Loudoun Now for July 24, 2025

State Supreme Court Upholds Greenway Toll Hike Denial

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Supreme Court of Virginia last week upheld the State Corporation Commission’s denial of rate increases sought by the owners of the Dulles Greenway last year—a ruling that validated years of frustration by local motorists and state legislators.

The company applied to raise tolls on two-axle vehicles on the highway to $8.10 during rush hour and $6.40 in off-peak hours. Currently, the toll is $5.80 in peak hours and $5.25 in off-peak hours.

The SCC in September denied the request, finding that the higher rates would “materially discourage use of the Greenway” and were “contrary to the public interest” in violation of a state law enacted by the General Assembly to change the way rate increase requests are evaluated. Previously, the owners had been guaranteed at least a minimum annual increase.

Toll Road Investors Partnership II, the owner of the 14-mile private toll road between Leesburg and Dulles Airport, appealed the denial to the state Supreme Court and also filed a GREENWAY TOLLS continues on page 34

Supervisors Deny Hiddenwood Industrial Application; Neighborhood Future Uncertain

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After more than a year of negotiations with county leaders, residents living along Hiddenwood Lane received a final denial for their proposal to rezone the neighborhood with the goal of selling their homes and moving away.

The Hiddenwood Assemblage is comprised of the owners of 20 parcels totaling 28.92 acres west of Dulles Airport near Arcola. After approval of applications by JK Land Holdings to build data centers near their homes—actions some supervisors have said they since regret—residents said their once quiet countryside homes have turned into a construction

zone. Bordered directly to the south by a project known as JK2 and directly to the west by additional data centers, the community requested authority to build data centers on their land, an action they said would allow them to sell their homes and

HIDDENWOOD continues on page 8

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Residents who live along Hiddenwood Lane stand at the entrance of their neighborhood after learning that county supervisors denied their request to rezone their properties.

Bentley Guilty on All Charges in Fatal Home Explosion

BY PATRICK LEWIS, NORMAN STYER AND HANNA PAMPALONI

A Loudoun jury on Monday found Roger Bentley guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2024 home explosion that killed a volunteer firefighter.

Bentley was also found guilty of three misdemeanor charges related to the handling of propane and hazardous materials.

The verdicts came on the heels of a week-and-a-half-long trial including arguments and testimony from 25 witnesses. The jury began deliberations July 16.

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

In their arguments, prosecutors with the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said Bentley knew the 500-gallon propane tank buried in the yard of the home was leaking and failed to take emergency actions. They pointed to video from a doorbell camera that showed Bentley saying the smell of gas might

increase and telling homeowner Kelley Woods not to call the fire department because they would “make a big deal out of nothing.”

Hours after Bentley left the scene to go

to another call, the house exploded while firefighters while Sterling Volunteer Fire Company were investigating a neighbor’s report of the smell of gas at the house.

Bentley’s attorneys argued that he

did not know there was an active leak in the tank, which would mean he did not know there was imminent danger. Attorney Kelly King told the jury during closing arguments that the doorbell camera video did not accurately represent Bentley’s statements and was being misinterpreted by prosecutors. King also said that fire investigators with Loudoun County Combined Fire Rescue System failed to subpoena additional footage and evidence that would have weakened the prosecutors’ arguments.

In turn, prosecutors said that Bentley knew the tank was leaking and failed to act, which they say meets the threshold of gross negligence showing a callous disregard for human life that is required for a manslaughter conviction.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled Nov. 6. Bentley faces up to 10 years in prison on the manslaughter charge.

After the verdict, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson said he would reserve most of his comments about the

continues on page 33

Rural Zoning Work Group Digs into Winery, Brewery Regulations

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County leaders are continuing their review of zoning regulations for rural Loudoun. Their most recent work session focused on farm wineries, breweries and distilleries, which garnered some heated debate among participants.

The Board of Supervisors’ Transportation and Land Use Committee has been leading the effort to conduct a Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendment process in collaboration with the county staff and community stakeholders representing businesses, residents, agriculture and conservation.

During the July 16 work session, county planning staff members led the group through four main topics with several issues identified beneath each one. Those included on-site agricultural operations and production; separate limited distillery uses and use-specific standards; commercial winery, limited brewery and distillery, and farm winery use-specific standards; and commercial winery, limited brewery and distillery and farm winery accessory events.

A consistent concern voiced by the community throughout the amendment process has been the need for a better balance of neighbors’ property rights while providing businesses the leeway they need to run profitable operations.

Those concerns were on full display during the seven-hour meeting.

Scott Seeburger lives on Blue Ridge Mountain Road and said the impacts of Bear Chase Brewing on his home and his neighbors’ homes have been significant. Bear Chase is considered a “limited brewery” under the Zoning Ordinance, which includes specific allowances and requirements.

“What was supposed to be a farm brewery is nothing more than a commercial entertainment venue disguised under a weak zoning loophole. Make no mistake, Loudoun’s current zoning regulations are failing rural residents,” Seeburger said.

He said that limited breweries are exploiting lax agricultural rules without actually functioning as agricultural facilities. While Virginia law says limited breweries must produce their products with ingredients grown on site, Loudoun’s standards are minimal, Seeburger said. And, he

added that enforcement by the Virginia ABC is “nearly nonexistent.”

Tolga Baki, who operates Hillsborough Winery and Brewery with his brother Kerem, said wineries and breweries are key components of what makes Loudoun unique, driving agritourism and protecting open spaces.

“We generate nearly $50 million in economic impact collectively, so this is not a small enterprise, obviously,” he said.

Because breweries are classified as food production, they are subject to “intense” regulation, he said.

“We are overseen by 27 state, federal, local and private agencies,” Baki said. “… most conduct monthly, quarterly or annual inspections with many performing unannounced spot checks to make sure we’re always on our toes.”

Baki said Loudoun’s breweries take that seriously because they face fines, shutdowns and operational halts that affect their abilities to provide for their families.

Stakeholders discussed whether businesses should prove they are agricultural operations to qualify for building code exemptions and, if so, what those qualifications should be. They considered

using the county’s conservation farm plan process to verify agricultural activities, ensuring compliance with state and local regulations and considered the sourcing of ingredients, the minimum growing area size, and the inspection process by the ABC.

Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said farm wineries and breweries are given building code exemptions because they are agricultural operations and the cost of complying with the regulations without an exemption is high.

But Senior Assistant County Attorney Jason Hobbie said the exemptions are there because of what the agricultural buildings are intended for such uses such as housing livestock or storing hay.

“It’s not supposed to be used primarily for assembly of hundreds of people where there is not adequate fire access, where there are no permits for trades that are installed—trades being water, electric that are installed in the building. [In some cases] there is no building code permit demonstrating that the building has even

RURAL ZONING continues on page 35

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System Chief James Williams and Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Anderson meet with reporters following the July 21 verdict in the manslaughter trial of Roger Bentley.

BENTLEY VERDICT

Loudoun

Warp Speed: Construction Begins on Fast-tracked Attainable Housing Project

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpamploni@loudounnow.org

Eighteen months after developer Kim Hart brought forward an idea to the county supervisors for a pilot project expediting attainable housing applications in Loudoun, teams last week broke ground on a Sterling parcel that will provide 80 affordable units.

The fast-tracked Atlantic Boulevard project was the brainchild of Hart and planner Packie Crown in collaboration with the county staff and supervisors to test out how quickly a 100% affordable housing project could advance through the legislative review process.

“I say whenever I do a groundbreaking, it’s simply a miracle when we get here. I don’t know how we do it,” Hart said during a July 17 groundbreaking ceremony.

“We got through the entire zoning process in six and a half months. We got through the entire site plan process in eight months. We got through the entire bonding and building permit in three and a half months. From the time we started our rezoning, till we broke ground on construction of 18 months. Nobody in Loudoun County has ever done that before. I’m not sure anybody in America has ever done that before,” he said.

The project involved rezoning just over three acres along Atlantic Boulevard from Planned-Development Housing 6 to Multi-Family Residential. It will provide 80 apartments for residents earning up to 60% of the area’s median income with one-, two- and three-bedroom units in a four-story building.

Localities Awarded $8M in Federal Grants

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (DVA-10) has secured $16.8 million for 15 transportation projects in the 10th District, with nearly $8 million awarded to Loudoun’s local governments.

The money is allocated through the congressional appropriations process for Community Project Funding, previously known as earmarks.

Green Street Housing Director of Development Chase Powell said he had never seen a process move this quickly.

“For all the developers in the room, we know that that is absolutely gangbusters, right? So, for those of you at [the county’s Department of Building and Development], for those of you on the permitting side and the planning side, I tip my hat to you. Thank you. That is a rare thing. We work in a lot of municipalities and 18 months is warp speed as far as I’m concerned,” Powell said.

County supervisors said they hope this project serves as a model for other proposals.

“This is your case study. Follow this model here. I want to do more attainable housing. I know my board colleagues want to do more attainable housing. I know the

county staff wants to do more attainable housing. We need it,” Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) said.

Saines said the county needs third party partners who have the same vision.

“If you look at the papers lately, or hear some comments for board members lately, and it’s all, ‘oh the board doesn’t want to do affordable housing. Oh, the board doesn’t want to do this, or the board doesn’t want to do that.’ Well, news flash, I will remind you, the board does not build housing. The board doesn’t build offices and shopping centers. We only approve what’s brought in front of us or deny what’s brought in front of us,” he said.

Board of Supervisors Vice Chair

ATTAINABLE HOUSING continues on page 8

Supervisors Narrowly Approve Data Center Near Leesburg

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After months of meetings in which supervisors debated the merits of allowing a data center on land near Leesburg Executive Airport, the board last night voted narrowly to approve the proposal. The rezoning application was submitted by JK Land Holdings and would

permit up to 556,746 square feet of data center space on a 22-acre tract along Crosstrail Boulevard and Sycolin Road. It would also alternatively permit up to 416,000 square feet of warehouse or distribution uses, or up to 218,000 square feet of industrial uses. The request would rezone the property from Joint Land Management Area to Planned Development -

Industrial Park.

The board was unable in May and then again in July to find consensus on the proposal with motions both to approve and to deny the application failing to find majority support.

Last night’s motion to approve the

LEESBURG DATA CENTER continues on page 6

Loudoun County is slated to receive $3.2 million for a roundabout on Rt. 15 and Braddock Road and $250,000 to construct affordable rental housing. The Boulder Crest Foundation would be granted $1 million to develop peer-led mental wellness training programs for law enforcement officers. The Town of Leesburg is on the list for $1 million for pedestrian projects along Plaza Street. Hamilton was awarded $650,000 for a new well and water storage facility and Lovettsville approved for $1 million for a water tower.

The House of Representatives is expected to consider the bills containing these projects in the coming weeks and months.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Lovettsville

The county government's next Household Hazardous Waste collection is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Lovettsville Elementary School.

County residents may bring HHW from their homes to the event free of charge.

Typical items include fluorescent light bulbs, dry-cell batteries (alkaline, Ni-Cad, Lithium, rechargeable, etc, but no automobile batteries), oilbased paints and stains, varnish, paint thinner, mineral spirits, metal polish, rust remover, wood strippers and preservatives, furniture polish, waxes, sealants and solvents, bleach, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizer, pool chemicals, muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, ammonia, mercury, mercury thermometers and thermostats, gasoline, expired fuel, auto cleaners and flushes, brake and transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, fire extinguishers, moth balls, flea and tick products, photographic chemicals and other hobby chemicals.

Learn more at loudoun.gov/hhw. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now County and project leaders toss the first shovels of dirt in the construction of an 80-unit attainable housing project in Sterling July 17.

Briskman, Rizer Talk Federal Grant Cuts, Economy at Town Hall

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Algonkian District Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D) and Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer on Monday gave residents an update on the state of the county’s economy and the potential impacts from the federal budget bill adopted earlier this month.

Briskman said federal dollars are already being impacted.

The county receives over $57.2 million from 54 active federal grants, supporting 20 departments. Those include the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, Family Planning Services, Low or No Emission Grant Program and Community Project Funding.

So far, $450,000 from three federal grants were rescinded from the county’s health department and the county’s Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure received a letter demanding proof that the county has eliminated its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility initiatives or the federal dollars would be in jeopardy.

Loudoun County Public Schools, which receives $46 million in federal funding, also received a similar letter from the federal government earlier this year. Superintendent Aaron Spence said the division would not be complying and Briskman said Monday that county supervisors had agreed to cover the gap if the funding was cut.

“We did not respond as strongly as the schools did to that, but we did look things over, and we don’t think that we’re in violation of anything that they’re talking about,” Briskman said.

Briskman also said the federal budget bill will reduce support for states, which will put more pressure on localities to fund programs.

