Loudoun County News: Schools, Government, Business, Crime and Public Safety

Mobile Website | Login | Register

Staff Directory | Advertise | Subscribe | About Us

Business Government Politics Crime/Public Safety Education People Obituaries E-edition

Basketball Football Youth Wrestling Gymnastics Swimming Volleyball Baseball Track Golf Cheer Cross Country Schedule Scores

Backstory Brambleton Community of Faith Hangin in the Nosebleeds Journal Entry Loudoun Essence Made in Loudoun Odd Angles River Creek & Lansdowne South Riding Sterling, Cascades & CountrySide

News Video Your Best Dish Featured Video The Virginians Video Production

Jobs Autos Legals Public Notices Real Estate Place an Ad

Video Production Website Development SEO and SEM Newspaper Advertising Online Advertising

Top Local News

McDonnell signs into law voter ID legislation

Sun., May. 20 | 12:07 PM - Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed off on hotly-debated voter identification bills.

12 comments

Whitbeck to chair 10th District GOP Committee

Sun., May. 20 | 06:05 AM - Leesburg attorney John Whitbeck was elected chairman of the 10th Congressional District Republicans during the committee's convention Saturday.

17 comments

Times-Mirror Staff Photo/John Geddie
As of 10:30 p.m. Route 7 was still closed as emergency crews were on scene near CountrySide and Dulles Town Center where a pedestrian was struck while attempting to cross the intersection.

Updated: Thirteen-year-old pedestrian hit crossing Route 7 near Dulles Town Center

Sat., May. 19 | 09:57 PM - A section of eastbound Route 7 near CountrySide and Dulles Town Center was still closed at 10:30 p.m. after a 13-year-old girl was struck while attempting to cross the intersection. Multiple cruisers were still on scene.

10 comments

more photos

Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny
Local artist Dave White painted a series of murals for the Mobile Hope Donation Center, which will soon be opened at the Village of Leesburg and will accept donations for underprivileged children.

In darkness, there is hope

Sat., May. 19 | 08:00 AM - Leesburg artist creates mural to benefit Loudoun's homeless children

Welsh to serve in General District Court

Fri., May. 18 | 03:06 PM - Loudoun County attorney Deborah C. Welsh will replace retiring judge Julia Cannon on the 20th Judicial District of the General District Court.

14 comments

Two Loudoun County residents involved in $1.5 million mortgage scheme

Fri., May. 18 | 12:37 PM - Five individuals, including two Loudoun County residents, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this week to conspiring to secure more than $1.5 million in a mortgage fraud scheme involving a home in Gainesville.

7 comments

Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny
Lt. Lawrence Lippincott of the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management shows Corinne Baker of the International Association of Fire Chiefs how to put out a small flammable liquids fire with a fire extinguisher during a training day for IAFC staff May 11.

Fire and rescue training

Fri., May. 18 | 12:24 PM - The Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management held a training session May 11 for around 40 staff members from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

1 comment

more photos

VDOT shows Leesburg Sycolin Road overpass

Fri., May. 18 | 12:01 PM - The Virginia Department of Transportation held an impromptu public meeting May 17 to allow citizens of Leesburg the opportunity to ask questions, give comments and provide suggestions to the proposed plan of the Sycolin Road Overpass of the Route 7 and Route 15 Bypass slated to be construction next year.

13 comments

Loudoun inmate dies after suffering massive stroke in prison

Fri., May. 18 | 11:13 AM - An Ashburn man indicted April 9 in connection with a January stabbing at a Sterling shopping center died Tuesday at Inova Fairfax Hospital after suffering a massive stroke at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

7 comments

Ayla Coles, 15, walking with her date Omar Contreras, 17, looks back at friends getting out of their limo in front of the National Conference Center for the Loudoun Valley High School prom May 12. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

Fifty years of magic

Fri., May. 18 | 08:59 AM - Looking back on five decades of proms at Loudoun Valley

more photos

Loudoun Democrats criticize GOP over vote against gay judge

Fri., May. 18 | 08:44 AM - Loudoun County Democrats condemned the actions of local Delegates David Ramadan (R-87) and Tag Greason (R-32) Wednesday after gay judicial nominee Tracy Thorne-Begland fell 18 votes short of the 51-vote majority necessary to be appointed as a general district judge.

