Sheriff Mike Chapman considering the big leap: from LoCo Sheriff to Governor of Virginia

November 4, 2020

Michael L. Chapman, the popular, outspoken, and very forward-thinking Sheriff of Loudoun County, is considering a run for the governorship of Virginia in 2021. The Blue Ridge Leader & Loudoun Today interviewed Sheriff Chapman in late October. While Chapman had not made a final decision about his possible run, he did not hold back, providing…

Toys for Tots seeking monetary donations

November 4, 2020

This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Loudoun County Toys for Tots program will be purchasing toys, rather than collecting toys. Although this is a change from the usual Loudoun County Toys for Tots program, the goal remains the same – to ensure that each child receives a new toy for Christmas. The best way to support the…

Local student Patrick Donovan’s new film is released

November 4, 2020

Seventeen-year-old Patrick Ethan Donovan of Waterford and a senior at Loudoun School for Advanced Studies, is on Vimeo starring as Huck Finn in the James Franko production of Thomasina Sawyer. The film can be seen at vimeo.com/ondemand/thomasina/462019034. The film is a modern remake of the classic Mark Twain tale, featuring Shay Rudolph as the principal…

Virginia turkey production among nation’s highest

November 4, 2020

American turkey production may be heading for another downturn, but Virginia turkey producers are poised to stay ahead of national trends. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported in September that Virginia farmers are expected to raise 16.3 million turkeys in 2020, an increase from 16 million in 2019.  By contrast, the number of turkeys raised nationally is forecast to…

Calling all military vehicle enthusiasts for spring tour

November 4, 2020

A group of veterans and military vehicle enthusiasts gathered Oct. 24, at the Natural Mercantile in Hamilton for a fall tour. They typically drive Loudoun’s dirt roads – roads that are less traveled in the western part of the county. The tours last about four hours, which includes a lunch break half way through the…

Hillsboro student gets the cover of Hutch Magazine

November 4, 2020

Pictured here is 12-year-old Harrison Hayden, doing what he loves to do – draw. In 2019, Hayden’s fourth grade class collaborated on a short story and picture book.  His art was picked for the cover of the book.  Hutch Magazine published the story in July 2019, and then invited Hayden to submit his own story and art…

Fifth Annual Turkey Pardoning – Nov. 7 noon Town Hall Purcellville

November 4, 2020

Come celebrate the Fifth Annual Turkey Pardoning at the Purcellville Town Hall, 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville – at noon, Saturday, Nov. 7, Join Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser and the Town Council in pardoning a very lucky turkey named Stoney. Stoney is originally from Purcellville, and is so thrilled to go back to Stonehaven Farm and…

Wexton/Andrews debate classic match up

November 4, 2020

By Andrea Gaines Jennifer Wexton (D-VA 10) and newcomer Aliscia Andrews debated in an in-person meeting at The National Conference Center’s West Belmont Place on Oct. 15. Wexton serves in the US Congress. Andrews is a former Marine who now serves as a cyberspace security consultant. The debate was part of the Loudoun Chamber Policymaker Series. It was moderated…

Ironically-named “Trail’s End”

November 4, 2020

Large commercial structure pushing onto WO&D By Andrea Gaines The Purcellville Board of Architectural Review (BAR) on Oct. 20 voted 3 to 2 to grant a Certificate of Design Approval for the Chapman property on Hatcher Ave. BAR Chair Pat Giglio, and members Jim Gloeckner and Dan Piper voted yes, and Beth Goldsmith and Mark Ippoliti voted no. Casey Chapman is proposing a development called Trail’s End, a 54,285 square-foot, three-story…

CDC and HHS wastewater testing

November 4, 2020

What’s in it for Purcellville? By Laura Longley Last spring, Purcellville became one of the first places in the country which began testing wastewater for coronavirus, after Mayor Kwasi Fraser learned of a new process developed by Boston-based BioBot labs in collaboration with researchers at MIT, Harvard, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The Town Council…