June 2026

Happy Independence Day!

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Dulles Direct newsletter. Because of the timing of July 4th, this year we essentially have a week of celebrations, which is fitting given that this is our country's 250th anniversary. As always, many thanks to the South Riding Proprietary and their partners for putting on the Star Spangled South Riding event and fireworks last weekend. We also had our second annual celebration at Hanson Park, sponsored by Loudoun County Parks and Recreation.

There are still a few more chances to see fireworks around Loudoun. Click here for information on upcoming July 4 celebrations. In addition, this year’s Washington, D.C. fireworks are promising to be the biggest and best ever. More information on the festivities downtown is here. And if you are attending the D.C. celebration, Metro is your best option. Once again, Metro will be free for all riders after 5:00 p.m. For easier exit after the show, Metro advises avoiding the Smithsonian Metro station, as it will be the most crowded and have the longest wait times. Several other stations are within walking distance.

Fireworks Safety

Finally, if you plan on using fireworks at your home, the Loudoun County Fire Marshal reminds residents:

• ONLY USE legal fireworks purchased from a permitted retail stand. DON’T USE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS. Nothing that “shoots, explodes, or flames,” etc., is permitted for use.
• USE FIREWORKS OUTDOORS, away from any homes, vegetation, or flammables. Keep a hose or water bucket nearby.
• MAINTAIN constant adult supervision and NEVER allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• PLACE FIREWORKS ON STABLE GROUND, ensuring the device will not tip over. DON’T light fireworks in your hand or container and never aim or throw fireworks at anyone.
• SOAK SPENT FIREWORKS in water before discarding into a fire-proof container, outside, away from the home.
• NEVER TRY TO RELIGHT A DUD or malfunctioning firework.
• CONTACT the LCFR-FMO if you need to surrender or dispose of unused fireworks.

Greenway Hearing Tonight!

Full details on the Greenway’s latest rate increase request and the public feedback process are below, but please join me TONIGHT at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn (43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive) at 6:00 pm for a State Corporation Commission Public Hearing to consider the toll hike proposal. I will be speaking against the proposal, and I hope that other residents will come join me.

Maker’s Union / Milk and Honey Ribbon Cutting

I am pleased to welcome two new restaurants to the community: Maker’s Union, a new American eatery, and Milk & Honey, a southern-inspired kitchen, cut ribbons next door to each other in East Gate Marketplace last week. They are taking over the former spaces occupied by Velocity Wings and Social House, respectively. Thanks to Thompson Hospitality for their continued investment in our community.

MWAA Welcomes EVA Air Nonstop to Taipei

A “first flight” ceremony was held last week upon the arrival of the first-ever non-stop service to and from Taipei to Dulles. EVA Air, a Star Alliance carrier, is now operating a Boeing 787-9 four days a week to and from IAD.

Rock Ridge High School Debate Team

I co-sponsored a resolution at the Board this month recognizing the Rock Ridge High School debate team for winning the 2026 Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Championship. The team also won the 4C Regional and Super Regional championship on its way to a second state title (they won their first in 2022). Over 150 students participate on the debate team at local and national competitions. Congratulations to the team members and their coaches for their impressive achievement!

Parks & Recreation Month

The Board also recognized Parks & Recreation Month in June with a resolution. Loudoun’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services is responsible for recreational programming for residents from toddlers to senior citizens, maintaining parks, trails, and natural resources Countywide for our enjoyment, and offering community-based services for people of all ages and abilities. PRCS facilities include community centers, athletic fields, nature preserves, senior centers, and more. As we enter summer, I hope you all have a chance to get out and experience some of these great resources for yourself. Thanks to PRCS Director Steve Torpy and his entire staff for the excellent work they do to make Loudoun enjoyable for everyone who lives here and visits.

