no due process.”

The town hall was also attended by Clean Tomorrow Policy Professional Evan Chapman, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy Matt Gardner and Encompass Community Support representative April Achter who were available to answer technical questions about the bill.

Subramanyam said many of the provisions in the legislation will go into effect at the of this year, or early 2026, after the midterm elections. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Speakers line up to share their stories or ask questions during a town hall hosted by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) July 10, 2025.

Leesburg

Town Council Cool to County's Church Street Closure Request

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted in June to seek the closure of the portion of Church Street that bisects the downtown court complex, but Town Councilmembers aren’t showing support for the idea.

The supervisors’ decision followed a security evaluation and a closed-door meeting with county judges in June. Only Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) opposed the request, saying it would have too great an impact on residents living nearby.

It is the Town Council’s decision to make.

Members are expected to get their own closed session briefing on the safety concerns next month. So far, most members are declining to comment publicly on the issue, but little support has surfaced.

“I am opposed,” Councilmember Nicholas Krukowski said. “I appreciate the idea of trying to ensure we are protecting the judges from a bad actor. The impact to our residents is too great. Downtown traffic is already pretty taxing without closing a road one block off King Street.”

Vice Mayor Todd Cimino-Johnson also said he was opposed to the idea.

Council members Zach Cummings, Kari Nacy, Patrick Wilt, and Neil Steinberg declined to comment until

Church

the council meets to discuss the issue.

Mayor Kelly Burk declined to comment as well.

The street bisects the judicial campus. The building that houses the Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on the north side of the street has only a small setback from the

Holsinger Lands Oprah’s Book of the Month Recommendation

The latest book by Loudoun native Bruce Holsinger is shooting to the top of summer reading lists everywhere, thanks to the enthusiastic recommendation of Oprah Winfrey.

She made Holsinger’s “Culpability” the July pick for her Oprah's Book Club, hailing it “the book of the summer."

“I picked it because it is so prescient. It is prescient. It is right now, and it is

also the future,” Oprah said of the book.

The novel explores the fast-growing impacts of artificial intelligence, crafting a tale around the ramifications of a crash in a self-driving car.

It is the fifth novel by the former Leesburg resident, a 1985 graduate of Loudoun County High School. Today, he lives in Charlottesville where he is an English professor at the University of Virginia. n

AROUND town

Fort Evans Road Enterprise Rent-A-Car Approved

The Leesburg Town Council last week approved a special exception to redevelop the lot at 17 Fort Evans Road S.E. for an Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Enterprise RAC Company of Maryland LLC applied for a special exception to have the 2.4-acre property house a 3,290-square-foot rental office and a 2,000-plus-square-foot car wash area. Two existing buildings will be demolished. Two others will be converted into a rental office building fronting Fort Evans Road near the AutoZone Center retail plaza.

Enterprise was previously located in the Virginia Village Shopping Center, but was displaced by redevelopment.

During its review, the town Planning Commission heard one speaker and received 29 letters all in support of the project.

The special exception was approved unanimously.

2-Lane Drive-Thru Approved for McDonalds

The Leesburg Town Council last week approved a special exception request to expand the McDonald’s at 335 E. Market St. to include a twolane drive-thru

street, creating a vulnerability that supervisors said must be addressed.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said last month that if the Town Council declines to close the street, she would expect the General Assembly to order it—an action she said would be embarrassing for local leaders. n

The project will reduce the parking spaces on the lot from 37 to 30. The application also creates a loading zone over some required parking spaces, which the applicant agreed would only operate during off hours. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application in June.

Shenandoah Square Restaurant and Drive-thru Approved

The Town Council last week approved a special exception request to permit drive-thru service with a proposed 10,000-square-foot building housing a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and other retail uses in the Shenandoah Square Shopping Center.

Proposed by Mitco Shenandoah II, the building will be constructed at 950 Edwards Ferry Road in the parking field in front of Floor & Décor and just north of the Leesburg Public House.

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application in May.

The building is a by-right use under the town’s Zoning Ordinance, but approval for a drive-thru, which would be on the east side of the building facing the Leesburg Bypass, requires a special exception permit.

The application was approved by a unanimous vote. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Street in Leesburg bisects the Loudoun County Courts Complex.

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Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Holsinger pose for a photos after she hailed his “Culpability” as the book of the summer.

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King Street Experience Serves as One-Stop-Shop for Art, Custom Orders

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

King Street Experience, which celebrated its grand opening last month, serves as a one-stop-shop for local art and a shared space for workshops and artistic expression in downtown Leesburg.

The building on 107 N. King St. serves as a hub for retail, custom orders and workshops and features businesses including Fusion Mineral Paint, Whimsykel Decoupage Paper, Re-design by Prima, HER Creations and more. Customers can find jewelry, apparel, art prints, resin pieces, laser-engraved products and more.

Owner Julia Heagy assembled a lineup of 12 artists, including her two daughters.

“Downtown Leesburg was the right place for what I was looking for to build,” Heagy said. “The creative, unique experience, not just retail, not just workshops, it’s a collaborative all of it. You can come in and say, ‘I can make that’ and we go ‘yeah, you can.’”

She said the shop is collaborative, not just between the artists, but also the customers, who can pick up new skills, and find inspiration for their own creative ideas.

Heagy said she wants the workshops to be a space for members of the community to both learn and teach.

“I want to take a bunch of workshops,” Heagy said. “I want to learn to do stained

glass, I want to learn to do pottery, I want to learn – that’s what I’m saying, it’s twofold. It’s us providing the workshops, right? But it’s also the community being able to come in here and say, you know, I’ve always wanted to teach one.”

Custom orders are a major pillar of the business.

“I really feel like the new consumer is looking to shop those types of things, versus buying something you could get, you know at a Target,” HER Creations Owner Heather Whitfield said. “Finding those unique items that have a little bit of sentimental value I guess.”

Whitfield’s business, HER Creations, features a T-shirt and hat bar inside the building, but she also provides for online and custom orders. Whitfield said her custom designs help businesses brand themselves.

Heagy said she wants the space to serve less as a store and more as an experience.

The building’s layout lends itself to that, each room displaying an assortment of unique gifts and pieces that create a distinct feeling from the neighboring rooms.

“Customers should come here to get the creative experience where you have new, unique discoveries,” Heagy said. She added that the business “embraces change” and that customers who return will often see brand new items.

Learn more at tkse107.com. n

William Timme/Loudoun Now

HER Creations owner and artist Heather Whitfield rings a customer up at the King Street Experience.

Nonprofits

Local Veteran Recognized for Service at Ashby Ponds

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Veterans, public officials, community members and family gathered at the Ashby Ponds gated community in Ashburn July 10 to recognize the military service of retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Donald Hansen.

The decorated veteran served in Vietnam with the 1st infantry Division and went on to become the Assistant Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army in 1985. The general’s career took him from inspecting tunnels in Vietnam to the highest levels of military justice.

Two non-profit organizations, the Chariots of Honor and the Sons of the American Revolution, helped put on the event and presented Hansen with accolades, including a citizen’s medal, a Wounded Warrior coin and a Chariots of Honor Challenge coin. The Ashburn American Legion Post also recognized Hansen.

Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) read a resolution commending Hansen’s service. That resolution detailed his service, beginning with his graduation from the University of Colorado in 1956 and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. It refers to Hansen’s lifetime of service as “extraordinary.”

Hansen’s daughters, Lynn and Diane, also spoke.

“We are so proud of you dad, everything you’ve done for us,” Lynn said.

Diane joked about driving all over the country with her father because of his career.

“When you look back at it as an adult, it wasn’t so bad,” she said.

Diane explained how the general likes to spend his time painting miniature

soldiers. She said he had won awards for it in the past. When Hansen first entered the room, finding himself surrounded by friends, he jokingly asked, “are we gonna play war games?” He was referencing a board that he plays strategy games on with his military buddies using the miniatures, Diane said.

Hansen also eats lucky charms for breakfast and reads The Washington Post

every day.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered remarks, noting Hansen’s contributions to the Judge Army General’s corps.

“It’s a critical part of making sure that our military, especially our army, is working smoothly and that everything is making people feel safe and that there’s law and order in our armed forces,” Subramanyam said. “I’m sure there are a lot of people who aren’t here today who want to just thank you for what you did for them, keeping them safe.”

Subramanyam also made a speech on the House floor, recognizing Hansen’s service.

Throughout the speeches and awards, Hansen, teary eyed and smiling, told stories about his comrades. He recalled a time when a 17-year-old medic treated him for an injury, but Hansen didn’t have any visible blood.

“No purple heart for you, sir,” Hansen said, mimicking the medic and drawing laughter from the gathering.

Hansen also deflected praise to the soldiers he served alongside.

“When I hear something like that (the resolution), I think of all the young men and women who served with me, and all the great commanding generals I have served, and the other people that make up our army,” he said. “We have a great army, I was pleased to be a part of it, thank you.” n

Cook Named Executive Director of Claude Moore Charitable Foundation

John H. Cook IV has been appointed executive director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation following the retirement of J. Hamilton Lambert.

Lambert led the foundation for more than 34 years, a period in which it contributed over $115 million to more than 350 community and educational organizations—including more than $20 million to its flagship initiative, Claude Moore Scholars, a healthcare education program that has reached more than 35,000 Virginia students.

Cook will oversee the foundation’s investments in nonprofit organizations that advance workforce development, healthcare education, and critical human services in Loudoun County and across the commonwealth.

Cook, a U.S. Navy veteran and prac-

ticing attorney with more than 30 years of experience, will continue the foundation’s mission of offering individuals a “leg up, not a handout,” as envisioned by its founder, Dr. Claude Moore.

“I am honored to continue J’s stewardship of Dr. Moore’s legacy,” said Cook.

“The Foundation’s impact across Virginia has been profound, and I look forward to building on its work to expand opportunity and transform lives across the commonwealth. I am especially excited to work in partnership with the commonwealth, Loudoun County, and many nonprofit allies who share our commitment to creating opportunities enabling people to support themselves and caring for others who need a little help.”

According to the announcement, a key priority for Cook is continuing the

foundation’s support of Claude Moore

Opportunities, a statewide organization dedicated to creating pathways to life-sustaining careers and strengthening Virginia’s healthcare workforce pipeline. Because the foundation currently funds 100 percent of Claude Moore Opportunities operating expenses, all additional funds raised can go directly toward healthcare workforce programs and expansion efforts.

Cook also is charged with maximizing the potential of Moorefield, a mixed-use community along the Dulles Greenway in Ashburn that is the foundation’s primary endowment asset. The foundation’s vision for the property includes incorporating attainable housing and space for nonprofit organizations.

From his years practicing law, Cook

witnessed firsthand the deep and lasting impact that a lack of education, limited opportunity, and untreated mental health challenges can have on individuals and communities. These experiences inform and fuel his passion for the foundation’s work. He is committed to collaborating with partners across the Commonwealth, Loudoun County, and the nonprofit sector to help provide meaningful opportunities, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and most of all, expand access to education — ensuring that those who need a “leg up” receive the support to achieve lasting success, the announcement stated.

Learn more at claudemoorefoundation.org n

William Timme/ Loudoun Now Retired Army Brigadier General Donald Hansen explaining the time a medic joked “no purple heart for you sir,” during a ceremony to recognize his service July 10.

Public Safety

Ashburn Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Killing Father

BY PATRICK LEWIS

A 20-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for the fatal shooting of his father during a July 10 hearing.

In June, Jerome Edward Thompson, Jr., pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, shooting or stabbing in commission of a felony, and grand larceny of a firearm.

The charges stem from an August 2023 incident when law enforcement responded to a shooting outside an Ashburn apartment building. Jerome Edward

including his mother.

His lawyers said that Thompson Jr. had armed himself to confront his father about stealing from him. During the conversation, his father, who allegedly physically abused his children for decades as they grew up, allegedly tried to grab the gun from Thompson Jr. At that point, Thompson Jr. shot his father. His lawyers say he feared for his life.