“The downward pressure on local governments to fund things has been extreme

Leesburg Data Center

continued from page 4

application, made by Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), came down to County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), who had said earlier this month that she needed more time to review the application.

“I had a very hard time with this application for quite a few reasons, and I have been 51-49 back and forth and back and forth,” she said, adding that she

over the last two to three decades. It’s almost like a death by 1,000 cuts,” she said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes to healthcare and SNAP will be felt by Loudoun residents as well, Briskman said.

Over 50,000 Loudoun residents are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and nearly 15,000 receive SNAP benefits totaling $2.4 million a month. If cut, those residents will rely more heavily on the county’s nonprofit community, she said.

“The reason this really starts to make me nervous is because once people start losing their health care and start losing their SNAP benefits, that’s when the county services are going to come more into demand, right?” she said. “That’s when our nonprofits are going to start feeling the pressure even more trying to support our families. That’s when the downstream impacts of our businesses

wanted to make sure she didn’t get the vote “wrong.”

Randall said the proposed location is industrial, making it an appropriate location for a data center. She added that JK Land Holdings had agreed to several improvements and proffers that improved the application.

“I won’t say that I’m thrilled about saying yes, but I was trying too hard to get to a no. And if you’re trying too hard to get to a no, maybe the answer is not no,” she said.

The application was opposed by Vice Chair Michael Turner (D-Ashburn) and

$8.4 billion in new investments was made, Rizer said. The Board of Supervisors has lowered taxes, and the county has the fastest job growth of any large county in Virginia, he added.

Rizer said the state of Loudoun’s economy is strong, but that he’s watching indicators and trends with some concern due to uncertainty surrounding federal changes.

“DOGE cuts, tariffs, inflation—these are the uncertainties that are making things really tough right now. It’s hard to predict, and the biggest enemy of business is not competition, it’s uncertainty. It’s hard to make those decisions of investment when you don’t know what the future looks like,” Rizer said.

That uncertainty is causing some companies to hold off on moving forward with business investments or projects, he said.

“We don’t know what that future is going to look like and that’s not a political statement, that’s an economic statement,” Rizer said.

– and I’m just like thinking about all these great restaurants that are opening up over here in Cascades Marketplace – that’s when folks don’t have the extra income to spend on going out to dinner or buying a gift or something like that. So, the downstream impacts on our local economy, and I’m sure Buddy is thinking about this as well, could be pretty severe once these things start to go into effect.”

Briskman highlighted efforts by the county to mitigate these impacts including $5 million of emergency funding allocated to nonprofits, the creation of a federal workers’ resource page, initiatives by the DED including the Loudoun Resilience Initiative, NOVANext and job fairs.

In fiscal year 2025, 4,761 jobs were added to the market, 51% of the county’s tax revenue was generated by businesses and

supervisors Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian), Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) and Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run).

They raised concerns with the continued need for power infrastructure in Loudoun including more transmission lines and utility substations. The Cross Mill application does not include permission for a substation to be constructed and would have all distribution lines – lower voltage power lines – buried underground. High voltage lines, or transmission lines, would still be above ground.

But he said the county has several strengths that insulate it from some changes including being not as dependent on federal agencies as other jurisdictions in the area. Only 1.6% of the county’s office space is leased by the General Services Administration and less than 25,000 federal employees live or work in Loudoun. The impacts on federal contractors are more difficult to measure, he said, but Briskman said an additional 43,000 contractors live in Loudoun and 16,000 contracting jobs are located in the county.

“We think we’re in good shape there, but we do worry about those companies who depend on getting the federal government contracts and things like that,” Rizer said. “… You can see that the potential is there for this to go really bad. It hasn’t gone really bad yet. But again, those flashing, those signs are out there that we have to pay attention to.” n

Randall reminded supervisors that they are not allowed to take power demand or constraints into consideration when making land use decisions, but said she is working to change that.

“I put legislation in to ask the General Assembly, ‘Can we consider power?’ But right now, we can’t consider power,” she said. n

It was supported by Umstattd and supervisors Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin), Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), and Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), who agreed the location is an appropriate one for a data center.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer speaks on the state of the county’s economy during a community meeting with Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) July 22.

Bles Park Reopens After Year-long Renovations

whose district includes the park.

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After a year of closure, Bles Park reopened last week featuring an upgraded playground area, six picnic pavilions, trails, sports safety netting and a canoe and kayak launch onto Broad Run.

The 132-acre park, first established in the early ’90s, is located north of Rt. 7 and adjacent to the Potomac River.

The $7.4 million project offers accessible parks and recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Steve Torpy said during the July 16 ribbon cutting that the park saw a steep increase in users in 2015, which led to parking shortages. Once that problem was identified, Torpy said the goal was to fix everything else at the same time.

“We wanted to make sure that as we went through the process of fixing the parking that we were identifying and bringing forward all of the different things that the community wanted to see now at Bles Park and that’s exactly what has happened, and that’s what we are celebrating here today,” Torpy said.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) said the approval needed for the project was championed by Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian)

“I actually said, how many parks does Algonkian need? You guys have the Algonkian [regional] park for god’s sake, and she said, ‘it’s not enough.’ … This would have not taken place were it not for Miss Briskman, what I would say fighting the big fights that she had to fight,” she said.

Briskman said it had been one of the more difficult land use cases she has dealt with.

“There were a good number of people who were not supportive of what we wanted to do in this park. A lot of folks claiming that it was going to interrupt the animals and the birds and the critters. There were environmental issues. There might be too much traffic. Why are you going to put more parking?” she said.

Briskman noted that, despite the improvements, the park will remain as passive open space and that the work was funded through cash proffers from surrounding projects.

A second phase of the project that still needs to be completed will include adding a skate park.

“I am super excited and again, I want to thank staff. I want to thank all my colleagues for hanging in there with me, and I am so excited to go hiking,” Briskman said.

The park is located at 44830 Bles Park Dr. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

A youngster explores the playground at Bles Park, one of several new amenities unveiled during last week’s re-opening ceremony.

Attainable Housing

continued from page 4

Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) recalled pitching the idea to Planning and Zoning Director Daniel Galindo who he said voiced support for the project.

“Everybody just got behind it and really pulled out all the stops,” he said.

Hart also praised the work the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce has done advocating investments into affordable housing, saying they held the supervisors’ “feet to the fire” on the issue.

Chamber Government Relations Manager Theo Stamatis said that is something the chamber would continue to do.

“[We’ve] been on record standing up for and supporting future attainable housing in Loudoun County and because of our efforts, not only supporting attainable housing and in particular this expedited review process, this project was able to materialize and get off the ground,” Stamatis said.

The apartment building will include a community room, business center, bocce ball court and a connection to the W&OD Trail. n

Hiddenwood

continued from page 1

relocate.

The assemblage’s first proposal included plans to build 756,029 square feet of data center space.

But the community is bordered to the north by another residential neighborhood, Briarfield Estates, whose residents have opposed the plans, saying allowing additional data centers would push the problem from Hiddenwood onto their homes.

Following negotiations with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, Hiddenwood residents revised their application to restrict building heights, mitigate noise, locate generators behind the buildings or behind 15foot walls, increase setbacks from Briarfield Estates and increase a cash offer for landscaping materials to Briarfield Estates to $75,000.

tion of denial passing on a 5-4 vote. The majority maintained that the impact on Briarfield Estates would be too great.

During their July 15 meeting, a majority of supervisors agreed, with Dulles District Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau making a motion to deny the application.

“I take no pleasure whatsoever in making that motion, and it’s an unfortunate series of events and circumstances that have led us to this,” he said. “But in making the motion I am attempting to not further the unfortunate events and circumstances.”

Allowing industrial and commercial uses so close to homes in Briarfield Estates would do that, he added.

“Ultimately, I am seeking a solution which puts an end to the expansion of industrial development in an area of our county that calls for residential development,” Letourneau said.

to the statement.

NEXT STEPS

Letourneau said the vote is not the end of his efforts to help Hiddenwood residents and that he recognizes that they are in a difficult situation.

“I have an analysis from our finance department that the JK2 data center is going to produce more than $20 million annually in tax revenue for the county. And so, I think if you kind of look at this holistically, it would be reasonable to consider the benefit that we’re getting from JK2 in tax revenue and setting aside a portion of that to mitigate the impacts for the residents of Hiddenwood Lane,” Letourneau said.

The site could serve as some kind link to the Loudoun’s Trails and Waterways trail network through the county, he said.

While the Planning Commission in May 2024 recommended approval of that plan on a 4-3-1 vote, the plan did not garner board support. The neighborhood sought to delay action by the board and presented a revised application last September.

That revised application removed data centers from the plan entirely and instead proposed 334,000 square feet of light and medium industrial and commercial uses.

JK Land Holdings CEO Chuck Kuhn said the contract purchaser for the Hiddenwood properties reached out to see if he would be willing to build warehouses on the property if they were able to rezone the land to permit them. Kuhn said he would and that he recognized that neighborhood was in a difficult position.

Construction on the JK2 property has not begun yet and when it does the community will feel even more effects, he said.

“All of the disruption down there is development on by-right [data center] land, or the disruption of the roadways: North Star Boulevard and Dulles West Boulevard construction. So, the unfortunate part is, when our construction starts, of course it’ll be disruptive to that community, and when our construction starts, it will go on for probably five or six years, and that community hasn’t even been affected by that construction yet,” Kuhn said.

The alternative non-data-center industrial plan failed to get Planning Commission approval, with a recommenda-

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) disagreed that the conditions facing Briarfield Estates and Hiddenwood are the same. She said Hiddenwood residents have worked hard during their applications to limit the impact on their neighbors.

“One community bought their homes many, many years ago before they could have possibly known what was going to be there … and we made decisions and those decisions were bad,” Randall said.

Supervisors should correct those decisions, she said.

The board voted to deny the application on a 5-4 vote, with Randall and supervisors Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg), Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Sylvia R. Glass (Broad Run) opposed.

In a statement to Loudoun Now, the Hiddenwood Assemblage said the decision has been a blow to the community.

“Due to factors outside our control, our 20-lot subdivision that predates the establishment of Dulles Airport, is now one where our families are unable to enjoy quiet residential lives due to airport noise overflights, intensive construction dust and noise stemming from near-constant road construction and development activities, and immediately adjacent data center uses. As such, we sought a rezoning for light industrial non-data center uses to provide us with the financial ability to relocate our families to other communities. The Loudoun Board’s 5-4 denial of our community rezoning application functionally sentences us to continue our residential lives in a place where quiet residential living is simply not possible anymore,” according

“This property is adjacent to the beginning of that trail network. And the southern end of that trail network, we don’t have access to it in a public place at all. And so, I do think there is a community benefit to having that ability,” he said.

Letourneau said he’s not ready to say publicly exactly what that would look like, but that he was able to talk with the assemblage’s representation and that there seems to be interest in a proposal.

But Kuhn said the area is not a good fit for residential uses.

“Although it wasn’t our application, I think it’s unfortunate that the county didn’t see the clear use for data there. That would have been appropriate. If data wasn’t going there, I think warehousing, commercial light industrial is appropriate, but data is clearly the right answer,” he said.

Kuhn said Briarfield Estate residents have also talked with commercial brokers and engineers about converting their properties into commercial or light industrial uses.

“Briarfield never should have been a residential development, it wasn’t [comprehensive] planned for it. It wasn’t planned for it. It’s surrounded by byright commercial, industrial, heavy industrial parcels. So, the real mistake was ever allowing that community to go residential in the first place, and I think the right answer would be to take that property back to commercial, light industrial.”

Hiddenwood residents have said they are not ready to publicly disclose their next steps but that “all available options are on the table.” n

Leesburg Town Council Unaminously Rejects Church Street Closure Request

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to keep the section of Church Street that bisects the downtown courts complex open, rejecting the request by the Board of Supervisors.

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

Following their own closed-door briefing Monday night, Town Council members agreed.

“While safety and security is paramount on any decision there, there’s plenty of things that the county could do to strengthen that portion of the judicial building on Church Street and to be proactive to protect the judges and the staff who are there working and without limiting traffic and the flow, not just of the residents but also the folks who visit,” Councilmember Zach Cummings said.

He added that he was concerned that handicap accessibility could be limited if the road were closed.

“We believe this decision best reflects the values of accessibility and preserving the character of our downtown,” Vice Mayor Todd Cimino-Johnson said. “We’re always open to collaboration with the Board of Supervisors, but in this case, we felt strongly that closure was not in the best interest of the

community.”

Councilmember Nicholas Krukowski said the impact to community traffic and special events would be “huge.”

“I appreciate the county being proactive to a possible security threat, but we received an abundance of feedback from our community strongly opposing the Church Street closure and that was reflected in my vote,” he said.

Mayor Kelly Burk said the council took into consideration information from the Police Department, safety experts, the transportation department and residents.