DULLES UPDATES

Traffic Accidents in the Community

There were two unfortunate traffic accidents in our community over the past month. The first was an accident involving an SUV and a motorcycle at the intersection of Tall Cedars Parkway and South Riding Boulevard, which sadly resulted in the motorcycle driver losing his life. The gentleman that passed away was a very active and beloved member of our community, and his loss will be felt deeply by many. While I can’t comment on the details of the crash because it remains under active investigation by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), it appears to be a tragic accident.

The intersection of Tall Cedars and South Riding Boulevard was examined last year when another fatal accident occurred. One of the vehicles was traveling at an excessive rate of speed, causing the accident. The intersection overall has seen about 20 accidents over the last 4 years. The two fatal accidents were the only two of those 20 that were categorized as "serious" (causing injuries or significant property damage). In the County’s Intersection Improvement Program analysis, the intersection is ranked a “Level 4” out of 5, which places it in a higher risk category. At this juncture, the County is undertaking improvements at “Level 5” intersections only.

Anytime there is an accident like this, there are naturally questions about traffic safety. There are some accidents caused by behaviors that can be corrected by drivers, such as speed, and there are others in which a mistake in judgement is made but there were otherwise no contributing factors. For my part, I am always on the lookout for trends at various locations, which may speak to a correctable situation, and that is why we’ve undertaken changes like movement restrictions at Tall Cedars/Elk Lick and Loudoun County Parkway/Center Street. We had a robust discussion on these topics in January at the Traffic Safety Town Hall meeting that I held with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, VDOT, and County staff.

This particular intersection is located in LCSO Sector 410, which is the easternmost section of South Riding south of Route 50 (essentially from Loudoun County Parkway to the Fairfax County border). In 2025, LCSO conducted 1,248 traffic stops in this sector. While I don’t have the roadway data for each individual sector, I do have data regarding traffic stops on specific roads overall, and we can see that there were around 400 traffic stops on Tall Cedars Parkway as a whole last year.

The second accident, which occurred near the end of school, involved a vehicle striking an e-bike on a residential street, with both vehicles driven by high school students. To date, there have been no charges filed by the Sheriff’s Office in this accident. E-bikes are addressed almost every month in this newsletter and are of ongoing concern by many in the community. The Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with its Community Resource Officers to identify e-bike riders who are operating their bikes unsafely (of course it is difficult to do that when riders are wearing helmets, as they should be) and contacting their parents. Just this month they also launched a new option to submit e-bike related concerns under a new category on LCSO’s traffic complaint form – which you can access here. This is not meant to be a “real time” response. If something is happening while you are driving or in your neighborhood, you should call the LCSO non-emergency number at 703-777-1021. However, if there are chronic problems at a particular location, this form is a good way to document them and ask for patrols.

Additionally, as I’ve written many times, the County has been lobbying the General Assembly to either regulate at the state level or give us the authority at the County level to enact different regulations. In response, the Commonwealth has set up a working group to discuss the issues. I am hopeful that this group will have concrete recommendations that can be enacted next session.

Traffic safety is a problem throughout the region. Fairfax County recently experienced a 48 hour period in which 4 pedestrians and 1 motorcyclist were killed, for instance. Please, do your best to drive safely and remind children, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Ultimately there is only so much government can do to change behaviors: we need residents to be invested as well.

Hutchinson Farm Drive Pedestrian Crossing BMI

At the Board’s June 16 Business Meeting, I brought forward a Board Member Initiative (BMI) directing County staff to complete an analysis of whether Hutchinson Farm Drive meets VDOT requirements for a crosswalk at the unsignalized Tribe Square intersection. This measure was requested by the Residences at Main Street HOA for the purpose of improving safety for residents accessing the community pool, playground, and clubhouse. Most of the amenities are on the east side of the road, but there are 350 units on the west side whose residents need to cross the road to access those amenities. There is currently only one crosswalk on Hutchinson Farm Drive, at the intersection with Dulles West Boulevard, but in a location that is not frequently used by residents accessing amenities.

