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Virginia House passes bill eliminating post-Labor Day school opening

Thu., Feb. 9 | 03:00 PM - House Bill 1063, which would allow local school boards to set the school calendar and the opening of the school year, passed 76-23 in the House of Delegates on Feb. 2. The bill is awaiting debate in the state Senate.

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Loudoun chamber spearheading Metrorail advocacy

Thu., Feb. 9 | 01:14 PM - Playing the role of “Rail to Dulles” lobbyist, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge to encourage Loudoun's business community to voice support for Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

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‘Castle doctrine’ moving through state legal system

Thu., Feb. 9 | 10:45 AM - Two bills that stress firearm defense in the home are rifling through Virginia's legal system following votes last week.

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Kaine, Democratic candidate for Senate, campaigning in Northern Virginia

Wed., Feb. 8 | 01:25 PM - Gov. Tim Kaine, on the campaign trail through the region, touches on the federal budget, education and his relationship with President Obama.

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Police target methamphetamine

Wed., Feb. 8 | 12:13 PM - Commonwealth police and pharmaceutical distributors are fighting for the passage of a bill aimed to curb the production and spread of methamphetamine by monitoring non-prescription drug sales electronically.

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Capital Improvement Project presented to board

Wed., Feb. 8 | 11:48 AM - Superintendent Dr. Edgar Hatrick presented his Capital Improvement Project for fiscal 2013-2018 to the Loudoun County School Board during their Feb. 7 meeting resulting in projects totaling $565.6 million - significantly less from 2011’s $920 million presented.

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School board adopts fiscal 2013 operating budget

Wed., Feb. 8 | 01:28 AM - Cuts by School Board potentially includes 35 jobs from FLES program, phase one of full-day kindergarten, among others.

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Loudoun County Administrator proposes ‘zero tax increase’ budget

Tue., Feb. 7 | 07:15 PM - The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 7 heard County Administrator Tim Hemstreet's budget proposal for fiscal 2013, a plan that calls for no tax increases on the “average homeowner.”

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Counties realize tax shortfall from online booking industry

Tue., Feb. 7 | 05:25 PM - The growing presence of online booking companies like Hotwire, Expedia and Priceline is costing Loudoun County, and other governments across the state, hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue, according to Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz.

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Purcellville woman arrested over kids’ tardiness in school

Tue., Feb. 7 | 02:03 PM - Loudoun County Public Schools are making headlines with their policy against excessive tardiness and absences after a Loudoun County mother was arrested and charged with three counts of contributing to the delinquency to a minor.

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Suspect arrested for connection to 2007 Ashburn gang assault

Mon., Feb. 6 | 05:29 PM - A 2007 gang assault suspect was taken into custody Feb. 1 at a home in Hamilton.

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Waterford parents go to court for kids’ constant tardiness

Mon., Feb. 6 | 04:54 PM - Mark Denicore leaves early for work each morning from his home in Waterford. His wife, Amy, is in charge of getting their three children ready and out the door for school. With three children, all under age 10, it can be challenging to get them ready all at once and make it to school on time.

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School Board scheduled to adopt operating budget Tuesday

Mon., Feb. 6 | 02:58 PM - Loudoun County School Board members will begin amending the proposed operating budget Feb. 7 after weeks of deliberating in work sessions and hearing the public's voice.

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Sheriff’s Office investigating attempted armed robbery outside mall

Mon., Feb. 6 | 02:21 PM - The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted armed robbery this morning in the Dulles Town Center parking lot.

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Dulles Airport worker dies after shuttle hits vehicle

Mon., Feb. 6 | 11:56 AM - For 25-year-old Jared Patrick Dodson, Jan. 26 was supposed to be just another day at the office. Well, at his office, anyway. Dodson was driving a luggage cart on the tarmac of Washington Dulles International Airport when he was hit by a “mobile lounge” passenger transport. Dodson died the next day at an area hospital from complications.

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Inmate dies from medical condition at Loudoun jail

Mon., Feb. 6 | 10:22 AM - A 45-year-old Sterling man died while in custody at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center; authorities have yet to reveal a cause of death.

