Loudoun Now for Aug. 21, 2025

Feds Move to Pull Funding from Schools

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday it would work to end federal funding to Loudoun County Public Schools. The announcement comes after the School Board voted not to comply with a federally proposed agreement that would have kept funding in place by rolling back policies governing transgender students.

Loudoun schools receive around $46 million annually from the federal government.

School divisions in Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William counties and the City of Alexandria also refused to comply with the federal order.

“States and school districts cannot openly violate federal law while simultaneously

FEDERAL FUNDING continues on page 34

With $61M in Transfers, School Board to Zero Out Budget Fund Balance

BY PATRICK LEWIS

Loudoun County Public Schools is expected to fully spend its fiscal year 2025 budget surplus when the School Board votes on two budget measures in September that will tap the remaining $61 million that otherwise would be returned to the county government.

During the Aug. 12 School Board meet-

ing, division Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby recommended that the board approve a transfer of $43 million to the school’s Health Self-Insurance Fund, around $1.5 million for the worker’s compensation fund, and $29 million for repayments to the Department of Education after the discovery of a misappropriation of that money.

She called the $43 million insurance fund transfer a “year-end technical housekeeping

item” that she said was anticipated by staff.

Willoughby told the board that the budget’s estimate for the Health Self-Insurance Fund was $43 million short for the actual needs this year, something she attributed to “rapidly rising medical, prescription vision, and dental claims, which collectively increased a little over 12% compared to the prior year.”

Those claims were driven by “increased

utilization of specialty drugs, increasing numbers of catastrophic claims, and care for chronic conditions,” Willoughby said. She said that both the number of claims and the cost of claims have climbed, leading to the shortfall.

Thirty-two million dollars will be transferred from available fund balance,

SCHOOL FUND BALANCE continues on page 9

Injunction Sought in Paxton Campus Battle; The Arc Plans Move to National Conference Center

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The battle over the future use of the Paxton campus in Leesburg continues, with the trustees of the Margaret Paxton Memorial for Convalescent Children on Monday filing a motion seeking a quick dismissal of the lawsuit filed Friday by The Arc of Loudoun.

The litigation is the latest action in the prolonged dispute over whether The Arc will continue to operate at its longtime home in Leesburg and comes after the Paxton trustees on Aug. 8 blocked access to the campus by The Arc staff and clients after more than a year of negotiations to develop a new lease failed.

The Arc’s latest lease to operate on the property expired Aug. 31, 2024. It has been a rent-free leasehold tenant there since 2008.

The lawsuit seeks a restraining order and injunctions against the Paxton Trust alleging The Arc’s landlord had violated the requirements of the real property tax exemption, barred access to the campus without issuing required notices, and was unlawfully preventing students with disabilities from attending class.

“The Aurora School building and playground are set up and are ready for school to start. All that is needed for that to happen is for The Arc’s employees and students, as well as supporting persons such as bus drivers, to

be granted access,” attorney Stephen C. Price wrote in the Aug. 15 filing.

In its motion to dismiss the case, the Trust stated time has run out efforts to agree on a new lease.

“The Paxton Trust could have evicted the Arc immediately, but it instead bent over backwards through negotiations with the Arc in an attempt to find a path forward that might allow the Arc to stay—all without success,” Paxton attorney Kevin W. Weigand wrote.

“The Arc seems to believe that even though it has no contractual right to the Premises and has not paid rent for 17 years, any refusal by the Paxton Trust to maintain the status quo is some sort of breach of its fiduciary duties to care for children in need. That is not the law, and doing so would allow the Arc to effectively control the Paxton Trust and dictate the terms of the Arc’s possession of the Paxton Trust’s property.”

At the same time as it filed the lawsuit, The Arc announced plans to move its Aurora School educational services to The National Conference Center, although setting up operations there and completing required state Department of Education certifications will take time.

The school serves 50 students on the autism spectrum from school divisions around the regions. Classes were scheduled to resume this week.

“…[W]ith deep gratitude and great relief,

we announce that the Aurora School will relocate to The National Conference Center (NCC) in Leesburg. While this is likely not our long-term home, it allows our students to learn together once again under one roof, alongside the rest of our programs, in a safe and supportive setting. We are indebted to NCC’s owners and staff for stepping forward to expand our partnership in this time of

need!” The Arc CEO Lisa Max wrote in the announcement.

The Paxton trustees in June notified The Arc that without a new lease, classes would not be permitted to resume.

In its filing, the Paxton Trust argues that THE ARC continues on page 35

Southern States Proposes Settlement in Firefighter Wrongful Death Suit

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Southern States Cooperative has petitioned the court to approve a settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Sterling volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown who was killed a home explosion in February 2024.

The settlement comes after Laura Brown, Trevor’s widow, and seven other injured parties filed suit in May against the company and two employees. In addition to Brown, the plaintiffs include Brian Diamond, Karam Mashaal, Kelley Woods, David Bulman, Maria Pia Apolonio, Eldna Smith and Sean Mohseni.

On Feb. 16, 2024, firefighters from the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company responded

to a report of a gas leak at a home on Silver Ridge Drive. Less than an hour later, the home exploded killing Trevor Brown and injuring 11 other first responders and two civilians. An investigation determined the explosion was caused by gas leaking from a buried propane tank.

The suit alleges that Southern States employees filled the propane tank that same day, even though the company had previously “red-tagged” the tank and removed it from service because it had identified safety issues related to the leaking of propane. The suit alleges negligence, gross negligence, and willful and wanton negligence against Southern States, Roger Bentley and Michael Litten.

Following a week-and-a-half-long jury trial in July, Bentley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of Trevor Brown. He will be sentenced on that charge and three other

misdemeanors related to the handling of propane and hazardous materials in November.

Southern States’ petition, filed Aug. 18 in the Loudoun County Circuit Court, requests the court approve a “compromise settlement of all claims against Southern States, Roger Bentley, and Michael Litten.” The company denies any negligence or liability in the matter.

The amount of the settlement is not included in the petition but it does include “any and all claims for wrongful death, any and all claims for medical expenses incurred in connection with treatment rendered to the decedent, any and all claims for funeral and/ or burial expenses incurred on connection with the death of the decedent, and any and all other claims which could in any way be construed as arising from this matter and for which [Southern States, Bentley and Litten] might allegedly be responsible.”

The original suit filed by all eight plaintiffs requested $100 million in punitive damages and millions more in compensatory damages.

The proposed settlement is limited to Laura Brown and her three children alone and does not include any of the other individuals filing suit against Southern States, Bentley and Litten.

Attorney Demetrios Pikrallidas, who is representing Mashaal and two other unnamed defendants, said they would continue to move forward with their case.

“We are absolutely moving forward with our suit that is pending in Richmond right now and I can assert that the seriously injured parties do intend to have their day in court,” he said.

A hearing on the settlement has not been scheduled as of Aug. 19. n

Loudoun

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve Cited For 18 Workplace Safety Violations

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program of the state Department of Labor and Industry recently cited Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, which is operated by the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, for 18 workplace safety violations. Eleven of the violations were classified as “serious” and the other seven “other than serious.”

The violation citations were issued on June 16 following an inspection on May 8, according to documents obtained by Loudoun Now via the Freedom of Information Act.

The violations, listed below, range from failing to properly install fuel pumps, to allowing uncertified employees to use heavy trucks, to failing to install safety guards on machines. The serious violations include failing to provide emergency eyewash liquid and eyewash facilities in an area where dangerous chemicals are present; failing to install guardrails or mandate use of harnesses on a barn loft 7.5 feet above ground; placing fuel storage tanks closer than 3 feet apart; failing to install dikes or drains around fuel tanks to prevent

leaks from contaminating the surrounding area and waterways; storing fuel in an unsecured area; failing to install a fire extinguisher near a fuel pump; installing unsecured and unprotected propane tanks near a pump; failed to installing fuel pumps in accordance with anchoring requirements in fire codes; failing to secure or anchor a drill press to the ground; and failing to install a safety guard on a grinding machine.

The other-than-serious violations included failing to display maximum load signs in a loft; failing to provide documentation for the maximum load of a ladder; failing to inspect fire extinguishers monthly; failing to ensure employees operating heavy trucks were competent to do so; failing to properly mark electrical wires with their purpose; failing to provide enough space around a circuit breaker panel; and failing to provide employees with safety training about hazardous materials stored on the property.

Kraig Troxell, a spokesperson for PRCS, stated, “Upon receipt of the citations, County and PRCS leadership and Loudoun County’s Safety and Security Program took immediate action to address the concerns. Corrective ac-

In

addition to mitigating the cited items, the County has implemented enhanced training protocols for staff at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve.”

— Kraig Troxell, spokesperson for PRCS

tion has been taken on all 18 cited items.”

Documents show that the Loudoun County government responded to the citations by contesting two of the violations. Those were storing fuel in a secured area and not protecting propane tanks. The letter, filed by Tony Charland, a safety program manager for the county Office of Emergency Management, stated the tanks and fuel pump were within a locked chain-link fence. Those citations were then removed, according to Troxell.

The VOSH inspection came after an anonymous complaint was made to VOSH, according to Troxell.

“In addition to mitigating the cited items, the County has implemented enhanced training protocols for staff at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. This includes training related to the safe use of powered industrial equipment and hazard communication, to ensure continued compliance and promote a safe working environment,” Troxell said.

“The County remains committed to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace and values the efforts of its employees in upholding these standards.”

Troxell also provided a list of measures he said the county has taken in response to the citations, including logging heavy equipment training, inspecting fire extinguishers on a monthly basis, stopping use of the barn loft as a storage area, improving fuel tank and station safety features, assigning extra hazardous materials, and other improvements.

No fiscal penalties were imposed for the citations, according to the documents.

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor and Industry said the case has been closed. n

ON THE agenda

Loudoun Offers First Fair Housing School

Loudoun County is offering its first fair housing course after becoming the first and only local government in Virginia to serve as an approved Fair Housing School with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s Virginia Fair Housing Office.

The county will host the first fair housing course on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

As an approved Fair Housing School, the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development will provide training and outreach to educate housing providers and other community members about fair housing. Attendees of the Fair Housing School will learn how to spot and avoid discrimination, handle tenant concerns and comply with accessibility laws to protect themselves and others.

Anyone involved in housing as a current or potential renter, buyer, financial adviser, Realtor, mortgage loan officer, appraiser, property manager, landlord, or builder is encouraged to attend. The courses are free, but registration is required.

Upon completion of the course, attendees will receive a certificate. Attendees that hold a real estate license can apply their course completion certificate towards Continuing Education Credits or Post Licensing Education Credits for their real estate license. Completed CE and PLE hours are reported by the Fair Housing School to the Virginia Department of Occupation and Professional Regulation.

Register at loudoun.gov/FairHousing.

Clear the Shelters Planned Saturday

Loudoun County Animal Services will host a Clear the Shelters pet adoption event on Saturday, Aug. 23. The fees will be waived for all available animals, including cats, kittens, dogs, rabbits, small pets and livestock. In 2025, LCAS has seen a 17% increase in owner-surrendered animals compared with last year.

“In many of these cases, these animals had loving families whose personal circumstances, such as economic issues and even homelessness, changed their abilities to keep their beloved pets,” Shelter Operations Manager Melissa Heard stated. “We are hopeful this event will help us find new families who will love them just as much as their previous ones.”

Prospective adopters can view available pets online at loudoun.gov/AvailablePets. The standard adoption screening process still applies during this promotion; most adoptions can be completed on the same day.

The event will take place at the animal shelter at 42225 Adoption Drive in Leesburg, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. n

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But now that we’ve expanded eligibility requirements, we get to serve up more of this award-winning lifestyle to more people than ever before. From the exceptional dining, impeccable services and top-notch amenities, here, everyone’s a winner. This is a match you don’t want to miss, and now is the perfect time — so go ahead and join us on the court!

Leesburg

Under New Ownership, Leesburg Public House Retains Old Soul with New Menu

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

The Leesburg Public House’s previous owners, Kim Ross and Mark Mannocco, did the unthinkable 10 years ago when they celebrated the restaurant’s one-year anniversary in a building that saw so many others fail.

Stepping into that 11-year legacy, the new owner, John Cosgrove, said he plans to keep the soul of the Public House alive as it enters a new chapter with a new seasonal menu in the works.

He said the restaurant should serve as an institution for the town.