Should the intersection meet VDOT warrants for a crosswalk, my BMI also directs staff to return to the Board for direction on funding and moving forward with installation. I will provide future updates once staff completes their analysis.

Conklin Park Area Stormwater Projects

Project Details

The projects consist of a stormwater pond retrofit, a constructed wetland, and the restoration of 2,200 linear feet of eroded stream. These are expected to reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment flowing into Elk Lick Run, which is part of the Bull Run Watershed by increasing habitat, improving local water quality, restoring floodplain function, and reducing pollutants and sediments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We will also be reintroducing native species with the planting of more than 2,300 trees, over 2,700 live stakes (stem cuttings inserted directly into the stream bank which help reduce soil loss), and nearly 12,000 sedges, perennials, aquatic plant plugs, Riparian and upland seeding will also be planted within the constructed wetland and along the stream and pond banks. 

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Stormwater Local Assistance Fund has given the County over $2.7 million in matching grants for the project.

For more information on the project, click here.

Timeline

In late August, construction will begin on the retrofit of an existing stormwater management pond on South Riding Proprietary property. In September or October, construction will begin to restore approximately 2,200 ft. of eroded stream, and a constructed wetland will be installed at Conklin Community Park. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

Public Information Session

There will be a public information session on Wednesday, July 29 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the South Riding Center (4240 Unicorn Drive) to provide an opportunity for property owners to ask questions. Please note that there will not be a formal presentation.

Auburn Farm Road / Sanders Lane Bridge Closure

The Auburn Farm Road / Sanders Lane bridge over the Bull Run will be closed on Monday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 15 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day for guardrail work on and adjacent to the bridge. A posted detour will be in place using Sudley Road (Rt. 234), Gum Spring Road, Braddock Road, and Northstar Boulevard.

DULLES LAND USE UPDATES

Fox Gate Residential

LEGI-2025-0008

Background

At the Planning Commission’s June 23 Public Hearing, they discussed an application to rezone 22.68 acres just north of Eastgate View Drive to construct up to 362 multifamily attached dwelling units and 40,000 square feet of commercial use. The development would also include affordable units. Open space commitments include a centrally located park with active and passive recreation, a fitness lawn, swimming pool, a social terrace for community gatherings, and a walkable network of sidewalks and trails. The applicant has proffered landscaping and native plantings, signage commitments, architectural guidelines, and more. The Commission forwarded the application to a future work session, after which it will go back to a Commission Public Hearing and then to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission had many questions about the layout of the projects and the density of uses.

The area is currently zoned for up to 1 million square feet of mixed commercial and residential. That plan has been on the books since before my time on the Board but was never able to become viable. Over the years, various changes to the plans have been considered. 

I have spoken with the applicant, and specifically discussed my desire for high quality commercial and dining options. I support the Planning Commission’s line of discussion around the layout and density of uses and will be prepared to weigh in after their work is done.

Lightridge Park (formerly Dulles South Community Park)

LEGI-2024-0008

Background

The Planning Commission was scheduled to discuss Lightridge Park, formerly referred to as the Dulles South Community Park, at a work session in June, but that session was cancelled. The application is for a proposed 34-acre park adjacent to Lightridge High School. The park would include a cricket pitch, large rectangular athletic fields (including lighting), restrooms and concessions, a playground, a street hockey rink, and more, while the western portion of the property would remain wooded with nature trails, streams, and picnic pavilions. Design is roughly 95% complete. Money has been set aside in the CIP for several years, but the legislative process is still required for land use approval.

Next Steps

The Board will be discussing the park after the Planning Commission process concludes. Since the June work session was cancelled, I expect them to take it up at their regularly scheduled July work session. A contract award is expected by next summer with construction to commence shortly after – should it be approved, which I hope it will be. The need for additional cricket and athletic facilities has been well documented in Dulles South, and I personally insisted that this land be acquired and kept by the County during the purchase of the Lightridge High School site specifically for this purpose. 