“We didn’t feel that what [the supervisors] were asking would solve the problem that they are trying to address and that it would cause much more difficulty for our residents. So, we unanimously voted not to close the street,” she said. n

Charles Craven Lynching Memorial Unveiled

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Town of Leesburg last week unveiled a roadside marker on East Market Street, across from the Historic Douglass Highschool, highlighting the lynching of Charles Craven.

The memorial reads, “Charles Craven, a Black man about 25 years old, was lynched here on 31 July 1902.” Craven had been accused of murdering a white man and was held at the Leesburg jail. A mob of 300 to 500 men stormed the jail and beat him. The men took Craven a half mile from the jail where he was hanged and then shot hundreds of times. None of the murderers were brought to justice.

Now, at the site of Craven’s lynching stands a memorial detailing the story because of the efforts of the Loudoun NAACP.

The Town Council approved the memorial in February 2024.

The memorial’s wording was developed by students at Freedom High School in collaboration with the Loudoun Freedom Center as part of their 2024 capstone project under the guidance of educator Joan Lewis Osborne.

During a roundtable discussion held at the Historic Douglass High School after the unveiling, Osborne said her students were shocked to learn the history of

lynchings in Loudoun County.

“There’s still things that haven’t been brought to the forefront in Loudoun that we need to, you know, deal with as well,” Osborne said. She added that some of her students were unaware that there were lynchings as far north as Minnesota.

“We want to inspire them to learn this history,” she said. “You have to have truth before reconciliation, before recovery, and then moving forward and trying to create a better society.”

Call to Artists Extended for Lassiter Way Asphalt Murals

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Leesburg’s Commission on Public Art (COPA), in partnership with the Leesburg Movement, is extending the call to artists for the creation of two asphalt murals along Lassiter Way until Aug. 1.

The Leesburg Town Council in April approved the Leesburg Movement’s conceptual design for the Lassiter Way Beautification Project. That proposal includes two road murals at the Loudoun Street and Market Street entrances to Lassiter Way, the installation of hanging lights and additional enhancements such as landscaping.

Approval of those murals falls to COPA, which is charged with developing a capital improvement project for work in that conceptual design as part of the town manager’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027.

Loudoun County NAACP President Pastor Michelle Thomas, who spoke at the unveiling, said that the average age of the people in Loudoun County who write historical narratives and context is over 60. Those closer in age to the time period when events like the Craven lynching occurred might be hesitant to tell the full truth for fear of reliving or repeating those moments, she said.

“Young people don’t care,” Thomas said. “They’re getting to the facts. They’re getting to the truth. That’s why our historic marker for Charles Craven reads exactly the way it reads.”

She said that the fresh viewpoint of young people, paired with facts, is “right for where we’re going.”

The roundtable discussion was also attended by Del. Marty Martinez (D-29) and State Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D-32), who gave their views on the meaning of reconciliation.

Martinez talked about his time as a member of the Leesburg Town Council and a time he asked members of the Black community why they weren’t attending town events.

“The comment was, we don’t feel we are part of the town,” Martinez said. He added that recognizing and overcoming biases to foster equality and justice was, in his view, a way to be part of the solution to that problem. n

“The goal is really to make this [Lassiter Way] a welcome space that right now is completely unutilized,” Leesburg Movement Chair John Papp said during the April meeting. COPA invites artists to submit full-color designs that “creatively engage with the space and enhance the visual experience for a passerby” according to a press release. Each mural must measure between 10 to 16 feet in both width and length.

“We’ve got some great submissions so far,” Leesburg Movement Executive Director Erin West said. “The theme is wonderfully Leesburg, and we’re going for basically just any kind of visual representation on what makes Leesburg unique.”

West said Lassiter Way is “kind of the entryway for a lot of people who come into town and park in the garage.” Welcoming those people with the murals will be a “really cool way to show them how amazing our town is,” she said.

The selected artists will receive an honorarium of $3,500 per mural, including the costs of paint, weatherproof topcoat and the necessary supplies to be reimbursed.

LASSITER WAY continues on page 10

Willim Timme/Loudoun Now

The Charles Craven Lynching Memorial, located on East Market Street.

Lassiter Way

continued from page 9

The call to artists includes individuals and teams residing in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Each mural will be treated as a separate commission and artists or artist teams may submit up to two original designs for consideration.

The Leesburg Movement received a $15,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing last June to support the beautification project. The town’s Department of Public Works sent in letters of support and $3,000 to help the Movement apply for the grant and the Economic Development Department committed $1,000 to support the project.

Submissions will be reviewed on August 4 before being presented to the Leesburg Town Council for final approval.

Full submission guidelines and details can be found at www.leesburgva.gov/publicartnews. n

Decrease in Violent Crime, Increase in Burglary, Alcohol Offenses

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat on Monday presented the town’s annual crime report to the Town Council, highlighting an overall decrease in violent crime but increases in burglary and alcohol-related offenses.

The data covered calendar year 2024 and compared trends against the threeyear average from 2021-2023. It also included some year-to-date figures for the first half of 2025.

Violent crimes were down this year, including abductions, rapes and criminal sexual contact, she reported.

“We’re seeing really positive trends with our crimes against persons, which is very important,” Pirnat said. “Even though these numbers are low, these are incidents that are significant on the impact of the lives of individuals. We are very vigilant about continuing these trends.”

Credit card and automated teller fraud is up 32.2%. Notably, it is projected to go up 73.3% during the next three years. Pirnat called these numbers “part of a national trend.”

Alcohol-related offenses were generally up. Driving under the influence was

up 20%, while liquor law violations more than doubled.

Councilmember Neil Steinberg asked what the spike in alcohol-related offenses could be attributed to.

“It’s a combination of issues,” Pirnat said. “A lot of it is in public. It’s not people in their own home consuming alcohol.”

“We’re finding them in public locations,” she said, referencing one high-profile case in which a county judge was arrested and charged with intoxication after he was found walking along the Leesburg bypass at night.

Burglaries and breaking and entering cases were up 56%, which Pirnat said is approaching pre-COVID-19 numbers.

“I attribute a lot of that to the fact that people are now returning to work,” she said. “You’ll see if we continue how we’re going so far this year without interventions we’ve taken, we’ll actually end 2025 on a positive note going down.”

Steinberg asked if the uptick in burglary and robbery was a reflection of economic issues in people’s lives.

Pirnat said she would attribute burglary increases to organized crime. She said the department is seeing items that can be resold, including jewelry and guns, being stolen. She added that people not

working from home as much as they did during the pandemic has likely led to more residential burglaries.

“In 2023, you see the reported loss was $314,000,” Pirnat said of retail thefts. “We were able to reduce it to $290,000, that’s just what’s reported. I do know it’s going to be a lot higher than that. … We also recovered instead of $42,000 in 2023, we actually recovered $71,000.”

She attributed those gains to the establishment of a special enforcement team.

Mayor Kelly Burk asked if the town was trending the right way regarding safety and crime.

“Absolutely, our violent crimes are almost nonexistent when you look at these, and I think that’s important,” Pirnat said. “People are not typically getting robbed. There’s not sexual assaults of strangers, not abductions of strangers. It is a safe place to live and visit. We have some annoying crimes that happen, obviously, that we’re trying to address to make it even safer. But yes, it is absolutely a safe community.”

Burk asked Pirnat what her department needs.

Pirnat said flexibility in staffing was a big goal, noting that the special enforcement team presents a model the department would stick to going forward. n

Education Students Experiment with Coding, Robotics at Camp

BY BRIDGET LOCKETT AND WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

Loudoun County middle schoolers last week presented their final projects in a week-long tech camp, bookending a project-based learning experience.

CS Rising Camp, organized by Loudoun County Public Schools, the Loudoun Education Foundation and Creative Hut, gave students a chance to work with new technologies. Amazon funded the program through a grant while Creative Hut provided coding and robotics lesson plans.

Camp students had the opportunity to work with Micro:bits, 3D printing, LEGO SPIKE robots, and Internet of Things sensors. The campers worked at collaboration stations within J. Lupton Simpson Middle School’s Amazon Think Big Space.

Educators noted the “Z-Space” holographic technology as “particularly cool.” Using the displays, students were able to experiment with holograms, human hearts, pizza and robotic arms.

High school interns worked with each of the project groups and garnered teaching experience in the IT field.

“Having to teach a younger class something you’re interested in, like technology, is a huge opportunity to gain experience yourself on some of the specifics of whatever projects they make,” intern Haytham Abouelfaid said.

The students spent the first three days of camp learning new technologies– giving them roughly three days to work on their group projects.

“It amazes me how much progress they made in just those three days,” Abouelfaid

said. “They used Micro:bits and a bunch of coding as well. They did use a little bit of AI, which is a good thing, since they were able to actually improve their projects.

Projects included “Medi-drones,” a website called “Aeroverse,” a “Mario Flavored Air Quality Sensor,” “Repligene,” a “Life Scan” drone, “ecoGuard,” “Strado Striker” and “M-Drones.”

Each of the groups centered on solving a problem they see in the real world. The “Strado Striker group,” using Micro:bits,

worked on a machine for providing more accurate weather forecasts.

“These are the kids that are going to cure cancer and change the world,” school division Public Information Officer Dan Adams said.

Heritage High School Cyber Security teacher Elizabeth Hale said the “intention of the camp is just to introduce kids to some coding and some tech principles,” but that it does much more than that.

“No matter what they do, tech is going to touch their jobs. Whether they go into a car wash industry or food service,” Hale said. “Tech touches their lives in every way. I don’t care if they go into it or not. I don’t care if they’re inspired to be the next great IT thinker. They have to understand it enough to navigate that universe.”

Hale explained that even for kids less interested in the tech world, the CS Rising Camp teaches kids how to network and get their ideas into the world.

“If you’re sitting in your bedroom with your genius idea, it’s never going to go anywhere,” Hale said. “You have to at least develop that skill of going out and meeting other people, talking to people you don’t know, sharing ideas, riffing off of other people’s ideas. That kind of friction creates forward progress.” n

Circuit Court Challenge to Transgender Student Policy Ends

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

A years-long court battle over a Loudoun County Public Schools requirement for staff members to address transgender students using their preferred pronouns has ended. Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman Jr. entered a final order in the 2021 lawsuit July 16 after school division attorneys argued that the adopted School Board policy—Policy 8040—imposes no such requirement.

The case is rooted in a 2021 lawsuit filed after a Leesburg Elementary School PE teacher, Byron “Tanner” Cross, was placed on administrative leave after he publicly objected to elements of Policy 8040, which provides protections and

accommodations for transgender and gender expansive students and was established to comply with the Virginia mandate that all school districts implement such safeguards for students before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

Cross said it was against his religious beliefs to use pronouns that differ from a student’s biological sex.

While Plowman issued an injunction returning Cross to his position, two other teachers, including Monica Gill, a history teacher at Loudoun County High School, joined the challenge to 8040.

In his order in the case Gill v. Loudoun County School Board, Plowman cited the statements of school division attorneys during a May 9 hearing that “[o]n its face, Policy 8040 does not require teachers or other staff to use a pronoun to refer to a person that a teacher

believes is inconsistent with the person’s sex. Instead, Policy 8040 permits staff to refrain from using any pronouns....”

With that school division argument, Plowman concluded the dispute had been resolved and dismissed the case.

The lawsuit was brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Scottsdale, AZ-based advocacy group billed as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

ADF said the school division’s new interpretation of the policy followed the 2024 settlement of a lawsuit the organization filed for a teacher with similar concerns in West Point, VA.

“Teachers should never be forced to promote ideologies that are harmful to their students and that they believe are

false,” stated ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer, director of the ADF Center for Academic Freedom. “We’re pleased Loudoun County Public Schools reversed course on its harmful policy and respects Monica’s, and other teachers’, fundamental right to speak according to their beliefs.”

“I’ve taught in Loudoun County for nearly 25 years, and I treasure all my students,” Gill stated. “When Policy 8040 was enacted, the school district threatened to force me to lie to students about the fundamental truth of biological reality, which I could never do. I treat all my students, including those who identify as the opposite sex, with dignity and respect, and I’m pleased the school district has honored my constitutionally protected freedom to speak to my students in love and truth.” n

Bridget Lockett/Loudoun Now Loudoun students present their final projects in a week-long tech camp.

Loudoun Liberty Wins Eastern Nationals

The Loudoun Liberty 10U fast pitch softball team finished out its inaugural season by winning the USSSA Eastern “C” Nationals, besting 15 teams from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey during last week’s tournament hosted in Loudoun County July 9-13.