At the sentencing hearing, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Shara Krogh said Thomposon Jr. should receive

ter, Easley’s older sister, a teacher in South Carolina, said Thompson Jr. “stepped into the role of protector” for the family, even as their father abused them.

“He was bound to become something extraordinary,” she said of her brother in the letter. “And I still believe he will.”

In a statement before being sentenced, Thompson Jr. apologized to his family and friends.

“It’s hard to forgive myself,” he said.

Sincavage said it is clear that Thompson Jr.’s family cared for him - something

Sheriff’s Office Arrests Bank Robbery Suspect

Loudoun County Sheriff ’s deputies have arrested a suspect in the robbery of a bank in Sterling in May.

David Martinez Peralta, 24, is charged with robbery, abduction and wearing a mask in public. He was held without bond in the Loudoun Adult Detention Center.

The arrest was a coordinated effort between the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office and the Fairfax County Police Department, according to an announcement.

Deputies responded to an armed robbery call at the Bank of America on Davenport Drive in Countryside just after 3 p.m. on May 21.

flooded the area and conducted a search with canine units but could not find her.

Leesburg Police spokesperson Michele Bowman said the juvenile, who is a Maryland resident, has been charged with attempted carjacking and has not yet been located. Warrants were issued for her arrest on July 10. n

The suspect entered the building and displayed a weapon before demanding money, according to an announcement by the Sheriff ’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Wilhelm at 703-777-1021. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 or submit a tip through the LCSO app.

Stranger Hits W&OD Trail Jogger with Rock

The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a malicious wounding incident that occurred on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail on July 10.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., a woman was running on the W&OD Trail near Rhonda Place when she passed an unidentified man. A short time later, as she turned around and passed the same area, the man threw a rock, striking her in the back of the head.

The suspect is described as a 25- to 30-year-old white male, approximately 5 feet, 5 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a gray shortsleeve sweatshirt with a hood, shorts and tennis shoes. Following the assault, the suspect fled the area. The victim was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time or who may have information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is urged to contact the agency at 703-771-4500 or policeinvestigations@leesburgva. gov. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 703-443-TIPS (8477). n

Towns

Purcellville Council Considers Future Sidewalk Improvements

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The Purcellville Town Council last week held two public hearings regarding sidewalk improvements along South 32nd Street and North 21st Street.

Plans for the path along 32nd Street have reached 60% design completion and were presented to the council by the town’s engineering consultants at Kimley-Horn.

During a July 8 Town Council meeting, Project Manager Mark Phillips said the five-foot-wide path would run from West J Street to South Nursery Avenue and that the project would include curbs, gutters and drainage improvements.

“The intent of this project is to provide a connection along the east side of 32nd Street,” Phillips said. “…This would create a safe walking route for pedestrians.”

The project is funded with approximately $2.4 million from the Virginia

Department of Transportation.

During the public comment section of the meeting, one resident asked that a crosswalk be added from Davis Drive across 32nd Street to coincide with the sidewalk addition. Brian Lesneck lives at the corner of those two streets with his family and said they would be willing to cede part of their property to the town if

necessary to build the crosswalk.

“We would love it if there could be some sort of walkable cross across 32nd , because I think everybody knows, cars fly on 32nd Street,” Lesneck said.

There are already a lot of pedestrians who walk by his home and that will likely increase with the installation of a new sidewalk, he added.

“That is also a bus stop,” Lesneck said. Roger Wright, who lives along 32nd Street, said he was concerned about the impact on his property, which has seen years of unresolved drainage issues. The town installed a pipe intended to help but does not maintain it, which instead exacerbates the issue, Wright said.

“I’m not for anything on the sidewalks until we do our homework and fix the whole issue and get it over with,” he said.

Councilmembers, including Kevin Wright, who is Roger’s son, asked the staff about the impacts of the project on that

property and how to address it.

Philips said the project is downstream from Roger’s property and the drainage improvements would pick up some of the discharge from the overflow on his property.

“We’re not adding or modifying what goes into that pipe upstream because that’s far from the project,” Phillips said.

Director of Engineering and Capital Projects Andrea Broshkevitch said she was unfamiliar with the issue but that she would work with the town’s maintenance team to find out more.

Plans for a shared use path along 21st Street are still conceptual, according to Senior Capital Projects Manager Jessica Keller. If the council supports the plan, the town will apply for grant funding for the project in August. The goal of this project is to connect Suzanne Kane Nature Preserve with the W&OD Trail.

No residents spoke for or against the project during Tuesday’s public hearing. n

Gatherings Springs Celebrates Farm Stand Opening Near Middleburg

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

A small farm stand opened near Middleburg Friday afternoon – the culmination of years of work by Gathering Springs Farm owners Sarah Obuchowicz and Pam Jones.

The 13-acre farm was founded by the duo in 2018 and has expanded since then, primarily through its CSA program, which now has over 60 members, and participation at area farmers markets.

Obuchowicz and Jones say that they’ve outgrown those methods and needed to find an additional way to provide their products to the community.

“We bought the building around a year ago and we were like, ‘We’re going to be done with it by Thanksgiving.’ And then it was like we didn’t even have the electrical permits by Thanksgiving,” Jones said.

Setting up the stand took a lot of hands-on work from the team, but over the past two months they made significant headway.

“This was just studs so we did everything from the electrical insulation, paneling, paint, everything like that. So,

it’s been a real labor of love. I’m absolutely delighted to have it in the rear-view mirror,” Jones said.

The shop will offer produce and eggs from the farm as well as honey from bees on site that are cared for by a local beekeeper and additional products from nearby farmers and artisans including

bread, cheese, dried herbs, soap, fermented vegetables, grain and meat.

Obuchowicz and Jones were praised by Economic Development Rural Business Development Manager Christ Blosser who said he’s seen Gathering Springs Farm diversify over the years.

“They’ve mentored a lot of people

along the way, and I know that they’ll continue in that tradition,” he said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River), who is a member of the Gathering Springs CSA, said the farm is a success story and a model of other small farms.

“This is a treasure and thank you for doing this in the Little River District and thank you for bringing this to the community and for showing how this can be done. Because I think there is interest in others having small farms and it’s a daunting experience to get started but with your help and your leadership, I think we can get more farms on board,” TeKrony said.

Obuchowicz said the farm’s success was built on the help of others, especially Potomac Vegetable Farms near Wheatland.

“We have not come to this as Pam and Sarah solo. We have come to this standing on a large, maybe not shoulders of giants, but mounds and mounds of vegetables and compost are beneath us—figuratively and literally,” she said.

The farm shop, located at 22022 Sam Fred Road will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and feature seasonal products. To learn more, go to gatheringspringsfarm.com. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now The sidewalk along 32nd Street ends at South Nursery Avenue.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Gathering Springs Farm owners Sarah Obuchowicz, right, and Pam Jones celebrate the opening of their farm stand near Middleburg.

Veterinarians Open Urgent Care Center in Purcellville

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Two Loudoun locals have opened a new veterinary urgent care and general practice in Purcellville with a goal of providing top notch care through a privatelyowned hospital.

Erika Friedrich and Sienna Church both live in western Loudoun and have spent a combined 30 years practicing veterinary medicine. Royal Oak Veterinary + Urgent Care provides emergency care to pets on a walk-in basis and general wellness and preventative care through scheduled appointments providing dual services as a primary care center and emergency room.

The facility, located in the Catoctin Corner retail center, includes a surgery suite, dental suite, isolation ward, full blood lab, pharmacy, emergency room ultrasound and X-ray services.

Friedrich graduated from The Royal Veterinary College in London in 2005 and worked in small animal general practices for two years before starting in emergency medicine, in which she specialized for the last 18 years.

Church graduated from the Virginia

Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016, immediately entering the world of ER medicine after graduation.

They met working in the emergency room at The Life Center in Leesburg, which operated on a 24/7/365 schedule.

While Church said she had never been interested in opening her own hospital, Friedrich said it’s long been something she’s worked toward.

“I’ve always had the dream in my head. It was always like, I’m here, I just need someone to join me,” Friedrich said.

It took some effort to pull Church away from the world of emergency medicine, but Friedrich was persistent that she and Church would make a good team and be able to help bridge some of the gap between emergency veterinary medicine and general practice.

Their years of experience in the ER play a crucial role in how they now operate their own practice—from the way they designed the building and its features to the days they choose to be open.

“Because we’re going to be an urgent care, we knew we needed state-of-theart X-ray. We wanted an ultrasound. We wanted full in-house blood machines for bedside readings instantly,” Friedrich said. “We knew we wanted the optics of animals

being seen at all times. A lot of hospitals can have, when you send the patients to recover, the dog wards around the corner in the back, but they’re out of sight, out of mind. And for us, I think from ER time, out of sight, out of mind is scary in the ER. So, we designed a hospital that gives us the ability to see them but give them quiet.”

The urgent care will operate similarly to an emergency room with the same level of care available – it just won’t be open overnight, they said.

“We wanted the ability to hospitalize through the day, keep things, do some of the more ER aspects, but still provide community care,” Church said.

The hospital is open Thursday through Monday. Friedrich said they chose to be open on weekends and Mondays and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when other facilities are available.

“We’ll rest when they’re open,” Friedrich said adding that they hope to expand their hours even more as they grow.

While the team will often treat pressing issues through its urgent care, the doctors said they’ll be happy to send the patients back to their primary vets when the issue has been treated – something they’re used to in the ER. And patients who want to use them as a general care provider will

also have that option.

“Working in the ER, sometimes it’s hard to see when clients couldn’t get into GPs and to be able to offer continuity of care seemed really like a nice idea … I think if you spend enough years in your career, you start to want that continuity or you feel you can offer progressive advice that maybe they’re not getting,” Friedrich said.

Creating a culture of mentoring and continuing education for both their team members and their clients is an important part of the business as well, they said.

“I think you can all, you can only be as good as what you want to mentor and the more you mentor each other, the better, right? We have different strengths and weaknesses,” Friedrich said. “…I think we’re also very big on educating people on the health of their pet. So even if they’re healthy, it’s knowing what vaccines they should or should not be getting. I think sometimes the knowing of what you should not do is more important than what you should do.”

The hospital, located at 1231 Wolf Rock Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for scheduled appointments, until 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays for urgent care needs and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Learn more at royaloakvets.com. n

Upper Loudoun Juniors Advance to Regional Tournament

The Upper Loudoun Juniors All Star Team won the state title last week in Tazewell and now heads to the regional tournament in Bridgewater.

The team, comprised of western Loudoun players, won six straight games in the state tournament, finishing with an 8-3 victory over Lancaster to take the title of 2025 Virginia Junior League Baseball State Champions.

The team is coached by Chris York and Mark Ingram and managed by Patrick Awenowicz.

Upper Loudoun will next take on Georgia’s state champions to kick off the regional tournament July 19.

The regional winner will advance to the Junior Little League World Series in Taylor, MI, Aug 3-10. n

Caitlin Serotkin

The Upper Loudoun Juniors All Star Team won the state title last week in Tazewell and now heads to the regional tournament in Bridgewater.

LIVE MUSIC

RIGGSY

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17

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

SONGWRITER NIGHT

6 p.m. to July 18, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 17 Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

MICHELLE LOCKEY

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

SCOTT KURT

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

CARY WIMBISH

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

SHANE GAMBLE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

COLE LARRAVIDE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

RICK REAVES JAZZ COMBO

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 18 Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

MICHELLE HANNAN & ONE BLUE NIGHT

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 18 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

MATT BURRIDGE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 18 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

RON THAYER

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 16

Loudoun Musician Explores Pop-Punk in Latest Single ‘Dublin’

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Loudoun County musician Caroline McQuaig said she’s in a “pop punk season of life” and you can feel it in her single “Dublin,” which she dropped Tuesday.

The song draws on the defiant guitars and vocal performances of 2000s-era Paramore, infusing them with literary inspirations and McQuaig’s life experiences. The lyrics, “It’s Dublin all over again, every single time you get into your head” and “alone in the bar across the pond,” paint a picture of Irish pubs and the messiness those in their 20s are all too familiar with.