Completion is currently planned for the fall of 2028, should the application be approved, and I’ll be providing updates throughout the process. I am looking forward to this great amenity for southern Loudoun residents. 

Dulles Landing South

LEGI-2023-0081

Background

At the Planning Commission’s June 23 Hearing, they discussed an application to rezone about 18.68 acres north of Route 50 and west of the airport to Industrial Park for the purpose of constructing light industrial uses - but not traditional data centers. The Commission forwarded the application to a future work session, after which it will go back to a Commission Public Hearing and then to the Board of Supervisors.

St. John Properties, who is also developing the flex buildings next to Target and the Shops at Arcola has been diligent about communicating with me their intentions and commitment to develop this property in a way that complements the existing Dulles Landing retail center. They are focused on personal services, technology firms, manufacturing, retail, or community uses that would help drive traffic to the center. This type of well-constructed flex space meets a constant demand in Loudoun and is good for our economy. The applicant has committed to open gathering space, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, and more.

One outstanding issue is language that would permit small data centers for specific users in the facilities. Such language exists in their other developments and is intended to serve as “back of house” processing for businesses that are in this location. However, the Planning Commission rightfully questioned the amount that would be set aside and the exact type of uses, with the goal of ensuring that very little space be set aside for servers given that we want to create public-facing business space in this location.

LCPS View Transition Academy

LEGI-2025-0069

Background

At the Planning Commission’s June 23 Public Hearing, the PC also discussed an application from LCPS to utilize the former school site on Marrwood Drive as a facility for students with disabilities who are transitioning from school to employment, independent living, and post-secondary opportunities. The center would be for students from around the County and would focus on career and technical education, life skills, vocational training, and workforce readiness. Initial enrollment is projected at around 100 students. The opening is targeted for the 2028-2029 academic year.

The Commission forwarded the application to a Board of Supervisors Business Meeting with a 9-0 recommendation of approval.

I was involved in the discussions between the Board of Supervisors and the School Board regarding the transfer of the property, and was supportive of that transfer and the intent behind the project. Of course, I will conduct my own review of the details, but I think this is generally a good use and space for this type of project. I will want to understand potential traffic impacts at Marrwood and Lenah Mill and ensure that VDOT evaluates signal timing at the Lenah Mill/50 intersection if there is to be significantly more traffic.

LOUDOUN UPDATES

Proposal to Increase Compensation for the Board of Supervisors

A few of my colleagues brought forward a proposal to enact a significant compensation increase for the next Board of Supervisors term (2028-2031). Importantly, it would not impact the current Board. Virginia law mandates that we set compensation changes that apply only after the Board election. Before you read the details, I’ll say up front that I had no discussions with any Supervisor about this proposal prior to its introduction, and I didn’t support it. After five supervisors (myself, Supervisor Saines, Supervisor Umstattd, Supervisor Kershner, and Chair Randall) indicated we would not support it, it was tabled for further discussion. 

Current and Proposed Compensation

District supervisors currently receive annual compensation of $80,540, while the Vice Chair receives $87,899 and the Chair $96,610. Under a previously enacted item, these figures will increase by 3% in 2027, to $82,955.78 for supervisors, $90,536.15 for the Vice Chair, and $99,508.06 for the Chair. These amounts were adopted in 2023 by the last Board for the current term. The new proposal would increase the amount for district supervisors and the Vice Chair to $116,300, and the Chair to $127,930 – representing increases of 40.2% for district supervisors, 28.5% for the Vice Chair, and 28.6% for the Chair. The proposal sought to tie the compensation to the Area Median Income for a single person, with a 10% increase for the Chair.

My View

A jump in salary that large is not justifiable in my opinion. The last time we saw a big jump in salary, it was because Board compensation had not changed in 12 years. Since then, there have been small annual increases to ensure that compensation does not get far behind again. I think we should continue with that approach and not try to “reset” again. 