The team went 6-1 overall with

Loudoun South All Stars Advance to Regionals

The Loudoun South Little Leagues’ 9/10/11 all-star team capped its District 16 championship with a win in the state tournament. The team is moving on to Wilson, NC, where it will represent Virginia in the regional Tournament of State Champions starting July 25. n

pitcher Rylin McDaniel earning recognitions as the Tournament MVP. In seven game appearances—five starting and two in relief—she racked up 61 strikeouts while allowing only three earned runs. Cora Signorelli was named Offensive MVP with 10 hits and eight RBI. n

Team Jefferson Takes Loudoun Commonwealth Cricket Cup

The Loudoun United Cricket Club joined up with the Loudoun County Republican Committee and the South Asian Business Council of Virginia to host the inaugural Loudoun Commonwealth Cricket Cup tournament last weekend at Hal and Beni Hanson Regional Park. Competing teams were named for U.S. Presidents with Team Jefferson beating

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Team Lincoln in the Saturday night championship match.

“This first-of-its-kind cricket event brought together families, local leaders, and residents from all backgrounds to play, cheer, and celebrate the values that unite us,” said organizer Junaid Khan, who is a Republican candidate for the 27th House of Delegates seat. n

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The Loudoun Liberty 10U fast pitch softball team celebrates its championship in the USSSA Eastern “C” Nationals.

Public Safety After Decades, New Aldie Fire-Rescue Station Celebrated

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Opening of the new Aldie Fire-Rescue Station was celebrated Saturday with county leaders joining in a dedication ceremony that was decades in the making.

The new station, located just west of the Gilbert’s Corner roundabout on Rt. 50, replaces the original Station 7, one of the county’s oldest and established by village volunteers 70 years ago.

Planning to replace the undersized, flood-prone station began 20 years ago. The location of the new facility was the third to be considered after the first, on a nearby lot, faced a legal challenge from neighbors, and the second, in the heart of the village, ultimately was deemed to be out of scale with the historic community.

Over that time, many county supervisors and fire-rescue leaders worked to solve the problem, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said.

“Some people have been doing this since 2005, which meant that it started with my predecessor, Scott York. It started with Chief Pozzo and then Chief Brower and then Chief Johnson and now Chief Williams. Tony Buffington has worked on it. Sally Kurtz has worked on it. Jim Burton has worked on it. We have been doing this for a long time,” Randall said.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) and Del. Geary Higgins (R30), a former Catoctin District supervisor, both highlighted the many closed-session meetings supervisors held to advance the fire station project.

While members of the county board and leadership of the fire-rescue system changed over that time, Aldie Fire-Rescue Chief Buzzy Carter remained the constant force behind the project.

“I want to give a lot of credit to Buzzy Carter, who was the first person who took me for a tour around the old firehouse. I didn’t quite understand what the issues were. … By the time I came out of there, I was like, oh, OK,” said Randall, one of many speakers to highlight the work of Carter, who died last year after leading the department for the past four decades.

Randall also credited Laura TeKrony (D-Little River) with finding the new location and pushing for a plan to preserve the property in the village, including the historic tavern building.

“I want to say that the community

was brought into the process. I know we looked at three sites, but I feel like we got it right,” TeKrony said. “This is a really great location for the community, and I know it took a lot of time, it took a lot of resources, but I think we got it right, and I think the community is happy. This is an amazing fire station that will be a true treasure.”

Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Flippo highlighted the fire company’s volunteer roots.

“Seventy years ago, a group of able-bodied Aldie residents saw the need to protect the lives and property of their neighbors. Their sole purpose was to help out their fellow man,” Flippo said. He said the initial roster of volunteers who formed the company in 1955 included a plumber, mechanic, owner and operator of the Aldie mill, numerous farmers, retired military men, a grocery store owner, a television repairman, two gas station owners, several government employees, a school teacher, a Virginia state trooper and a ship’s captain. “We are here today because of these original pioneers.”

The firehouse was established in an old garage and the company purchased “well-used” fire trucks, most slow and underpowered, Flippo said, highlighting the truck named Doodlebug that was known to hold up Rt. 50 as it, rather slowly, responded to calls.

The new station not only is outfitted with modern apparatus to provide 24/7 engine and medic coverage and improved firefighter safety systems, it will be getting new staff and equipment, including a 3,000-gallon tanker. This fall the station

will add full-time staffing for a heavy rescue unit—a service Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System Chief James Williams said will take on added importance as Fairfax County budget cuts have reduced service in the Rt. 50 corridor to the east. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) is flanked by current and former county supervisors and fire-rescue leaders July 19 in performing the uncoupling ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Aldie Fire and Rescue Station.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Apparatus is lined up outside the bays of the new Aldie Fire and Rescue Station during the July 19 dedication ceremony.

Sheriff’s Office Uses Automatic License Plate Readers to Track Vehicles

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is using four cameras that are classified as automated license plate readers to track vehicle movements in the county.

The cameras, which are designed by Flock Safety, have been in use since 2023, according to agency spokesperson Chad Quinn. There are four of the cameras in the county, all of which are mobile and are moved from place to place, Quinn said.

According to Flock system-wide data, first obtained via a Freedom of Information Act Request by media outlet 404 Media, LCSO personnel had conducted 263 searches in Flock databases as of April 2025. Most of those searches are described as “investigation,” “fugitive investigation,” or are labeled with a case number and no description. Some have no description or case number at all.

In an email, Quinn said the Sheriff’s Office uses Flock for “law enforcement/ criminal justice purposes only.” Quinn added that the “data is owned by LCSO and is never sold to third parties.”

Flock data from Loudoun cameras is widely passed on to other agencies, according to a list shared by Quinn that names 129 law enforcement agencies in Virginia that LCSO shares data with. No state agencies, except the Department of Wildlife Resources Police are listed, nor are any out-of-state or federal agencies.

However, multiple searches in the data are marked “USMS,” an acronym for the United States Marshal Service, and one is marked “HSI,” an acronym for Homeland Security Investigations, the secondlargest federal law enforcement agency and part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In an email, Quinn said, “The ‘USMS’ searches were part of investigations where we were tracking criminal fugitives –these were not ICE or immigration related. The HSI-related item, which we have commented on recently, relates to an investigation into a massage parlor that may have been involved in human trafficking – this was not an ICE or immigrationrelated matter.”

The use of the cameras is covered un-

der the Sheriff’s Office General Order 401.8, Quinn said, adding that the order is being updated “to reflect the latest legislative changes effective 7/1/25.” The order addresses automated license plate readers generally but does not specifically mention Flock.

The order says, “The sharing of ALPR data among other agencies shall be dictated in accordance with Memorandum’s of Understanding (MOUs) or established agency policies.”

LCSO’s data sharing practices have come under scrutiny in recent months following public criticism of the detainer agreement the office signed with ICE in March. The agreement says LCSO will hold inmates at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center who have had detainers issued for them by ICE for up to 48 hours so federal agents can take them into custody.

However, LCSO has said repeatedly that the detainers are their only cooperation with ICE and that their patrol deputies do not enforce immigration violations nor participate in immigration raids. n

Leesburg Man Charged in Fatal Fairfax County Crash

BY PATRICK LEWIS

A Leesburg man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in an April crash in Fairfax County that left a woman dead.

Fairfax County Police Department officers responded to a crash on Ox Road at Davis Drive in Lorton at 5:14 p.m. on April 23. Michelle Davis, 33, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to FCPD, crash investigators believe Leesburg resident Steven Kowalik, 64, “fell unconscious” while driving north on Ox Road. His car crossed the median and hit Davis’ car head-on. Kowalik was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.

Kowalik turned himself in to police on July 11. Police said in an April release that they did not believe alcohol was involved.

Kowalik was arraigned in Fairfax County District Court on July 17 and has been released on a $7,500 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1. n

‘The Decade of Dulles’ Airport Executives Celebrate Milestone for New Concourse

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Executives at Dulles International Airport on July 17 celebrated a major milestone in the construction of its newest concourse, planned to help the airport double its yearly traffic in the coming years.

Concourse E, as it will be called, is a 14gate, 435,000 square foot facility that will be occupied entirely by United Airlines. Construction on the project began last year, and the building is expected to open by fall 2026.

The project’s final steel beam was laid in place Thursday, known as the “topping out” ceremony which marks significant progress in the construction. Executives and workers had a chance to sign the beam before it was lifted into place.

“The master plan for Dulles Airport envisions expansion of the facility, more

flights, more gates,” Dulles International Airport Manager and Vice President Richard Golinowski said. “This is really the culmination of a master plan for Dulles Airport, and first phase of many to get us where we need to be. We have a 15-year construction plan under our use and lease agreement the airlines, and that ultimately is going to get us to 154 gates.”

The concourse will allow for 14 gates to operate at once but can alternatively serve seven wide-body planes with two jet bridges.

“For the larger airplanes, you take up two spots and you get two jet bridges, one to the first class and one to the main cabin, so it’s a lot more space,” media spokesperson Rob Yingling said.

In 2024, 27 million people passed through Dulles and Golinowski said that is only expected to increase.

“We’re going to double that, so it’ll be 50 million people. That’s our goal. That’s where we’re getting to and the airlines are all sup-

PINSTACK Entertainment Center Breaks Ground at Kincora

Dallas-based PINSTACK is starting construction of its latest dining and entertainment venue in the 424-acre Kincora development in Sterling.

The 56,000-square-foot center will offer a full-service restaurant, a full bar, bowling lanes, arcade games, a rock-climbing wall, bumper cars, and private event spaces for social and corporate gatherings. The venue is expected to open next year.

The project was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony this week.

“The arrival of PINSTACK signifies a

pivotal moment in Kincora’s evolution,” Dan Coughlan, principal of Kincora developer TRITEC, stated. “This project sets the tone for what’s ahead as we continue to attract best-in-class brands that align with our long-term vision for the walkable, high-energy, mixed-use community.”

“We are thrilled to bring PINSTACK’s signature blend of upscale dining and immersive entertainment to Virginia for the first time,” Mark Moore, president and CEO of PINSTACK, stated.

Learn more at pinstackbowl.com. n

love it, and everybody is hyper focused on improving Dulles Airport,” he said.

Additional phases of construction on the concourse are set to begin after it opens in 2026.

The $500 million to $750 million project is being completed by Turner Construction.

Turner Vice President and General Manager Darien Grant and Golinowski thanked the large crowd of construction workers whose work has led to the project’s milestone.

porting us. United has been a fantastic partner. They call this the decade of Dulles. We

“Thank you for showing up whether it is snowing, whether it is raining, whether it is 100 degrees, you show up every single day,” Grant said. “And just to put in context what you are doing out here, this is not just brick and mortar, you are providing a gateway for each and every one of our families to leave the country and come into the country. That is what you are responsible for and building right now.” n

LEF, Loudoun Credit Union Launch Internship Program

Four Loudoun County Public Schools students are getting handson work experience with the Town of Leesburg staff thanks to a new internship program launched by the Loudoun Education Foundation with funding support from the Loudoun Credit Union.

The LEF’s Workforce Development Fund is designed to help connect students to future careers, including defraying costs for employers to pay summer interns on the job. The fund’s inaugural donation was made by the Loudoun Credit Union.

LEF Executive Director Danielle Nadler said the program grew from the school division’s Workforce Summit last October. There, nearly 300 business leaders gathered to share their workforce needs and explore how they could partner with schools to help prepare students for future careers.

“That feedback sparked an idea: We could create a workforce development

fund and invite companies to donate to help cover the hourly pay for high school students to serve as interns for small businesses and local government organizations,” Nadler stated. “We thank Loudoun Credit Union for being the first to support this initiative. Together, we are creating equitable opportunities for every student to build skills, confidence, and professional networks.”

“As a credit union that serves all of Loudoun County, we embrace the responsibility to invest in the success of the next generation,” Loudoun Credit Union CEO Michael Falvey stated. “Supporting our friends at LEF and the Town of Leesburg reflects our commitment to helping students graduate career-ready and prepared to build financially sustaining futures.”

Businesses interested in hosting student interns this summer or in future years can learn more at lcps.org/CTAE. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Workers cheer as the final steel beam is placed on the building for a new concourse at Dulles International Airport.

Towns

Purcellville Councilmembers Discuss Priorities in Strategic Retreat

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Several members of the Purcellville Town Council met on Saturday to outline strategic goals for the coming years and develop a working plan to implement them.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Christopher Bertaut and councilmembers Carol Luke and Susan Khalil. Vice Mayor Ben Nett also attended but left the meeting after the first hour of the six-hour session.

Conflict surfaced earlier this month when Bertaut scheduled the strategic retreat while councilmembers Erin Rayner and Kevin Wright were out of town. Caleb Stought also opposed attending, saying it was the same day as the town’s Wine and Food festival and requesting that the date be moved. Bertaut said it was an important meeting and should be a priority for councilmembers.

The meeting was led by Stephanie Davis in partnership with the Virginia Municipal League.

Councilmembers had sent focus points to Davis ahead of the meeting and on Saturday she facilitated their conversations through those issues and what actions steps could be put in place to implement them.

