Government
With freezing temperatures coming, the Leesburg Department of Utilities would like to remind everyone to drain and protect outdoor water connections: Be sure pipes in unheated parts of your home, including crawl spaces, are insulated. Remove hoses from outside faucets and be sure they are drained and shut off. Advise all household members where the…
A new Virginia law banning the use of cellphones while driving goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021. The mandate was signed by Gov. Ralph Northam on July 8, making Virginia the 22nd state to ban the use of handheld devices while driving. The law now prohibits drivers from holding any personal communication devices while driving a…
The contractor for the new Loudoun County Courthouse is planning to pour concrete slabs for the building’s basement. Due to the size and complexity of these pours, extended work hours are required. Construction will start before, and potentially end after, the contractor’s current allowable work hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.…
Since last March when COVID-19 first brought schooling in Loudoun to a full stop, the community has wrestled with continuum of learning, child care, food insecurity, mental health, access to technology, and many more significant issues—not to mention a few more marginal ones (e.g., “Can we go into the school and clean out my kid’s…
On Nov 20, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced that the state Division of Human Rights had found “reasonable cause” to believe the Loudoun County Public Schools system discriminated against students of color who applied for gifted and talented programs. The decision concluded a 13-month investigation by the Human Rights division that was prompted by…
In his Nov. 25 update on the two-lane roundabout construction project at the Rt 9/Rt 287 intersection, Blue Ridge District Supervisor Tony R. Buffington reported that Loudoun County’s design consultant has been working with the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure to further improve the design. The project consists of approximately one mile of roadway…
An appeal to the Town of Purcellville challenging the Town’s Board of Architectural Review’s approval of the Trail’s End development plan, has been filed. Trail’s End would be located near the W&OD Trail in an historic area of old town on Hatcher Avenue. The Purcellville Town Council should hear the appeal before Dec. 22. In…
Learn about agency projects Join the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and Virginia Railway Express for virtual public meeting and listening session. The public is invited to a joint virtual meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with representatives from the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of…
Loudoun Coalition considers key rural issues for 2021 docket By Laura Longley When representatives of 55 organizations gathered virtually for the coalition’s last meeting of the year Nov. 24, the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition made clear that zoning, preservation, conservation, environmental and heritage protections, as well as data centers, traffic, and safety issues will be at…
By Valerie Curry The unincorporated village of Bluemont will likely soon be getting yet another brewery and winery. The Whitehall Estate – where “barn meets ballroom” as its website proclaims – is a popular wedding and corporate events venue. Also known as Celebrations Farm, the manor house and other amenities (including a barn) serve wedding parties,…