“The name Leesburg Public House makes me think that this place has to have great value for everyone, like a solution to issues folks have,” Cosgrove said. “It doesn’t need to be the way I want to do it; it needs to be a way that everybody needs.”

Cosgrove took over ownership of the restaurant after being blown away by the strong company culture.

“The staff is so kind to each other. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

Adding to that, the Leesburg Public House has at least five employees who have been working since opening day 11 years ago, Cosgrove said. That group includes Executive

Sous Chef Laura Walsh, who “knows the customers better than anybody” and knows what dishes have been popular over the years.

The restaurant’s regulars also are a keystone of that culture, he said.

“We kind of have this joke within the walls as customers and staff, that this is the most well-known, best kept secret in Leesburg,” Cosgrove said. “Either you’ve been coming here for five years, or you’ve never heard of it.”

To maintain the soul of the Public House, Cosgrove is incorporating feedback from regulars into the business model and new menu. If sales are down on a menu item that’s a favorite of loyal regulars, the Public House will find a way to make it, he said.

Working with Executive Chef Aldrin Asencio, Cosgrove weighs the customer feedback heavily when deciding on seasonal menus, a practice that aligns with Asencio’s personal philosophy on cooking.

“It’s about that, isn’t it? Seeing the faces when they’re eating and they get like a, that smile is like ‘yeah that’s what I wanted,” Aldrin said. “I don’t want to be famous, I don’t want to be a star. I want you smiling. That is more than a payment.”

PUBLIC HOUSE

continues on page 7

SAR Commemorates 249th Anniversary of Declaration’s First Public Reading

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

In a prelude to a much larger celebration planned next year, a small crowd gathered in Loudoun County’s courthouse square Saturday morning to mark the anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence to local residents there on Aug. 16, 1776.

It was the first reading of the declaration in Virginia as word spread of the actions of

Barry Schwoerer, president of the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution, speaks during an Aug. 16, 2025, ceremony marking the 249th anniversary of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Leesburg.

the Continental Congress in Philadelphia a month earlier.

The 249th anniversary ceremony was organized by the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution.

“Today is a day like many in 1776 where Leesburg was a busy town of travelers and taverns and locals in shops or farm markets. It may not be July 4, but today’s reading of the 249-year-old Declaration of Independence reaffirms our core value of preserving American history, promoting patriotism and educating future generations about the American Revolution,” said Darin Schmidt, the first vice president of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution.

“The statue here on the courthouse

grounds reminds us that it wasn’t just the 56 signers of the Declaration of this gift, Declaration of Independence, who pledged their lives and sacred honor. It was ultimately the farmers, the tavern keepers, the businessmen, and we never forget the ladies who were committed to the cause of liberty with the strokes of Jefferson’s pen and the second vote of the Continental Congress in July, on July 4, 1776. We can take up the mantle of our ancestors and founding fathers to ensure that the nations that they fought and bled and died to create is here in another 250 years,” he said.

The rain-shortened ceremony included a reading of the Declaration aloud by audience members and the opportunity to sign a replica of the Declaration with quill and ink. n

HUBZone Contractor Earns National Trailblazer Award

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

For more than a decade, small companies have been setting up in downtown Leesburg, attracted by the federal contracting benefits that come with the area’s HUBZone designation. Now, one of them is garnering national attention.

Custom Software Systems, which operates in a Loudoun Street office building, was presented the Trailblazer Strategic Connections Award during the National HUBZone conference held in Chantilly last month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the federal program.

CSS, a government contractor that specializes in data analytics, business intelligence and database administration, is one of the longest serving businesses in Leesburg’s HUBZone.

Chief Operations Officer Bob Cusack said the company has done everything from manage fraud data analytics for the U.S. Treasury to leading the Enterprise Information Management area for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation during the 2008 financial crisis.

Since 1997, Historically Underutilized Business Zones have been part of a national program to support small business growth in

Public House

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Aldrin and Cosgrove met working at Harry’s Taproom in Arlington in 2005. At that time, Aldrin was a line-cook and Cosgrove a server, but the two earned promotions after moving to a new Harry’s taproom in Pentagon City. The duo quickly found success together with Cosgrove moving from junior manager to general manager, while Asencio was promoted to executive sous chef, in just a few months.

Since then, Asencio’s career has been marked by work with prolific industry figures, including a five-year stint with Roberto Donna, who Esquire named chef of the year in 2012.

“I was a guy in the grill, that’s it,” Asencio said. “And that was a really good school for me. I learned working in the tough way with tough people. … I learned what you do and what you don’t do. One of the things you don’t do is make unhappy your employees, your group, your team.”

Later, Asencio moved to Massachusetts, where he worked for larger companies, acting in project-manager type-roles for existing restaurants. Taking his chef expertise and team building skills with him.

“As a chef, when they start to work for the really large companies, they destroy your ego,” Asencio said. “You learn ego doesn’t exist, just the product.”

underserved areas. The goal of the HUBZone program is to award at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.

Starting with the 2010 Census, a portion of Leesburg met the criteria to qualify as a HUBZone. Today, the HUBZone includes land in the Market Street corridor between King Street and the Leesburg Bypass.

The program is intended to promote business growth and hiring in low-income areas. Qualifying businesses must locate their offices within HUBZones and at least 35% of their employees must live in HUBZones.

Fiscal Year 2024 HUBZone-certified firms received a record of $17.6 billion in federal contracts, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s HUBZone Scorecard Fact Sheet. That funding created or sustained 81,000 jobs.

Cusack and CSS CEO Lisa Cusack said small businesses in the HUBZone program benefit by getting to know their community while also being shown resources to compete against larger companies in the government contracting world.

Community collaboration was central to the company winning the Trailblazer Strategic Connections Award, they said.

“I think that was really the focus was that

With an absence of ego, and desire to make people smile, Asencio returned to the DMV area, working with Cosgrove in an open-fire catering business—one of his favorite ways to cook.

“We cook with fire. We love fire. We love the grill. That’s what we do,” Asencio said of his home country of Uruguay. “It’s all about that process, cook and sit all together and enjoy. It’s community.”

On top of the catering business, Cosgrove selected Asencio as the executive chef for the Public House, a merging of the pair’s service-driven mindsets.

Prior to opening the public house, Cosgrove founded Eco Caters DC. From 2012 to 2022, he led the 100% organic catering business for a decade while also running a catering business for professional athletes.

Cosgrove said he’s worked to keep things the same at the restaurant as much as possible while still putting on events and specials. That includes burger of the week specials and pints and popcorn night, where both the “famous bacon popcorn” and the generally pricier craft beers go for $5.

Cosgrove said about 50% of the beer selection comes from local breweries, and much of the food ingredients are locally sourced, as well.

“I like you could call it like an elevated comfort food, locally sourced stuff,” he said.

The Leesburg Public House is located at 962 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg. Learn more at the-lph.com. n

we tried our best to help bring the community together, the businesses together and the resources that they need to get their questions answered,” Lisa Cusack said. “Not just about the HUBZone program, but about government contracting in general. How could small businesses compete?”

CSS in recent years connected with the Loudoun County Job Link program to help disabled individuals find employment. Working with job coaches to find disabled individuals living inside the Leesburg HUBZone, CSS and the Job Link Program have helped to employ workers for Loudoun Hunger Relief, Heritage Hall Rehabilitation and Healthcare and other businesses.

The Cusacks said the federal government contracting scene has become tougher for small businesses in recent years with the increased use of Best in Class contracts that put work out of reach for many small businesses, and administration’s rewriting of federal acquisition regulations.

With Best in Class contracts there are fewer projects targeted to small companies.

“Agencies are being told that they must use these vehicles,” Lisa Cusack said. “Instead of just putting out a solicitation and saying, ‘OK this is a small business set-aside and any small business can bid on it,’ they say ‘OK we’re go-

ing to pick this Best in Class vehicle and we’re going to say that only the companies that are on this vehicle can bid on this work.’”

The requirements to get on those vehicles are generally out of reach for small businesses, she said.

The other problem, Lisa said, is the Trump Administration’s rewriting of Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Bob Cusack said the Trump administration is working to move all contracts under the General Services Administration. To win work, small businesses must operate on the GSA schedule.

“A lot of small businesses can’t get on that schedule,” he said. “They don’t have the past performance or capabilities to get on the schedule, even though they might have the capabilities to do the actual work, they don’t have the past performance.”

He said the federal government may choose to put work out in HUBZone “swim lanes,” providing a path in which only HUBZone-certified businesses may compete for contracts.

“We’re waiting to see if they actually use those swim lanes that they’ve developed under these Best in Class contracts. If they do, then it would be a great thing,” he said. n

School Board Awards $202M Contract for New High School

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The Loudoun County School Board has awarded a contract worth just over $202 million for the construction of the county’s next high school.

High School 14, which will be located on the same campus as Watson Mountain Middle School in the Dulles North area, is slated to be 347,000 square feet in size.

During the Aug. 12 School Board meeting, division Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis recommended the board approve a $202,599,000 contract with Howard Shockey & Sons to build the school. Normally, the board’s review process would take longer, but Lewis said the deadline for the contract was Sept. 13, and the next board meeting, on Sept. 9, would leave too short a time for the contractor to discuss and sign contracts with its subcontractors.

The board altered its meeting agenda and approved the contract award unanimously.

Shockey and Sons, a Winchester-based construction firm, offered the lowest of the

five bids received for the project, with the next-lowest being nearly $204.2 million. None of the five companies that submitted bids are

based in Loudoun.

Lewis said the amount of the contract is below what LCPS had estimated for the con-

struction of the new school. High School 14 is scheduled to open in fall 2028. n Santec

Attorneys: Two Students Suspended after Title IX Investigation

BY PATRICK LEWIS

Two LCPS students accused of sexual harassment by the division’s Title IX office after they reported a transgender student allegedly filming them in a boy’s locker room are facing disciplinary action, according to their attorneys.

The division found both boys guilty of sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination, their attorneys said. LCPS declined to comment.

In a statement Monday, Founding Freedoms Law Center, which is representing the two boys, said, “Last Friday afternoon, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) issued a determination that two boys are guilty of ‘sexual harassment’ and ‘sex-based discrimination’ under Title IX for simply asking fellow students why there was a girl in their boys’ locker room. (Adding insult to injury, the boys were secretly recorded without their knowledge or permission by a girl identifying as a boy in the boys’ changing area).”

The boys were students at Stone Bridge High School. Their attorneys said the boys have each received 10-day suspensions.

One has since moved out of the jurisdiction but will be required to serve the suspension if he ever moves back to Loudoun

County, said Founding Freedoms Law Center.

One of the boys will also be required to develop a “corrective plan” with school administrators and “execute a no-contact order between himself and the complainant,” according to Founding Freedoms Law Center.

Renae Smith, the mother of one of the students, said, “My heart is devastated by the injustice of branding a 16-year-old boy with a guilty determination that could follow him for life—simply because he dared to state the obvious: that his privacy was violated when the opposite sex was allowed in his locker room, and even to the point where he was videotaped secretly.”

Seth Wolfe, the father of the other student, said, “Our son has become the latest casualty of Loudoun County’s woke, indoctrination policies. Instead of protecting students’ privacy and acknowledging biological reality, the school system is punishing innocent boys with trumped-up charges that could jeopardize their college and career futures. Every parent should be alarmed— because if it can happen to our child, it can happen to yours.”

Founding Freedoms Law Center attorneys plan to continue the case and are “preparing next steps.”

Josh Hetzler, the boys’ attorney, said, “By making an example out of these boys and punishing them for complaining about a girl being in their locker room, LCPS shows its defiance of the US Department of Education’s Title IX compliance demands. As we explore all of our legal options, we strongly urge the US Department of Justice to bring action to correct this wrong.”

The incident began last spring, when three Stone Bridge students alleged that a transgender male was filming them in a locker room while they were changing clothes, which they said made them feel uncomfortable. They filed a complaint with the division’s Title IX office, which then placed all three students under investigation for sexual harassment.

In June, the investigation into one of the three boys was dropped without charges. The law center said the student who was cleared is Muslim, while the two found guilty are Christian.

In June, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that his office had conducted an investigation into LCPS’ handling of the incident and had referred the case to the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights and to the Department of Justice for further investigation. It is unclear if either DOE or DOJ have acted on the referral so far. n

School Fund Balance

continued from page 1

with an additional $11 million coming from higher-than-anticipated rebate revenues, and a transfer from the operating fund, she said.

Willoughby said the $29 million repayment of federal funding comes from a change in how the state tracks funding provided to local school divisions.