The arrangement features electric guitars, Blink-182-like drums, and a driving bassline.

“We wanted it to be very basement,” McQuaig said. “Like we could just pull it out and play it at the punk show, you know?”

McQuaig, who often writes songs about literary characters, said “Dublin” is uniquely cathartic in her canon, representing a specific moment of her life. The lines “your latest conquest, quartered and drawn,” were inspired by trips to museums and old prisons in Ireland. It’s also a metaphor for the emotional turmoil of the trip, she said.

“It’s this slow, like, pulling apart of – I don’t know, your sanity?” she said. “Your belief in this person, your self-esteem, and it’s just happening and happening until you’re like, oh wait, that happened.”

To capture the right aesthetic for the piece, McQuaig worked with her best friend and former college roommate Laura Taylor. Taylor and McQuaig’s shared Pinterest board is dotted with medieval art, Rococo art and other bits of historical inspiration. McQuaig called the resulting cover art, “the perfect little package.”

McQuaig said “Dublin” represents a turning point in her artistry as the lead single of an EP she’s been working on.

“I do think we’re leaning more rock than the folk pop of my first EP,” McQuaig said. “So we have this [Dublin] that’s definitely the Pop Punk moment. I have one that’s like, kind of a, I don’t know, it feels like it could work in a Bond movie. It’s kind of an epic, cinematic, driving rock song. …So, yeah, it’s a pretty varied project, but I’m trying to make pop

punk like a through line.”

Up until the release of “Dublin,” McQuaig’s career has seen her put together a concert series called “Siren Songs,” a smattering of singles and an EP titled “Underground Summer.” She has explored different ideas within the pop, folk and singer-songwriter spaces, drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift and creating stories and narratives through her music.

The process behind “Dublin” was highly collaborative, a style McQuaig prefers in her artistic process. Her husband and guitarist Ian, who teaches at School of Rock in Ashburn with McQuaig, helped in the creative process. Ian has been playing the drum section from “Dublin” for his drum students at School of Rock, taking in early feedback.

McQuaig also worked with Austin Bello, the main producer on the song, and her friend Mandy Lopez, an R&B songwriter in LA. Lopez created a helpful draft of the bridge, which McQuaig pop-punkified with megaphone type vocal effects.

The pop-punkification of McQuaig’s music mirrors her own self-reflection as an artist, as she said she has struggled with the “pop punk moniker.”

“It’s kind of hard at this point, because I don’t feel like I’m the typical pop punk performer,” McQuaig said. “That’s where I’m like, isn’t it more punk to just be who I am?”

A major pillar of the song’s branding, she said, is being unabashedly herself.

“My music is for you if you are not the cool girl,” McQuaig said. “If you’re a little too enthusiastic about things, if you’re a little too– a little too much overall. I’m not like your cool alt rock girl. I’m like very bubbly and happy and I laugh really easily. … My music is for people that miss how it felt listening to their favorite Disney Channel artists in middle school and want that, but elevated.”

“Dublin” can be streamed on Spotify and Soundcloud. Learn more about McQuaig on her Instagram @carolinemcquaig. n

Laura Taylor

Cover art for Caroline McQuaig’s newest single “Dublin.”

BEST BETS

MARY SHAVER’S KNOW AGITATORS

Friday, July 18, 6 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

Two-time WAMMIE winning vocalist

Mary Shaver brings her blend of Texas, Louisiana and Chicago Blues meets Memphis Soul to the Music in the Gap stage. Free.

WHEELAND BROTHERS

Friday, July 18, 7 p.m. (doors)

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

The Southern California-based surfrock duo performs surf rock, beachy reggae, laidback hiphop vibes, and acoustic pop. $28.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 15

THE KNOWN AGITATORS

6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

CHRIS COMPTON

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 18

The Dell: Food & Brew Hall, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. atthedell.com

WHEELAND BROTHERS

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 18

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

CAPITAL GROOVE BAND

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, July 18 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

KEY WEST FEST 2025

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. $20 breauvineyards.com.

MELISSA PILLOR

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Cana Vineyards and Winery, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

MATTY D

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Honor Brewing Company, 42604 Trade W. Drive, Sterling. honorbrewing.com

PANHANDLE DAN

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

SHARIF

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase

PURCELLVILLE WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 20, 2 to 8 p.m. Fairman’s Field Park purcellvillewineandfood.com

Celebrate local food and craft beverages during the 12th annual festival that also features live music and community vendors.

POLO IN THE PARK

Saturday, July 20, 6 to 10 p.m. Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. $40 to $250. polointhepark.org

Bring a picnic and enjoy two matches of polo on the terraced viewing area next to the arena. The first match begins at 7 p.m.

GARY SMALLWOOD & MICHAEL FATH

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12 Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. idalee.org

Smallwood and Fath bring astonishing, world-class guitar and plenty of soul to the Leesburg stage. Free.

Lane, Bluemont. bearchase.com

JIMI CUPINO PROJECT

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

LOCAL BOY TIMMY

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

KING STREET SYNCOPATORS

JAZZ QUARTET

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

STANLEY WHITAKER

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

CLARK PEKLO

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbiolicellars.com

IRVING CAMPBELL

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillvineyard.com

SHANE GAMBLE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

TIMMIE METZ

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

FREDDIE LONG

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

RYAN SILL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

MATT BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

JASON MASI

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

JAKE MIMIKOS

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

STEVE BOYD AND FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

HOPELESS SEMANTICS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

ACOUSTIC SOUL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Two Twisted Posts Winery & Tavern, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. twotwistedposts.com

MELANIE PEARL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

ALEX PAREZ

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavernwinery.com

CALLER N’ DOC

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

JON G

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

DAVID MININBERG

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

BRITTANY FRAZER

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Barnhouse Brewery, 43271 Spinks Ferry Road, Lucketts. barnhousebrewery.com

MERCY CREEK

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Lost Rhino Brewing Company, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

GARY PALUMBO

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19

The Dell: Food & Brew Hall, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. atthedell.com

MIKE KUSTER AND THE CATOCTIN COWBOYS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts.

vanishbeer.com

SELA CAMPBELL

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

TEJAS SINGH BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

KENNY KOHLHAAS

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Stoneleigh Golf and Country Club, 35271 Prestwick Court, Round Hill. stoneleighgolf.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 17

continued from page 16

GONZO’S NOSE

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Tarara Vineyards, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts. $20. tararaconcerts.com

DAVE GOODRUM

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

SMALLWOOD & FATH

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg. idalee.org

CAROLINE COTTER

7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19 Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 22135 Davis Drive Suite 104, Sterling. uusterling.org

MO & MARY MAC

7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Hope Flower Farm & Winery, 40905 Stumptown Road, Waterford. hopeflowerfarm.com

JESSE TERRY

8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 19 Shoeless Sounds, Broadlands. facebook.com/ShoelessSounds

WANNABE – A SPICE GIRLS TRIBUTE

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

DARK BLUE MOON

9 p.m. to a.m. Saturday, July 19

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

BAILEY HAYES

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

LOUDOUN JAZZ JAM

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20

The Dell: Food & Brew Hall, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. atthedell.com

DOIN’ TIME

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

DRIVE THRU SNAFU

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

GRAYSON MOON

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

DAN GALLAGHER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

CHRIS HANKS

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

MIKE LEVERONE

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

DAVID MININBERG

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

JOEY HAFNER

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

JASON MASI

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

WAYNE SNOW

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavernwinery.com

TAYLOR LAFEVER

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

LARRY THOMAS

3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

EVAN ROSS

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

7 BRIDGES

8 to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 20

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

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 23

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

TOMMY WOOD

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24

Loudoun County Fairground, 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. loudouncountyfair.org

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 24

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

HAPPENINGS

FARMER FOR A DAY

9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 17

9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18

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

MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL

7 p.m. Thursday, July 17

7 p.m. Friday, July 18

2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday, July 20

2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21

Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg. $20. infinitearts.productions

MOVIE NIGHT: INSIDE OUT 2

8:45 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 18

Lansdowne Town Center, Belmont Ridge Road, Leesburg.

shoplansdowne.com

DEFIANTLY JOYFUL

8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Hope Flower Farm & Winery, 40905 Stumptown Road, Waterford. $65. hopeflowerfarm.com

LEESBURG FARMERS MARKET

8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 19

Virginia Village, 30 Catoctin Circle SE., Leesburg. POLLINATION CELEBRATION

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Willowsford Farm, 23595 Founders Drive, Ashburn. willowsfordconservancy.org

PURCELLVILLE WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Firemans Field Park, 250 S. Nursery Ave., Purcellville. $10. purcellvilleva.gov

POLO IN THE PARK

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg. $40 to $200. polointhepark.org

OAKLAND ROOTS SC

AT LOUDOUN UNITED FC

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 19

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

COMEDY SHOW

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Solace Brewing Company, 42615 Trade West Dr., Sterling. $23 solacebrewing.com

MOVIE NIGHT: JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL

6:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Loudoun Station, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn. loudounstation.com

Obituaries

Dorothy McNerney, inventor of the wreath hangar

Dorothy Barbara McNerney, of Potomac Falls, Virginia, passed away on July 8, 2025 at 97 years of age of natural causes. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 19th at 3 pm at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175.

Dorothy was born in 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA and married James McNerney in 1954, moving to Virginia in 1968 where they raised their three children; Kevin, Susan, and Neil. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband James and her daughter Susan. Dorothy is survived by her sons, Kevin McNerney of Huntington Beach CA, and Neil McNerney of Leesburg VA. Her grandchildren include Colt Freeman, Katherine Jennings, Erin Jennings, Max McNerney, Shannon McNerney, Michael McNerney and Patrick McNerney. Her great grandchildren include Noah Freeman, Eli Freeman, Fenna Murphy and Henrick Murphy.

Dorothy grew up in Sheradan, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. She graduated from professional school in 1947 and immediately began her career as a pioneering businesswoman. She quickly became credit manager at The Carlton House, a luxury hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

Dorothy is also well known as the inventor of the Wreath Hanger. When moving into a new home in the late 1970s, the new metal door created a problem for hanging her holiday wreaths. She developed a sheet metal hanger thin enough to be able to close the door but strong enough to hang a wreath. This simple solution for her door developed into a large home-based business, filling a need for new houses with metal doors. Dorothy designed, manufactured, and sold over one hundred thousand wreath hangers before retiring.

Even in her nineties, Dorothy was a keen bridge, poker and Mahjong player, teaching her grandchildren the finer points of blackjack betting. She loved to gamble, but probably enjoyed the social aspect of the games more than winning. She was an amazing baker and kept her family well fed, especially with sticky buns, her version of cinnamon rolls. Her family was everything to her and she was loved by all.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

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

Legal Notices

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE VACANCIES – TOWN COMMITTEES

The Purcellville Town Council will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews to fill vacancies on the following committees, commissions, and boards, including but not limited to the ones listed below.

PLANNING COMMISSION

Every local government in Virginia is required to have a Planning Commission “in order to promote the orderly development of the locality and its environs” (Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-2210). The Purcellville Planning Commission is a seven-member body of Town residents that are appointed by the Town Council to advise the Council on matters relating to Town planning and development. The Commission also develops and recommends updates to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which outlines the Town’s vision for its future and strategies for attaining that future. The Commission also reviews and makes recommendations on updates to the Town’s zoning and development related regulations that help to implement the Comprehensive Plan.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) is an advisory committee appointed by the Town Council to provide advice on matters relating to the promotion of a sound economy for the Town. The Committee makes recommendations on new policies and programs to strengthen the Town’s commercial tax base by supporting the existing business community and encouraging new businesses to locate within the Town. The Committee supports its recommendations with research on the economic health of the Town and the business needs of the community. The Committee also helps with Town events that enhance the economic vitality of Purcellville.

PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s (PRAB) is an advisory board whose primary duty is to serve as the coordinating and reviewing body of the Town for matters related to parks, sidewalks, trails and recreational facilities and activities in and adjacent to the Town limits.

PURCELLVILLE ARTS COUNCIL

The Purcellville Arts Council (PAC) is an advisory committee of at least 5 but no more than 11 members that supports visual and performing arts in the Town of Purcellville. The Purcellville Arts Council works to offer local artists more opportunities to share their art with the public while providing residents with a variety of ways to experience, enjoy, and learn about art.

TREE AND ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

The vision of the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee (TESC) is to establish partnerships with citizens, business owners, and other stakeholders to plan and implement measurable environmentally responsible and sustainable initiatives for Purcellville and our nation.

Citizens interested in serving on any committee, commission or board should complete and submit an application along with a letter of interest and resume outlining your qualifications. An online application can be found on the Town’s website at http://purcellvilleva.gov/forms.aspx?FID=78 . You may also pick up an application at Town Hall 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

Information on all the Purcellville committees can be found on the Town’s website. https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/544/Committees-Commissions-Boards

Applications are due by 4:00 PM on Friday, August 15, 2025, and interviews will be held in September.

If you have any questions concerning the vacant positions on any committee, commission or board or the appointment process, please do not hesitate to contact Kimberly Bandy, Town Clerk at (540) 751-2333.

7/17, 7/24 & 7/31/25

IN

OF

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

Case No.: CL25-4314

Loudoun County Circuit Court

THERE HAVING BEEN PRESENTED to the Court the following resolutions adopted by thc Loudoun County School Board (the “School Board”) and the Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia (the “Board of Supervisors”), respectively:

(a) A copy of a resolution adopted by the School Board on June 10, 2025, requesting the Board of Supervisors to request this Court to order an election in the County of Loudoun, Virginia (the “County”) on the question of issuing general obligation bonds in the maximum amount of $107,220,000 for certain school capital projects including, School Renovation and Replacement Program, Special Program/ Academy Expansion, and the LCPS Facility Renewals and Alterations; and

(b) A certified copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 17, 2025, finding it advisable to contract a debt and issue general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $138,377,000 to finance school capital projects and other County capital projects as stated therein, and requesting this Court to order a special election for this purpose; and

IT APPEARING TO THE COURT that such resolutions have been duly adopted and that a special election for the purpose set forth herein is authorized pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2610 and 15.2-2611; it is hereby ADJUDGED, ORDERED and DECREED as follows:

1. Such resolutions are approved and are hereby filed.

2. The regular election officers of the County shall, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, that being a day not less than eighty-one (81) days from the date hereof and being the same day as the general election, hold a Special Election in accordance with § 24.2-681 et seq. of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, and take the sense of the qualified voters of the County on the following questions regarding contracting a debt and issuing general obligation bonds of the County in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $138,377,000 for the purposes set forth in such resolutions.

3. The ballot to be used at the election shall pose the questions in substantially the following form:

School Projects

QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $75,620,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the design, construction, equipping and other costs of the Capital Renewal and Alteration and the Special Program/Academy Expansion; and the costs of other public school facilities as requested by the Loudoun County School Board?

( ) YES / ( ) NO

Parks and Recreation and Puhlic Safety Projects

QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $32,631,000 to finance in whole or in part the design, construction, equipping and other costs of the Cascades Library and Senior Center Complex Renovation, Linear Parks and Trails System, Sterling Neighhorhood Park, and Fire and Rescue Station #02 /#14 - Purcellville Addition; and the costs of other public parks, recreational and community center and public safety projects approved in the County’s Capital Improvement Program?

( ) YES / ( ) NO

Transportation Projects

QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $30,126,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the design, construction, and other costs of improvements for Braddock Road Widening - Paul VI Eastern Entrance to Loudoun County Parkway, Croson Lane Widening - Claiborne Parkway to Old Ryan Road, and Farmwell Road Intersections Improvements, and the costs of other public road and and transportation projects approved in the County’s Capital lmprovement Program?

( ) YES / ( ) NO

4. The election shall be conducted, the ballots counted, and the returns made and canvassed in the manner provided by law, and the results thereof shall be certified to this Court, to the State Board of Elections and to the Board of Supervisors.

5. A copy of this Order shall serve as the Writ of Election. The Clerk of this Court shall forthwith send two certified copies of this Order to the Loudoun County Sheriff. Upon receipt, the Sheriff shall forthwith serve one certified copy of this Order upon the General Registrar of the County at the following address:

Judy Brown, General Registrar 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Upon execution, the Sheriff shall file his return of service with this Court.

6. The Clerk of this Court shall forthwith send a certified copy of this Order to the State Board of Elections and to the Loudoun County Attorney.

7. Pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2610, the County of Loudoun shall cause a copy of this Order, preceded by the caption, “NOTICE OF BOND ELECTION”, to be published in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the County. Such publication shall be made at least once but not less than seven (7) days before the election. 7/17/25

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-2025-0149

Arcola Farms Phase II

Ms. Angela Rassas of Toll Mid-Atlantic, LP Company, Inc. of Reston, VA is requesting preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately Eighty (80.25) acres into two-hundred and fiftyeight (258) residential lots, ten (10) open space lots and associated easements. The property is located east of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), west of Beaverdam Drive (Route 2475) and south of Ryan Road (Route 772). 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 242-29-6894, 24229-9973, 242-20-3664, 242-29-8917, 242-20-3804, 242-10-0179, 242-10-2937 (partial), 199-15-7187 (partial), 199-15-5059 (partial) and 242-10-8536 (partial) in the Little River and Ashburn Election Districts.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2025-0149. 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 July 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).

6/19, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/1725

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

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

Case No.: CL25-3708

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Eunae Hwang v.

Sung Wook Ko

The object of this suit is to obtain a final decree of divorce from the defendant

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Sung Wook Ko appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.: CL25-3971 Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Luis Fernando Yanes Benitez v. Veronica Marie Yanes

The object of this suit is for LUIS FERNANDO YANES BENITEZ to secure a divorce by VERONICA MARIE YANES, and it appearing that the location of the Defendant, VERONICA MARIE YANES, is not known, and dilgence has been used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is without effect.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Civil Action No.: CL-25-2894

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA vs. HEIRS and SUCCESSORS -ININTEREST OF DAVID JANIGA, ET AL

IT APPEARING to the Court that the object of the above-styled suit is to achieve the judicial sale of real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia, for the purpose of collecting delinquent real estate taxes assessed against the subject real property.

IT APPEARING to the Court that the subject real estate is a residential condominium which contains 0.0 acres, more or less, with improvements, located at 312 E. Furman Drive, Sterling, Virginia 20164 and identified by Loudoun County PIN 022-27-4797-183 and Tax Map Number /81FCMPB/183 (the “Property”).

Mr. Janiga took title to the Property by deed dated May 14, 1982, recorded among the Land Records of the County (“Land Records”) in Deed Book 0811, Page 0699. Upon information and belieef, Mr. Janiga is deceased, but no will or list of heirs has been admitted of record with this Court.

IT APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that the record owners of the Property are the heirs-

at-law and successors in interest of David Janiga.

IT FURTHER APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that James Hardcastle, a resident, may be one of the heirs and/or successors-in-interest of David Janiga.

IT FURTHER APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that James Hardcastle may also be an heir and/or successor-in-interest of David Janiga, whose last known address is 2203 Burgee Ct., Reston, VA 20191-22032; that the County cannot determine with certainty whether such address is still accurate; that the County will attempt personal service, but if unsuccessful, James Hardcastle will be served by this Order of Publication.

IT FURTHER APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that there are or may be other individuals, heirs and/or successors-in-interest of David Janiga, whose location and whereabouts are unknown and have been made defendants in this case by the general description “PARTIES UNKNOWN.”

ORDERED, that pursuant to Virginia Code §§8.01-316, 8.01-321, and 58.1-3967, James Hardcastle and Parties Unknown, appear before this Court on August 15, 2025 at 10:00 am, and do what is necessary to protect their interests herein.

7/3 7/10, 7/17 & 7/24/25

It is therefore ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before August 22, 2025 at 2:00 pm and protect her interests therein.

7/3 7/10, 7/17, & 7/24/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No.: CL25-3682

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Anita Fuentes v. Elmer Leonidas Fuentes Suarez

The object of this suit is to grant a Divorce to the Plaintiff; and

IT APPEARING by affidavit filed according to law that the Defendant, Elmer Leonidas Fuentes Suarez in the above-titled cause cannot be found, and diligence has been used with effect to ascertain his location; it is therefore

ORDERED that the said ELMER LEONIDAS FUENTES SUAREZ, appear in the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia, located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia on or before the 26th day of September, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. and do what is necessary to protect his interests.

6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048434

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lili Vasquez Martinez

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Lili Vasquez Martinez

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 Lili Vasquez Martinez.

It is ORDERED that Lili Vasquez Martinez appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before July 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24/25

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

Case No.: CA-25-28

Loudoun County Circuit Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in the matter of the adoption of a child known as JEREMY BAKER RADFAR (Birth Certificate File Number 14508-042734 Registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia) by Leila Baker and Wesley Baker

THE OBJECT of the above-styled suit is to grant an Adoption Petition for the minor child Jeremy Baker Radfar filed by Wesley Baker and Leila Baker; and

IT APPEARING by affidavit filed according to law that the Respondent, Jerry Kabundi Saidi, in the above-titled cause cannot be found, and diligence has been used with effect to ascertain his location; it is therefore

ORDERED that the said JERRY KABUNDI SAIDI, appear in the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia, located at 18 E. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia on or before the 26th day of September, 2025 at 2:00 pm and do what is necessary to protect his interests.

7/3 7/10, 7/17, & 7/24/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No.: CL25-825

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Lauren Bee v. Brandon James Pashby

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce pursuant to VA code § 20-91(A)(9).

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Brandon James Pashby appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 15, 2025, 10:00 am.

6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17/25

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, July 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

ALEGI-2025-0001, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE CHRYSALIS VINEYARDS/LOCKSLEY ESTATE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the Chrysalis Vineyards/Locksley Estate Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on November 16, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 40 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally on the south side of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), on the east side of Champe Ford Road (Route 629), on the west side of Aldie Dam Road (Route 632), and on the north side of Rochester Lane, in the Little River Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the Chrysalis Vineyards/Locksley Estate Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

397-267021-000 /89//11/////1/ 202.36 434-292430-000 /97/////////5B 133.07

398-254379-000 /98//////4B-1/ 44.39 435-496507-000 /97///////5A2/ 31.94

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the Chrysalis Vineyards/Locksley Estate Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0003, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW MOUNT GILEAD AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Mount Gilead Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on December 6, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of Leesburg Pike (Route 7), along and west of Mount Gilead Road (Route 797), and east of Silcott Springs Road (Route 690) in the Catoctin Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Mount Gilead Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