32 comments

Post clerk Robert Edwards helps a customer who came to the Downtown Leesburg Post Office to purchase stamps. Times-Mirror Photo/Laura Peters

Leesburg Post Office to remain open – for now

Thu., May. 17 | 01:00 PM - Robert Edwards smiles and laughs as he greets customers at the Downtown Leesburg Post Office. Edwards, who's been the postal clerk there for more than 25 years, is always smiling and welcoming to each person who passes through the post offices' door. The smile almost completely disappeared when the news was announced of the Post Office's possible closure in July 2011.

12 comments

more photos

Teen avoids carjacking in Sterling

Thu., May. 17 | 11:39 AM - The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted May 15 carjacking in Sterling.

Crime down in Loudoun in 2011

Thu., May. 17 | 08:26 AM - As a whole, crime was down in Loudoun County in 2011, according to a Virginia State Police report, but residents still saw an uptick in violent crimes and thefts.

22 comments

MWAA ripped in U.S. Department of Transportation IG report

Wed., May. 16 | 03:03 PM - MWAA in past years has had to answer questions relating to its internal operations, financial disclosures and bidding practices; this publicity has heightened of late considering the authority is in charge of overseeing construction of the approximately $5.5 billion Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which will bring Metro's Silver Line to the Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County.

59 comments

Pending Governor’s signature, commonwealth finally has a budget

Wed., May. 16 | 01:02 PM - Two months later than expected, the Virginia General Assembly has agreed on two-year spending plan for the commonwealth.

5 comments

Raspberry Falls well operational again

Wed., May. 16 | 10:05 AM - A well in Raspberry Falls shut down in August 2011 is back in service, Loudoun Water officials announced May 15.

6 comments

Stone Bridge named Top 10 school by U.S. News

Wed., May. 16 | 09:34 AM - With high state scores, performance average and advanced placement test scores, Stone Bridge High School was named the No. 10 best high school in the state of Virginia by U.S News and World Reports. This is the first year a Loudoun County Public School reached the top 10 for best high school in Virginia.

34 comments

Supervisors approve $7.9 million increase for schools

Tue., May. 15 | 07:21 PM - Loudoun County Public Schools will see an additional $7.9 million for its fiscal 2013 budget from the county's Board of Supervisors contingent on Gov. Bob McDonnell signing off on the two-year state budget approved by the General Assembly May 14.

28 comments

Delgaudio says Obama “assaulting” traditional marriage

Tue., May. 15 | 02:14 PM - Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), in response to President Barack Obama's announcement in support of gay marriage, says the president's “evolution comment gives evolutionists” a bad name.

77 comments

Danny Hurdle, owner of Carolina Brothers Barbecue, often sees to it himself his pork and beef is smoked just right. Times-Mirror Photo/Trevor Baratko

A taste of Carolina in Loudoun

Tue., May. 15 | 09:04 AM - For barbecue aficionados, Danny Hurdle is deserving of celebrity status. Being a transient locale, Northern Virginia is dense with residents either from the Carolinas, or those who have passed through at various stints in their careers. Finding authentic Carolina barbecue can be a trying practice.

19 comments

Man charged in New Year’s Eve hotel robbery pleads guilty

Mon., May. 14 | 11:41 AM - An Alexandria man charged in connection with the December 2011 robbery of a hotel in Dulles pleaded guilty on May 11.

ABC busts retailers for selling alcohol, tobacco to minors

Mon., May. 14 | 10:16 AM - RICHMOND – Like other states, Virginia has strict age limits to buy cigarettes and alcohol. But young people often have little trouble purchasing those products: About one of every eight stores inspected by the state sells tobacco and booze to underage buyers.

26 comments

Dulles in preliminary plans to expand cargo hub

Thu., Apr. 26 | 01:00 PM - With easily over 400 acres of free space currently slated for the development of cargo facilities, Dulles Airport is looking to join the ranks of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta as major cargo hubs on the eastern seaboard.

10 comments

Towns gear up for council elections

Thu., Apr. 26 | 08:00 AM - Two weeks after a special election in Leesburg, voters in Loudoun's towns and villages will go to the polls on May 1 to select mayors and populate the town councils for Hamilton, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill.