She said the Virginia Department of Education conducted a review of LCPS’ finances in May 2024 and found that LCPS had improperly used its federal special education funding, which accounts for 5.7% of the division’s total special education funding in Fiscal Year 2025.

VDOE told LCPS that it had used some of the funding for English Learner programs, which administrators believed to fall under “bilingual students,” included in a VDOE definition of the funding code. However, VDOE informed the school division that was not the case and that LCPS’ reporting for 2024 and 2025 has failed.

As a result of the failure, LCPS must pay back the funding, totaling $28,997,133, to the state, which will then pay it back to the federal Department of Education.

Willoughby said that the school division has been using the same reporting protocols since at least 2010 and has never run into a

problem before. The reporting process is being rebuilt, she added.

“This is a math problem for lack of a better way of describing it,” Willoughby told the board. “Why VDOE never brought this to our attention, we do not know.”

School Board member Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) said she was concerned about losing the $29 million, especially at a time when the division is under threat of losing other federal funding in the wake of the determination by the U.S. Department of Education that LCPS is in violation of Title IX.

School Board member Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) agreed, saying, “It’s a minus math problem when we’re facing lots of minuses.”

Willougby replied that she believes VDOE was partially at fault because of its “failure to act competently when monitoring compliance.”

Willoughby recommended the School Board make the payment of $28,997,133 from the division’s fund balance, which Willoughby said some of which had been earmarked to be used in case the district needed to cover health benefit payments.

“This was the first [audit] to our historical knowledge,” said Willoughby when asked by board member April Chandler (Algonkian) if VDOE had conducted an audit of the reporting in the past.

The board will vote on making the payment in September. n

Towns

Nett, Fraser Denied Copies of Grand Jury Transcripts, Travel Granted with Conditions

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

A Loudoun County Circuit Court judge last week denied Purcellville Vice Mayor Ben Nett’s motion to acquire copies of transcripts from a grand jury that handed down six felony indictments against him and two against Town Manager Kwasi Fraser.

On Aug. 14, Nett and Fraser attended a pre-trial motion hearing, the most recent step in their case since being arrested in July. Nett is charged with four counts of using a law enforcement database to gather identifying information through the use of material artifice, trickery or deception; one count of rigged government bidding; and one count of commercial fraud against the government. Fraser is also charged with rigged bidding and commercial fraud.

Nett sought the release of the grand jury

transcripts as well as an amendment to his bond conditions, seeking permission for travel outside of Virginia. Fraser also sought amendments to his bond conditions to allow travel.

Judge James E. Plowman imposed conditions on the requests.

Those conditions stipulate that the defense and prosecution attorneys may access the grand jury transcripts in the Clerk’s Office, but they may not provide physically to the vice mayor or anyone else.

Stafford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Olsen, who was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case, said he was worried Nett might “blow apart” the secrecy of the trial should his attorney, Ryan Campbell, have access to physical transcripts, calling the vice mayor “active” on social media.

“The safest route is not to have physical copies in the hands of Campbell,” he said.

Campbell said the order imposes a burden

on his work, adding that he would never risk his reputation by providing Nett with a copy. Plowman said he did not believe Campbell would give the transcripts to Nett. He was mainly concerned that “things happen,” indicating the possibility of a photo of the transcripts being taken or that they be distributed some other way outside of Campbell’s control.

Additionally, Plowman granted Nett permission to travel outside Virginia, with the stipulation that travel requests be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Plowman refused Nett’s blanket request to be allowed to travel to Kentucky, West Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland and New York. Nett offered to relinquish his passport to the court. Campbell said Nett’s main reasons for travel include taking care of his parents, who are in their 80s, in Kentucky and attending his son’s birthday in New York.

Olsen said he would be happy to sign off

for a period of travel time for specific reasons, while requesting that Plowman deny a general travel allowance.

Fraser also requested that the terms of his bond be amended to allow for travel. Fraser’s attorney said the town manager, who was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest, wants to visit his 78-year-old-father with a heart problem once a week, staying for weekends.

Olsen said he wasn’t comfortable with that request either.

He said the defendants “weren’t appreciating the serious nature” of the case.

Plowman permitted Fraser to make two visits to his father each month, through October, so long as notice of the trips is given 48 hours advance.

A review hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4. n

Purcellville Council Looks for New Interim Manager

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnnow.org

The Purcellville Town Council is looking for its eighth town manager in five years after a motion last week to initiate recruitment for a new interim town manager received majority support.

Kwasi Fraser still sits as the town manager, however, he was placed on administrative leave last month following his arrest on two felony charges. He is charged, along with Vice Mayor Ben Nett, with bid rigging. Nett continues to participate in Town Council activities.

Assistant Town Manager Diana Hays was appointed as acting manager after a grand jury handed down indictments against Fraser.

During a special meeting Aug. 13, Mayor Christopher Bertaut said the town should begin looking to hire another interim town manager. Councilmember Susan Khalil said she wanted someone with more experience as a town manager in the position.

“I don’t think we have a choice here,” she said. “We have to look out for the people of Purcellville. We don’t know what is going to happen down the line, and we need to be prepared, and putting the call out for an experienced town manager is the best thing we can do right now.”

Director of Human Resources LaDonna

Snellbaker said the town had no funding to hire another manager. The council placed Fraser on paid administrative leave. He is paid $185,000 annually.

Councilmember Erin Rayner questioned the need for a new hire at all, since Hays is filling the position. She said the town just finished paying the salary of former Town Manager Rick Bremseth, who was fired in January when the newly seated four-member council majority moved to replace him with Fraser, the town’s previous mayor.

“We don’t have the funding for it. Who’s going to train them and bring them up to speed?” Rayner said. “… This is outrageous when we have Diana as our acting right now.”

Councilmember Caleb Stought said there was no urgency related to the hiring of a new manager, and it would be better to wait and see what happens with Fraser’s criminal charges before moving forward.

“To say this is protecting the town, again, flies in the face of basic reason, and any rational, disinterested observer would say the same. So tell yourself what you have to sleep at night, but have the self-awareness that you can to understand that nobody out here and nobody watching actually believes your reasoning,” he said.

Councilmember Kevin Wright agreed with Rayner and Stought, saying keeping Hays in the position would save the town money. He said the four-member council

majority likely already had someone in mind for position, recalling Fraser’s appointment to the position this year after none of the over 80 applicants for the position were interviewed.

“You always put on some show for the audience to make it look like you’re doing things the legit way even though everyone can see it’s not. But just once, have the guts to back up what you want to do and just do it in person right now,” he said.

“We really wouldn’t even be here right now to discuss this if it wasn’t for the diabolical actions of a select few,” Khalil said.

Bertaut’s motion to have Snellbaker move forward with the search passed 4-3, with Rayner, Wright and Stought opposed. A budget amendment is expected to be discussed by the council at its next meeting.

Fraser is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on Sept. 4 for a hearing. n

Council Majority Eyes Employee Reimbursement Policy Changes

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

The Purcellville Town Council is considering raising the amount of money it will pay to employees who have garnered legal fees for a grievance appeal if that appeal has been granted by a panel.

The action comes just months after Vice Mayor Ben Nett was terminated from his status as a town police officer and appealed the termination. A grievance panel in June found that Nett should be reinstated to his position and raised allegations that he was fired over political reasons. That determination needs to be signed off on by a Loudoun County Circuit Court judge.

However, the composition of the grievance committee has spurred questions about the review. One member of the three-person-panel was chosen by Nett with a second chosen by Town Manager Kwasi Fraser. The third person was chosen by both Nett’s and Fraser’s appointees. That panel was assembled just before Nett and Fraser were both indicted by a Loudoun grand jury on charges of bid-rigging and conspiracy.

The town’s current employee handbook entitles an employee who has “substantially prevailed” in a grievance appeal to reimbursement for attorney’s fees during the process of

up to $144 an hour.

During an Aug. 12 Town Council special meeting, Mayor Christopher Bertaut said that amount should be increased. Nett recused himself from the discussion.

“I believe that this has not been changed since at least 2005 and just in asking around it seems that that is not the local prevailing rate,” Bertaut said. “So, in order to help make whole employees who are in fact exonerated by a grievance panel, I’d like to propose that that be changed to, ‘not to exceed the locally prevailing rate for legal services.’”

That would also keep the council from having to update the rate regularly, he added.

“I see this as a matter of fairness and a matter that we need to look at going forward with respect to this particular type of policy. It can’t be tied to a specific dollar value and then allowed to sit fallow for 20 years,” Bertaut said.

Councilmembers Erin Rayner, Kevin Wright and Caleb Stought said this was not an issue that the council to take up but it should be handled by the town’s Human Resource Department.

“I think this is a giant liability,” Rayner said. “… I think this is very dangerous, especially right now, that we’re looking at changing the rate for our grievance policy knowing full well what is happening right now. I mean this is very dangerous, changing policy to benefit

one of our contemporaries. This is malfeasance of office.”

Human Resources Director LaDonna Snellbaker said when reviewing recommendations from the town’s insurance provider and the practices of surrounding localities, most had moved away from grievance panel hearings completely.

“The majority have changed to an administrative hearing and no reimbursement of fees,” she said. “… that falls in alignment with state code and I’m still researching that and what will be drafted will be obviously vetted with [the Virginia Risk Sharing Association],” she said.

That administrative process would have the review conducted by an officer chosen from a state-provided list, not by the Town Manager or the individual filing the grievance.

Councilmember Carol Luke said the Nett’s firing was politically motivated, but Stought interrupted with a point of order, saying the councilmembers should refrain from speaking openly about personnel matters during the public discussions.

“He entered into this as a town employee. The grievance panel was set up by the town,” Luke continued. “The town had their own attorney to my knowledge.”

“Anything discussing that particular situation is wrong,” Wright said. “We just need to

discuss the policy without any potential individuals tied to it.”

Luke said as of July 1, “people moved forward according to the employee handbook” and that the council should follow through with what was already set in place.

Snellbaker said any changes made would not be retroactive and only apply moving forward.

Town Attorney John Cafferky said whether to allow reimbursement was at the council’s discretion and that he did not agree it should be decided administratively.

“The reason why it is sometimes done is a matter of fairness if somebody has to come and file a grievance and prosecute it, that’s the argument for it. There’s obviously a financial cost to that if you decide not to it,” Cafferky said.

The change could also be applied going forward and not retroactively, he added.

“You could exempt out any claims that are currently in the pipeline,” Cafferky said.

How it looks optically is a decision to be made by the council, he said.

“It will be brought back before council if I still see a nexus between council responsibilities and our abilities to legislate,” Bertaut said. “… We also have responsibilities as legislators to shield this town from liability and I will not go into it further than that. This may be the subject of a future closed session,” he said. n

Public Safety SAFETY briefs

Deputy Injured in Crash to Face 15 Surgeries, Fraternal Order of Police Says

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office motor deputy injured in an Aug. 13 motorcycle crash on Mountain Road is expected to face over a year and half of recovery and at least 15 surgeries, according to the Loudoun Dulles Fraternal Order of Police Charitable Foundation.

Deputy First Class Louis Custodio was riding his department-issued motorcycle on Mountain Road when he was hit headon by a civilian motorcyclist, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Dulles FOP. The fundraiser has a goal of $75,000 and had raised $28,765 as of Tuesday afternoon.

“The impact left him with devastating injuries, and the road ahead will be unimaginably hard,” says the account page. Custodio became a deputy in 2020 and a motorcycle deputy in 2024 and also serves as a Field Training Officer and a member of the underwater dive team, says the GoFundMe.

The page says Custodio has a wife and daughter and that his wife will need to take off work for a year to care for him as he recovers. The donations will be “used by Louis and his family to cover all the expenses that are not covered by Workers Compensation, hotel stays for his family while he is in the

hospital, parking expenses, gas and living expenses.”

LCSO said Monday that the crash remains under investigation. The Sheriff ’s Office declined to confirm any other details about the crash. n

Man Charged with Animal Cruelty After 2 Dogs Die in Hot Car

BY PATRICK LEWIS

Loudoun County Animal Services’ Humane Law Enforcement has arrested a Sterling man after his two dogs were left in a hot car and died, LCAS announced Aug. 13.

Officers responded to the scene after a third-party caller told Animal Services about two dogs that had been left alone in a vehicle for an “extended period” when the temperature was over 80 degrees. First aid was administered, but veterinarians pronounced the dogs deceased. The cause of death was hyperthermia, or overheating.