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Lawmakers, business community consider eminent domain amendment

Mon., Feb. 6 | 08:30 AM - Key debate in state senate over eminent domain proposal slated for Monday.

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House votes to freeze BPOL tax

Sun., Feb. 5 | 01:25 PM - RICHMOND – The House this week approved a bill that would freeze localities’ Business, Professional and Occupational Licenses tax rates at their 2011 levels. The measure also would prevent localities that don’t currently levy the tax from imposing it.

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Virginia moves to loosen gun-ownership rules

Sun., Feb. 5 | 12:23 PM - Pro-gun Republican majority looking to loosen some of former Gov. Douglas Wilder's stricter rules on handguns.

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Briar Woods High School senior Shaquera Leach, center, teases Vanessa Dyce for getting excited about another friend lending her a graphing calculator during lunch Jan. 30. The two sit with the third member of their trio of best friends, Jasmin Manea, left, and a diverse group of friends everyday at lunch. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

To be young and black in Loudoun

Sat., Feb. 4 | 08:00 AM - Briar Woods High School track star Shaquera Leach opens up about the importance of Black History Month.

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LTM Editorial: A candle for Bethany

Fri., Feb. 3 | 10:30 AM - A sad anniversary silently passed last week. Jan. 29 marked the one-year anniversary of the last time anyone saw 21-year-old Bethany Decker. There were no tearful pleas from the family, no solemn reminder from the Sheriff’s Office and no candlelight vigils praying for this young mother to return home.

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Virginia still without state song

Thu., Feb. 2 | 10:30 PM - Members of the General Assembly pass on bluegrass tune, "At Home in Virginia," for state song.

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Chemical spill at Middleburg Academy cancels school, one adult hospitalized

Thu., Feb. 2 | 03:38 PM - Loudoun Fire and Rescue received a call this morning regarding a chemical spill at Middleburg Academy. Two adults were possibly exposed to the chemicals, and one woman was sent to the hospital.

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McCormick, GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, stops in Loudoun

Thu., Feb. 2 | 02:30 PM - Campaigning for the Republican nomination in the 2012 Virginia senatorial election, David McCormick is fighting the likes of former Gov. George Allen and Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th) for a spot on the general ticket

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Senate-hopeful Allen swings through Loudoun

Thu., Feb. 2 | 11:24 AM - Former governor and well-known political commodity George Allen passed through Loudoun County Jan. 13, first touring the Prototype Productions facility in Ashburn then sitting down for a brief interview in Leesburg.

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The 2012 Washington Auto Show celebrates the design and engineering excellence of the global auto industry.Times-Mirror Photo/Paul Jean

Ruling the road in 2012

Thu., Feb. 2 | 09:30 AM - Hundreds zoom in to the D.C. Car Show

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Sterling woman pleads guilty to murder for hire plot

Wed., Feb. 1 | 02:35 PM - Ann Jenene Cinnamon, or Ann Jenene Greer, 41, of Sterling, plead guilty Feb. 1 to hiring a hit-man to kill her boyfriend’s “mistress.”

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Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny
Cathy Cleveland, manager of Altar’d State at the Village of Leesburg, stands in the clothing store Jan. 27.

A new state of mind

Wed., Feb. 1 | 12:00 PM - Altar’d State, a new women’s clothing boutique in The Village at Leesburg, sells clothes with a Christian aesthetic, but store manager Cathy Cleveland wants everyone to feel comfortable in her business.

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Supervisors nixing opening prayer?

Wed., Feb. 1 | 09:40 AM - The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors opted to not give an invocation Wednesday after repeated requests to separate religion and government.

UPDATE: Supervisors nixing opening prayer?

Wed., Feb. 1 | 09:39 AM - Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian), when asked whether she intentionally skipped an invocation, said the prayer by Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) at the start of the Jan. 31 meeting served as an invocation for both meetings.

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One bill’s aim: Ashes to ashes, dust to stardust

Wed., Feb. 1 | 08:00 AM - RICHMOND – For the average person, the sky is no longer the limit, but you just might have to be dead first. Del. Terry Kilgore, (R-Gate City), is proposing legislation to provide tax breaks to Virginia residents who send their cremated remains into outer space.

