New Owner
<bt>The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority has become the new owner of historic Aldie Mill, a 19th-century grist mill located off of Route 50 in Aldie.
The mill was originally built between 1807 and 1809. During the Civil War, the area of Aldie was known as a center for Confederate partisan Ranger Col. John Singleton Mosby. According to the NVRPA release, at one point Mosby and his Rangers captured two Union soldiers who had tried to hide in the flour bins of the mill.
Aldie Mill has been owned and operated by the Virginia Outdoor Foundation (VOF) since 1981. Under VOF's stewardship, the merchant mill was fully restored.
<sh>Joint Hearing
<bt>The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will hold a joint public hearing on proposed amendments to the rural policies of the county's Comprehensive Plan, Monday, July 24, beginning at 3 p.m., in the board room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg. The board and commission are scheduled to take a dinner break and resume the public hearing at 6 p.m.
The board has scheduled a special meeting, Thursday, July 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to take action on the proposed amendments.
More information, including the text of the draft amendments, is available on the government Web site at www.loudoun.gov/rural.
<sh>Two Stabbings
<bt>A rap music competition held at a local cafe may have led to two stabbings in Ashburn shortly after midnight Saturday, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the parking lot of the Tiger CafŽ and Lounge in the Parkhurst Plaza around 12:10 a.m. where a large group of subjects were fighting. As deputies were on the scene, the Sheriff's Office learned that one male stabbing victim had arrived at the Lansdowne Campus of Inova Loudoun Hospital. A second victim was located at Falke Plaza in Sterling. Both victims had left the scene with friends.
The stabbing victim who arrived at Loudoun Hospital, a 21-year-old Sterling man, was airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital where he remained hospitalized in stable condition Monday. The second stabbing victim, a 19-year-old Sterling man, was also airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital. He was released from the hospital Sunday.
Two other men, a 19-year-old from Sterling and a 21-year-old from Sterling, both received nonlife-threatening injuries in the fight. The two men have since been treated and released.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the fight apparently started inside the cafŽ, when according to witnesses, two rap promotional groups started arguing. Several groups were in attendance for the 2nd "1 Shot Rock Tha Mic" Showcase and Party. Employees of the cafe said that inside the restaurant chairs, tables and bottles were thrown among the subjects as the fight spilled out into the parking lot.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
<sh>Committee Forming
<bt>Del. Chuck Caputo (D-67) is forming a citizen advisory
transportation committee for the 67th District, to suggest transportation solutions. Caputo welcomes any citizen of the district who is willing to serve on this committee. Contact legislative assistant, Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb, at 703-476-6944 or DelCCaputo@house.state.va.us.
<sh>Park Funds
<bt>The Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Board has awarded program enhancement funds in the amount of $380,000 to the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) for the Goose Creek Bridge rehabilitation project.
The rehabilitation effort will include replacement, painting and maintenance of the bridge span and tresses. The existing bridge was constructed in 1932, and serves as a pedestrian bridge forming a gateway to the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
<sh>Arcola House Fire
<bt>A lightning strike was the cause of a July 4 house fire at 43618 Parisville Court in the Arcola area. Damage to the house, which was under construction, is estimated at $30,000. Construction workers in the area witnessed the lightning strike at approximately 4:45 p.m. and contacted 911 immediately upon seeing fire from the roof area of the structure. No injuries were reported and the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office was on the scene for the investigation of the fire.
<sh>Ashburn Fire
<bt>An early morning fire July 4 destroyed a vacant house located at 21361 Belmont Ridge Road in the Ashburn area.
The fire, which caused an estimated loss of $7,800, was reported at approximately 5 a.m. and is under investigation by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office. This is the second structure fire on the property in less than a month. The first fire, which occurred June 10, destroyed a vacant house located at 21353 Belmont Ridge Road and caused damage estimated at $3,200. That fire is also under investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office.
Anyone who has any information about either or both fire, contact the Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.
<sh>LCDC Opposed Marriage Amendment
<bt>The Loudoun County Democratic Committee voted unanimously to adopt a resolution strongly opposing the proposed so-called "marriage amendment," and calling on Virginia voters to reject it. The committee also voted unanimously to join the Commonwealth Coalition, the statewide coalition of individuals, businesses and civic, community and religious organizations working to defeat the amendment.
The proposed amendment, on the ballot Nov. 7, would prohibit the Commonwealth of Virginia and any localities from granting any legal union, domestic partnership or other similar legal status to any same sex or unmarried couple. The broad language would amend Virginia's constitution to say:
"That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage."
<sh>Good Shepherd
Gets Grant
<bt>The Department of Labor has awarded a grant of $75,000 to The Good Shepherd Alliance Incorporated (GSA), for its ÒCareer Advancement Now!Ó (CAN) project, which seeks to improve the earning potential of Loudoun CountyÕs homeless population.
The Good Shepherd Alliance manages homeless shelters throughout Loudoun County. The project guides clients from the moment of intake all the way through self-sufficiency in a maximum of 89 days, and expects to enroll at least 50 new clients in the CAN program within the next 18 months. They estimate the average wage will be up to $9.85 an hour for the work performed within the program. Fifty percent of the new enrollees Ñ 25 clients Ñ will be encouraged to obtain a GED and 100 percent of the new enrollees Ñ all 50 clients Ñ will be encouraged and assisted to enter skills training, apprenticeships, or higher education as a part of the program. Services include post-job placement mentoring and educational/skills advancement.