Government

Susan Khalil Explains Decision to Resign from Purcellville Town Council

August 7, 2026

Former Purcellville Town Council Member Susan Khalil, who abruptly resigned from the council on Aug. 5, has provided the following statement explaining her decision to step down. Because of the circumstances surrounding her resignation and the issues she raises, the Blue Ridge Leader is publishing her statement in its entirety: “On August 5, I made…

School Board Refines Route 3A Appeal

August 6, 2026

By Valerie Cury

The Loudoun County School Board has filed two new motions with the Virginia Supreme Court as it continues its effort to halt construction of Dominion Energy’s approved Golden-to-Mars transmission line across school property while its appeal moves forward.

Pressure Builds to Reconsider Rt. 606 for Golden-to-Mars Project

August 5, 2026

New request builds on Congressman Subramanyam’s proposal after NOAA discussions suggest previously unavailable route may be feasible. By Valerie Cury The effort to reroute Dominion Energy’s controversial Golden-to-Mars transmission line away from neighborhoods and school property continues to gain momentum as two Loudoun-area state lawmakers have formally asked the Virginia State Corporation Commission to reconsider…

One Year Later, Town Manager Orders Nett Reinstated

August 4, 2026

Legal guidance given. No decision came. One year later, Sabioordered the Grievance Panel’s final and binding decision implemented. By Valerie Cury After more than a year of political turmoil, lawsuits, criminal charges, competing legal claims, Purcellville Interim Town Manager Anthony Sabio has issued an administrative directive ordering the Town to implement the Grievance Panel’s final…

Planning Commission Remands Cochran Tech Data Center to Work Session

August 4, 2026

By Katie Northcott Citizens rallied against a proposed data center in Leesburg at a Loudoun County Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, July 23. The proposed data center, submitted by Cochran Tech, would be built on a 17.52-acre property on Cochran Mill Road in Leesburg that is currently zoned Joint Land Management Area-3 (JLMA-3) Employment. The…

Subramanyam Presses IRS to Fix Tax Filing Glitch Affecting Married Couples

August 4, 2026

U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-10) is urging the Internal Revenue Service to address what he says is a longstanding problem that can create significant headaches for married couples who file their federal income taxes jointly. In a letter to the IRS prompted by constituent complaints, Subramanyam asked the agency to explain why married couples can…

Trump Administration Announces $20 Billion Expansion of Dulles Airport

July 30, 2026

Washington Dulles International Airport, one of Loudoun County’s largest economic assets, is set to undergo the largest expansion in its history under a newly announced partnership between the Trump administration, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines. President Donald Trump and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled the plan on July 29, announcing a…

Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Spring Valley Data Center Proposal

July 29, 2026

By Valerie Cury On July 23, the Loudoun County Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the Board of Supervisors deny the proposed Spring Valley Technology Park, a 325-acre data center campus along the east side of Evergreen Mills Road in the Ashburn District. The commission voted 6-0, with Commissioners Eric Combs (Ashburn), Clifford Keirce (Sterling), and…

Major Milestone Brings White’s Ferry One Step Closer to Reopening

July 25, 2026

After nearly six years of determined effort, White’s Ferry moved significantly closer to returning to service Friday, July 24, as Montgomery County and Potomac Crossing, LLC announced an agreement that clears one of the final major hurdles to restoring the historic Potomac River crossing. At a ceremony overlooking the dormant ferry landing in Dickerson, Maryland,…

Subramanyam Offers a Lifeline as SCC Refuses to Halt Golden to Mars Project

July 22, 2026

By Valerie Cury One day after the Virginia State Corporation Commission declined to suspend its final order approving Dominion Energy’s Golden to Mars transmission project, U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam announced what he believes could be a significant new alternative—routing the transmission line primarily along Route 606 instead of through neighborhoods or across school property. The…