4963-000 /58////////25C

5836-000 /58////////26/ 41.38

8965-000 /56///3////12/ 10.02

424-106194-000 /58///8/////1/ 10 493-377501-000 /56///3////10/ 10

424-157224-000 /57////////46B 28.79 494-100868-000 /56//15/////6/ 10.53

424-294402-000 /57//21/////8/ 62.37 494-201489-000 /56//15////22/ 12.94

425-178473-000 /57////////51D 49.05 494-253940-000 /56///7////11A 4.4

425-268364-000 /57////////50/ 13.56

6325-000 /56///7////11B 5.45 425-301174-000 /58////////19A 6.23 494-294115-000 /56//15/////7/ 20.07

425-370341-000 /57////////46/ 40.51 494-302670-000 /56//15////23/ 10.85

425-393728-000 /57////////45/ 12.89

494-402858-000 /56//15////24/ 14.4

425-398911-000 /57/A/1/////A/ 2.01 494-454041-000 /56///6/////9/ 15.02

425-401044-000 /58////////18/ 10.25 494-459679-000 /56///6/////7/ 10.01

425-405442-000 /58////////17/ 5.89

494-460223-000 /56///6/////8/ 10

425-456705-000 /57////////46A 31.76 494-466227-000 /56///6/////3/ 10.32

425-496500-000 /58////////19/ 5.75

494-472331-000 /56///6/////6/ 6.39 continued on next page

Legal Notices

456-264401-000

/45///7/////A/ 16.36 494-478435-000 /56///4/////1/ 8.04

458-107561-000 /57//20////18/ 17.02 494-480383-000 /56///3/////2/ 8.52

458-256717-000 /57/////////5/ 52.15 495-179718-000 /56//19/////9/ 10.04

458-454271-000 /45//13/////4/ 20.05 495-187629-000 /56//19////13/ 14.83

459-101578-000 /57///6/////4/ 10.01 495-474679-000 /56//15////14/ 14.23

459-107374-000 /57///6/////5/ 10.51 495-484478-000 /56//15////10/ 10.19

459-194070-000 /57///2/////D/ 10 527-189190-000 /44////////23A 112.63

459-202520-000 /57////////47D 3 528-484773-000 /44////////24A 16.51

459-254218-000 /57//23/////1/ 35.25 528-499083-000 /44////////24B 10

459-352627-000 /57//23/////3/ 27.92 529-208759-000 /56///7////12/ 9.63

459-454463-000 /57//23/////5/ 23.01 529-301433-000 /56///7////14/ 10

492-361990-000 /44///9////13/ 12.61 529-406516-000 /56//20////16/ 16.55

492-385314-000 /44////////32/ 14.88 *459-258283-000 /57//23/////2/ 18.55

492-470300-000 /44///9/////1/ 14.82 *493-187455-000 /56///3/////4/ 10.29

493-178268-000 /56///3/////3/ 5.97

*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify or terminate the New Mount Gilead Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0002, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW HUGHESVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Hughesville Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on December 6, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 25 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of Hughesville Road (Route 725), east of Telegraph Springs Road (Route 611), and west of Shelbourne Glebe Road (Route 729), in the Catoctin Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Hughesville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

456-101614-000 /45////////52/ 10 459-39-4908000 /57///2/////B/ 15

5147-000 /57//12/////1B

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Hughesville Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0004, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW ROCKLAND AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on November 15, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally north of White’s Ferry Road (Route 655), south of Limestone School Road (Route 661), west of the Potomac River and east of and along James Monroe Highway (Route 15), in the Catoctin Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

continued on next page

Legal Notices

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0005, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW UPPERVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Upperville Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on December 6, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 40 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally north of Little River Turnpike Highway (Route 50), east of Blue Ridge Mountain Road, west of Foggy Bottom Road/Bloomfield Road (Route 626) and Willisville Road (Route 623), and south of Snickersville Turnpike (Route 734), in the Little River Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

5. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

6. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

7. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

8. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Upperville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Upperville Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0006, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW ALDIE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Aldie Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on January 2, 2026. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 50 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in continued on next page

Legal Notices

the District are located within an area generally south of Lime Kiln Road (Route 733), on the east side of the Goose Creek, east of Sam Fred Road (Route 748), Little River Election District.

During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:

1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.

2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.

3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.

4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.

During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Rockland Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

394-267556-000 /75///9////WL/ 55.8 432-376182-000 /88//19/////3/ 18.39

394-269821-000 /75////////23/ 156.34 432-387423-000 /88//10/////1/ 21.32

394-288964-000 /75////////23A 75 432-479430-000 /88///1/////B/ 18.45

396-264807-000 /89/////////1/ 46.45 432-489904-000 /88///9/////3/ 21.44

396-281634-000 /89/////////6A 8.17

465-289850-000 /74////////18/ 29.12

396-287236-000 /89/////////8C 1.61 465-305755-000 /74////////19/ 140.04

396-290952-000 /89/////////8B 14.49 465-396098-000 /74/A/1/////A/ 24.89

396-295883-000 /89///4/////F/ 32.98 465-397945-000 /74/A/1/////B/ 4.93

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Aldie Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1 st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

ALEGI-2025-0007, REQUEST FOR WITHDRAWAL OF LAND BELONGING TO OAK HILL FARM NORTH LLC, OAK HILL FARM SOUTH LLC, AND GAYLE DELASHMUTT, FROM THE NEW OAK HILL AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-4314 and the New Oak Hill Agricultural and Forestal District Ordinance, Oak Hill Farm North LLC, Oak Hill Farm South LLC, and Gayle Delashmutt (applicant), of Aldie, Virginia, have submitted an application to withdraw a 1,233.08-acre property from the New Oak Hill Agricultural and Forestal District. The subject property is located on the west side of James Monroe Highway (Route 15) at 50015 Oakhill Farm Road, between Tail Race Road (Route 612) to the north and west, and Little River Turnpike (Route 50) to the south, in the Little River Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:

359-39-9276-000 40015 Oakhill Farm Road Aldie, Virginia /89////////11/ 321-15-4289-000 N/A /90////////14A

361-48-3158-000 39646 Little River Turnpike Aldie, Virginia /89///8////11A

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://loudouncountyvaeg. tylerhost.net/prod/selfservice#/home (choose “public records, then search by “plan” for “ALEGI”). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).

LEGI-2023-0080, VALLEY COMMERCE CENTER: ZMAP-2023-0008 & ZMOD-2023-0041 (Zoning Map Amendment and Zoning Modification)

17110 Purcellville Rd, LLC has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment and a zoning modification for approximately 117.07 acres of land located at the northeast corner of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Purcellville Road (Route 611) in the Catoctin Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN # 487-38-8931-000 and Tax Map # /35/////////8/.

For ZMAP-2023-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the JLMA-3 (Joint Land Management Area – 3) Zoning District to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) Zoning District. For ZMOD-2023-0041, the applicant seeks zoning modificationsto permit the PD-IP Zoning District in an area not served by one or more major arterial or collector roads and not served by public water and sewer. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 31, 2023.

LEGI-2024-0018, WEST BELMONT: ZMAP-2024-0003 & SPEX-2024-0035 (Zoning Map Amendment & Special Exception)

Belmont Greene Commercial LLC has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment and a special exception for approximately 27.36 acres of land located southeast of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), southwest of Portsmouth Road (Route 1937), and northwest of Winkle Drive in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

152-20-9536-000 42995 Eastern Kingbird Plaza Ashburn, Virginia /61/C/6/////A/

152-20-4210-000 42920 Piccadilly Plaza Ashburn, Virginia /62/M20///J-1/ 152-10-2961-000 N/A /62/M20///H-1/ 152-19-4543-000 N/A /62/M18/////G/ 152-20-2382-000 N/A /62/M20/////M/

For ZMAP-2024-0003, the applicant seeks to rezone the property from the PD-H3 (Planned Development – Housing 3) Legacy Zoning District to the SCN-8 (Suburban Compact Neighborhood – 8), SCN-16 (Suburban Compact Neighborhood – 16), SCN-24 (Suburban Compact Neighborhood – 24), and CCNC (Commercial Center – Neighborhood Center) Zoning Districts under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to develop up to 361 dwelling units, and up to 11,000 square feet of commercial uses. For SPEX-2024-0035, the applicant seeks special exception approval to allow a maximum building height

continued on next page

Legal Notices

of 60 feet for a MFA building in the SCN-24 Zoning District. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications:

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§2.02.02-1, SCN Zoning District Dimensional Standards

§2.02.02-2, Dwelling Unit Type Mix

To decrease the minimum rear yard requirement in the SCN-16 Zoning District from 15 feet to 5 feet and to decrease the minimum rear yard requirement in the SCN-8 Zoning District from 25 feet to 15 feet.

To modify the required unit mix in the SCN-16 Zoning District from 50-percent SFA to 100-percent; and to modify the required unit mix in the SCN-8 Zoning District from 75-percent SFD to 100-percent.

§7.07.01.C.1, Private Roads To permit SFD units in a Suburban Zoning District to be accessed by private roads.

§7.04.03-1, Use Buffer Matrix

§2.02.04-1, CC-NC, CC-CC, and CC-SC Zoning District Dimensional Standards

To eliminate the required 10-foot Type A buffer between MFS dwelling units and commercial uses; to eliminate the 20-foot Type B buffer required between commercial uses and MFS dwelling units; to eliminate the 20-foot Type B buffers required between community centers and MFA dwelling units; and to reduce the required 20-foot Type B buffer required between SFA and SFD dwelling units to 10-feet with a Type A landscape buffer, and a 6-foot high wooden screen fence.

To reduce the required 50-foot setback between commercial uses and residential uses from 50-feet to 10-feet with a 10-foot Type A landscape buffer.

LEGI-2024-0014, DOG HOME AWAY FROM HOME KENNEL: SPEX-2024-0028 (Special Exception)

Megan Alfaro, of Purcellville, Virginia, has submitted an application for a special exception for an approximately 4.85-acre property zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance and located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Otley Road (Route 701) and Silcott Springs Road (Route 690) in the Catoctin Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 19211 Silcott Springs Road, Purcellville, Virginia 20132, PIN # 559-18-6808-000 and Tax Map # /43///3/////1/.

For SPEX-2024-0028, the applicant seeks to permit a kennel use with a maximum of 15 dogs in the AR-1 Zoning District.

LEGI-2024-0026, PANTOVIC PROPERTY REZONING: ZMAP-2024-0006 (Zoning Map Amendment)

Pantovic Revocable Family Trust has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment for an approximately 6.28-acre property located north of Briarfield Lane (Route 3442), west of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), and east of Northstar Boulevard (Route 3171) in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

PARCEL IDENTIFICATION

202-19-3290-000 42254 Briarfield Lane Aldie, Virginia 101/D/2/////1A

202-29-4526-000 24395 Arcola Mills Drive Aldie, Virginia 101/D/1////15A

For ZMAP-2024-0006, the applicant seeks to rezone PIN 202-19-3290-000 from the CR-1 (Countryside Residential – 1) Legacy Zoning District to the IP (Industrial Park) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The applicant seeks three zoning modifications to: 1) reduce the required setback adjacent to agricultural and residential zoning districts or residential uses from 75 feet to 35 feet on the western portion of the Subject Property; 2) to eliminate the required setbacks adjacent to agricultural and residential zoning districts or uses on the northern and eastern portions of the Subject Property; and 3) to eliminate the required buffering on the northern and eastern portions of the Subject Property.

LEGI-2024-0037, COCHRAN TECH: ZMAP-2024-0012, SPEX-2025-0025, SPEX-2025-0029, SPEX-2025-0034 & SPEX-2025-0054

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions, & Minor Special Exception)

Cochran Tech LC has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, three special exceptions, and a minor special exception for approximately 17.52 acres of land located southwest of the intersection of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), northeast of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and east of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) in the Leesburg Election District

(the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 42427 Cochran Mill Road, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, PIN # 151-40-0958-000 and Tax Map # /61/////////2/. For ZMAP-2024-0012, the applicant seeks to rezone the property from JLMA-3 (Joint Land Management Area 3) to the IP (Industrial Park) Zoning District. For SPEX-2025-0025, the applicant seeks to remove the nonconforming status of an existing residential driveway on site. For SPEX-20250029, the applicant seeks to permit up to 444,310 square feet of data center use in the IP Zoning District. For SPEX-2025-0054, the applicant seeks to permit data center use on moderately steep slopes. For SPEX-2025-0034, the applicant seeks to permit utility scale energy storage use for battery storage in the IP Zoning District.