I will say that I was particularly surprised that this item was not discussed in any way with the public or other members of the Board prior to it appearing on our agenda. That is not good practice. Transparency is paramount, especially when considering sensitive topics such as compensation for elected officials. I expect a new proposal to be brought forward that is more reasonable.

Pilot Commuter Bus Routes into Loudoun County

You may remember that the County stood up a pilot program to test commuter bus routes for County employees living outside Loudoun. We chose two locations for the pilot: Frederick, Maryland and Dale City, Virginia. At the Board’s June 16 Business Meeting, we voted to discontinue the pilot due to lack of ridership and return unspent local tax fund appropriations to our General Fund.

Ridership

Unfortunately, the program never caught on, despite heavy marketing efforts. Over 133 days of service, the ten daily pilot routes serving the two locations recorded a combined total of 650 passenger trips. That shakes out to an average of 0.48 riders per route per day. Obviously with ridership so low, it is simply not economical to continue funding the program. While I do think there is an appetite for out-of-County employees to receive some sort of transportation into Loudoun for work, this iteration clearly did not have its intended effect. If we go back to the drawing board in the future, we will use the lessons learned from this pilot program.

The routes will be discontinued effective September 30, so there is still time to utilize them if you currently do.

High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Infrastructure Study

It is no secret that power has become the main focal point of the data center discussion over the last few years. At the Board’s June 2 Business Meeting, we reviewed a scope of work and initiated a study of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission infrastructure to better understand the possible requirements for developing a HVDC network to deliver electricity to growth centers – primarily focused around data centers – in Loudoun County. HVDC is a method of transmitting electricity using direct current at hundreds of thousands of volts, which results in less energy lost as heat, making it particularly economical for long transmission lines. Traditionally our power grid has used alternating current (AC), where the direction of current reverses 60 times per second.

Study Areas

The study will specifically focus on aspects related to undergrounding transmission lines – which as you’ll remember has been a big priority of mine – integrating with renewable energy source sand battery energy storage systems, extending HVDC infrastructure directly to the highest concentration of data centers, and the feasibility of large load customers like data centers converting their current AC power operations to more efficient DC power. I know these are highly technical and complex issues, and we’ll be having more discussion about all of them in the future, but for now I am focused primarily on the prospect of undergrounding lines. This potential solution to our power issues has been on our radar for a while, but we have consistently been told the State Corporation Commission wouldn’t approve an undergrounding model since it would pass high costs on to consumers. However, a DC model is better for underground and underwater cables since AC cables develop electrical effects that limit their practical length. HVDC can more efficiently move power through long underground lines. If we can work out a cost model where high usage customers like data centers pay to underground lines, I think we could develop a workable undergrounding model for the future. We know the benefits of undergrounding lines: it would transmit electricity more efficiently over long distances, provide a smaller construction footprint when compared to traditional overhead and high voltage alternating current infrastructure, and keep visual powerline clutter out of our skies in high intensity areas.

Throughout the course of the study, the County will have the opportunity to learn about emerging high voltage direct current transmission technology and deployment in other areas of the United States that we could potentially model a local program on.

Study Process

Staff in our Department of Planning and Zoning will lead and facilitate the study utilizing assistance from a consultant familiar with electrical infrastructure in the County. The cost of consultant services is expected at about $139,349. The preliminary schedule anticipates about a 4 month study window. I will provide updates as the study advances, and I am hopeful it will suggest real solutions for our power grid.

Proposal to Study Banning ICE from County Buildings

The Board voted 7-2 to undertake a study of whether it is legally permissible to ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel from County buildings. I did not support the motion for a few reasons.

Like many, I am concerned about the behavior of ICE personnel in some circumstances. But the type of enforcement actions that have occurred in certain areas of the country have not occurred in Loudoun - to my knowledge. The Virgina General Assembly passed legislation that reduces cooperation between state and local agencies in Virginia and ICE which will go into effect on July 1 but is subject to legal challenges.