This case is a devastating reminder of the consequences of leaving pets in a car on a warm, sunny afternoon.”

— LCAS Director, Nina Stively

the consequences of leaving pets in a car on a warm, sunny afternoon,” LCAS Director Nina Stively stated. “A car’s internal temperature can easily climb 30 degrees in minutes on a hot day, even with the windows cracked, which is one reason why animals should never be left unattended in a vehicle in these conditions—the risk is never going to be worth the ride in the car.”

Dulles Traveler Found with 23 Pounds of Marijuana

An Atlanta man faces felony charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 23 pounds of marijuana in his United Kingdom-bound baggage Aug. 5.

Octavious Lamar Dozier, 27, is charged with transporting a controlled substance into the commonwealth, and possession with intent to distribute.

Dozier was booked for a Dublin-bound flight with follow-on travel to Leeds, England. CBP officers inspected checked baggage and discovered numerous vacuum-sealed packages inside a hard-sided suitcase. Dozier was detained at the departure gate.

The suitcase contained 14 vacuum-sealed packages with a combined weight of 23 pounds 3 ounces. The marijuana had a street value of about $90,000, according to the agency and, depending on potency, could be valued at two to three times more in Europe.

Leesburg Convenience Store Burglarized

The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred overnight at the Exxon gas station on Catoctin Circle.

According to the report, officers were called to the scene just after 6:30 a.m. Aug. 15. The glass front door of the convenience store was broken, and the interior appeared to have been rummaged through.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect or suspects involved and are asking anyone who may have been in the area or who may have information related to this incident to come forward.

The Leesburg Police Department is also asking nearby businesses and residents to review any security camera footage for suspicious activity that may have occurred during the overnight hours.

The dogs were identified as 3-year-old Charlito and 5-year-old Bella. Both were mixed breeds.

“This case is a devastating reminder of

Manuel Ovando, 34, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty and was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Sept. 10.

Each count of animal cruelty could carry up to a five-year prison sentence and up to a $2,500 fine, as well as a prohibition of possessing or owning pets in the future.

LCAS said pet owners should leave their animals at home during hot weather. Anyone who sees pets being left in an unattended car should call 703-777-0406 to report it to Animal Services. n

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 703-7714500 or policeinvestigations@leesburgva.gov. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 703-443-TIPS (8477). n

Judge Denies Trial Delay in Animal Cruelty Case

BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org

A Loudoun County Circuit Court judge last week denied a motion to push back a trial for an animal cruelty case in anticipation of a diagnosis after a mental health evaluation.

Patricia Burby is charged with one felony count of torturing/ maiming a dog following an investigation by Loudoun County Animal Services that resulted in 19 dogs and six cats being removed from her Middleburg-area home. Nine related misdemeanor charges were dropped by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Her attorney, Ryan Campbell, requested that the jury trial be rescheduled from September to December to provide time for a mental health evaluation and potential diagnosis.

In the motion, Campbell argued “it has become evident that her mental health condition is relevant to the defense of this case.” He noted the court previously had authorized funds for a mental health evaluation.

Burby has no prior diagnoses.

“Over the course of representing her, it has become more evident that such a diagnosis will be material in her defense,” according to the motion.

Charges were filed in September 2024 after Animal Services received a call alerting them to poor conditions endured by the animals at Burby’s residence July 25, 2024. Officers found three thin-looking dogs outside the home and one outside that was unable to stand due to poor health, according to Officer Jennifer Henry.

A veterinarian determined that the dog, named Wesley, had been starved for weeks. The dog was euthanized.

Henry also found other dogs caged and three “mummified” dog bodies that were mostly hair and bones, she said.

Burby was arrested Sept. 12, 2024, and later released on a $5,000 bond.

If convicted, she faces a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

The case is scheduled for a two- or threeday trial starting Sept. 8. n

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Business

Youngkin Joins Celebration of ORBCOMM Headquarters Move to Loudoun County

NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The move by ORBCOMM to relocate its headquarters to Sterling was celebrated by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Aug. 14.

The company grew out of Dulles-based Orbital Sciences Corp. in the early 1990s and developed systems to use two-way messaging through low Earth orbit satellites to track equipment and goods around the globe. Today, its Internet of Things services connect more than 2.4 million devices.

The company last month announced plans to move its headquarters from New Jersey to Loudoun. The move is expected to create 51 new jobs at its operations center in Sterling.

Youngkin and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura hailed the move as further evidence of Virginia’s strong business environment.

Addressing ORBCOMM CEO Sameer Agrawal, Youngkin said, “I want to thank you and your entire team for understanding what Virginia has to offer and to give us a chance to bring you to Loudoun County—but most importantly for trusting us, because this is a moment of trusting the

company’s future. ORBCOMM has said, ‘hey, we believe in Virginia, and so we believe in you.’ So, thank you.”

Colleen Kardasz, assistant director of the Loudoun Department of Economic Development, highlighted the move as an important reinvestment in the county’s technology cluster, “showing that Loudoun is a place for innovation, growth and opportunity.” Loudoun County provided a $100,000 grant as part of the incentive package to support the expansion.

Agrawal said an important part of the decision to move the headquarters to Loudoun was the workforce. “It is right in the heart of technical innovation, the industries that we have around us, the talent, the infrastructure, the community support,” he said.

That Virginia is a right to work state was a factor, he said, but added that an invitation by the county’s Economic Development Department for his team to attend a Loudoun United soccer match helped to seal the deal on the move.

Agrawal said a next step for the

Dulles Event Showcases Airport’s Global Reach

BY PATRICK LEWIS

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority presented “Around the World at Dulles” last week to showcase the airport’s connections around the world, its operations, and its plans for future growth.

The program included two panels. The first was made up of several airport employees currently going through the MWAA’s professional development program, as well as talent development staff.

One of the panelists, Joseph Souza, a human resources specialist at MWAA, said he advises job candidates to “seek some

ORBCOMM

continued from page 14

company will be to expand its technology from tracking shipments to improving public safety.

“One of the big things that we’re going to be doing is figuring out how do we stop people from putting things like human beings in containers or trucks,” he said. “We are doing that. Just this morning, I authorized about half a million dollars of investment in hiring more people into this location to accelerate that.”

Youngkin touted the deal as further boosting the commonwealth’s job growth.

“We now have 270,000 more people working in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he said. “It’s because Virginia understands what it means to work for you. What that means is that we have to have unbelievable talent, and our education system has to prepare that talent, and it has to present that talent, and most importantly, it has to open up the opportunity to gain that education to everybody.

“Second thing that we have to do is make sure that businesses understand we care about you. We care about your success and therefore let’s streamline regulations and get them out of the way and let you run as fast as you can. When you build your manufacturing site along the way, we’re

Dulles

continued from page 14

ready, because we have invested an enormous amount of money in shovel-ready sites,” Youngkin said.

He said the economic growth attributed to creating a business-friendly environment helped to build the state’s $10 billion budget surplus.

That comes from adding jobs, he said, citing the phrase ‘you are hired’ as power-

“We now have 270,000 more people working in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

— Gov. Glenn Youngkin

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knowledge by reading the job descriptions … see what an employer’s looking for.”

The airport also has opportunities for small businesses and independent contractors, along with a small business certification program that can lead to more favorable contracts.

The second panel consisted of representatives from several airlines, including ANA, Avianca, COPA, Ethiopian, Saudia,

ful words.

“You are hired: It means I respect you. I see you. It means you can add value to our organization, and I want you in that organization. And it means I believe in your future and will help you to have a great future because you have been hired,” he said. “Thank you to ORBCOMM for getting ready to echo those words 51 more times right here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Learn more at orbcomm.com. n

Lufthansa Group, and United.

Henry Bird, United Airlines’ managing director for Dulles operations, said the airline is investing in upgrading its aircraft and expanding its fleet and offerings, including at Dulles, where United will be opening 14 new gates next year, with more to come in the future.

The expansion is part of Dulles Airport’s plan to double its capacity by 2030. A new concourse is under construction, and more expansion is planned over the next few years.

“Your opportunities for traveling out of this Dulles Airport are gonna be growing exponentially,” Bird said.

Phil Maret, Lufthansa Group’s general manager for sales in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US, called Dulles “the single most important airport in the Mid-Atlantic.” Maret said Lufthansa is also expanding, including introducing a nonstop flight to Zurich.

The event also included a fly-by of a U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jet, which will soon become part of the collection at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, a sampling of food from some of the countries represented by the airlines operating at Dulles, and a variety of cultural performances. n

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Nonprofits

Wilson Named Next Executive Director at NOVA Parks

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has been selected as the new executive director of NOVA Parks, effective Oct. 6. He will replace Paul Gilbert, who announced his retirement in April after 20 years in the position.

Wilson served 14 years on the Alexandria City Council, including two terms as mayor. He works as the senior director for Business Services at Amtrak.

NOVA Parks Chair Sean Kumar said the selection was made after a nationwide search.

“Justin Wilson’s more than 25 years of experience as a leader in enterprise business services, combined with more than a decade as a member of the Alexandria

City Council, made him the ideal choice as NOVA Parks’ next executive director. We look forward to Justin’s leadership in strengthening NOVA Parks’ regional partnerships to continue its legacy of conserving Northern Virginia’s natural and cultural resources,” Kumar stated.

As mayor, Wilson represented Alexandria on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors. Wilson was also appointed by the Virginia Governor to the Commonwealth’s Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and its Board of Juvenile Justice. Prior to his election to City Council, he served as chair of the Alexandria

MacDougall to Lead Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association

The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association has tapped Ian MacDougall as its new executive director.

MacDougall served as the organization’s public programs coordinator for the past four years overseeing a year-round schedule of events, including the popular Annual Conference on the Art of Command in the Civil War. He also served on the LoudounVA250 Committee in the role of programs chair from 2022-2025, recently coordinated the committee’s bicentennial commemorations of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit in 1825.

In his new role, MacDougall will be the chief operating officer of the organization and responsible for the active management of the association’s daily business, development, fundraising, membership, and for preserving the integrity of the historic landscape of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to step into a position that has been steadfastly helmed by Alexander Nance over the last three years, with an ever-growing, diverse range of educational programs provided by our Director of Education, Travis Shaw,” he stated.

VPHA Chair Jim Little stated, “We needed look no further for our new executive director than within our own organization for the knowledge and skills necessary to continue our mission of preservation through education. Ian has demonstrated his abil-

ity to further the mission to higher levels.”

Prior to joining the association, MacDougall worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Department of Military Programs.

He and his wife Christine live near Taylorstown.

The mission of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association is preservation through education — to educate about the history of, and advocate for, the preservation of the extraordinary historic landscape, culture, and scenery in the Northern Virginia Piedmont for future generations to enjoy.

Learn more at piedmontheritage.org. n

Transit Company Board of Directors, was twice elected president of the Del Ray Citizens Association, and represented Alexandria as a member of NOVA Parks’ Board of Directors.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a Fellow of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

Over the coming months, Wilson will work with the 12-member Board of Directors and NOVA Parks staff to continue delivering on the goals and objectives defined in its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

Learn more at novaparks.org. n

Digital Realty Donates $98K to Ashburn VFRD

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Digital Realty, an anchor of Loudoun County’s Data Center Alley, presented a $98,300 donation Aug. 18 to the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

The donation was made during the company’s second-annual golf tournament at the 1757 Golf Club.

Terry Murphy, Digital Realty’s senior director of sales in Ashburn, said the event was important for the company’s mission of community service, but also for the data center community itself.

“This is a day where we all can come together,” he said. “We have all been in this community for years upon years together and I’m seeing people I haven’t seen in probably five or six years.”

“One of our core tenets is to be really a good community leader. And this is what it takes is to do stuff and give back. So today, all of your time and your donations have allowed us to give back to the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.”

Ashburn VFRD Assistant Chief Michael Walsh said the data center commu-

nity has strongly supported the county’s fire-rescue system.

“It’s really been a great partnership. We do appreciate that,” he said. “All the first responders in Loudoun really do work hard, especially on the volunteer side and we do appreciate your support you guys have thrown in the community over the years, with all the data centers and all the training. You guys have also provided with us with the equipment. It’s really been a good [partnership] here in Loudoun County with all the data centers.

Digital Realty operates 14 data centers in Ashburn. Learn more at digitalrealty.com. n

See you online!

launching new things like Loudoun Now Voice and the return of the Morning Minute. We’re working on growing our newsroom,

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Nothing’s changed! You

still find

events calendar and entertainment and culture news in our print magazine or online at getoutloudoun.com.