“Part of what you all are challenged

with, and you’re not unique in terms of other towns and capacity issues, is financial capacity, administrative capacity and leadership capacity,” Davis said.

She said the goal was to produce a “usable, workable document” to guide the council over the next few years and would serve as an accountability, prioritization and communication tool.

“Accountability is both internal to the organization and external to the organization. This strategic plan can be used for the mayor and the council to evaluate the manager’s performance and also is a barometer for our citizens to see what is it that our Town Council is doing,” Davis said.

The previous council developed a strategic plan in December 2023, providing a starting framework, she added.

David first led the councilmembers through developing draft mission and vision statements and core values.

“Purcellville’s Mission is to preserve our historic charm and small-town character, while promoting public safety, responsible growth and stewardship for a thriving local economy that serves residents, businesses, and visitors with an excellent quality of life,” is one of the draft mission statements.

“Purcellville will be a thriving small town with a safe, self-sustaining, and

AROUND towns

PURCELLVILLE

County to Consider Valley Commerce Application

An application to rezone 117 acres just north of the town boundary to permit construction of 1.3 million square feet of business park/ flex industrial space will be reviewed by the county’s Planning Commission next week.

The proposal is submitted by JK Land Holdings and comes after a request to annex the property into Purcellville was denied by the Town Council in January.

The project, known as the Valley Commerce Center, envisions providing space for diverse businesses with the goal of fostering the local economy, according to a statement of justification submitted to the council last year.

The vacant property is located north of the Rt. 7 bypass between the Mayfair and Wright Farm neighborhoods.

well-governed community,” was added to the draft vision statements.

Listed under the values are integrity, accountability, excellence, collaboration, transparency, sustainability, community and innovation with a heading titled, “Citizens First. We act on behalf of the citizens and recognize the impact of our decisions.”

Participating councilmembers identified four main goals to pursue: provide a responsible and comprehensive approach to maximize financial stability and sustainability; increase engagement with the business community and promote Purcellville; maintain an efficient and high performing town government; and provide quality of life enhancements for infrastructure and public services.

There are several action items for each goal. Under goal one, the council would work with the town manager, existing communities and the town’s financial consultant Davenport to address all aspects of revenues and expenditures over the next 10 years. That would ideally improve the town’s financial health, result in a longterm strategy for separation of the general and utility funds, develop revenue streams from the town’s properties, pursue new

The county planning staff is not recommending approval of the application based on comprehensive planning policies for the area.

The county Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the rezoning at 6 p.m. July 29.

ROUND HILL

Council Eyes Change for Lot Area Requirements

The Town Council last week directed the Planning Commission to review a technical change to the Zoning Ordinance that could allow a handful of residential lots to be subdivided.

The proposed change would impact lots zoned R-2 that have a portion of their property within public rights-of-way. Under the regulation, one-acre lots with boundaries extending into a street are unable to be divided into the half-acre lots permitted by the ordinance.

During the council’s July 16 discussion, it was unclear exactly how many lots could be impacted—with assessments ranging from three lots to less than a dozen properties. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Three Purcellville councilmembers discuss priorities during a strategic retreat attended by staff members and facilitated by Stephanie Davis in partnership with the Virginia Municipal League July 19.

COUNCIL RETREAT continues on page 18

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Council Retreat

continued from page 17

income sources and increase town revenue through appropriate economic development.

Khalil said Davenport needed to take more factors into considerations when preparing forecasts.

“Would they be analyzing, say, our grant process? What kind of [analysis will they do?] or are they just looking the here and now and saying based on the here and now, we predict it’s going to be this? Because if that’s the case, there’s so many things that in my opinion need to be addressed in order to be included in such a plan,” Khalil said.

Bertaut said he had concerns about working with Davenport, in general.

“‘I’ve been working with them for five years now, and like all financial advisors, they are extremely conservative, reluctant and bring their analysis and analytic abilities to bare on things that are not completely known at this time,” Bertaut said. “So, when it comes to revenue streams, they do not wish to commit to them until everything’s absolutely locked down on paper. So, while we’re on one hand using CIP estimates that are extremely uncertain on projects that we don’t know if they will occur in any given year … but when it comes to revenue sources Davenport is extremely reluctant to consider them even several years out.”

“Davenport in Virginia is the expert in financial management for municipalities. Period. If you tell them what you want analyzed, they will do that,” Davis said.

The three councilmembers agreed to prepare detailed tax and service collections reports, conduct economic impact reports of special events, evaluate third-party providers for utility billing, propose effective grant application strategies and pursue streambed restoration on town-owned properties.

To increase engagement with the community, councilmembers agreed to focus on developing design guidelines, particularly to aid with the Vineyard Square project planned by Casey and Sam Chapman along 21st Street.

Original plans were approved over a decade ago, but the Chapmans have consistently said they would like to work with the council to build something that better fits in with the existing character of the downtown area. Khalil said developing design guidelines would aid in that collaboration.

Participating councilmembers also

requested an infill development report, to increase documentation and managerial oversight on permitting processes, increase advocacy with local and county governments, increase involvement with local business associations, promote Purcellville as a destination, establish a minimum maintenance requirement for commercial buildings and feature businesses in the bi-monthly utility bills.

Toward the goal of operating an efficient government, councilmembers requested that the town manager develop a plan for an organizational review.

Councilmembers also said they wanted to update the existing disaster recovery and business continuity plans on an annual basis, publish letters from the mayor following each council meeting, have the town manager provide all department initiatives, costs and procurement strategies on a weekly basis and advocate for town legislative priorities from federal, state and local governments.

Lastly, to better provide infrastructure and public services, the attending councilmembers suggested collaborating with the county and surrounding towns to provide bus service from town to the Metro stations.

The county closed a commuter bus lot in Purcellville in 2023 after plans to open a new commuter bus lot were halted following a vote by the Town Council to rescind permissions needed by the county to build it. The lot was one of several county projects in town that had been waiting for permits and approvals for more than two years.

On Saturday, participating council members also said they wanted to continue investing in infrastructure improvements, investigate alert areas for crosswalks, research the cost for dark sky streetlights, look into drainage situations on 32nd Street and pursue and regional transportation plan covering pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Since the retreat was attended in full by only three councilmembers, Davis said she recommended waiting to adopt the plan.

“I am recommending that you all adopt the strategic plan as a full council. It really does put teeth to it when it’s an actual formally adopted plan,” Davis said.

She said she would be happy to return for mini strategic sessions to continue working on the document.

“This is, and it should be, a communication device to your citizens to say, ‘this is what we want to accomplish, how will we communicate to citizens, this is what we have accomplished,” Davis said. n

Community Members Gather for Purcellville’s Wine and Food Festival

Community members gathered at Dillon’s Woods Saturday for Purcellville’s 12th annual Food and Wine Festival.

From 2 to 8 p.m. festival goers mingled from winery to brewery tents, shopped local vendors, tested food from local food trucks and listened to live music such as Chris Timbers, Justin Trawick & The Common Good and Jumptown.

Event organizers said the event drew 1,300 people to the park.

The town’s Arts Council also hosted Arts in the Garden with local artists who demonstrating how they create their works of art, wings made of corks for selfies and an art activity.  n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

LIVE MUSIC

TOMMY WOOD

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

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

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 24

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

RYAN SILL

4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

HILARY VELTRI

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

JASON PERRY

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

NATHANIEL DAVIS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

JON WATKINS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

THE LENNY BURRIDGE BAND

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 25 Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

LIBERTY STREET

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

KURT AND ROB DUO

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 25 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

ADELINE CSONTOS

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 21

Percy Jackson Strikes the Stage Sterling Playmakers’ ‘The Lightning Thief’ Opens Friday

BY BRIDGET LOCKETT

The infamous Greek minotaur towers over the stage as Percy Jackson hangs between life and death. The stakes are high as the fate of Percy’s mother is on the line. The severity of the situation is so tangible and tantalizing that it hovers over the audience like deep-seated fog.

Not only is this a great tale of a Greek hero on his journey to save the world, it is Sterling Playmakers’ action-packed production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” opening Friday at Potomac Falls High School.

The musical, adapted from Rick Riordan’s wildly successful 2005 novel, was written by Joe Tracz and composed by Rob Rokicki. The duo blends mythology with modernity in this pop-rock musical, which was picked up by the Sterling Playmakers community theater company in late April.

This mythology-dipped, coming-ofage musical is spearheaded by director Sarah Hardy and producers Lora Buckman and Elyse Drum.

The story follows Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, and his friends, Grover and Annabeth. While at Camp Half-Blood,

they embark on a quest, facing everything from demon triplet math teachers to terrors at the gates of Hell-or the Underworld in Los Angeles.

The hero is played by knockout performer Alex Lew, who carries this musical

odyssey on his herculean shoulders with an unparalleled presence over the stage, effortlessly embodying Percy’s angsty wit with side-splitting one liners.

LIGHTNING THIEF continues on page 23

Bridget Lockett/ Loudoun Now

Annabeth, Percy, and Grover arrive at D.O.A. Recording Studios in the Underworld.

Bridget Lockett/ Loudoun Now

Annabeth, Percy, and Grover win Capture the Flag at Camp Halfblood.

TEXAS CHAINSAW HORNS

Friday, July 25, 6 p.m.

Hillsboro Old Stone School oldstoneschool.org

Featuring a five-piece horn section, the band draws on influences ranging from Ray Charles and James Brown, to ZZ Top and The Tower of Power. Free.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 20

CHESAPEAKE SONS DUO

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25

Harmony Garden at Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg. lansdowneresort.com

MARK DUNN

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

DAVE NEMETZ

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25 Route 7 Brewing, 20051 Riverside Cmns Plaza, Ashburn. route7brewing.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25 Brambleton Town Center, 42395 Ryan Road, Brambleton. brambleton.com

FAST EDDIE & THE SLOWPOKES

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25

National Sporting Library & Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg. nationalsporting.com

ALGORHYTHMS BLUEGRASS UNIT

6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 25

Eleven Eleven Brewing, 725 E. Main St., Purcellville. elevenelevenbrewing.com

TRAVIS TUCKER

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

ANNIE STOKES

8 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 25 Nick’s Taverna, 42395 Ryan Road, Ashburn. nickstaverna.com

GRANT MACMILLAN TRIO

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25

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

BEST BETS

THE SIDE CARS BAND

Saturday, July 26, 7 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Enjoy the classic hits of The Cars with a night of ’70s and ’80s synth pop/rock.

RUBY JONES

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26

Cana Vineyards and Winery, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

RYAN SILL

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26 Creeks Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

ROB HOEY

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

NEW LEGACY BLUES

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ERIC CAMPBELL

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ANDREW O’DAY

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyards.com

CHESAPEAKE SONS DUO

1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ANDY B

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

SCOTT KURT

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ERIC SELBY

1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

POLO IN THE PARK

Saturday, July 26, 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.

AMANDA MILLER & MATTHEW MORREALE

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

A singer and choreographer, Miller has shared the stage with Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Bublé, Foreigner, and Jeff Beck. Free.

KEN WENZEL

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

BRIAN AND THINGS:

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

BOURBON MOON BAND

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

41 NORTH BAND

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

JASON FRYE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

GARY SMALLWOOD

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

CHRIS DESANTIS

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

CHRIS ELLINGHAUS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ROCCO & FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

Good Spirit Farm, 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill. goodspiritfarmva.com

PATTY REESE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

NATHANIEL DAVIS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

DAVE MININBERG

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

JAKE PHILLIPS

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

BRENT FUNKHOUSER

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

ANYWHERE USA

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

BEN FISHER

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

NOT THE FATHERS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

TODD BROOKS BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 22

THE SPEAKEASY BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

TIM CAMPBELL & THE TROPICAL ATTITUDES BAND

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

PAM & DAVE

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JIMMY KENNY & THE PIRATE BEACH BAND

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26 Tarara Vineyards, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. $20. tararaconcerts.com

MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26

One Loudoun, 20626 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn. owntownoneloudoun.com

MYSTERY MACHINE

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

AMANDA MILLER & MATTHEW

MORREALE

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

THE SIDE CARS BAND

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

MESSENGER DEBUT

8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26

Rai’s Rendezvous Kitchen + Bar, 44042 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn. raisrendezvous.com

DIAMOND ALLEY

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, July 26

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

MATT DAVIS

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

SUMMER & ERIC

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

SMALL TOWN SEVEN

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery, 495 E. Washington St., Middleburg. mtdefiance.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

ROB HOEY

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

ROBERT MABE DUO

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

LAURA CASHMAN

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

RYAN SILL

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

ANDREW O’DAY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

DAN MCGUIRE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

MATT METZ

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

KRISTIN EYERMAN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

JOHANNA HORN

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

KEN WENZEL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

JOE BERNUI

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville.

flyingacefarm.com

ALEX BARNETT

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

JOE HEILMAN

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 22

DAVE MININBERG

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

TORRY B

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

WILLIAM SHEPARD

5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27 Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavernwinery.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 30

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

LOW WATER BRIDGE BAND

7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 31

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

HAPPENINGS

COMEDY NIGHT BY THE DC IMPROV!