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Supervisors analyze McDonnell’s transportation package

Wed., Feb. 1 | 01:20 AM - The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday examined broad pieces of legislation being considered in the 2012 General Assembly session.

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Photo Courtesy/Facebook
Jenni Schick

A Loudoun tune to “American Idol”

Tue., Jan. 31 | 06:26 PM - Sterling resident Jenni Schick, 24, appeared on "American Idol" on Jan. 18 singing Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" during auditions in Aspen, Colo. Schick was showcased on the popular reality show not only for her singing talent, but her wish to kiss judge and legendary rocker Steven Tyler – and her wish came true. Schick received one ticket to get a chance to vie for the "American Idol" top spot in Hollywood and a smooch on the lips from Tyler.

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UPDATE: Bus drivers consider walkout over benefit changes

Tue., Jan. 31 | 05:36 PM - The school boardroom was scattered with residents and LCPS employees on Jan. 31 wearing black and red in protest of proposed cuts in the budget that would affect part-time employees. More than 400 people gathered with more than 80 who had signed up to speak.

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Judge recuses himself from capital murder case

Tue., Jan. 31 | 04:47 PM - Motions made by attorneys in the capital murder case of Darwin Bowman are on hold after Judge James Chamblin recused himself from the case on Jan. 30.

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Roy pleads guilty to 2001 murder

Tue., Jan. 31 | 11:10 AM - Robert E. Roy, 49, took the glasses that had been hanging from his collar, put them on and carefully peered down at the plea agreement before his defense attorney Joseph T. Flood presented it to the judge.

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Officials fight for human trafficking victims

Tue., Jan. 31 | 09:07 AM - RICHMOND – A bipartisan coalition, including legislators and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, urged the General Assembly on Monday to increase penalties for human trafficking in general and underage sex trafficking in particular.

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House passes bill lifting HPV vaccine rule

Mon., Jan. 30 | 07:30 PM - The Virginia House of Delegates has voted to repeal the law requiring girls to receive the human papillomavirus vaccine before entering the sixth grade.

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Training day: Volunteer firefighters congregated in Ashburn for the opportunity to train in a variety of unique situations Jan. 29, including fighting a blaze on donated property. Courtesy photo/Sarah Pixley

In Photos: Volunteers battle controlled blaze

Mon., Jan. 30 | 02:32 PM - Volunteers of local fire stations got a special training treat on Jan. 29 – the chance to fight a home-engulfing fire.

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Democrats mindful of Sen. Black’s activity

Mon., Jan. 30 | 12:59 PM - Loudoun County Democrats draw attention to state Sen. Dick Black's activity thus far in the 2012 General Assembly session.

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Marshall’s bill would let professors carry guns

Mon., Jan. 30 | 07:05 AM - House Bill 91 would ban policies by public institutions of higher education that prohibit full-time faculty members with Virginia concealed handgun permits from holding firearms on campus.

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Marshall’s bill would let professors carry guns

Public speaks out on proposed school budget

Sat., Jan. 28 | 08:00 AM - With the public hearing portion of the School Operating Budget adoption process complete, the Loudoun County School Board will now begin to make changes to the proposed budget before presenting it to the Board of Supervisors.

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Lorena Patricio feeds 9-month-old Kathryn Burns as mom Stephanie Burns feeds Kathryn’s twin brother Connor and dad Robert eats next to their 2-year-old son Tyler at their Sterling home Jan. 22. Patricio has been living with the family for five months as an au pair. She is on duty when the couple is at work but they typically eat together when they’re all at home. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

Au Pair program bridges cultures

Sat., Jan. 28 | 08:00 AM - Lorena Da Silva Patricio came to Loudoun County for a taste of Northern Virginia culture, and for three children in Sterling.

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Full day kindergarten could be delayed due to budget constraints

Fri., Jan. 27 | 04:15 PM - The Loudoun County School Board spent a good amount of their scheduled work session Jan. 26 discussing programs and compensation that could be cut in the fiscal 2013 school operating budget.