At this juncture, it is very premature to discuss further action. In addition, while I’m not a lawyer, I’ve been involved in public policy for decades and am quite familiar with the rights of the federal government. While the federal government can’t force states and local governments to assist in their operations, actively interfering with them is an entirely different matter and quite dubious. Even attempting to do so, in my opinion, risks enhanced activity and attention.

Finally, while there is considerable public debate about exactly who has been detained, there are in fact detainees who have committed crimes, some of them violent. As you may recall, just a few months ago our local community was dealing with a rash of robberies targeting older persons for their jewelry. In Stone Ridge, one of the victims was knocked over. LCSO was able to make arrests in these cases and the suspects turned out to be illegal immigrants, who are suspected to be part of a larger crime ring.

I would never want the County to be in the position of providing shelter for suspects in those kinds of cases, especially considering the types of facilities we operate - parks, recreation centers, etc. Those arguing in favor of this motion specifically cited concerns about voting, which makes very little sense to me since those who are not here legally are not permitted to vote anyway. There are enough conspiracy theories around that topic as it is without giving fuel to the fire by using it as an example.

There are times when I think Board actions are designed to make political statements rather than actually achieve something, and this is one of them. As is my practice, no matter the topic or who brings it forward, I’m not supportive of this kind of activity because to me it is a distraction from the significant amount of work we have to do that is actually within our jurisdiction.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Greenway Toll Increase Hearing

Public Hearing

There will be a public hearing on the latest request by the Greenway operator to increase toll rates TONIGHT: Monday, June 29, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Rock Ridge High School, 43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive, Ashburn, Virginia 20148. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing and register to testify with the State Corporation Commission’s bailiff. Each witness will be allotted approximately five minutes to provide testimony.

Increase Request

Greenway operator Trip II is requesting a $.95 increase for peak hour tolls and a $.35 increase for off-peak. Should that be denied by the SCC, there is a secondary proposal of a $.70 increase for peak hour tolls and $.40 for off-peak. This follows an attempt for an even larger increase last year that was successfully challenged by Loudoun County. It is important that as many of us as possible attend the hearing to show just how much the already high tolls are impacting use of the road. As a reminder, the State Corporation Commission must approve any toll increase requests on the Greenway. I am hoping to see this toll increase rejected according to the criteria the County has advocated for and was incorporated into law, which includes that that such increases may not “materially discourage” use of the road. Public input is an important part of the SCC’s decision-making process. There is no question in my mind that a toll rate increase would in fact materially discourage use of the road. In addition, the Greenway still has not implanted any distance based pricing, which would probably help them attract more users. Instead they just want to jack up the rates on the relatively few that do use the road.

Telephonic Hearing

There will also be a telephonic hearing beginning at 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2026. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing would have to provide the Commission staff notice on or before June 30, 2026. Members of the public will need to provide their name and the telephone number they want the hearing examiner to call on the day of the hearing. The information can be provided to the Commission (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/caseinformation/submit-public-comments; or (ii) by calling (804)371-9141.

For the telephonic hearing, the hearing examiner will call each telephone number sequentially. Testimony will be limited to five minutes per witness. If the person is not available at the number provided when the examiner calls the examiner simply moves on to the next witness, so it is important to be available when the examiner calls. 

Written Comments

The SCC is also accepting written comments from members of the public through August 12, 2026. Written comments may be submitted online or submitted by U.S. mail:

Clerk of the State Corporation Commission

c/o Document Control Center

P.O. Box 2118

Richmond, VA 23218-2118

Reminder: Proper Disposal of Batteries

Unfortunately, we have seen multiple recent instances of fires starting in trash trucks from improperly disposed batteries. Remember, never place used batteries in the trash or recycling. Instead, follow proper disposal methods: most batteries, excluding car batteries and damaged lithium batteries, should be brought to a household hazardous waste collection event (schedule here), which are held throughout the year at various locations including in South Riding.