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25, Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com

STERLING PLAYMAKERS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 25 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26

Lightning Thief

continued from page 20

“I was so thankful when I got the call,” Lew said. “I’ve had the luxury of doing this show once before, and I’m trying to make different choices and make it different while not forcing things. I’m not changing just for the sake of change but actually motivating the change correctly and making better changes.”

Opposite Lew is Hope Carey as the headstrong Annabeth Chase. Carey’s acting, especially as she masterminds battle strategy is commendable, but her true range shines in “My Grand Plan.” She seamlessly blends her belt and head voice with emotionally charged riffs. Carey just completed her first year at Ithaca College as a vocal performance major.

2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27

Potomac Falls High School, Cascades. $20. sterlingplaymakers.com

LEESBURG FARMERS MARKET

8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 26

Virginia Village, 30 Catoctin Circle SE., Leesburg. loudounfarmersmarkets.org

POLO IN THE PARK

6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 26

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

SUMMERTIME TEA

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 27

Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, 20850

Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. $70. oatlands.org

POLLINATOR PURSUIT!

1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27

Chapman DeMary Trail, 355 N. Hatcher Ave., Purcellville. purcellvilleva.gov

MOVIE NIGHT: HOOK

6:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 27

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

AUTHOR TALK:

BHAVNA BHATIA ROSZEL

9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30

SimplyBe Coffee, 208 Church St. SE., Leesburg. simplybeecounseling.net

FARMER FOR A DAY

9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31

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

RESERVOIR SUNSET KAYAK PADDLE

7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 31

Reservoir Park, 22211 Water Vista Drive, Ashburn. novaparks.org

“Coming back from college after only studying voice for a year, I’ve gotten way more solid on my singing, but I’ve kind of forgotten a lot of the acting about having to really be present on stage,” Carey said. “That’s been my biggest challenge with this production.”

Jonathan Villa, as the half-goat satyr Grover, completes the heroic trio with tension-easing-humor and vivacity. Villa’s optimism and infectious energy make him captivating, especially in “Drive,” where the group faces horrors from monsters to public buses.

“I’ve never sang as much music in a show before, so it’s really exciting, but I didn’t realize how much I’d be using my voice,” Villa said. “That has been a challenge I’ve had to overcome. It’s also the character, he’s so crazy, and I’m so exhausted. I can’t be crazy every single day or I will die.”

Performances run from July 25 to Aug. 10 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and may be purchased at the door or online at sterlingplaymakers.org.

Bridget Lockett is a Stone Bridge High School student interning with Loudoun Now over the summer. n

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY FOR APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES:

500 KV

AND

230 KV

GOLDEN-MARS LINES, LOCKRIDGE 230 KV LOOP, SOJOURNER 230 KV LOOP, AND RELATED PROJECTS

CASE NO. PUR-2025-00056

On March 28, 2025, Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or the “Company”) filed with the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) an application (“Application”) for approval and certification of electric transmission facilities in Loudoun County, Virginia. Dominion filed its Application pursuant to § 56-46.1 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”), and the Utility Facilities Act, Code § 56-265.1 et seq

To continue to provide reliable electric service to its customers, consistent with applicable reliability standards, the Company proposes to complete the following (collectively, the “Project”):

1. Golden-Mars Lines: Construct a new overhead 500 kilovolt (“kV”) single circuit transmission line and a new overhead 230 kV single circuit transmission line originating at the 500 kV and 230 kV buses of the 500-230 kV Golden Substation and continuing approximately 8.3 miles to the 500-230 kV Mars Substation (the “Golden-Mars Lines”). In order to allow sufficient right-of-way for the Golden-Mars Lines to enter the Mars Substation, the Company proposes to remove Mars-Shellhorn Line #2095 and Mars-Sojourner Line #2292 from the existing transmission line corridor that spans between the Sojourner and Mars Substations, and to reconnect the Sojourner and Mars Substations along an alternate route that also will allow the Company to interconnect future load (see the proposed Sojourner 230 kV Loop, as defined herein). The proposed Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way primarily varying between 100 feet and 150 feet in width in order to accommodate a 5/2 configuration on a combination of dulled galvanized steel double circuit monopole or two-pole structures (100-foot-wide right-of-way) or three-pole or H-frame structures (150-foot-wide right-of-way). The new 500 kV line will utilize three-phase triplebundled 1351.5 Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (“ACSR”) conductors with a summer transfer capability of 4,357 [megavolt amperes] MVA. The new 230 kV line will utilize threephase twin-bundled Aluminum Conductor Steel Supported/Trapezoidal Wire/High Strength (“ACSS/TW/HS”) type conductor with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA.

2. Lockridge 230 kV Loop: Construct a new approximately 0.6-mile overhead double circuit 230 kV transmission line by cutting the proposed 230 kV Golden-Mars Line at Structure #2412/8 and looping it into and out of the existing 230-34.5 kV Lockridge Substation (the “Lockridge 230 kV Loop” or “Lockridge Loop”). The Lockridge Loop will be constructed on new 100-foot-wide right-of-way supported primarily by dulled galvanized steel double circuit monopoles and will utilize three-phase twin-bundled ACSS/TW/HS type conductor with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA.

3. Sojourner 230 kV Loop: Construct a new approximately 1.9-mile overhead double circuit 230 kV transmission line from Mars Substation to Sojourner Substation (the “Sojourner 230 kV Loop” or “Sojourner Loop”). The proposed Sojourner Loop will be constructed on entirely new 100-foot-wide right-of-way supported primarily by dulled galvanized steel double circuit monopoles and will utilize three-phase twin-bundled ACSS/TW/HS type conductor with a summer transfer capability of 1,573 MVA.

4. Substation-Related Work: Perform work at the Company’s Golden, Mars, Lockridge, Sojourner, and Shellhorn Substations.

In the Application, Dominion asserts that the proposed Project is necessary to relieve identified violations of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) Reliability Standards in order to maintain and improve reliable electric service to customers in the load area. Dominion defines the load area as the area extending generally from the Fairfax/Loudoun County line to the east, Potomac River to the north, the Company’s existing 500 kV BrambletonGoose Creek Line #558 to the west, and State Route 50 to the south, including Data Center Alley (“DCA”) and Washington Dulles International Airport in Loudoun County, Virginia (the “Eastern Loudoun Load Area”). Dominion states the Project is needed to resolve a 300 MW N-l-1 load drop violation identified by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., by looping the Mars-Golden Lines into and out of the Lockridge Substation (i.e., the Lockridge Loop). The Company states the Project is also needed to address spatial and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) constraints along the Carters School Road Segment of the Golden-Mars Lines by removing existing Lines #2095/#2292 from an existing transmission corridor and reconnecting the Mars and Sojourner Substations along a route that will allow the Company to interconnect future load (i.e., the Sojourner Loop Proposed Route, as described herein). Dominion further states that the proposed Project, along with the Mars-Wishing Star Project and the Aspen-Golden Project, will complete the 500 kV transmission loop in the Northern Virginia area surrounding DCA, bringing needed capacity to the Eastern Loudoun Load Area, while also mitigating identified NERC reliability violations and maintaining reliable service for overall load growth in the Project area and the Commonwealth.

In its Application and subsequently filed Motion for Leave, the Company identifies six separate alternative routes for the Golden-Mars Lines, including an approximately 9.4-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Alternative Route 1”); an approximately 9.3-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Alternative Route 2”); an approximately 8.3-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Route 3”); an approximately 8.4-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Alternative Route 3A”); an approximately 8.3-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Alternative Route 4”); and an approximately 9.8-mile overhead alternative route (“Golden-Mars Alternative Route 5”). The Company states that it is proposing Golden-Mars Route 3 as the “Golden-Mars Proposed Route,” dependent upon timely receipt of all necessary approvals. The Company notes that only Golden-Mars Alternative Route 5 can be constructed without Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and/or Loudoun County School Board approval.

Additionally, the Company identifies an approximately 0.6-mile overhead proposed route for the Lockridge Loop (“Lockridge Loop Proposed Route”), as well as an approximately 1.9-mile overhead proposed route for the Sojourner Loop (“Sojourner Loop Proposed Route”).

The Company states that the desired in-service target date for the proposed Project is June 1, 2028. The Company represents that the total estimated conceptual cost of the Project as proposed is approximately $516.5 million, which includes approximately $466.1 million for transmission-related work and approximately $50.4 million for substation-related work (2024 dollars).

Description of the Routes

Golden-Mars Proposed Route (Route 3)

The Proposed Route (Route 3) of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 8.3 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully

Road north of the Washington and Old Dominion (“W&OD”) Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route continues southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines adjacent to Broad Run. North of Rock Ridge High School, the route turns west and crosses Broad Run three times before turning south and crossing Loudoun Reserve Drive. The route continues south through Broad Run Stream Valley Park and across Overland Road. The route turns east and parallels the north side of Old Ox Road, then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation near Carters School Road.

The Proposed Route (Route 3) of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width, in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 180 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 154 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

Golden-Mars Alternative Route 1

Alternative Route 1 of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 9.4 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully Road north of the W&OD Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest, where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route turns northwest and follows the south side of the Dulles Greenway before turning west to parallel the south side of Loudoun County Parkway. The route briefly crosses to the north side of Loudoun County Parkway, then back south, and parallels the west side of Loudoun County Parkway from Gleedsville Manor Drive south to Evergreen Ridge Drive. After crossing Evergreen Ridge Drive, the route turns southeast, crosses Broad Run, and turns east to parallel the north side of Old Ox Road. The route then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation near Carters School Road.

Alternative Route 1 of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width, in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 185 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 156 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

Golden-Mars Alternative Route 2

Alternative Route 2 of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 9.3 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully Road north of the W&OD Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest, where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route continues southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines adjacent to Broad Run. North of Rock Ridge High School, the route turns west and crosses Broad Run three times before reaching Loudoun County Parkway. The route continues south and parallels the west side of Loudoun County Parkway past Evergreen Ridge Drive. After crossing Evergreen Ridge Drive, the route turns southeast, crosses Broad Run, and turns east to parallel the north side of Old Ox Road. The route then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation near Carters School Road.

Alternative Route 2 of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way, primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 180 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 154 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

Golden-Mars Alternative Route 3A

Alternative Route 3A of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 8.4 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation, located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully Road, north of the W&OD Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route continues southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines adjacent to Broad Run and follows the northern boundary of the Loudoun County School Board (“LCSB”) property. Northwest of LCSB property, the route turns south through Loudoun County Board of Supervisors-owned Broad Run Stream Valley Park to Overland Drive near Old Ox Road. The route turns east and parallels the north side of Old Ox Road, then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation. Alternative Route 3A of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way, primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width, in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 180 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 154 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

LEGAL NOTICE

Golden-Mars Alternative Route 4

Alternative Route 4 of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 8.3 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully Road north of the W&OD Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route continues southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines adjacent to Broad Run. North of Rock Ridge High School, the route turns south and continues to parallel existing transmission lines before turning west along Loudoun Reserve Drive. The route then turns south through Broad Run Stream Valley Park and across Overland Road. The route turns east and parallels the north side of Old Ox Road, then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation near Carters School Road.

Alternative Route 4 of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way, primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 180 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 155 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

Golden-Mars Alternative Route 5

Alternative Route 5 of the Golden-Mars Lines is approximately 9.8 miles in length. The route originates at Golden Substation, located between Pacific Boulevard and Sully Road north of the W&OD Trail. The route exits the substation to the south, crosses the W&OD Trail, then turns west to cross Pacific Boulevard. The route then turns south and parallels Pacific Boulevard before crossing Waxpool Road, where it turns west to parallel existing transmission lines on the south side of Waxpool Road. The route continues across Broad Run before turning southwest where it parallels existing transmission lines and crosses Broad Run twice before crossing the Dulles Greenway. The route turns northwest and follows the south side of the Dulles Greenway before turning west to parallel the south side of Loudoun County Parkway. The route briefly crosses to the north side of Loudoun County Parkway, then moves back south, and parallels the west side of Loudoun County Parkway past Gleedsville Manor Drive, then turns west to parallel the north side of Ryan Road. Near Claiborne Parkway, the route turns south to rejoin Loudoun County Parkway and continues south to Evergreen Ridge Drive. After crossing Evergreen Ridge Drive, the route turns southeast, crosses Broad Run, and turns east to parallel the north side of Old Ox Road. The route then turns south along Carters School Road before terminating at Mars Substation near Carters School Road.