DOAM-2025-0002, LOUDOUN COUNTY FACILITIES STANDARDS MANUAL AMENDMENTS ZONING ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTATION, VIRGINIA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK UPDATES, AND PRELIMINARY SOILS REVIEWS (Development Ordinance Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-2204, the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act (§62.144.15:24 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Regulations (9VAC25-875 et seq.), guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (State Law), and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on June 17, 2025, notice is hereby given of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Facilities Standards Manual (FSM) that are necessary to implement Technical and Procedural Newsletters (Tech Memos) dated January 28, 2025, May 28, 2025, and June 17, 2025, regarding implementation of the Zoning Ordinance and the new Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook, and revisions to other existing Water Resource Management and Preliminary Soils Review standards. These amendments propose revisions to Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the FSM, and such other Chapters, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance and FSM as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typos within, update internal cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned Chapters of the FSM. The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes listed in Section 15.2-2200 of the Code of Virginia and to assure the orderly subdivision of land and its development and the public necessity, convenience, and general welfare.

Proposed amendments to all sections of the FSM include without limitation the following:

• Update references to the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse to the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook.

• Update references to the 1993 Zoning Ordinance and Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

• Update terminology to match terminology used in the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

Proposed amendments to FSM Chapter 5, Water Resource Management, include without limitation the following:

• Revise and clarify and establish new standards under Section 5.200, Design Standards, Section 5.201, Easements, Section 5.210, Hydrologic Design, 5.220, Hydraulic Design, Section 5.225, Stormwater Management – General Criteria, Section 5.230, Stormwater Management – Technical Criteria, Section 5.300, Erosion and Sediment Control, and Section 5.600, References for Chapter 5.

• Revise and clarify Figure 1, Level Spreader with Plunge Pool, Figure 6, Pipe Outlet Sediment Trap, and Figure 7, Recommended Curb Inlet Protection.

• Establish new Figure 9, Procedure for Determining Correction Factor (Cf).

Proposed amendments to FSM Chapter 6, Soils, Geotechnical, Geophysical, and Hydrogeological Studies, include without limitation the following:

• Revise Section 6.130, Preliminary Soils Study Investigation and Report, regarding preparation of Preliminary Soils Reviews.

Proposed amendments to FSM Chapter 7, Environmental Design Standards, include without limitation the following:

• Revise and clarify existing standards under Section 7.304, Forest Management Plan, and Section 7.305, Reforestation Standards.

• Establish new Section 7.307, Remedial Revegetation Plan, Section 7.308, Wildlife Habitat Planting Plan, and Section 7.309, Invasive Species Management Plan.

Proposed amendments to FSM Chapter 8, Administrative Procedures, include without limitation the following:

• Revise and clarify and establish new standards under Section 8.101, General Standards, Section 8.102, Preliminary Plat of Subdivision (SBPL), Section 8.103, Plats for Subdivision and Other Miscellaneous Plats, Section 8.103.4, Family Subdivision (SBFM), Section 8.103.5, Subdivision Waiver (SBWV), Section 8.103.6, Easement Plats – Creation and Vacation, Section 8.103.7, Dedication/Vacation Plats (DEDI), Section 8.103.8 AR-1 and AR-2 Division Plats (SBBD), Section 8.106, Construction Plans and Profiles (CPAP), Section 8.107, Site Plans (STPL) and Rural Economy Site Plans (REST), Section 8.111, Grading Permit Application, Section 8.114, Plot Plans for Residential Zoning Permit Applications, and Section 8.200, Requirements for Start of Any Construction.

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.

continued on next page

Legal Notices

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. 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

FIND LOCAL EVENTS

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

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

- GETOUTLOUDOUN.COM

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a public hearing in the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING ROOM, on the first floor of the Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

BOZA-2025-0003

Johnson – 23639 Landmark School Rd, Middleburg, Virginia Variance for a Residential Accessory Structure

Thomas and Kelly Johnson have submitted an application for a variance for a property approximately 0.6 acres is size and located on the west side of Landmark School Road (Route 776), approximately 0.3 miles south of the intersection of Washington Street (Route 50) and South Madison Street (Route 776). The property is more particularly described as 23639 Landmark School Rd, Middleburg Virginia; PIN: 539-48-9234-000; and Tax Map Number /87/B/1/////6A in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The applicants seek a deviation from the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to construct a residential accessory structure, a two-story detached garage (detached garage), on the Subject Property. The applicants seek a variance from Table 2.04.02.01-8 –AR-2 Zoning District Dimensional Standards, Side Yard (min), which requires a minimum side yard of 25 feet, and Table 2.04.02.01-9 –AR-2 Zoning District Dimensional Standards, Rear Yard (min.), which requires a minimum rear yard of 25 feet, to allow the detached garage to be located 5 feet from the rear property line and 12.8 feet from the side property line of the Subject Property

LEGI-2024-0009

CASCADES MARKETPLACE: ZMOD-2024-0005 Sign Development Plan

Cascades Park Place LP and Cascades Marketplace LP have submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan for a property approximately 30.84-acres in size and is located at the southeast intersection of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794) and Palisades Parkway (Route 1795) and west of Whitfield Place (Route 1796) in the Algonkian Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is zoned Town Center (TC) and more particularly described as:

019-37-6524-000 /81/S/7/////B/

019-28-4698-000 /81/S/7/////E/ 20960 Southbank St., Sterling, Virginia

019-28-2708-000 /81AK/1////H1/ 21060 Southbank St., Sterling Virginia

019-28-0033-000 /81AK/1////H2/ 46309 Cranston St., Sterling Virginia

Pursuant to Section 10.11.03 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (the Zoning Ordinance), the applicant seeks approval for a Sign Development Plan to modify the sign regulations of Tables 8.04-1, 8.04-2, 8.04-4, 8.05-1, 8.05-2, 8.06-2, 8.06-3, 8.06-4, and Section 8.06.D of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:

• Increase the number of ground signs allowed from 2 to 10.

• Increase the cumulative area of ground signs from 120 square feet (sf) to 1,867 sf.

• Increase the individual sign area of ground signs from 60 to 225 sf and 700 sf.

• Increase the height of ground signs from 8 feet to 10 feet.

7/10 & 7/17/25

• Increase the number of pole signs from 2 to 45, to increase the cumulative area of pole signs from 120 sf to 330 sf.

• Increase the individual pole sign area from 20 sf to 30 sf.

• Increase the height of pole signs from 8 feet to 12 feet and 14 feet.

• Increase the individual sign area of entry signs from 60 sf to 600 sf and 700 sf.

• Increase the number of wall signs per building from 4 to 6 and 10.

• Increase the number of window signs from 4 per building façade or 4 per tenant space to 25 percent of all windows.

• Increase the cumulative area of window signs from lesser of 25 percent of the total square footage of window area or 10 sf to 25 percent of the users cumulative window area.

• Increase individual window sign area from 1.5 sf to 5 sf.

• Increase the cumulative area of de minimis signs from 4 sf per building or 4 sf per tenant space to 2 sf per sign.

• Increase the height of temporary signs from 8 feet to below the building roof line or 100 percent of the window.

• Increase the number of days a temporary sign can be erected from 120 days within a 12-month period to either 24 months, from the commencement of construction to occupancy of the building, or until such retail space becomes occupied.

• Increase the individual temporary sign area from 32 sf to 100 percent of the fence and window

• Reduce the temporary sign spacing from other signs on the same parcel from 20 feet to 0 feet.

• Increase the number of miscellaneous signs from 1 per tenant per public building entry to 30, to increase the cumulative area of miscellaneous signs from 32 sf to 2,520 sf.

• Increase the individual sign area of miscellaneous signs from 2 sf to 30 sf, 12 sf, and 3.5 sf, and to increase the height of miscellaneous signs from 6 feet to 8 feet and 10 feet.

Copies of the applications and related documents listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. County staff reports will be made available Friday, July 18, 2025. Documents may also be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding these matters. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign up in advance. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 no later than 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments may be sent to the Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177, or by e-mail to stephanie.capps@loudoun.gov. Members of the public may also submit comments electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in the public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) or, TTY-711. Three business days advance notice is requested.

Nan M. Joseph Forbes, Chair Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals

7/10, 7/1725

Legal Notices

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

1998 HONDA ACCORD 1HGCG564XWA167759 BATTLEFIELD 703-378-0059

2013 BMW 3 SERIES WBA3B5G57DNS00885 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888

2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 1GNDT13SX32323337 ROAD RUNNER 703-450-7555

2007 VOLVO C70 YV1MC68297J022594 BLAIR’S TOWING 703-661-8200

2005 FORD FOCUS 1FAFP34NX5W130195 BLAIR’S TOWING 703-661-8200 7/17 & 7/24/25

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE

IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA

RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-01 PRESENTED: JULY 8, 2025

ADOPTED: JULY 8, 2025

A RESOLUTION: PRESCRIBING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026: THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL; THE WORK SESSION FORMAT OF THE SECOND REGULAR MEETING EACH MONTH; CANCELLATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS THAT FALL ON A LEGAL HOLIDAY; THE CONTINUATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS FOR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS; AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADJOURNED MEETINGS

BE IT RESOLVED that the regular meeting of the Town Council shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at Town Hall located at 221 S. Nursery Avenue, in Purcellville, VA, in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, unless said date, time, or place is canceled or otherwise scheduled in accordance with § 2.2-3707 of the Code of Virginia; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Council meetings shall end no later than 9:30 PM unless any meeting is otherwise extended by majority of Council members present and voting recognizing that completion of an agenda item commencing prior to the designated ending time may not be finished unless voted on to extend an additional 30 minutes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the second regular meeting each month shall take the form of a work session, limited to in-depth discussions of one or two items. If necessary, public hearings and action items may be taken up by the Town Council at a work session, but should be avoided; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Town Council and Town Council’s committees, commissions, and boards shall recess for the month of August, 2025, and the Town Council shall cancel its meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, and Tuesday, December 23, 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a day established by the Town Council as a regular meeting day fall on any legal holiday, the meeting shall be canceled by virtue of this adopted Resolution, without further action by Town Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, finds that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend a regular meeting, the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, shall declare such finding to all members of Town Council and the public as promptly as possible, and the regular meeting agenda items shall automatically be continued to the next regular meeting of Town Council. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting without further advertisement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED regular meetings of the Town Council maybe continued from day to day or from time to time or from place to place, not beyond the time fixed for the next regular meeting, until the business before the governing body is completed. Notice of any regular meeting continued under this section shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be given to the public contemporaneously with the notice provided to the members of the public body conducting the meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED all prior rules governing the date, time, and place of regular meetings of the Town Council are hereby replaced.

Christopher Bertaut, Mayor Town of Purcellville

ATTEST:

Kimberly Bandy, Clerk of Council 7/17/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Civil Action No.: CL-25-2893

Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA vs. JOHN P. LUDWIG

37038 Pinehill Lane Hillsboro, VA 20132

IT APPEARING to the Court that the object of the above-styled suit is to achieve the judicial sale of real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia, for the purpose of collecting delinquent real estate taxes assessed against the subject real property.

IT APPEARING to the Court that the subject real estate is a residential dwelling which contains 2.12 acres, more or less, with improvements, located at 37038 Pinehill Lane, Hillsboro, Virginia 20132 and identified by Loudoun County PIN 473-15-4423-000 and Tax Map Number //1////////41/ (the “Property”).

IT APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that there are or may be individuals, heirs and/or successors-in-interest of John P. Ludwig, whose location and whereabouts are unknown and have been made defendants in this case by the general description of “PARTIES UNKNOWN.”

ORDERED, that pursuant to Virginia Code §§8.01-316, 8.01-321, the Parties Unknown, appear before this Court on August 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and do what is necessary to protect their interests herein.

7/3 7/10, 7/17 & 7/24/25

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR:

EVIDENCE-BASED SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES, RFP No. 680890 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, August 6, 2025.

ON CALL LAND SURVEYING SERVICES, RFP No. 675853 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, August 13, 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

7/17/25

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, for the following:

RFP NO. 100313-FY26-07 SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL SERVICES

The Town of Leesburg (the “Town”) is soliciting sealed proposals to establish multiple term contracts to provide snow and ice removal services. A virtual non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. The pre-proposal meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft TEAMS and made available to the public.