For lithium-ion batteries heavier than 11 pounds and greater than a 300 watt-hour energy rating, as well as damaged lithium batteries, you can review disposal options with The Battery Network here. Non-lithium car batteries can be brought to the landfill’s recycling drop-off center in Leesburg.

General Safety Tips

Some general battery safety tips that are worth repeating:

• Do not charge a device or battery on a combustible surface, such as under your pillow, on your bed, on a couch, or near flammable materials.
• Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.
• Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
• Stop using or charging the battery immediately if you notice an odor, the battery changing color, too much heat from the battery when in use or charging, the battery changing shape, leakage, or odd noises.

For more information on safe battery storage and disposal, click here.

Route 50 Paving

The Virginia Department of Transportation paves several roads in the County each summer. This year, they will be paving Route 50 between Gum Spring Road and the Fairfax County line. VDOT let me know that the contractor expects to start around July 17. Once the project commences we will have a clearer timeline on when it will finish, and I’ll provide that information in future correspondences. You can access the paving program map and see the status of various projects here.   

Belmont Ridge Road Detour Continues

The detour is still in place on Belmont Ridge Road between Arcola Mills Drive and Evergreen Mills Road. It was originally scheduled to end on June 30, but there have been utility delays causing the timeline to extend. I will keep you posted when we have a new end date. The detour remains clearly marked to help drivers navigate around the construction area.

PRCS Children’s Concert Series

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) is introducing the Lemonade Stand LIVE Concert Series, a new summer-long lineup of free children’s music performances in parks across the county.

These outdoor concerts are designed to sweeten your day and help you squeeze in some family time all summer long. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket, chairs and their best dance moves, and enjoy complimentary water and lemonade; participants are asked to bring a reusable cup or water bottle.

The 2026 Lemonade Stand LIVE Concert Series schedule is as follows: 

• Thursday, June 25, 2026- Jumpin’ Jamie at Franklin Park (17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville, VA)
• Thursday, July 2- Kidsinger Jim at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve (21085 The Woods Rd., Leesburg, VA)
• Thursday, July 9- Groovy Nate at Moorefield Station Community Park (43240 Clarendon Square, Ashburn, VA)
• Thursday, July 16- Mr. Rob & Band at Bles Park (44830 Bles Park Dr., Ashburn, VA)
• Thursday, July 23- FunikiJam at Claude Moore Park (21544 Old Vestal's Gap Rd., Sterling, VA)
• Thursday, July 30 Kim & Jimbo Cary at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park (22831 Hanson Park Dr., Aldie, VA)

Each concert will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is free; fans are encouraged to reserve a ticket. The first 100 pre-registered fans at each performance will receive a free bucket hat.

For more information on other upcoming PRCS events visit loudoun.gov/PRCSEvents.

Donations to Local Food Banks

Dulles South Food Pantry

Thank you to those that helped the Dulles South Food Pantry (DSFP) feed families this holiday season. Even with the holiday over, donations are needed more than ever and can be made in person at the pantry at 24757 Arcola Mills Drive on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or online. DSFP provides food assistance up to twice a month to any person who resides in the attendance zones for the following high schools: Freedom, John Champe, Lightridge, Independence, Rock Ridge, and Briar Woods. Call 703-507-2795 or email info@dsfp.org to schedule an appointment. See the pantry's website for information on how you can help fight local hunger. The pantry is currently looking for plastic bag donations as well. 

America’s Soup Kitchen

Donations to the kitchen can be made on their website or at their location by appointment. Call (202) 930-3775 or email to make an appointment. America’s Soup Kitchen distributes fresh and nutritious hot meals to anyone in need within Loudoun County every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the StoneSprings Hospital Center parking lot by Route 50. Registration is required on their website.

Blood Donation

American Red Cross

To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets with the American Red Cross, please visit redcross.org/give-blood.

Inova Blood Services

Inova Blood Services also takes donors by appointment.

Visit https://www.inovablood.org/ to schedule an appointment.

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