Alternative Route 5 of the Golden-Mars Lines will be constructed on almost entirely new right-of-way, primarily varying between 100 and 150 feet in width in order to accommodate a new 500 kV line and a new 230 kV line on either double circuit three-pole or H-frame structures or double circuit two-pole or monopole structures, with a minimum structure height of approximately 110 feet, a maximum height of 185 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 157 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design.

Lockridge Loop Proposed Route

The Lockridge Loop Proposed Route is approximately 0.6 mile in length. The route originates approximately 0.3 mile north of the Dulles Greenway and 0.2 mile east of Shellhorn Road where it ties into the proposed 230 kV Golden-Mars Line at Structure #2412/8. The route travels east from the proposed 500230 kV Golden-Mars Lines corridor and crosses Broad Run and Lockridge Road before looping in and out of the Lockridge Substation, located east of Lockridge Road approximately 0.2 mile south of Prentice Drive.

The Lockridge Loop Proposed Route will be constructed on new 100-foot-wide right-of-way in order to accommodate double circuit monopole structures with a minimum structure height of approximately 100 feet, a maximum height of 120 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 112 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design. Note that the minimum and average structure heights exclude one approximately 55-foot-tall structure that would have created a downward bias in the overall average height of the Lockridge Loop Proposed Route (approximately 104 feet).

Sojourner Loop Proposed Route

The Sojourner Loop Proposed Route is approximately 1.9 miles in length. The route originates at Sojourner Substation between Beaver Meadow Road and Digital Dulles Drive. The route travels east before turning south to parallel the western perimeter of Washington Dulles International Airport. The route then turns west, terminating at Golden Substation near Carters School Road.

The Sojourner Loop Proposed Route will be constructed on new 100-foot-wide right-ofway in order to accommodate double circuit monopole structures with a minimum structure height of approximately 95 feet, a maximum height of 120 feet, and an average structure height of approximately 106 feet, based on preliminary conceptual design, not including foundation reveal, and subject to change based on final engineering design. Note that the minimum and average structure heights exclude one approximately 50-foot-tall structure that would have created a downward bias in the overall average height of the Sojourner Loop Proposed Route (approximately 104 feet).

All distances, heights, and directions are approximate. A sketch map of the proposal accompanies this notice. A more detailed map may be viewed on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/transmission-line-projects A more complete description of the Project also may be found in the Company’s Application.

The Commission may consider routes not significantly different from the routes described in this notice without additional notice to the public.

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. The public hearings in Loudoun County, Virginia and telephonically from Richmond, Virginia will be held for the purpose of receiving testimony of public witnesses. Pursuant to the Commission’s Order, a local public hearing will be held in-person on September 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at: Rock Ridge High School, 43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive, Ashburn, Virginia 20148. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness in this matter should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing and register to testify with the Commission’s Bailiff. To promote fairness for all public witnesses, each witness will be allotted approximately five minutes to provide testimony.

In addition, on October 27, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Commission will hold the telephonic portion of the hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. On or before October

21, 2025, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness at the telephonic public witness hearing shall provide to the Commission: (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia. gov/case-information/submit-public-comments; or (ii) by calling (804) 371-9141.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on October 27, 2025, the Commission will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify, if any, as provided above. This public witness hearing will be webcast at https://www.scc.virginia.gov/case-information/webcasting/

On October 27, 2025, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Commission will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Application from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission’s Staff.

To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and has required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.

Electronic copies of the Application and other supporting materials may be inspected at: https://www.dominionenergy.com/projects-and-facilities/electric-projects/power-line-projects/ nova An electronic copy of the Company’s Application also may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Vishwa B. Link, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or vlink@mcguirewoods.com Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the Application and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/case-information/

On or before October 21, 2025, any interested person may submit comments on the Application by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/caseinformation/submit-public-comments/ Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00056.

On or before September 9, 2025, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation electronically on counsel to the Company, any other respondents, and the Commission’s Staff. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10 et seq. (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00056.

On or before September 9, 2025, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above. Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served electronically on the Commission’s Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with their filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2025-00056.

Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper. In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing in this matter, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice.

The Company’s Application and other documents filed in this case, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing may be viewed on the Commission’s website at: scc.virginia.gov/case-information

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

Obituaries

Derek Lowry

Derek Ross Lowry, 53, of Lovettsville, Virginia left his earthly home peacefully on June 17, 2025, with his family by his side. He is now with his Lord Jesus Christ whom he loved with all his heart and soul. Derek was born July 22, 1971, in Leesburg, Virginia. The beloved son of William Luther Lowry and Marcia Lowe Lowry, Derek was preceded in death by his father, William. He will be forever lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his mother, Marcia; brother, William Brett Lowry (Nancy); sisters Amy Lowry Griffin (Bill Cahill) and Erin Lowry Brosius (Michael). He also will be remembered by his much-loved niece, three nephews, one great nephew, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a number of dear friends. P.S. Indelible in my heart is the sight of my funny little boy with the brightest blue eyes, freckled nose and husky voice, mischievous grin, infectious laugh, easy laid-back way and ability to always make us laugh. You are, and forever will be, a bright spirit impossible to dim. My love always, Mom A private burial will be held at Lovettsville Union Cemetery. Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, Virginia.

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.

Good morning, Loudoun!

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

NOTICE OF BOND ELECTION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

Case No.: CL25-4314

Loudoun County Circuit Court

IN THE MATTER OF THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $138,377,000 ORDER

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 Public Safety Projects

QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $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.

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

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

FIND LOCAL EVENTS

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

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

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.

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.: 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.: CL25-3708

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

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LEESBURG TOWN CODE AMENDMENT:

Legal Notices

CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION); ARTICLE V (BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS); DIVISION 1 (GENERALLY); SECTION 2-227 (LEESBURG COMMISSION ON PUBLIC ART)

In accordance with Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, Sections 15.2-1102 and 15.2-1427, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

TUESDAY, August 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia

to consider the adoption of a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article V, Section 2-227 of the Leesburg Town Code relating to the Leesburg Commission on Public Art. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to update the membership eligibility criteria for the Leesburg Commission on Public Art to allow town business owners to serve as members.

A copy of the proposed ordinance will be available beginning on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from the Town Clerk, Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-731-2733.

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

7/25 & 7/31/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO A RENEWAL LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH LUMOS NETWORKS, INC. FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES WITHIN TOWN RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1800, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing on:

TUESDAY, August 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia

to consider an amendment to the existing Renewal License Agreement with Lumos Networks, Inc., which authorizes Lumos Networks, Inc. to use certain Town rights-of-way and publicly owned property for telecommunications purposes, upon certain terms and conditions. The proposed amendment would extend Lumos Networks, Inc.’s existing fiber optic cable systems to certain additional rights-of-way and publicly owned property under the terms of the existing agreement.

Copies of the proposed Resolution, the proposed First Amendment to Renewal License Agreement for Telecommunications Facilities between the Town and Lumos Networks, Inc., and additional information regarding the proposed amendment, will be available beginning on August 6, 2025, from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by contacting Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

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

7/25 & 7/31/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER A RENEWAL LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH CABLEVISION LIGHTPATH LLC FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES WITHIN TOWN RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1800, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing on:

TUESDAY, August 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia

to consider a Renewal License Agreement with Cablevision Lightpath LLC, as successor to United Fiber & Data, LLC, authorizing Cablevision Lightpath LLC to use certain Town rights-of-way and publicly owned property for telecommunications purposes to install, operate, and maintain fiber optic cable, for a term of five years, upon certain terms and conditions.

Copies of the proposed Resolution, the proposed Renewal License Agreement for Telecommunications Facilities between the Town and Cablevision Lightpath LLC, and additional information regarding the proposed renewal agreement, will be available beginning on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from the Town Clerk, Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-731-2733.

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

7/25 & 7/31/25

PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

AND NOTICE OF PRESUMPTION OF DEATH

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

Civil Case No.: CL25-2859

Loudoun County Circuit Court, in re JUNE B. LANE, Petitioner v.

EDWARD S. LANE, JR., Respondent, A HEARING WAS HELD in this matter on the 18th day of July, 2025, at which was presented proof of this Court’s jurisdiction over this matter, proof of compliance with Virginia Code § 64.22304(A), and satisfactory evidence of the death of Edward S. Lane, Jr., after exposure on June 20, 2024, to a specific peril of death as set forth in Virginia Code §64.2-2300(B); and this Court

FINDING that the legal presumption of death applies in this matter, but that further publication is required by Virginia Code §64.2-2304(B) before entry of a final order declaring the death of Edward S. Lane, Jr., it is therefore ORDERED, that Edward S. Lane, Jr., if alive, and any other person for him, produce to this Court at its courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia, satisfactory evidence that Edward S. Lane, Jr., is alive within two weeks from the date of the last publication of this Notice, and notice is further given that if no such proof is received within such time frame, this Court may without further notice enter an order declaring the death of Edward S. Lane, Jr., on June 20, 2024.

7/24 & 7/31/25

The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on August 14, 2025 for the following:

RFP No. 100323-FY26-08

Tree Inventory and Urban and Community Forestry Plan

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to conduct a Town-owned Tree Inventory and develop an Urban and Community Forestry Management Plan.

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

7/24/25

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHILOMONT FIRE & RESCUE STATION #8, IFB No. 683894 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, August 28, 2025.

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

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

7/24/25

Loco Service Providers

FiOS Channel 35.

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

Evaluating the Benefit

After years of debate between competing lobbyists gathered in Richmond meeting rooms, the state Supreme Court last week delivered a victory for local commuters— although not one likely to change their daily transportation choices.

The opinion issued in the Dulles Greenway’s appeal of the State Corporation Commission’s denial of the latest round of toll increases cuts sharply through the fog that for years obscured the efforts of regulators and legislators to establish more reasonable fares on the privately owned highway.

The last time the high court considered the issue, the justices rejected a bid by former state delegate David Ramadan to force the SCC to lower the Greenway tolls.

That was in 2016, when the one-way toll was $4.20. The latest request sought a $6.40 toll, increasing to $8.10 during rush hours.

After previous legislation provided for annual increases of at least 2.8%, leaving SCC regulators with few options, a revised law in 2021 established consumer protections aimed at better balancing the needs of the toll road company with

Short-sighted

Editor:

Regarding the proposal to reduce the personal property tax rate on data centers, as stupid an idea as this is for county staff to recommend, I find it “insane” on the one hand to promote data centers as the “cash cow,” and now consider lowering their tax rate. If this was negotiated rather than the result of staff so called staff “ingenuity,” heads should roll.

Data centers were to be the end all for residents having to pay higher taxes. On the advice of the Economic Development staff, the county bought into the idea that data centers were a good thing financially, while totally destroying the look of the county. In my opinion, no professional land use planner or trained planning commissioner would ever have recommended a “data center tsunami” that we now have here in the county.

County staff and the Board of Supervisors bought into the rhetoric of the Economic Development staff that data center overdevelopment was a viable plan and how tax base was far more important than quality planned land use.

Now comes the same county players trying to convince us to accept the fact that by lowering the tax rate on data centers (hence, less revenue), they can

those of the customers it was intended to serve.

Under the new code, not only should toll rates generate a reasonable return for the company, but they must also provide a reasonable benefit to users.

The company failed that test in the latest round.

The latest Supreme Court ruling makes clear, for the first time in this long-debated relationship, that it was not the responsibility of local motorists to make up for revenue shortfalls attributable to a business plan that, from its earliest days, relied on unrealistic projections for user volume.

And the more rates increased to offset miscalculations, the higher the barrier became to attracting new customers. Already, the Greenway owners say they are preparing for another rate increase application, even while also pursuing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

However, as traffic levels indicate each day, there remains little evidence that even the current $5.25 charge is widely viewed as providing a reasonable level of benefit that drivers are willing to pay for.

LETTERS to the Editor

reduce county General Fund expenditures. That’s absurd. Hiring will likely continue to grow, personnel expenses will still increase, and services and the resources to support services will likely not be cut.

In my opinion, this plan is shortsighted, and while it may for a while reduce expenditures more than they would otherwise be based on staff recommendations at budget time, they will not be able to reduce actual expenditures over time.

And despite it all, we, the residents, will continue to witness “eye pollution” at the highest level created by poorly designed behemoth looking big boxes called data centers. As the result of a combination of higher tax assessment on residential property, residents will be forced to pay more taxes year after year. And, because of a shortage of foresight on the part of the Board of Supervisors to allow overdevelopment of data centers, we now know that power demands will increase, and residents will continue to face higher power bills as well.

— Sam Finz, Philomont

Our Byway

Editor:

If you’ve driven along Clarkes Gap Road you can’t miss the signs: “Save Our Historic Byway Save Clarkes Gap Road.”

