Blue Ridge Leader

The Solar Dilemma: County leaders to fast-track policies on solar installations

May 5, 2021

Virginia is now fourth in the nation in solar power installations. Only California, Texas, and Florida rank higher. Blame the pandemic, but Loudoun County government and community leaders agree it’s past time for the County to create solar policies.  There’s only one problem: The County is in the middle of a major review and rewrite…

Waterford Traffic Calming and Byway Study meeting April 15

March 31, 2021

Loudoun County is hosting an online public information meeting for the Village of Waterford Traffic Calming and Byway Assessment Study. The purpose of the meeting is to seek feedback from the public on the study.  The meeting will be held Thursday, April 15, from 6 – 7 p.m. Members of the public are invited to…

At Catoctin Creek Distillers, Sen. Tim Kaine offers help with tariffs

March 31, 2021

On a sunny and surprisingly warm March 26th near the end of Women’s History Month, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) arrived in Loudoun to visit Leesburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill and deliver a long-awaited message:  With vaccinations and the new American Rescue Plan, relief is on the way for women in business. After meeting in Leesburg…

Newborn calf rescued in Lincoln. Welcome to the world “Puddles”

March 31, 2021

It’s a story that would send a panic through any mother … as well as great relief. Imagine, this. You are taking a nice country walk with your sister and over the ridge you see what appears to be a cow, standing deep in a raven. Something seems wrong. What’s that cow doing there?, you…

Arbor Day Photo Contest 2021: ‘Trees That Make Me Feel Happy’

March 31, 2021

The annual Loudoun County Arbor Day tree photo contest is underway. The theme of this year’s contest is “Trees That Make Me Feel Happy.” Entries are being accepted through Friday April 9, 2021, in advance of this year’s virtual Loudoun County Arbor Day Celebration, which will be posted on the Loudoun County website at loudoun.gov/trees to coincide…

Purcellville, Loudoun get millions in American Rescue Plan Funds

March 31, 2021

By Valerie Cury The American Rescue Plan Act, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, will net Purcellville $9,250,037 as it stands today, but could be as low as $2.2 million. Loudoun County will be receiving $80,203,148. However, there might be a recalculation in the numbers. At the March 23 Purcellville Town Council Meeting, Council…

So how – and how much – should you mulch your garden?

March 31, 2021

There’s more to mulch than a bag of wood chips. Just ask Caroline Armstrong, a manager of her family’s Remington Mulch Company, one of the region’s largest manufacturers of mulch. “If you’re only familiar with the mulch at big box stores, think twice before buying there,” she advises. “You’ll find higher quality products at local…

Purcellville Town Manager presents $22.4 million budget proposal

March 31, 2021

By Valerie Cury At the March 17 Purcellville Town Council Special Meeting, Town Manager David Mekarski presented the Town’s Fiscal Year 2022 proposed budget of $22.4 million. This is a 7 percent increase over last year. The General Fund is proposed for $11.7 million – a 1 percent increase over last year. For Parks and…

Do you know how big a trillion dollars is?

March 31, 2021

By Joe Lafiandra With the passage of the $1.9 trillion dollar stimulus and the current $28 trillion national debt, don’t you think it would be important to really understand how much a trillion dollars is and why it is important to understand what these numbers mean?  A trillion dollars is a lot of money by…

A True Heroine

March 31, 2021

“I waited for a half century to tell my story,” Dr. Lise Deguire writes in her memoir, Flashback Girl. After reading this book in just two days, I can tell you that it was well worth the wait. Dr. Deguire is a burn survivor. Her book begins with the accident that changed her life forever – a…