LIVE MUSIC

ELDEN STREET

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21

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

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 Velocity Wings Potomac Falls, 20789 Great Falls Plaza, Sterling. velocitywings.net

COSCULLUELA

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 Rio Cantina, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, Sterling. facebook.com/RioCantinaSterling

GARY SMALLWOOD

4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 Three Creeks Winery, 18548 Harmony Church Road, Hamilton. 3creekswinery.com

CARY WIMBISH

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

HILARY VELTRI

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

ELIJAH GREELEY

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

NATHANIEL DAVIS

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

BILL SCHROEHER

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 59

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. villageatleesburg.com

LIBERTY STREET

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued

MEISHA HERRON

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

DON’T LOOK UP

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

LENNY BURRIDGE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

LAURA CASHMAN

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

MEISHA HERRON TRIO

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

MANDATORY RECESS

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

MARTIN AND KELLY

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

JUSTINA BETH-EL

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

EMO KIDS

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

ALAN TURNER KENNY ROGERS

TRIBUTE

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. franklinparkartscenter.org

GREEN LEAF SOCIETY

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

CARBON 11

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22

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

PIERSON SWANSON

5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

MUSIC & BREWS FEST

11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

VERY LAST RESORT, SUNCREST FALLBACK FESTIVAL

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Dr., Sterling. crookedrunfermentations.com

JOHN BENJAMIN WEIMER

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

2MB BAND

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

HOPPIN’ MOLLY TRIO

12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

CALIFORNIA BOB

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

2 OF THE FOUR

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

TAYLOR LAFEVER

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

ROYAL HONEY

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

LINDA ANDERSON & FRIENDS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

RYAN SILL

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. eetwoodfarmwinery.com

MATT BURRIDGE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillvineyard.com

GRAYSON MOON

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

KEVIN GRIFFITH

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

LENNY BURRIDGE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

ROCCO & FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

STEVE AND FRIENDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

JAKE MIMIKOS

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

MATT DAVIS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX TRIO

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

PETTY THIEVES

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Bozzo Family Vineyards, 35226 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro. bozwines.com

DANIEL GALLAGHER

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

ANDY HAWK & TRAIN WRECK ENDINGS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

JESS JAMS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

ANTHONY SEMIAO

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Chrysalis Vineyards, 39025 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysaliswine.com

JASON MASI

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

ALI TOD

3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. yingacefarm.com

JASON TEACH

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Barnhouse Brewery, 43271 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg. barnhousebrewery.com

5 CENT LUCY

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

TED GARBER

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

JULIET LLOYD

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 19

EMO KIDS

Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Hear all your favorite Emo hits from Fall Out Boy, Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World and more. $15.

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 18

HOWLING AT THE EARTH

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

ARM THE TRACK

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

JUST SOUTH OF 7

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

JOEY HAFNER

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

NEW WAY DRIVE

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro.

868estatevineyards.com

SCOTT KURT & THE MEMPHIS 59

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Honor Brewing Company, 42604 Trade West Dr., Sterling. honorbrewing.com

THE SEVEN WONDERS

6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Tarara Vineyards, 13648 Tarara Lane, Lucketts. $20. tararaconcerts.com

JOURNEY TRIBUTE: TRIAL BY FIRE

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

BEST BETS

THE GAMBLER RETURNS

Friday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.org

The professionalism and musicianship of Alan Turner will capture your heart and remind you why you have always been a fan of Kenny Rogers. $25.

PICTROLA

8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 23. Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

’80S MAYHEM

7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

BRISK

7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

PADDLE OUT BAND

9 p.m. to Aug. 24, 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

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

OWEN & LEIGH

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

MOLLY BAKER

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

ERIC ZATZ

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

DAVE MININBERG

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

TOMMY GANN

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

SUMMER & ERIC

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

DON’T LOOK UP

Friday, Aug. 22, 6 to 10 p.m.

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

Returning from Staunton, Don’t Look Up brings American roots and blues music to The Gap Stage. Free.

GRAYSON MOON

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. eetwoodfarmwinery.com

ZACH JONES

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

CARY WIMBISH

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

SCOTT KURT

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

DEANE KERN AND ERIC SELBY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 868 Estate Vineyards, 14001 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 868estatevineyards.com

MELISSA QUINN FOX TRIO

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. yingacefarm.com

EVAN ROSS

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com

ERIC TUBBS

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

MELANIE PEARL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

BRAD THE GUITAR GUY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

BRISK

Saturday, Aug. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Leesburg Town Green idalee.org

Celebrate the grunge era as Brisk wraps up the season for Leesburg’s free Summer Jams music series.

twinoakstavernwinery.com

MEISHA HERRON DUO

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

DUELING PIANOS

5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26

Goose Creek Village Amphitheater, 20805 Century Corner Drive, Ashburn. goosecreekvillage.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

HAPPENINGS

KINCORA BLOCK PARTY: BACK TO SCHOOL

5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 45170 Kincora Drive, 45170 Kincora Dr., Sterling. Free. kincora.com

GOOSE CREEK PLAYERS: OUR TOWN

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Shiloh Manor Farm, 14781 Berlin Turnpike, Purcellville. $25. goosecreekplayers.com

LEESBURG FARMERS MARKET

8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 23

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

HAPPENINGS continues on page 20

BIRDING SWEET RUN

8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro. loudounwildlife.org

HOMESCHOOL BASICS WORKSHOP

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main St., Purcellville. vahomeschoolers.org

FREE LINE DANCING

4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

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

MOVIE NIGHT: LILO AND STITCH

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24

DOG DAYS

Loudoun Station, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn.

loudounstation.com

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

SOUTHERN TIDE’S GRAND OPENING

12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Southern Tide, 20356 Exchange St., Ashburn. southerntide.com

FAMILY FEST

1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg. Free. thefamilyone.com

PURCELLVILLE MAIN STREET BLOCK PARTY

4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

Downtown 21st Street, Purcellville. purcellvillemainstreet.org

CASCADES FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 24 21060 Whit eld Place, 21060 Whit eld Place, Cascades. loudounfarmersmarkets.org

READ! PLANT! GROW! BOOK CLUB

6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26

Birch Tree Bookstore, 11 W. Market St., Leesburg. birchtreebookstore.com

HEARTMATH WITH HORSES WORKSHOP

3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, 14490 Berlin Turnpike, Lovettsville. $70. ltrf.org

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn. Free. wellnessloudoun.org

SOUND BATH WITH SPIRAL SENSATIONS

7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn. $25. wellnessloudoun.org

Legal Notices

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316; 8.01-317

Civil Action No.: CL-25-5129

Loudoun County Circuit Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re THOMAS F. CARPENTER, et ux., Plaintiffs vs. LISA L. BALTIMORE AND CATHERINE BEALS, if living, or if she is dead, then her widower, heirs, devisees and successors in title, who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN, Defendants

The object of the above-styled suit is to effect the allotment to the Plaintiffs of a .25- acre parcel of land with a PIN of 463-20-4763 located on Lime Kiln Road (Route 733) near Marble Quarry in Loudoun County, Virginia.

IT APPEARING to the Court, by affidavit, that defendant Lisa L. Baltimore is a nonresident individual, whose last known post office address is 47291 . Rolling Rd., Windsor Mill, MD 21244; and that diligence has been used, without effect, to ascertain the location of defendant Catherine Beals.

AND IT FURTHER APPEARING to the Court, that the Complaint filed herein: (i) states that there are, or may be, persons, whose names are unknown, interested in the subject property to be disposed of by allotment; (ii) briefly describes the nature of such interest; and (iii) makes such persons defendants, by the general description of “parties unknown”; such persons being the widower, heirs, devisees and successors in title of Catherine Beals, if she be dead; wherefore

IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to §8.01-316 VIRGINIA CODE, that LISA L. BALTIMORE, CATHERINE BEALS, and the persons made defendants by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN, do appear before this Court on October 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., and do what is necessary to protect their interests herein.

8/21, 8/28, 9/4 & 9/11/25

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ049287-03-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ANNE MONSERRAT PENA MUNOZ

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Dayana Nicole Pena-Munoz, mother, Luis Caballero, Putative Father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-282 and §16.1281 for Anne Monserrat Pena Munoz.

It is ORDERED that Dayana Nicole PenaMunoz, mother, Luis Caballero, Putative Father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

8/14, 8/21, 8/28, 9/04

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

A MESSAGE TO LOUDOUN COUNTY OLDER AND DISABLED RESIDENTS FROM Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue

RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER OR TOTALLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED who wish to apply for 2025 Personal Property (vehicle) Tax Relief for the first time must submit an application to my office by the September 2, 2025, filing deadline.

Please visit our website or contact my office for information or filing assistance.

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, M - F Phone: (703) 737-8557

Internet: loudoun.gov/taxrelief Email: taxrelief@loudoun.gov

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

If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance to participate, please contact Tax Exemptions & Deferrals, trcor@louodun.gov, (703) 737-8557 / TTY-711. Three business days advance notice is requested.

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES

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

– “BREAKPOINT”

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

2014

8/14, 8/21/25

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE

The Board of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Purcellville will hold a public hearing at Town Hall located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the following item:

VAR-25-03: A Variance application submitted by property owners, Stephen and Meaghan Oechslein, regarding the property located at 17273 Pickwick Dr., Purcellville, Virginia. The property is further identified by Parcel Identification Number 453-46-5840.. The applicant seeks approval of a variance to permit a 6’ privacy fence partially encroaching into 1 of the 2 the required front yards (corner lot). The variance is requested to accommodate privacy concerns while proposing to maintain necessary sight lines.

Additional information regarding this application is available for review at the Purcellville Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia during regular business hours between 9:00AM and 3:30PM, holidays excepted. At this public hearing, all persons desiring to present their views concerning this matter will be heard. In addition, all persons have the option of sending an email to Planner, Jordan Andrews, at jandrews@purcellvilleva.gov, with written comments or questions concerning the proposed Variance. Emails sent by 4:00PM the day of the Public Hearing will be received for the public hearing but may not necessarily be read aloud into the record at the public hearing.

At this public hearing, an opportunity will be provided for all persons desiring to present their views on this matter. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Town Clerk Kimberly Bandy at 540-338-7421 or kbandy@purcellvilleva.gov , three days in advance of the meeting.

8/21, 8/28/25

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING BY THE TOWN OF HILLSBORO, VIRGINIA

Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission and Town Council of the Town of Hillsboro, Virginia (the “Planning Commission” and “Town Council”) will hold a joint public hearing to receive public comment and to consider adoption of an ordinance amending the Hillsboro Zoning Ordinance to revise the Flood Hazard Overlay District regulations. A summary of these Amendments is provided below. Complete copies of the amendments are available for review by appointment at the Town office at 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA, 20132 between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM, Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

Summary of draft Zoning Ordinance Amendments:

1. Amend ARTICLE II, Section 2-2: Definitions, Flood Hazard Overlay District, to add new and revise definitions relating to the Flood Hazard Overlay District;

2. Amend ARTICLE XII, Part 3. Flood Hazard District. The amendment, in summary, will update the existing Flood Hazard Overlay District regulations to be consistent with standards and requirements established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and support the Town’s participation in, and compliance with, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. No revisions to the existing flood hazard zones as established by FEMA are being proposed.

The public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held before the Town Council and Planning Commission on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Hillsboro Old Stone School located at 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA, 20132. Any person interested in the Amendments may appear at the public hearing and present his or her views. The Town Council may set time limits on speakers and other rules and procedures for the conduct of this public hearing.

Written comments regarding the Amendments may be delivered prior to the public hearing in care of the Mayor at 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, Virginia 20132, or e-mailed to mayorvance@ hillsborova.gov. All comments received will be presented to the Town Council and Planning Commission during the public hearing.

8/21, 8/28/25

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE

The Board of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Purcellville will hold a public hearing at Town Hall located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the following item:

VAR-25-04: A Variance application submitted by property owner, Nichols Hardware Inc, regarding the property located at 131 N 21st St., Purcellville, Virginia. The property is further identified by Parcel Identification Number 488-37-4345. The applicant seeks approval of a variance to permit greater than C-4 district standard 2 apartments per building maximum (“dwelling, apartment unit”). The requested variance proposes 4 apartments over the existing hardware store, and 3 over the existing café.