4 comments

Leesburg goes to vote April 17

Thu., Apr. 5 | 08:00 AM - Special election to replace Ken Reid on Town Council will occur April 17.

6 comments

Music in Our Schools month

Wed., Mar. 28 | 09:00 AM - The month of March has officially been designated by the National Association for Music Education as Music in Our Schools Month - when music education becomes the focus of schools nationwide. This year’s theme is “Music Lasts a Lifetime.”

2 comments

with video

Lexmark purchases local data provider

Fri., Mar. 16 | 02:26 PM - Major printing and imaging mogul Lexmark International has acquired Ashburn-based Brainware for $148 million.

Sandy Spring CSA still ‘growing’

Sat., Feb. 18 | 12:00 PM - Since its inception in 2002, the Sandy Spring Community Supported Agriculture has offered high quality, organic produce to residents in the D.C. metro area.

Virginia ignores marijuana reform proposals

Sun., May. 13 | 06:55 AM - RICHMOND – After months of an undercover investigation in 2008, a Yorktown County police officer finally had enough evidence to charge Brandon Gomez, then 18, with intent to distribute marijuana.

40 comments

Photo courtesy/ MC2 Confections
Merideth Cohrs crafting some of her chocolate clusters.

Chocolate may be the healthiest thing for mom

Sat., May. 12 | 07:28 AM - A box of chocolates is almost an inevitable gift on Mother's Day. If you're watching your health, one of the biggest concerns can be enjoying these sweet treats. Sue Ann Gleason, founder of Conscious Bites Nutrition and Merideth Cohrs, founder and artisan chocolatier of MC2 Confections (based in Leesburg) talk about this chocolate “dilemma."

Loudoun senators at odds over voter ID bills

Fri., May. 11 | 02:18 PM - Throwing himself in the middle of a contentious Republican vs. Democrat debate, State Sen. Richard Black (R-13) is urging Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell to sign politically-charged voter identification legislation from the 2012 session.

57 comments

A mother duck gets protective over her baby ducklings. Students can see the duck family through the windows surrounding Sterling Elementary’s courtyard. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Laura Peters

Sterling Elementary turns courtyard into duck nursery

Fri., May. 11 | 11:53 AM - Eyes peer out of the windows looking into Sterling Elementary School's courtyard. Chatter fills the hallways as the tiny feet of students come to a halt to behold the great gift of life - duck life that is.

6 comments

more photos

Morven Park construction rumors set to rest

Fri., May. 11 | 07:12 AM - Rumors have been circling over the demolition of one of Morven Park's main plots of land which could potentially damage 100-year-old trees by placing a huge concrete pad near public restroom facilities.

2 comments

Loudoun Valley renovations hit the dais

Thu., May. 10 | 11:01 AM - Loudoun County School Board can decide to play ball or take a time-out when it comes to artificial versus grass turf for Loudoun Valley High School.

10 comments

Premier data center operator breaks ground on another property

Thu., May. 10 | 08:00 AM - Digital Realty, the largest data center operator in Loudoun County is about to get even bigger.

25 comments

Anti-rail group claims denied access to Metrorail forum

Wed., May. 9 | 04:29 PM - With the biggest financial decision for Loudoun County just around the corner, there was bound to be controversy stemming from the State of Rail to Loudoun meeting held May 9 at the Dulles International Airport Marriott.

44 comments

Teen dies in Evergreen Mill Road crash

Wed., May. 9 | 09:45 AM - Evergreen Mill Road near Watson Road outside of Leesburg was closed for more than four hours May 8 due to a crash that claimed one life.

87 comments

Leesburg Economic Development Commissioner Ara Bagdasarian presents the top 10 retail opportunities in Leesburg to developers, property owners and business owners May 2 at the Retail Opportunity Forum at Ida Lee Recreation Center. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Andrew Sharbel

Leesburg EDC looks to boost retail opportunities in the Town

Wed., May. 9 | 09:44 AM - In an effort to provide more business and retail opportunities in Leesburg, the Leesburg Economic Development Commission and Department of Economic Development partnered with the Town of Leesburg to hold a Retail Opportunity Forum May 2.