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

7/17/25

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Positions

Published by Loudoun Community Media

RENSS GREENE Executive Director rgreene@loudounnow.org

BILL CLIFFORD Chief Development Of cer bclifford@loudounnow.org

NORMAN K. STYER Executive Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org

EDITORIAL

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

Opinion

Better Stewards

Too much money. It’s a problem that few other governments on the planet are facing.

In preparation for the fiscal year 2027 Loudoun budget, the county’s finance managers again are waving the warning flags about the growing imbalance in revenue sources. Money from data centers make up a disproportionally large share of the tax stream and that disparity is expected to continue to grow.

And it will grow even faster if county leaders follow the seemingly logical path of further reducing taxes paid by homeowners and other residents.

The proposal to lower data center taxes is a tough sell. But so should be the blank-check approach to running the government and the school system. It is not growing tax revenues that should be viewed as unsustainable, but the ballooning staffing costs and programmatic expansions. This month, the county will open a $100 million recreation center staffed by more than 60 full time equivalent positions, with another center in the planning stages. And it launched a free, on-demand, Uber-like transportation service in the Leesburg area after already waiving fares on other local bus routes.

There are ways to balance the revenue without pursuing the problematic course of spending it or reducing it. The staff and board already have taken some of those steps, by

Appalling

Editor:

I appreciated your reprinting of "Missed Opportunities" from Jan. 27, 2022. It is beyond ludicrous that we find ourselves in this situation yet again.

I find it appalling that there is still no one in local government (town or county) that will partner with the mobile home residents to address their plight. I find myself in agreement with Mr. Gregory in doubting the commitment of local leaders to find solutions to affordable housing concerns.

There used to be, in England, a provision for the retired and elderly who could not find housing within their means called "council flats." These were apartments owned by the Town Council that were allotted to qualified individuals,

building larger rainy day reserve funds and putting more cash into construction projects.

Certainly, more cash could be funneled to capital projects. Could the county achieve both record high commercial tax revenues and record-low debt—ultimately lowing taxes for future residents? That doesn’t seem like a goal; the board voted this week to raise its debt ceiling policies to allow more borrowing.

Should the county government continue to earmark allocations of real estate tax revenues to cover the state government’s shortfalls in meeting its transportation responsibilities? What if “excess” data center revenue was used to fill that gap instead? New roads don’t come with permanent staffing or program requirements that will increase future budgets.

And another share of the real estate tax collections is reserved for affordable housing initiatives. That, too, could be a candidate for use of the data center windfall— resulting in long-term community assets without ballooning future budgets.

The first question is whether data centers or residents are overtaxed. Once answered, the next question is: How can we be the best stewards of the revenues fairly collected? We can do that better.

LETTERS to the Editor

something akin to public housing. It seems to me that with the enormous influx of tax revenue in recent years, the county and the Town Council could buy the mobile home park, and the tenants could pay those entities for the use of that land. This would stabilize an entire community.

If they are serious about addressing affordable housing, they must include mobile homes. What's wrong with setting aside that property for that purpose? It seems our local government would rather rip apart a community of good people who work in our businesses and pay their share of taxes than come up with a workable solution for these residents.

It's time for the Board of Supervisors and the Leesburg Council to think outside their boxes.

— Melanie Rider, Leesburg

A Community

Editor:

In 1982, as I completed my term as president of the Washington Chapter of the Society for International Development, my colleagues gave me a framed print. For over 40 years this print has hung on my wall, occasionally dusted, but never looked at directly until by chance last week.

The print has a cluster of bright colors—red, green, blue and yellow—in the center surrounded on three sides by a deep black as if it was a thick moving flow. And written in script are the words of Barbara Ward, a noted British economist of the era: “We are either going to become

LETTERS continues on page 31

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READERS’ poll

Are local governments doing enough to address affordable housing challenges?

60.6% Nope

26.1% Taking the wrong approach

9.7% On the right track

3.6% Doing a great job

Will the new federal tax and spending bill help or hurt your family?

a community, or we are going to die.”

The image and the words from over 40 years ago resonated with me as a message for today.

At a time when our nation is torn apart by a variety of extraordinary threats and challenges it becomes essential that we recognize that while we all have the right to speak out on our beliefs it is equally important that we are respectful to those who have different views.

I’m in disbelief at the vindictive language thrown carelessly about between people who are in fact members of the same community, whose children may go to school together, shop in the same stores, or represent all of us on boards and commissions. What drives the dialogue that converts a neighbor who chooses to stand for elected office from being a respected member of the community into the worst corrupt scumbag that will bring disaster to the post if elected?

Barbara Ward’s words should be recognized across America, as well as in our beloved Loudoun County before the blackness covers the bright colors of our diverse communities.

— Alfred P. Van Huyck, Round Hill

CHIPshots

— By Chip Beck, beckchip@aol.com

LETTERS to the Editor continued from

page 30

Disappointed

Editor:

I attended the July 10 town hall with Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and wanted to share my observations.

The town hall centered on the Big Beautiful Bill just passed by Republicans. Suhas is a far-left Democrat partisan, and he and three “experts” did not disappoint by providing curated, negative information about BBB and its impacts.

An alternate reality. It was sad to see Suhas agitate low-information Democrats into frenzy with his statements.

“Tax cuts benefit the rich and corporations” trope. The federal tax code is very progressive (10% pay close to 70% of federal income taxes, the bottom 50% pay zero federal taxes), so the tax cut goes to those who pay these taxes.

Suhas did not mention that a typical household in Loudoun would have experienced between $5K to $10K increase in federal taxes if the BBB did not pass. He voted for this tax increase.

Many in the audience were older; he did not mention that he voted against $6,000 tax deduction for those over 65 and earning up to $150K per household per year.

His most hysterical and misleading comments came about the Medicaid “cuts.”

Medicaid under Biden became a money laundering scheme for states, enabled by Democrats, with several wasteful changes. Suhas complained several times that people have to prove their eligibility for this program. Why do Democrats prefer to keep people dependent on welfare? How is that a problem to prevent fraud, abuse, and waste of taxpayers' money?

I was shocked by members of the audience standing up and complaining about ICE raids on aliens who are in the U.S. illegally. The audience applauded resistance to ICE. Somehow, it did not occur to them that the Biden administration opened the border and 15 million illegals were allowed into the country without any vetting. No, foreigners do not have a human right to enter the U.S. They must be removed. But this is not how Suhas sees it.

I was quite disappointed by Suhas making hysterical claims and agitating the audience and creating more partisan divisions among the 10th District citizens.

— Matt Chwalowski, Leesburg

A Small Minority

Editor:

I went from annoyed to angry when I read the letters you published in your recent issue. It you’re a politically biased news outlet you need to state that on your masthead. You've published ignorant and false comments about Trump, and even an outright lie by our head Supervisor. Randall claimed the Trump’s recent bill is “ten times” larger than Biden’s big bill, and made other false statements about it.

You also published two letters in the same edition last summer, which placed the blame for Joe Biden's open borders on Donald Trump. I didn’t see one truthful response to those obvious falsehoods published by you.

Loudoun residents need to realize five out of six American counties voted red on Nov. 5. That puts Loudoun liberals in the small minority in this country. Most Americans do not support racial double standards and bigotry (DEI hiring policies and “social justice”); and we don’t believe that men should compete against women in sports, or that humans can alter their chromosomes. Please give us an equal voice.

— James Sivard, Mt. Gilead

Loudoun Now is your local,

The Lost Opportunity of a Win-Win

BY HOWARD DAWLEY

My family moved to Leesburg Mobile Park in 1968, after a similar closure of a park in Alexandria to “redevelop the land to higher use” (read “increase tax revenue for the jurisdiction’s coffers”).

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My father drove daily to his employment at the Pentagon, while my mother planted azaleas, rose brushes, and beautiful gardens of annuals and perennials that saw our lot once honored with a Keep Loudoun Beautiful award for property improvement.

The original property owner was a kind gentleman, refusing during his lifetime to accept countless lucrative offers to sell, while ensuring that park grounds and facilities remained well cared for. His children were not as predisposed toward the well-being of the park’s residents, allowing the infrastructure to fall into disrepair and subsequent deterioration prior to entraining offers to sell.

My parents were active in our church, my mother was a co-founder of the first pregnancy center in the county - Birthright - which provided care and resources to countless unwed mothers. I followed their lead in giving back to the community by joining Leesburg ‘s rescue squad at age 16, becoming an EMT thereafter, and an advanced life support provider at 18. When not on duty at the station, I kept my bicycle on the patioawakening at night to the scanner beckoning volunteers to staff additional vehicles. I would hop on my bike and pedal down South Street to the station to join others climbing aboard the departing emergency vehicles. This became my life’s work, as I was hired by the county in 1985 as a training coordinator and retired from the county’s Department of Fire-Rescue at the rank of deputy chief 30 years later.

While my wife and I relocated to Lynchburg thereafter, my widowed mother, now 91 years of age, continues to reside in the same mobile home that to date has been her residence for 65 years, tending to her beautiful gardens and caring for a friendly stray cat that showed up at her front step years ago. Her mind remains as sharp as others half her age, and her sweet demeanor makes her a cherished friend to anyone she has ever met. She called me - devastated - upon receiving contact by phone from Mr. Gregory, who wished to stop by her modest home to speak with her the following day.

In my work with the fire department, I had occasion to meet with numerous greedy and manipulative developers as

I negotiated proffered parcels for future stations to serve the bow wave of associated development that had descended upon the County. I traveled to Leesburg on Tuesday to be present at this meeting, armed with provisions of the Code of Virginia establishing property owner obligations to tenants when a mobile home park is closed.

My peaceful mother thought he sounded “nice” on the phone, but I was suspicious and prepared to argue for her well-being. Mr. Gregory arrived promptly to our meeting, where we were joined by my mother’s 82-year-old neighbor and long-time family friend. His first stop was to pet my mother’s now blind stray cat before entering her home - interesting “disarming tactic” I thought to myself. Early in our conversation, I was struck by his humble, affable nature, as he told us of his failed attempts to work with town and county politicians to parlay his purchase of the park to produce “win-win” by relocating tenants to an alternative property he wished to develop, while acknowledging that the current park’s land—in the heart of the town’s lucrative Crescent Development District (an act by the Town Council that spelled eventual displacement of the park) awaited redevelopment to better feed the town and county coffers.

He detailed these efforts, each thwarted by politicians who give lip service to the problem of affordable housing with no evidence of tangible action, akin to Hollywood celebrities that virtue signal the plight of low wage earners with crocodile tears until viewing proposals that

might bring affordable ADUs in proximity to their gated communities. Yes, Mr. Gregory is a man that has accumulated great wealth through his development projects, but I also measured him as a man that had genuine concern for the park’s tenants. He spoke of the decayed utility infrastructure that would require millions to remediate and demonstrated that he was operating the park at a significant financial loss.

His vision from the outset was to participate in a relocation of the low-income tenants, and yes, redevelop the parcel into the gilded amalgam of shiny midrise buildings with luxury condos and ground floor boutiques and cafes envisioned in the town’s cherished redevelopment plans ... win-win.

Finding no equally committed jurisdictional partner that shared this winwin outcome, and with mounting costs and pressure from political authorities, he resigned himself to the reality of closing the park.

I maneuvered our dialog toward the subject of the assistance he was inclined to extend to displaced occupants like my mother, quickly learning that certain provisions of the Virginia Code, like a relocation settlement of $5,000 per unit owner didn’t apply. To my surprise, and gratitude, he responded that each resident would receive between $10,000 and $16,000 to aid in their relocation. Given the age of my mother’s trailer, I know that it could not be safely moved and researched the prospective demolition and removal costs in advance of our meeting—equating to roughly an $8,000 expense—a cost that would be financially prohibitive to my mom. Again, while not legally required to do so, Mr. Gregory pledged to incorporate language into the lease termination agreement to clarify that he would cover the costs of demolishing and removing structures from lots as conditions necessitated.