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Elaine Walker has been mayor of Lovettsville for 20 years and contributed to a lot of the positive growth in the town. Times-Mirror File Photo/Lisa Johnson

Walker will not run for Lovettsville mayor

Fri., Jan. 27 | 01:49 PM - Elaine Walker, current mayor of the Town of Lovettsville announced Jan. 27 that she will not be vying for the mayoral position for her town.

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Leesburg Police bust suspected meth lab

Fri., Jan. 27 | 12:31 PM - The Leesburg Police Department, or LPD, busted a suspected meth lab overnight after a tip from an anti-theft service.

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with video

UPDATE: Nine students suspended for bringing ‘pot brownies’ into Ashburn middle school

Thu., Jan. 26 | 09:53 PM - Sheriff's Office spokesperson Liz Mills revealed that nine students have been suspended in the incident.

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The Carriage House at the Goodstone Inn and Restaurant.

Inn and restaurant wins excellence awards

Thu., Jan. 26 | 05:23 PM - The Goodstone Inn and Restaurant has been named a finalist by the Condé Nast Johansens.

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Romney to stump in Reston

Thu., Jan. 26 | 02:00 PM - Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will hit the campaign trail in Reston ahead of Virginia's March primary.

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Greenway legislation, study becomes buzz topic

Thu., Jan. 26 | 09:57 AM - Proposals for distance-based pricing along the Dulles Greenway abounded in the past week, as both houses of the General Assembly heard from Loudoun County politicians.

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Michael Babatunde Ayodele, 19, of Queens, N.Y., expelled just over 1,089 grams of heroin, according to Customs and Border Control officers. Ayodele’s case is just one of seemingly frequent cases arising as smugglers try to sneak heroin into the country through Dulles Airport. Courtesy photo/CBP

New Yorker caught smuggling heroin, authorities fight trend

Wed., Jan. 25 | 02:02 PM - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a New York man on heroin smuggling allegations last week. The agency is attempting to curb what appears to be a growing trend in heroin smuggling into the United States.

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Inova named top performer in national collaborative

Wed., Jan. 25 | 01:37 PM - Results from a recent three-year national health care collaborative may give Loudoun residents who must visit the county's only hospital a sense of comfort. Inova Loudoun Hospital was named a 2011 Top Performing Hospital in the Premier Healthcare Alliance's QUEST collaborative.

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Virginia could see elderly exploitation laws this year

Wed., Jan. 25 | 10:09 AM - State Sen. Mark Herring (D-33rd) continues to push for elderly exploitation laws, this year with support from top Republicans.

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Burk to run for open seat on Leesburg Town Council

Tue., Jan. 24 | 08:39 PM - Kelly Burk, a former Loudoun County Leesburg District Supervisor and member of the Leesburg Town Council, will officially announce her candidacy for a seat on the council on Feb. 3.

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UPDATE: Airport fund will be moved to general fund

Tue., Jan. 24 | 05:15 PM - The Airport Fund for Leesburg Executive Airport will be moving to the town's General Fund with a 5-1-1 vote with Council member Terry Titus dissenting and Council member Tom Dunn abstaining during their Jan. 24 council meeting.

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Sterling man charged with kidnapping, additional counts

Tue., Jan. 24 | 03:53 PM - The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office charged a 21-year-old Sterling man on Jan. 19 after he allegedly brandished a firearm and held a 16-year-old female against her will while posing as a police officer.

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Loudoun ranger reunion planned for June

Tue., Jan. 24 | 01:00 PM - A reunion of descendants of Union soldiers who served with the Independent Loudoun Virginia Rangers during the Civil War is being planned

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Fraudulent immigration document producer pleads guilty, will be deported

Tue., Jan. 24 | 12:51 PM - A Guatemalan 26-year-old pleaded guilty in Loudoun County Circuit Court on Jan. 20 to two counts of forging public documents. Now, he's on his way out of the country.

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Utility rate committee pushes for consultant for further study

Tue., Jan. 24 | 10:06 AM - As if Leesburg Town Council hasn't been flooded with enough issues to start the new year, they may be adding another expense to pay a consultant to help further studies in the water rate debate.

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