14 comments

more photos

Retirement funding needed by LCPS

Tue., May. 8 | 09:30 PM - Loudoun County Public Schools will need $3.5 million by June in order to fund retirement benefits. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors May 2 decided to put the School Board’s request for state funding on hold until Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) signs the budget bill, set to happen in the middle of May.

38 comments

The Board of Supervisors-appointed Loudoun County Courthouse Grounds and Facilities Committee started off its meeting Tuesday with an executive session, one not listed on the May 8 agenda. Times-Mirror photo/Trevor Baratko

Locked doors at the Loudoun County courthouse grounds meeting

Tue., May. 8 | 04:58 PM - Loudoun citizens trying to attend the county's Courthouse Grounds and Facilities Committee meeting Tuesday needed the ability to pick locks in order to gain entry to the first half hour of the so-called public affair.

43 comments

UPDATE: Middleburg Fire Department claims $500,000 embezzled by former treasurer

Tue., May. 8 | 10:15 AM - A Middleburg attorney has confirmed that the late Paul Draisey, a well-known former radio personality in Loudoun County, was allegedly involved in an embezzlement scheme with the Middleburg Volunteer Fire Department that spanned at least three years.

23 comments

Still no details on county assessor’s leave

Tue., May. 8 | 09:21 AM - Loudoun County remains hush on any details regarding County Assessor Todd Kaufman's placement on paid leave in April.

28 comments

New Metro report shows Loudoun losing $25 billion in gross product by 2040 without rail

Mon., May. 7 | 01:50 PM - The cost of Metrorail's extension into Loudoun County in relation to the payoff are miniscule, and no one is making a defensible argument for the benefit not being there, Dr. Stephen Fuller, director of George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis.

127 comments

Leesburg man charged in child cruelty case

Mon., May. 7 | 01:38 PM - A Leesburg man has been charged in a child abuse case that police say spanned nearly a year.

17 comments

Sterling woman to serve six years in murder-for-hire plot

Mon., May. 7 | 09:59 AM - A Sterling woman accused of hiring a hit man to kill her boyfriend's mistress was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday by a U.S. District Court judge.

8 comments

Virginia takes center stage in presidential campaign

Mon., May. 7 | 09:21 AM - President Barack Obama officially kicked off his re-election bid with a rally Saturday in Richmond, while presumptive Republican nominee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigned in northern and southeastern Virginia on Wednesday and Thursday.

36 comments

Obama kicks off campaign with VCU rally

Sun., May. 6 | 09:00 AM - RICHMOND – President Barack Obama kicked off his re-election bid Saturday with a rally at Virginia Commonwealth University, calling the campaign a “make-or-break moment” for the middle class.

54 comments

Photo courtesy/ Karen McCarthy
The third annual Loudoun Bluegrass Festival to be held May 12 will boast several Grammy-nominated artists. Profits from the festival to toward scholarships for disadvantaged Loudoun youth.

Grammy-nominated artists to headline Loudoun Bluegrass Festival

Sat., May. 5 | 08:00 AM - Grammy-nominated artists don’t just show up at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Loudoun County – at least not normally. As the Loudoun Bluegrass Festival readies to kick off on May 12 outside of Leesburg, though, the 3-year-old event is attracting some unexpected star power.

2 comments

Director of Perinatal Services for Inova Alfred Khoury and Cindy Andrejasich, director of Patient Care and Birth Navigator, show off a 3D sonogram on one of their new monitors during an open house for the new Antenatal Testing Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital April 26. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Andrew Sharbel

New antenatal facility opening doors for Loudoun at-risk moms

Fri., May. 4 | 03:00 PM - As patients of Inova Loudoun Hospital, high-risk mothers often used to have to be referred to the hospital's sister facility at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

more photos

Supervisor Clarke predicts the future

Fri., May. 4 | 10:17 AM - Supervisor's newsletter blurb declares outcome of Belmont Ridge Road decision before official vote.

64 comments

Government

McDonnell signs into law voter ID legislation

Sun., May. 20 | 12:07 PM

12 comments

Welsh to serve in General District Court

Fri., May. 18 | 03:06 PM

14 comments

VDOT shows Leesburg Sycolin Road overpass