Additional information regarding this application is available for review at the Purcellville Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia during regular business hours between 9:00AM – 3:30PM, holidays excepted. At this public hearing, all persons desiring to present their views concerning this matter will be heard. In addition, all persons have the option of sending an email to Planner, Jordan Andrews, at jandrews@purcellvilleva.gov, with written comments or questions concerning the proposed Variance. Emails sent by 4:00PM the day of the Public Hearing will be received for the public hearing but may not necessarily be read aloud into the record at the public hearing.

At this public hearing, an opportunity will be provided for all persons desiring to present their views on this matter. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Town Clerk Kimberly Bandy at 540-338-7421 or kbandy@purcellvilleva.gov , three days in advance of the meeting.

8/21, 8/28/25

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT HANGAR FENCING

The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, for the following:

IFB NO. 320830-FY26-12

LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT HANGAR FENCING

The project includes demolition and offsite removal of existing t-post and wire fencing and some chain-link fencing, individual tree removal to ground level (no grinding), pruning of overhanging limbs, bushhogging/removal of brush, installation of approximately 1,500 linear feet of 8’ chainlink fence with 3-strand barbed wire, fence signage, and taxilane center line stripe eradication and re-striping.

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

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047165

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re IVORY GREEN Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Unknown Father

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

It is ORDERED that Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before September 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28/25

ABC LICENSE

8/21/25

Saigon Bistro VA LLC, trading as Saigon Bistro, 47100 Community Plaza, STE 124, Sterling, Loudoun County, VA 20164. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application--Caterer, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises.

Thang Nguyen, Manager/Owner

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

8/21, 8/28/25 ABC LICENSE

MYS Company, Inc., trading as MYS Market, 42870 Truro Parish DR., Broadlands, Loudoun County, VA 20148. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Convenience Grocery Store License, Beer and Wine Consumed Off Premises.

NEED NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON***

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

8/21, 8/28/25

COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA AVAILABILITY OF CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2025

Legal Notices

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG MIDDLEBURG STRATEGIC FINANCE COMMITTEE VACANCY

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development invites residents to provide comments on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The public comment period is open August 15, 2025, through September 8, 2025.

The FY 2025 CAPER must be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by September 28, 2025.

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development has prepared a CAPER for FY 2025 on the performance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs within the County for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, to be submitted to HUD. Copies of the draft CAPER for FY 2025 will be made available starting Friday, August 15, 2025, through Friday, September 8, 2025, and may be examined at the office of the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and at Loudoun County libraries during the hours of operation. The CAPER is also available online at https://www. loudoun.gov/CDBG. Written comments on the CAPER may be submitted to the attention of the Program Administrator II, Johnette Powell, at johnette.powell@loudoun.gov. For questions, please call 571-627-7707.

8/14, 8/21, 8/28, 9/4/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LEESBURG TOWN CODE AMENDMENT:

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, September 9, 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 from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, 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.

08/21, 08/28/25

The Middleburg Town Council is accepting letters of interest from individuals who wish to be considered for service on the MIDDLEBURG STRATEGIC FINANCE COMMITTEE (MSFC) Applicants should have a strong financial services or banking background, preferably with some experience related to local government finances. The MSFC is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Town Council for changes to the Town’s financial policies, as advisable; recommending long-range financial policies regarding the investment of the Town’s reserve funds; recommending tax and revenue policies based on a review of the Town’s tax structures and larger economic trends and factors in a long-term planning sense; and, making recommendations as needed on debt restructuring or the Town’s borrowing policy based on a review of the annual budget, debt structures, financial borrowing capacity and long-term capital and financial needs.

MSFC members normally serve three-year terms. This appointment is to fill a vacancy in a term. The MSFC meets a minimum of once a quarter at 11:30 a.m. during the work week, on dates as established by the Committee.

Anyone interested in serving on this Committee is asked to complete the online application form at https://middleburgva.gov/242/Board-Vacancies no later than September 15, 2025. As an alternative, a letter of interest, including any relevant qualifications, may be sent to the following:

Mayor and Members of Town Council Town of Middleburg

P. O. Box 187 • 10 W. Marshall Stree • Middleburg, Virginia 20118 Attn: Committee Vacancies

8/14 & 8/21/25

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LVZA 2025-0003, AMEND CHAPTER 30, SUBDIVISIONS, ARTICLE 30-I, IN GENERAL, ARTICLE 30-II, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, 30-III, APPROVAL PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA, 30-IV, DEVELOPMENT SITE PLANS, Article 30-V, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS, ARTICLE 30-VI, INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AND AMEND CHAPTER 42, ZONING, ARTICLE 42-I, IN GENERAL, AND ARTICLE 42-II, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2253, and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing at its meeting on Wednesday September 2, 2025, at 7:00 pm, in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia, to consider amendments to Lovettsville Town Code and Zoning Ordinance, specifically Chapter 30, Subdivisions, Articles I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, and Chapter 42, Zoning, Articles I and II.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider amendments to the Ordinances that would modify definitions, the submittal requirements for zoning permits, subdivisions, and site plans, revise the construction bond approval procedures, establish a preapplication meeting for subdivisions, establish a preliminary site plan process, and modify when site plans are required.

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

The proposed amendments are available for review at the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/ government/planning-commission/. You may also request a copy be sent to you by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 or jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Lovettsville Planning Commission.

8/21, 8/28/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Legal Notices

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, September 9, 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 from the Town Clerk located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, 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.

8/21, 8/28/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER A RENEWAL LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH ZAYO INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDCO, 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, September 9, 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 Zayo Infrastructure Holdco, LLC (formerly Zayo Group, LLC), authorizing Zayo 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 Zayo Infrastructure Holdco, LLC, and additional information regarding the proposed renewal agreement, are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning 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.

8/21, 8/28/25

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SUMMITIG, LLC FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES PASSING THROUGH THE TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

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

TUESDAY, September 9, 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 License Agreement with SummitIG, LLC, which authorizes SummitIG, LLC to use certain Town rights-of-way and publicly owned property for telecommunications purposes, upon certain terms and conditions. The proposed amendment would extend SummitIG, LLC’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 Amendment to License Agreement for Telecommunications Facilities between the Town and SummitIG, LLC, and additional information regarding the proposed amendment, are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning 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.

8/21, 8/28/25

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, September 9, 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 from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 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.

8/21, 8/28/25

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, September 10, 2025, in order to consider:

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY

Conveyance of Easement within Lucketts Community Park to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d.b.a. Loudoun Water

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider conveying to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d.b.a Loudoun Water, a thirty-five-foot-wide access easement (the easement) to be located across County owned property known as Lucketts Community Park in the Catoctin Election District. The purpose of the easement is to provide access to the Loudoun Water facility known as Lucketts Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), installed on property adjacent to the access easement. The WWTF serves the Lucketts Elementary School, Lucketts Community Center, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Station 10, and the Lucketts Volunteer Fire Company approved as part of commission permit application CMPT-2024-0003; special exception application SPEX-2024-0039; and minor special exception SPEX-2024-0091. The property on which the easement will be located is more particularly described as: 14560 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, Virginia, PIN: 179-30-6314-000, and Tax Map # /30///2/////7/.

Copies of the draft deed of easement and plat showing the location of the above-listed conveyance, and associated documents, are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”)

PROPOSED ASSIGNMENT OF COUNTY EASEMENTS TO LOUDOUN COUNTY SANITATION AUTHORITY d.b.a. LOUDOUN WATER

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider assigning waterline easements and sanitary sewer easements granted to the County in the deeds and plats recorded in Deed Book 770 at Page 750, and Deed Book 772 at Page 720 (the Easements) to the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d.b.a. Loudoun Water. The Easements are located in Section 5 and Section 5-A of the Forest Ridge Subdivision located along Caragana Court (Route 1560), Buckeye Court (Route 1561), Almey Court (Route 1563), Yew Court (Route 1562) and portions of Silverleaf Drive / S Dickenson Avenue (Route 1442) in the Sterling Election District.

Copies of the plat(s) showing the location(s) of the above-listed easement(s) and associated documents are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLIC USE AND NECESSITY OF ACQUIRING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION BY EMINENT DOMAIN

Evergreen Mills Road Realignments: Reservoir Road & Watson Road

Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-1901 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider the adoption of a resolution approving the public use and necessity for the acquisition of real property for the Evergreen Mills Road Realignments: Reservoir Road & Watson Road in Leesburg, Virginia, by eminent domain (condemnation and “quick take”). The subject real property consists of portions of nine (9) parcels located along the planned roadway corridor. The property interests to be acquired include public street fee simple right-of-way, various permanent easements, and temporary construction easements for the construction of the project located on the following properties:

Parcel ID# PROPERTY OWNER Election District

240-45-2125-000 FREDERICK M JR & SHARRON CRABTREE Little River

280-49-9826-000 FREDERICK M JR & SHARRON CRABTREE Little River

280-30-4698-000 RICHARD L SHENTON Little River

280-30-5960-000 MADHAPPAN & KOKHILA SAKTHIVEL Little River

240-35-4620-000 LAUREN MICHELE & DOUGLAS TODD NORKIN Little River

240-45-3210-000 HEIN & TIEN DO DAO Little River

240-45-7714-000 HEIN & TIEN DO DAO Ashburn

240-46-3544-000 MULPURI PROPERTIES LLC Ashburn

240-26-8362-000 SVTP O’CONNOR LLC Ashburn

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed resolution, as well as plat and vicinity maps further identifying the subject property to be acquired, is on file and available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street,

S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). Project details may also be viewed at the County’s Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure website link: www. loudoun.gov/5789/Transportation-Projects-Programs.

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1020 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

NAMING OF STREETS

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 15.2-2019, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intent to consider for passage amendments to Section 1020.05, General Naming Standards, and Section 1020.07, Street Naming and Renaming Process, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. In order to establish a new naming standard that prohibits the use of names of Confederate leaders, the Confederate cause, or of individuals or movements that promote or implement racial segregation as street names, as well as processes by which existing and reserved street names found to be in violation of this new standard will be renamed and/or deleted from the Master Street Directory.

A copy of the full text of above-referenced proposed amendments is on file and available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parel Listings:

The ADAC held a public meeting on June 12, 2025, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the Chrysalis Vineyards/Locksley Estate Agricultural and Continued on next page

Legal Notices

Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 29, 2025. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parel Listings:

456-10-1614-000 /45////////52/ 10

459-39-4908-000 /57///2/////B/ 15

456-19-2924-000 /45///9/////B/ 21.2 423-46-5298-000 /45//38/////A/ 200.51

457-30-0111-000 /45//50////B1/ 25

457-46-4769-000 /45//17/////2/ 50.07

459-29-5147-000 /57//12/////1B 12.91

491-20-7761-000 /45////////29/ 5.33

492-40-1152-000 /45//17/////3/ 3.84

492-40-6871-000 /45//17/////1/ 50.07

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

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

ALEGI-2025-0003,

REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW MOUNT GILEAD AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel Listings:

388-35-3823-000 /58////////15/ 7.32

/58////////25A

/56///3/////6//

/56///3/////7/ 10.12

389-35-4528-000 /58////////25/ 15.45 493-28-5062-000 /56///3/////8/ 12.91 389-35-4963-000 /58////////25C 31.54 493-28-7001-000 /56///3/////5/ 10