In my measured opinion, he is a man that genuinely sought a favorable outcome for all, and—a rare trait in the development community—tangible compassion for those negatively affected by the town’s full court press toward uniform affluence and among its citizens.

As he prepared to leave, Mr. Gregory apologized to my mother with a tear in his eye and embraced her in a hug. My mother will relocate to live with my wife and me, and while I know there will be moments of anxiety and melancholy for her as we prepare for her move, we will shepherd her spirit through the transition—aided by a property owner who’s caring and actions have helped to soften the blow. n

Contributed

Nancy Dawley holds her blind cat Thomas outside her home at the Leesburg Mobile Park.

Spence: Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Public Education—Now Is the Time to Stand Up for Our Kids

BY AARON SPENCE Superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools

As the superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools, and as someone who is fiercely committed to the future of our children, I have been closely tracking recent federal actions that threaten to disrupt education funding at both the national and local levels, and I am alarmed by what I see. I am concerned these actions may pose a serious threat to the foundation of public education in Virginia and across the nation. The abrupt withholding of over $6 billion in congressionally appropriated K-12 education funding, including more than $100 million for Virginia schools, signals a troubling shift that appears to prioritize politics over student opportunity.

While federal education dollars represent a relatively small portion of school division budgets—typically between 5 and 10 percent—they serve our most vulnerable students: children

experiencing poverty, students with disabilities, and English learners. The funding currently being withheld supports teacher training, after-school programming, mental health resources, and much more. Programs that support homeless students, family engagement, English language acquisition, and special education are also at risk. While LCPS will be affected particularly in our

efforts to support English Learners, we are deeply concerned for school divisions across the state that will face even more severe consequences. For many, this funding shortfall could result in painful decisions: staff reductions, program eliminations, or the loss of critical services, many of which are federally mandated.

What’s more, the newly adopted domestic policy bill (“The Big Beautiful Bill”) includes funding cuts for the following fiscal year that are paired with a push for a national school voucher program. These tax credits, which would divert $5 billion in public dollars to private institutions, are paired with a 15 percent cut to the U.S. Department of Education, which has expertise in and oversees programs ranging from special education compliance, civil rights, data collection and accountability, career and technical education, and student financial aid. Additionally, with Medicaid funding on the chopping block, health services delivered in schools through the program are likely to be reduced or eliminated.

Even agencies like the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics face cuts, jeopardizing the data we rely on to allocate resources, identify opportunities for improvement, and serve students equitably.

This is not just a local or even a state issue; it’s a national issue verging on crisis. Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and of our economy. Undermining it through underfunding and privatization will have long-term consequences, not just for students and educators, but for workforce readiness, economic mobility, and the overall health and strength of our communities.

Now more than ever, we need our local leaders, state legislators, business leaders, and community advocates to stand together to defend public education. Our kids, families and communities are being shortchanged by decisions made far from our classrooms, and it should be unacceptable. Our kids and our communities deserve better than this, and it’s up to all of us to demand it. n

Supervisors Approve $100K Grant for ORBCOMM Consolidation

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $100,000 incentive grant to ORBCOMM as part of that company’s plans to consolidate its headquarters operation in Sterling.

It would be a return home for the Loudoun-born company.

ORBCOMM grew out of Dulles-based Orbital Sciences Corp. and used that company’s network of low Earth orbit satellites in the early 1990s to establish commercial messaging and data communication services. The company went public in 2006 and then developed and deployed a second-generation satellite fleet specializing in two-way messaging focused on tracking equipment and goods around the globe. Today, its Internet of Things services connect more than 2.4 million devices.

The company is headquartered in Rochelle Park, NJ, and has offices in Boca Raton, FL. Under the proposal, the company’s staff and operations would be consolidated in Sterling, where is continues to run its satellite control center.

According to a report from the county’s

Department of Economic Development, the consolidation would result in 51 new employees, while retaining the 72 current staff members. In Loudoun, the company

is expected to add up to 10,000 square feet of office space over the next five years.

The $100,000 grant complies with the county’s policy that such investments be

recovered within three years through growth in tax revenues, calculated in the application at $149,400.

“Because Loudoun is competing directly with other existing locations, securing not just the expansion but the retention of ORBCOMM in Loudoun is critical to Loudoun’s overarching business development strategy particularly in a time of economic uncertainty in the region,” according to the staff report from the Department of Economic Development. “While the recommended incentive maximizes the traditional ROI analysis, the commitment from both the County and the Commonwealth would encourage continued momentum in DED’s economic diversification strategy and emphasize the importance of adding jobs and square feet within Loudoun’s targeted clusters.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week described the plans as an investment of up to $3 million into skilled job creation and expansion into 22,000 square feet of office space. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

A sign on the side of ORBCOMM’s Innovation and Network Control Center in Sterling. The company will move its headquarters to Loudoun County under a deal approved by the Board of Supervisors.

File Photo

Aaron Spence

Good morning, Loudoun!

Generator Use

continued from page 1

Those loads caused PJM to declare a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction action June 23-25. That includes calling on all contracted demand response programs to provide additional resources for the power grid. A demand response program includes reaching out to power users who have opted into the program and alerting them to reduce their demand. That can be done by running a backup power source, such as a generator, rather than pulling power from the grid. Those users can be residential, commercial, or industrial.

Demand response is used by PJM to deal with escalating peak energy use and was anticipated by the organization based on its load forecasts. The procedures helped reduce load by more than 4,000 MW, according to the organization.

“These supply and demand conditions have two primary causes. Power plants are retiring due primarily to state and federal decarbonization policies and economic pressures. At the same time, demand is increasing due primarily to the electricity needs of data centers that power the digital economy and artificial intelligence,” according to an announcement by PJM.

While the generator use provided relief to the region, Board of Supervisors’ Vice Chair Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said that residents across the county have been concerned.

“We all of a sudden had a number of complaints from local constituents sending photos of the black smoke from Tier 2 generators going up into the sky and saying, ‘These guys are running 24/7 for days at a time,’” Turner said.

He said the need for demand response operations is likely to increase.

data centers make up less than 4% of regional emissions of nitrogen oxides and 0.1% or less of carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions.

The report also found that data center generators are run almost solely for periodic maintenance. They are also run during emergencies.

“Most data center operators interviewed by the JLARC staff reported experiencing zero to two minor outages per site in the past two years, with nearly all outages being only a few hours long,” according to the report.

If that changes and generators are run more frequently to offset demand in the grid, those pollutants will increase. The report also said Tier 2 generators should not be used for demand response programs because of their emissions.

“I’ve heard we have 4,000 Tier 2 backup generators in Loudoun County and if the grid becomes unstable, PJM is going to come to us first before they go to anybody else,” Turner said. “It has the most immediate consequential effects on stabilizing the grid if they ask our data centers to go to backup power. Now, I don’t have anything to prove what I just said, but there’s A, B, C, and D all in a row. It’s going to lead you to E whether you like it or not. That’s a logical conclusion.”

The JLARC report suggested that the existing state sales tax exemption available to data centers could be leveraged to incentivize Tier 4 generator upgrades, but Turner said changing the state incentive is likely not the right path forward.

“That’s trying to do brain surgery with a broad axe, and we oppose that because every locality is different,” he said.

Instead, Turner said he wants to incentivize installation of Tier 4 generators, which he said reduce emissions by 95% and produce half as much noise as Tier 2.

“We’re talking about incentives and rewriting the Zoning Ordinance to get existing data centers to convert over to Tier 4 generators. It’s expensive, but the last consideration I think that the data centers have to worry about right now in their world is expense. They’ve got tons of money and they’re looking at serious energy shortages here if they don’t figure out what to do,” Turner said.

On July 7, the U.S. Department of Energy released a resource adequacy report, which found that even without the retirement of fossil-fuel power generation plants, an additional 10,500 MW of power-generating capacity would be needed in PJM’s region by 2030 to reduce shortfalls.

The report also estimated that peak load in PJM’s region would increase from the 162,000 MW experienced last month to 187,000 MW by 2030.

“We’ve got to be able to go to a reliable demand response system, and in the near term that’s only backup generators, and if we’re going to do that, then by god, we’ve got to switch over to Tier 4 generators,” Turner said. n

“The problem with demand response is it relies on on-site power. There is only one source of on-site power in Virginia right now, with one exception – and that’s the natural gas turbine Vantage plant out in Sterling, which runs on natural gas turbines – and that is the demand response has to, right now, rely on filthy, noisy Tier 2 backup generators,” Turner said.

A report by the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Review and Audit Committee released last December found that diesel generators used by

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Data center generators around Loudoun roared to life last week as the heat wave taxed the regional power grid.

A Loudoun Moment

Photo by Douglas Graham

Data Center Taxes

continued from page 1

Today, data centers generate 38% of the county’s General Fund revenue. If the general personal property tax rate is not lowered, data centers could grow to represent more than 60% of the total General Fund within the next five to seven years as the county’s growth rate stabilizes, according to the presentation.

“Lowering the general personal property tax rate remains the strongest tool for managing data center revenue. Further, lowering the general personal property tax rate is the only way for the Board to control the growth of the budget; without a lower rate, the revenue will continue to be generated, and the Board must assign expenditures to the revenue collected,” according to the staff report.

The staff is not recommending additional cuts to the real estate tax rate, which, at 80.5 cents, is the lowest in the region and 35 cents lower than neighboring Fairfax County’s $1.155 rate.

“Continuing to lower this rate, while at the same time keeping the general personal property tax rate the same, will further

widen this gap and create significant challenges in the future when data center revenue stabilizes. Staff does not recommend continuing to lower the real property rate instead of lowering the general personal property tax rate,” according to the staff report.

“The recommendation is based on the fact that the board has expressed its desire to slow the growth of the county’s budget,” Bourke said. “You cannot do that while continuing to collect the substantial amount of revenue that’s coming from data centers. If you continue to collect that revenue, you have to spend it.”

In fiscal year 2026, the county’s local tax funding increased by 11%.

Next year, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet said he was targeting an increase of 9%.

“Anything below 9% is going to be overly restrictive,” Hemstreet said, noting that staff compensation increases and base budget expenditures alone will require increases of 7% or 8%.

The committee briefing marked the opening stages of the fiscal year 2027 budget process. The staff will return at a future meeting with a variety of tax rate scenarios for the panel’s review.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) highlighted the political realities involved with reducing taxes on data centers and not continuing to reduce the car tax or other taxes on residents.

“The challenge we’re facing is the one benefit, from the perspective of citizens, that we get from data centers in this county is all this revenue,” he said. “So, I think for us, it’s very difficult to not essentially use that revenue to provide tax relief or funding for other services and so on and so forth.”

And he noted, efforts to slow the rate of government spending are hampered by the growing school budget.

“When I look at the chart that you show to me, the number one problem there’s going to be with LCPS, you know, an $80 million increase at a 7% rate,” he said. “We all know they’re not going to come in with an $83 million request. Last year, it was over 100. We can start communicating that now, but I’m personally not all that optimistic that that’s going to happen.”

Committee Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) this week noted that the suggestion to lower the data center tax rate has been made by the staff several

times in recent years. She also acknowledged the public concerns about taking such action and promised there would be a deliberative, public process to work through the issue.

“I just want to make it clear that staff is recommending this for the fiscal health of the county. They’re thinking 10 or 15 years ahead,” Briskman said.

In addition to evaluating the impacts of cutting the personal property tax by 5 to 15 cents, Briskman said she wanted to explore other options.

“I’m also planning to meet with our Finance and Budget Office to hopefully brainstorm some more creative ideas on how we could use this revenue productively without ballooning our budget,” she said. “That is the biggest concern from staff is ballooning the budget, because under law, we have to have a balanced budget at the local level. We can’t just put these sorts of revenues into savings and forget about it; it still is an expense item and so staff is rightly bringing this to our attention and has for the last couple of years, and the process to make a decision on this will be very, very transparent, and we’ll see where it goes.” n

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Storm clouds hang over the Blue Ridge Mountains above Bluemont. We can expect this type of weather for the rest of the week.

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