Its obvious many residents oppose a county-proposed project (Paeonian Springs/Waterford Interconnected Community Water/Wastewater Systems) that threatens to cause irreversible damage to the villages of Paeonian Springs and Waterford, and Clarkes Gap Road, the scenic byway that connects them.

In addition to the physical and environmental damage, residents are also concerned they’ll be forced to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to connect to the systems.

To date, the county has conducted little to no public outreach or engagement; and the small amount of information that residents have received is frequently inaccurate, misleading, and full of omissions.

Although bringing services might sound like a good idea, it’s actually a bloated $60.2 million project that will only solve the issues of a handful of residents. In other words, the county is unnecessarily choosing to wield a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

So what is the county’s plan?

• Install water/wastewater pipes along

LETTERS continues on page 33

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

READERS’ poll

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

37.4% It will help

34.9% It will hurt

11.5% I doubt it will help

8.1% I hope it will help

8.1% I'm not sure

Should lower taxes on data centers be part of the county budget management strategy?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor

Clarkes Gap Road between Paeonian Springs and Waterford.

• Remove trees along Clarkes Gap Road and add wells, water storage, and a treatment plant, causing unsightly damage to the scenic byway and surrounding farmland.

• Drill up to five wells on private property along Clarkes Gap Road to extract 600,000 gallons per day of groundwater from our fragile aquifer, which a preliminary study indicates may be 10 to 40 feet lower than 20 years ago.

• Potentially use eminent domain to take private property along Clarkes Gap Road and surrounding areas.

• Potentially force village residents to connect to a community water system for an estimated $8,000 to $15,000; cap their wells for an estimated $3,000 to $5,000, and; for residents located in Paeonian Springs, connect to a community wastewater system for another estimated $8,000 to $15,000.

• Open up the potential for real estate development on currently vacant parcels in the two Villages (80 parcels in Paeonian Springs and 20 in Waterford).

• Disrupt daily life on Clarkes Gap Road and in the Villages for three years during construction.

When my husband and I purchased

Bentley Verdict

continued from page 3

case until the sentencing hearing in November but commended the work of the prosecutors handling the case.

He also said the jury’s three days of deliberations indicated they carefully considered the evidence, including more than 180 exhibits entered during the trial.

“The verdict is correct. There are repercussions for certain activity, and the jury found that activity required certain repercussions,” he said.

Fire and Rescue System Chief James Williams said the verdict was important to the public safety community.

recommendations in progress as of this morning when we got a briefing,” he said.

And the recovery will continue.

continued from page 32

land near Clarkes Gap Road, we drilled a well and then asked the drilling company to drill deeper to ensure a consistent, long-term water supply. Even with these extra precautions, we do not have a highyield well, and it must also supply our flock of sheep. At purchase, we knew that if our well ran dry, we were responsible for drilling another well at our own expense.

But if the county extracts 600,000 GPD from the Clarkes Gap Road aquifer, who is responsible for wells running dry along Clarkes Gap Road? Is the county prepared to fix the possibly larger problem it created?

The “design process” should be immediately halted and small-scale, lesscostly solutions should be investigated for the handful of residents who are apparently experiencing issues in the two villages.

Small-scale solutions won’t lead to large-scale problems down the road— literally—down our precious, historic, and scenic Clarkes Gap Road.

What can you do? Voice your opposition to the Board. Now.

Learn more at savethebyway.org.

— Ann Marie Stewart, Paeonian Springs

“On behalf of our fire and rescue system, we would like to thank the men and women of the jury for their time and their service, as well as the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Fire Marshal’s Office who helped bring this tragic case to trial,” Williams said. “Our sympathies, our condolences, our thoughts remain with the Brown family, because regardless of the outcome, firefighter Trevor Brown doesn’t come back.

“We also have a considerable number in our system, our fire and rescue system, who were impacted by this incident. They were injured or there’s just the mental trauma of dealing with the loss of colleagues, as well as the injuries that some sustained themselves,” he said.

Williams said eight of the 10 firefighters injured in the incident have returned to duty but two continue to recover.

“This trial is about accountability for us. I just want to thank the men and women of the jury for what they’ve done,” Williams said.

“It’s an important trial. It’s an important chapter in our overall recovery. But nothing brings Trevor back. So it’s one chapter in figuring out what’s next. We’re looking forward to continuing to grow from the incident as well,” Williams said. The agency is continuing to implement more than 80 recommendations from the 200page independent significant incident report.

“We make changes [based on] that report, whether or not it’s policy, whether or not it’s training, whether or not it’s protocol, we have over 53

“It’s an ongoing journey, ongoing recovery of physical injuries, as well as it doesn’t really matter if you were on the scene or not on the scene, trapped or not trapped. There’s mental trauma from losing a colleague,” Williams said. “… I don’t think that recovery is linear. It’s ongoing. And we continue to support one another within the fire service. The support of the community groups like the Loudoun First Responders Foundation has been ongoing and significant, and in the face of tragedy, I’m grateful to Loudoun County and the community for the support that we’ve all had. Thank you.”

In addition to the criminal case, Brown’s family and others injured in the explosion have filed a civil lawsuit against Bentley, Bentley’s former employer Southern States, and the propane delivery driver, Michael Litten, who serviced the home earlier in the day.

Demetry Pikrallidas, an attorney for three of the plaintiffs in that case, issued a statement after the verdict.

“This was a difficult case that required the jurors to hear extensive expert testimony and from numerous witnesses. It is clear the jurors took their responsibility seriously and did not rush to a judgment,” he stated. “As I have said before, this tragedy was not unforeseeable nor was it unavoidable. Southern States is a major corporation in the business of transporting and handling highly flammable substances. They had serviced this tank before. They were aware that the propane tank in question had been flagged for issues. Despite that, it was filled - and when it continued to leak, they left. These decisions set in motion a chain of events that led to catastrophic consequences, including the death of Trevor Brown and injuring numerous other firefighters and civilians. This was a preventable disaster—plain and simple. It was mishandled from the outset. Our position has always been, and remains, that this was the result of systemic failure by Southern States.”

“We are far from finished. We intend to hold Southern States fully accountable for the harm and devastation inflicted on our clients and their families,” Pikrallidas stated. n

Greenway Tolls

continued from page 1

federal lawsuit alleging the action would drive the business into insolvency and represented an unconstitutional taking.

The Supreme Court opinion, written by Justice Stephen R. McCullough and published July 17, stated the justices were unpersuaded by the claims.

“This case differs from a typical rate regulation case,” he wrote. “TRIP II’s predecessor built the Greenway knowing that it was taking certain risks and that the toll road would be competing against free public roads. Unlike the captive ratepayers of, for example, an electric utility, the drivers of Loudoun County can choose alternatives to the Greenway. Moreover, intervening developments, such as technological innovations that afford greater opportunities to work remotely and the County’s improvements to its road network, have eroded the need to use the Greenway.”

McCullough pointed to a faulty business plan, rather than hostile governmental actions, as the root cause of the company’s financial struggles.

“The story told by the voluminous record before us is not that of a governmental agency dragging a profitable business down to the depths through regulatory overreach. Instead, the consistent narrative going back to the very first years of the Greenway is that of a Commission taking actions to keep afloat a business that was launched with flawed assumptions. Greenway investors anticipated a volume of trips on the Greenway that never has materialized. That faulty assumption in short order propelled the operators of the Greenway into insolvency. TRIP II then restructured its debt and borrowed heavily through, among other instruments, zero-coupon bonds – staggered bonds that could be repaid over time thanks to expected increases in traffic. These projections about traffic volumes, turned out once more to be overinflated,” he wrote. “The Commission again and again approved toll increases, authorized two major refinancings, and granted a twenty-year extension of TRIP II’s franchise to keep the Greenway from sinking.”

McCullouch noted that the company was not insolvent but held a significant cash reserve to cover shortfalls when they occur. And, he wrote, even if higher rates were approved, its investors would not see a return on their investment for the foreseeable future based on the company’s equity distributions.

Additionally, TRIP II may reapply for toll increases on an annual basis should it choose to do so, the justice wrote.

Elected representatives hailed the ruling after years of battling rate hikes before the SCC and pushing new legislation in the General Assembly.

“Today’s ruling is a huge win for our community and families across Northern Virginia.”

—

U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10)

“I am pleased that Loudoun County’s position on Greenway toll increases has once again been validated,” stated County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large).

“First the SCC and now the Supreme Court of Virginia has determined that the proposed toll increases were excessive and unnecessary; these rulings protect Loudoun residents. I’m grateful to the county’s legal team and all of the residents who testified for fairness over the past number of months.”

“Today’s decision affirms the county’s strategy to protect drivers from unreasonable Greenway tolls,” stated Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “The county put together a comprehensive, professional and unassailable case against the Greenway’s proposal to raise tolls which persuaded the State Corporation Commission and now the Virginia Supreme Court. I sincerely appreciate all the of the residents that weighed in during this process, the outstanding work of County Attorney Leo Rogers and outside counsel, Attorney General Miyares, who supported the County’s position, and the members of the General Assembly that have supported us over the years, especially former Delegate David Ramadan who began this fight over a decade ago.”

During his time serving in the General Assembly, U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) continued the legislative work started by Ramadan to change the way the Greenway rate requests are evaluated.

“Today’s ruling is a huge win for our community and families across Northern Virginia,” he stated. “It’s clear that the legislation I passed that prevented toll increases was not only constitutional but the best policy for Virginians facing high costs right now. Without this critical legislation and the SCC’s actions, these already exorbitant tolls would be almost double

what they are today. I will continue to fight against tolls hikes and push to lower costs for my constituents in Congress.”

In addition to Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors, Attorney General Jason Miyares also opposed the toll hikes.

“This is an enormous win for hardworking Virginians who are already stretched thin by rising costs,” he stated. “No private company has the right to exploit a government franchise to gouge commuters, especially when public alternatives exist. My office stood up to defend Virginia consumers from the largest toll increase in Dulles Greenway history, and today, common sense prevailed.”

County Attorney Leo P. Rogers said it was important that the court’s ruling dismissed the claim of the Greenway owners that the 2021 state legislation constituted a constitutional taking.

That claim also is a key element in the federal lawsuit filed by TRIP II.

TRIP II’s owner, Australia-based Atlas Arteria, said it will now focus on advancing its federal complaint that alleges constitutional violations distinct from those reviewed by the state court.

Also, the company said it continues to work with the SCC in anticipation of submitting a new rate increase request later this year. n

File Photo

Today, cars traveling the Dulles Greenway pay $5.25 for a one-way trip and 55 cents more during rush hour.

A Loudoun Moment

Rural Zoning

continued from page 3

been built correctly,” Hobbie said.

Kershner questioned whether there are examples of this, or whether that was speculation.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) said there is an example in her district where an applicant said they would be storing agricultural products in a building, but that does not appear to be what they are doing with the site.

“They’re going to be more an entertainment center without any ag, and I don’t think that’s OK. They have a big fireplace. They’ve got all of these features that show me that they’re going to have a big outdoor venue and have a lot of assembly of people, so I don’t think it’s OK to not

have building codes and fire prevention codes. So, I think that’s where we are,” TeKrony said.

“I can’t say for certain whether or not people getting these exemptions still go out and meet the building codes or not even though they’re not getting permitted. But I don’t believe, based on a lot of the things I’ve seen personally, that building codes or fire safety codes, are being met,” Hobbie said.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said safety is of key importance.

“The guiding principle can’t be money, and that doesn’t mean I don’t understand how much people spend or how much your operations cost. I do and I appreciate that but there’s no such thing as too much money to save a life,” she said.

Randall said existing buildings could be grandfathered in but that building

codes could apply to more structures going forward.

The group also discussed whether special events at wineries and breweries should be regulated differently than everyday operations – a proposal opposed by industry representatives who said hosting events are a necessary way to sell their products.

“I consider our business operations to be our tasting room operations, to be our events because we are selling our farm product at those things. Our business is selling wine. So, our business operations –part of that is weddings, dinners that type of thing,” Stone Tower Winery Vice President Lacey Huber said.

The industry also hosts charity galas and other events in addition to weddings and limiting that would significantly impact the industry, she said.

Kershner said Virginia code stipulates that localities are prohibited from regulating agritourism activities at an agriculture operation, including regular activities and events, unless there’s a “substantial impact on health, safety or regular welfare of the public.”

Planning Commissioner Robin-Even Jasper (Little River) and TeKrony said the size of the facility and intensity also matters.

Noise and traffic concerns, particularly for unpaved roads, were also raised. The discussion also covered the need for consistent setbacks and buffering requirements, especially for businesses near residential areas.

The issues will be revisited by the working group later in the ongoing review process. n

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the Shenandoah River.

Photo by Douglas Graham