389-45-5836-000 /58////////26/ 41.38

424-10-6194-000 /58///8/////1/ 10

424-15-7224-000 /57////////46B 28.79

493-36-8965-000 /56///3////12/ 10.02

493-37-7501-000 /56///3////10/ 10

494-10-0868-000 /56//15/////6/ 10.53

424-29-4402-000 /57//21/////8/ 62.37 494-20-1489-000 /56//15////22/ 12.94

425-17-8473-000 /57////////51D 49.05 494-25-3940-000 /56///7////11A 4.4

425-26-8364-000 /57////////50/ 13.56

425-30-1174-000 /58////////19A 6.23

425-37-0341-000 /57////////46/ 40.51

425-39-3728-000 /57////////45/ 12.89

425-39-8911-000 /57/A/1/////A/ 2.01

425-40-1044-000 /58////////18/ 10.25

425-40-5442-000 /58////////17/ 5.89

425-45-6705-000 /57////////46A 31.76

425-49-6500-000 /58////////19/ 5.75

456-26-4401-000 /45///7/////A/ 16.36

458-10-7561-000 /57//20////18/ 17.02

458-25-6717-000 /57/////////5/ 52.15

458-45-4271-000 /45//13/////4/ 20.05

494-25-6325-000 /56///7////11B 5.45

494-29-4115-000 /56//15/////7/ 20.07

494-30-2670-000 /56//15////23/ 10.85

494-40-2858-000 /56//15////24/ 14.4

494-45-4041-000 /56///6/////9/ 15.02

494-45-9679-000 /56///6/////7/ 10.01

494-46-0223-000 /56///6/////8/ 10

494-46-6227-000 /56///6/////3/ 10.32

494-47-2331-000 /56///6/////6/ 6.39

494-47-8435-000 /56///4/////1/ 8.04

494-48-0383-000 /56///3/////2/ 8.52

495-17-9718-000 /56//19/////9/ 10.04

495-18-7629-000 /56//19////13/ 14.83

459-10-1578-000 /57///6/////4/ 10.01 495-47-4679-000 /56//15////14/ 14.23

459-10-7374-000 /57///6/////5/ 10.51 495-48-4478-000 /56//15////10/ 10.19

459-19-4070-000 /57///2/////D/ 10 527-18-9190-000 /44////////23A 112.63

459-20-2520-000 /57////////47D 3 528-48-4773-000 /44////////24A 16.51

459-25-4218-000 /57//23/////1/ 35.25 528-49-9083-000 /44////////24B 10

Continued on next page

Parcel Listings: (cont)

459-35-2627-000 /57//23/////3/ 27.92

459-45-4463-000 /57//23/////5/ 23.01

492-36-1990-000 /44///9////13/ 12.61

492-38-5314-000 /44////////32/ 14.88

492-47-0300-000 /44///9/////1/ 14.82

493-17-8268-000 /56///3/////3/ 5.97

Legal Notices

529-20-8759-000 /56///7////12/ 9.63

529-30-1433-000 /56///7////14/ 10

529-40-6516-000 /56//20////16/ 16.55

*459-25-8283-000 /57//23/////2/ 18.55

*493-18-7455-000 /56///3/////4/ 10.29

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel Listings:

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

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

ALEGI-2025-0005,

REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW UPPERVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel Listings:

Legal Notices

Listings: (cont)

664157219000 /53////////13A

665361347000 /53/////////4/

/53////////19F

694394824000 /68/////////7/ 103

666389152000 /53////////19/ 459.12 695275923000 /68/////////2/ 190.5

/53///2/////J/ 6.78

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

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

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

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

The current period of the New Aldie Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on January 2, 2026. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 50 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of Lime Kiln Road (Route 733), on the east side of the Goose Creek, east of Sam Fred Road (Route 748), Little River Election District.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

394-26-7556-000 /75///9////WL/

394-26-9821-000 /75////////23/ 156.34

/88//10/////1/ 21.32

394-28-8964-000 /75////////23A 75 432-47-9430-000 /88///1/////B/ 18.45

396-26-4807-000 /89/////////1/ 46.45

396-28-1634-000 /89/////////6A 8.17

396-28-7236-000 /89/////////8C 1.61

/88///9/////3/ 21.44

/74////////18/ 29.12

/74////////19/ 140.04

396-29-0952-000 /89/////////8B 14.49 465-39-6098-000 /74/A/1/////A/ 24.89

396-29-5883-000 /89///4/////F/ 32.98 465-39-7945-000 /74/A/1/////B/ 4.93

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

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

LEGI-2024-0006, CEDAR LAKE RESTAURANT WITH DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITIES: SPEX-2024-0016 (Special Exception)

ABTB Mid-Atlantic, LLC. has submitted an application for a special exception for an approximately 0.451-acre property and a portion of a 4.51-acre property located northeast of the intersection of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Cedar Drive (Route 821) along Cedar Lake Plaza in the Algonkian Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

013-17-8413-000

For SPEX-2024-0016, the applicant seeks a special exception to permit a restaurant with drive-through facilities in the CC-CC (Commercial Center – Community Center) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.

LEGI-2024-0048, LOUDOUN TECH CENTER BAPS: ZMAP-2024-0016 (Zoning Map Amendment)

BAPS Sterling, LLC has submitted an application for a zoning conversion for approximately 5.94 acres of land located east of Ridgetop Circle (Route 1790), west of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794), and north of Woodshire Drive (Route 1792) in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN #: 020-45-7846-000, and Tax Map # /81///6/////5A.

For ZMAP-2024-0016, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 5.94 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) Zoning District under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the IP (Industrial Park) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to allow all uses permitted in the IP Zoning District, excluding those restricted by the Proffer Statement. The applicant intends to establish a Religious Assembly use in the existing three-story building on the subject property.

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

Megan Alfaro, of Purcellville, Virginia, has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 4.85 acres of land located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Otley Road (Route 701) and Silcott Springs Road (Route 690) in the Catoctin Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as 19211 Silcott Springs Road, Purcellville, Virginia 20132, PIN # 559-18-6808-000 and Tax Map # /43///3/////1/.

Continued on next page

Legal Notices

For SPEX-2024-0028, the applicant seeks special exception approval to permit a kennel use with a maximum of 15 dogs in the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance

CPAM-2024-0006, GLOUCESTER PARKWAY (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

Pursuant to Code of Virginia §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2225, and 15.2-2229, and a Motion adopted by the Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2025, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of its intent to consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (2019 CTP) (adopted June 20, 2019, as amended) in order to clarify, revise, and/or delete existing, policies, guidelines, and maps regarding the elimination of the section of the extension of Gloucester Parkway between Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) and Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659).

The CPAM proposes revisions to Appendix 1, Planning Guidelines for Major Roadways Countywide, certain Countywide Transportation Maps of the 2019 CTP, and such other Chapters, policies, provisions, and maps of the of the 2019 CTP as may be necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the policies of, the abovementioned section(s) of the 2019 CTP. The proposed amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:

Amendments to Appendix 1– Planning Guidelines for Major Roadways Countywide:

• Revise the “South / East End (TO)” column of Line 145 to replace BELMONT RIDGE RD with COCHRAN MILL RD.

Amendments to Countywide Transportation Plan Maps:

• Revise the Loudoun 2019 Countywide Transportation Roadway Plan Map, Loudoun 2019 Countywide Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Map, and Loudoun 2019 Countywide Transportation Roadway Plan Functional Classification Map, to eliminate the section of the extension of Gloucester Parkway between Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) and Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659).

CPAM-2022-0001, ST. LOUIS VILLAGE PLAN

(Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2225 and 15.2-2229, and Resolutions of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 20, 2021, September 8, 2021, and November 8, 2022, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of its intent to consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) and Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (2019 CTP) in order establish the St. Louis Village Plan as a new component of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The St. Louis Village Plan would establish policies and actions regarding land use, historic preservation, infrastructure, and community enhancements for the area of Loudoun County known as the Village of St. Louis and define the geographic boundaries of the St. Louis Village Plan on the Small Area Plan Map. The CPAM includes, without limitation, the following:

Proposed Loudoun County 2019 General Plan Amendments:

Amendments to Chapter 1- Introduction:

• Amend Chapter 1 - Relationship to Other Planning Documents - to incorporate reference to the St. Louis Plan.

Amendments to Chapter 2 – Introduction:

• Amend Chapter 2 - Rural Historic Village - to include a reference that adopted Village Small Area Plans are components of the 2019 GP.

Amendments to the Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan-Maps:

• Revise the 2019 CTP maps to amend the existing village boundaries to reflect the updated Small Area Plan Boundary for St. Louis.

The CPAM proposes revisions to Chapters 1 and 2 of the 2019 GP, certain 2019 CTP maps, and such other Chapters, Sections, Subsections, Maps, and provisions of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments to update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan.

The Village of Saint Louis is located within the Little River Election District and the Rural Policy Area. The boundaries of the St. Louis Village Plan are more particularly shown on the map included as part of this published notice.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each land use application listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 7037770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

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

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-ups will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on August 29, 2025, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on September 10, 2025. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

8/21, 8/28/25

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Opinion

Rolling Through Millions

Even when dealing with billion-dollar budgets, it is painful to watch local government leaders nonchalantly roll through millions.

Such was the case at last week’s School Board meeting. Within a relatively few minutes, the staff briefed members on an accounting error that will require the repayment of $29 million and a plan to increase the taxpayers’ subsidy to the employee healthcare plan by another $43 million. Then there was the $46 million game of chicken with the federal government over who is on the right side of transgender student laws. And then there was the record-setting

When Will It End?

Editor:

At the Aug 12 Loudoun County School Board meeting, we saw yet again outrage from parents across a host of issues including lack of funding for special needs, data center power line issues, and of course – Policy 8040. Policy 8040 is the thorn in LCPS’ foot that they keep pushing in deeper and deeper.

The CFO of LCPS, Sharon Willoughby who in 2024 earned nearly $278,000, came to the board to report two “oops” in her math adding up to about $60 million in losses to LCPS. However, she had a quick solution, let LCPS pay it out of a “one time” fund. Huh? Where is this magic pot of money that seems to be bottomless. Is that pot also going to cover the federal funding (anywhere from $40 million to $100 million) for education that the board and the superintendent intend to abandon to further their ideological political mission?

The board had an opportunity to publicly discuss Policy 8040 as an information item put on the agenda by Lauren Shernoff, but true to form, Chair Melinda Mansfield cut the public meeting short and went into closed session. That is her answer to anything she wishes to hide from the public – go into closed session and claim attorney-client privilege. The board decided,

construction contract for a $202 million high school. Remember the shock of the first $100 million high school?

School spending doesn’t shock many folks these days. Maybe these small fractions of enormous budgets don’t move the needle in any substantial way, but wouldn’t it be refreshing for our elected leaders to demonstrate a commitment to—or and an understanding of—fiscal stewardship?

Back in the days before data center tax revenue flooded into the county’s coffers, every dollar mattered. Every dollar should still matter.

LETTERS to the Editor

6-3, to fight the US DOJ and once again charge Loudoun taxpayers for it. Even the county treasurer, Henry Eickelberg, spoke at the meeting to ask the board to be fiscally responsible. The look on April Chandler’s face told the entire story – she looked like she was getting a root canal without anesthesia and did not want to listen to the public speakers. Sumera Rashid had her typical vacant stare waiting for Mansfield to shock her chair so she can vote yes to anything the Mansfield says.

So, Loudoun County taxpayers, here we stand again with more legal bills, less education, less resources, and a parade of gender cosplayers pleading to the board to “protect all children” at any cost because LCPS has $2 billion and can afford to do it.

Is anyone at all, anyone, responsible for oversight of the school board and LCPS? VDOE? The VA Legislature? The governor? The federal government? Anyone? Doesn’t seem that way because the board’s pockets seem bottomless and the ideological war will take no prisoners as it goes on scorched earth in what used to be a county school district that attracted families. Now families can’t move out fast enough. Hey LCPS, the DOJ called, they’re coming for you.

—Michael Rivera, Leesburg

Demonizing

Editor:

I read the recent letter demonizing immigrants because they engaged in “illegal activity” when they entered the country. Before we use “illegal activity” as excuse to demonize fellow human beings, let’s ask two questions about our immigration laws.

First, where did the idea that we need to limit immigration into this country come from? It’s well documented that the Klu Klux Klan rose to prominence advocating for our country’s first immigration laws. These laws limited immigration from “undesirable” countries, aka any country that wasn’t majority WASP. The KKK advocated for these laws by saying the same things about my Irish ancestors that Mr. Rohland is saying about current immigrants. Simply put, the very idea that we need to limit immigration into the United States is an idea that originated with the Klu Klux Klan. I reject all ideas that originated with the KKK and suggest it’d be wise for others to do the same.

Second, do our current immigration laws make any rational sense? The answer to this question is clearly not. The entire American economy would collapse if we fully enforced our immigration laws. That is clear evidence that our immigration laws

LETTERS continues on page 27

READERS’ poll

If the feds withhold school funding, should the Board of Supervisors replace it with a supplemental appropriation of local tax revenues?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 32

are broken. Now why have our immigration laws been so broken for so long? My guess is the broken laws help the wealthy make more money. Our current immigration laws allow wealthy corporations and business owners to pay lower wages to both undocumented immigrants AND the American citizen who wrote the original letter. Our clearly broken immigration laws remain our laws because they help the wealthy, not because they help average Americans.

The original letter writer uses the law as a moral compass while ignoring the racist ideas behind the laws and the simple fact that they are bad laws. Using the law as a moral compass is a bad idea in general. Interracial marriage, Black and white people using the same pool or water fountain, anyone drinking any amount of alcohol, women owning property, etc. have all been against the law in the not-so-distant past.

The law is not a great place to get your morality from, especially when the KKK’s ideas are the basis for the law in question. And our current immigration system doesn’t serve anyone other than the wealthy. I’d encourage everyone to look beyond our current immigration laws and think of how to create new immigration laws that help everyone. Our current laws simply serve the interests of the wealthy and allow them to steal money from all the regular people involved, American citizen or not.

Patrick Hickey, Purcellville

Heard It on the Radio

By John Unger

When we moved to Hamilton in 1976, we soon became fans of Loudoun’s only radio station, WAGE, 1200 kHz on your AM dial. WAGE was a low-power AM station and only broadcast during daylight hours because of possible interference with other more distant stations that used the same frequency. The range of AM stations is relatively short, especially during daylight hours, because of their mode of propagation, but the range expanded at night when the signals could bounce off the ionosphere and back to earth and could be heard further away.

WAGE’s programming was almost exclusively local and covered events in Loudoun County. The station broadcast via a relay from sporting events at Loudoun Valley and Loudoun County high schools, from public county events, from the Bluemont and Waterford fairs, and covered the entire week from a booth at the annual 4H Fair on Dry Mill Road.

One of our favorite things to do in the mornings was to tune in to the farm report given by our thennext-door neighbor, Jack Brown, the county Extension Agent. With his Rappahannock southern drawl, Jack

would report on hog and cattle prices in Winchester and Leesburg, tell you the best time to plant your vegetables or cut your hay, and warn farmers about the evils of Johnson grass and other invasive weeds.

WAGE also broadcast weekly Sunday services from one of the local churches. They did this programming during the time I served as the clerk of the Goose Creek Quaker Friends Meeting in Lincoln.

First, you must understand that our Meeting was, and still is, what Quakers call an “unprogrammed Meeting.” We have no preacher or minister in charge of the service, which is conducted largely in silence, and has no schedule of events like sermons, prayers, or hymns. If someone is so moved, they are encouraged to speak out of the silence and share a thought or read a Bible passage, but sometimes the entire hour of worship will be conducted without a word being uttered.

The principal duty of the Meeting’s clerk is to run our monthly business meetings, where decisions are made for things like finances of projects and approval of applications for membership. The clerk is also the main contact point

for the Meeting from outside.

So, as clerk at the time, one day I got a call from someone who introduced himself as the programming director of WAGE and told me that our Meeting had been selected as a location for their live Sunday broadcast to take place in two weeks. He said that the station would come to our meetinghouse ahead of time and install the necessary microphones and transmitting equipment required to relay the audio from the meetinghouse to the main station in Leesburg for broadcasting on WAGE, and they would have an engineer on site to make sure everything worked properly.

Of course, the first thing I asked him was if he had ever attended a Quaker service, and he admitted that no, he hadn’t. So, then I described our services much as I just did a few paragraphs ago. A long period of silence ensued.

“You mean that there is no music and that there might be nothing said by anybody?” he asked in a puzzled voice.

I replied that he was right and that they might end up broadcasting an hour of dead air. More silence from the phone, and he finally said, “I’ll have to get back to you.”

He never did.

Federal Funding

continued from page 1

receiving federal funding with no additional scrutiny. The Northern Viriginia School Divisions that are choosing to abide by woke gender ideology in place of federal law must now prove they are using every single federal dollar for a legal purpose,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement issued Tuesday. “We have given these Northern Virginia School Divisions every opportunity to rectify their policies which blatantly violate Title IX. Today’s accountability measures are necessary because they have stubbornly refused to provide a safe environment for young women in their schools.”

The Education Department is beginning proceedings to end federal to the school divisions. In the meantime, LCPS and the other systems have been placed on “high-risk status.”

The Education Department “is placing these Divisions on reimbursement status for all Department funds including formula funding, discretionary grants, and impact aid grants, totaling over $50 million. The Divisions will now be required to pay their education expenses up front and then request reimbursement for expenditures to access funds obligated by the Department.”

The Education Department notified LCPS on July 25 that its Office of Civil Rights had found the division in violation of Title IX because of its Policy 8040, which governs the rights of transgender students. Among other things, it allows students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their self-selected gender identity, which has led to multiple high-profile incidents in which students using facilities not in accordance with their biological sex were accused of acting inappropriately. In one case, three boys who reported that a transgender male was filming them in a locker room were investigated by the LCPS

Title IX office for harassment. According to the boys’ attorneys, two of the boys will be suspended for the first two weeks of the new school year, which begins Thursday.

The Department of Education originally gave LCPS a 10-day deadline to respond to its proposed resolution agreement and then gave the division an extension. During the Aug. 12 School Board meeting, the board voted 6-3 to reply to the letter from the Office of Civil Rights by saying the district would choose not to comply.

An Aug. 15 letter to students and families signed by Superintendent Aaron Spence and School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield stated, “This OCR request creates a direct tension between federal agency guidance and binding judicial authority from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Therefore, after consultation with legal counsel, the Board voted not to sign this agreement, but remains open to discussion with OCR on the matter.”

The letter presented three reasons behind the division’s decision:

“We are following controlling law. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued binding precedent in Virginia that supports our current policy and practices. Until such time as the U.S. Supreme Court or other controlling authority rules otherwise, we are obligated to follow that precedent.

"This creates confusion. OCR’s interpretation of Title IX conflicts with existing law that applies to LCPS. Changing our policy to align with nonbinding federal guidance—rather than controlling case law—would not only be legally problematic, but could undermine clarity and stability for our students, staff, and families.

"Our priority is student safety, belonging, and well-being. We know from research, and from our own experience in LCPS, that inclusive policies contribute to safer, more supportive learning environments for all.”

The letter concluded, “This decision is

rooted in our legal obligations, our values, and our belief that every student should feel safe, respected, and supported in our schools. We will continue to monitor developments closely to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable law while protecting the rights of all students. Above all, our mission at LCPS is to empower all students to make meaningful contributions to the world. That begins with creating school environments where every child feels they belong. We will not waver in that commitment.”

A letter sent to the Department of Education by John F. Cafferky, an education attorney, on behalf of the school division said, “LCPS is open to discussing ways to improve any of its policies and advance the educational interests of its students. That is equally true here.” The letter stated LCPS was unable to accept the proposed changes because of their argument that earlier court decisions support Policy 8040.

The decision was opposed by School Board members Deana Griffiths (Ashburn), Kari LaBell (Catoctin), and Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg).

In a statement Thursday, LaBell told Loudoun Now, “I am very worried and disappointed with the path this Board has chosen to follow. I really hoped that they would work to find a way to work with the opportunity provided to us by the Department of Education, but the majority of the board members saw things differently. Not only are we defying the Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights, we are continuing to leave many of our students with a bathroom policy that makes them feel disrespected and abandoned.”

LaBell added that she was also concerned about potential fines and legal fees associated with non-compliance and had not heard of any plan for dealing with the loss of federal funding nor two other major funding issues that came to light at the Aug. 12 Board meeting.

Griffiths, in an Aug. 14 statement, said, “I am disappointed, but sadly not surprised, by the 6–3 vote by the School Board to hire outside counsel for the purpose of defying the Office for Civil Rights’ demand that LCPS comply with federal law. LCPS is now using your tax dollars to violate the law and push ideology, not to educate our students. This is fiscally irresponsible. We already owe close to $30 million in federal funds meant for special education that was misallocated and must be repaid. Meanwhile, our academic scores are declining, and another $50 million in federal funding is now at risk—all to fight over bathroom and locker room access for 0.01% of our more than 80,000 students.”

During a July town hall, Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said the Board of Supervisors had offered to cover the $46 million in federal LCPS funding if the Education Department terminated it.

Briskman, who chairs the Board of Supervisors’ Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee and sits on the Joint Board and School Board Committee, said in a statement Tuesday, “As the parent of two LCPS graduates, I believe it is an outrage for the federal government, controlled by the alleged ‘small-government’ party, to be meddling and attempting to control the local operation of public schools, which is the job of our duly-elected school board.  That they are doing this by stoking unfounded fears about LGBTQIA+ students is disgusting. It does nothing to serve our children who possess a fundamental right to pursue their passions and dreams through education.”

Briskman added that she was “proud” of the School Board’s decision and would “support closing any funding gap.” She did not say how that might be accomplished and did not respond to whether the full board still plans to supplement lost federal funding. n

America’s 9/11 Ride Parades

Through Downtown Leesburg

A convoy of motorcycles rumbled through downtown Leesburg on Friday enroute to the Pentagon as part of the annual America’s 9/11 Ride. The event, organized by the Loudoun-based America’s 9/11 foundation, raises money to support for fire, EMS and police personnel.

Norman

K. Styer/Loudoun Now

A Loudoun Moment

Photo by Douglas Graham

The spotted lanternfly is a planthopper indigenous to parts of China and Vietnam. It was accidentally introduced into South Korea and has spread invasively to Japan and the United States. Here they are killing its host tree, The Tree of Heaven. The Tree of Heaven is also an invasive species. Why is this happening so often? Easy answer is our global economy and interconnected worldwide economic activities among nations, including the flow of goods, services, capital, and people (airline travel). With lots of international shipping, it’s easy to understand that occasional hitchhikers are bound to happen.

The Arc

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The Arc lacks standing to seek a restraining order, injunctions, and other relief after it was locked out of the property.

Claims contained in The Arc’s lawsuit go beyond the original 2008 lease and amendments signed in 2019 and 2021.

It also positions The Arc as critical to the Trust’s required mission to support needy children, as specified in the will of Rachel A. Paxton, who bequeathed the property for that purpose.

Central to that argument is a 2014 filing by the Trust seeking a local real estate tax exemption for the 16-acre property. The lawsuit cites a statement of justification submitted to the Commissioner of the Revenue that states the Trust had committed the property and its assets for the uncontrolled free use of The Arc and its programs serving children. That statement also included a pledge to contribute the annual income derived by the Paxton endow-

ment to The Arc.

Starting in 2019, areas of the property were removed from The Arc’s use, including, in 2021, the Carlhiem manor house that was used for a decade as the organization’s largest fundraiser, the Shocktober haunted house. The Paxton trustees sought to reduce The Arc’s footprint on the campus as part of a larger effort to establish a multi-tenant youth service complex on the property.

“The Arc ultimately declined the Trust’s offers and indicated it was planning to relocate. We are grateful to the Arc for the many years of partnership and to the families who entrusted this campus with their children’s care and learning. The Paxton trust remains steadfast in its mission to serve children of all abilities, and we are moving forward with compassion and purse to bring the Mosaic Campus to life,” according to a Paxton statement.

The lawsuit raises questions about whether the entire property remains eligible for a tax exemption and whether The Arc should be viewed as a beneficiary of the Trust with rights

to distributions of income. The filing requests an accounting of the Trust’s endowment and an “order to pay The Arc such sums as have not been delivered to the plaintiff.”

The filing also requests the court remove Paxton’s current trustees. It also names Attorney General Jason Miyares as a defendant to ensure the Trust’s public service mission is adequately served.

In a statement released over the weekend, the Trust dismisses those arguments.

“This lawsuit is simply the latest in a pattern of conduct in which the Arc’s leadership chooses confrontation over collaboration— declining reasonable proposals, abandoning scheduled discussions, dragging out the process, and reappearing solely when it advances their short-term objectives. Rather than working toward solutions, the Arc has opted to fight a legal battle it cannot win, diverting time, resources, and attention away from advancing the Mosaic Campus and expanding its benefits to the broader community of children in need,” according to the statement.

“The Trust has been in contact with the Arc to inform them on how to retrieve their belongings. If the Arc believes that in addition to 16 years of free rent, they are also entitled to income from the Trust’s endowment, then we respectfully disagree. The Trust will vigorously defend against this baseless claim and will not be deterred from fulfilling its mission and responsibility to serve children.”

If a judge grants its injunction request, Max stated The Arc planned to resume Aurora School operations on the Paxton campus sometime after Wednesday.

“Aurora School will remain closed to students through August 20th while the restraining order and injunctions are processed, staff can get into our buildings, techs can restore our IT network, our facilities’ team can methodically check every Arc space on campus for damage or missing assets, and to allow time for us to prepare the welcome back to campus that our students deserve,” Max wrote.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no hearing has been scheduled in the case. n

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