Loudoun Times-Mirror

07/22/2025

Seven weeks ago, Leesburg resident Lia Maria Flora Johnson was on the first day of a dream vacation in Argentina when she was struck by a fast-moving vehicle.

The impact of the vehicle caused her to fly 50 feet in the air, according to her father, George Johnson.

She has been hospitalized in Argentina ever since with a traumatic brain injury and she remains in a semi-conscious coma, her father said.

Her parents are currently with her in Buenos Aires.

In a phone interview from the hospital, her father described Lia’s condition as being in a “vegetative state,” meaning that she can open her eyes, and part of her body is responsive, but not conscious. The humerus bone in one arm is broken and has not been properly set, he said, and they believe she is in constant pain.

“She can move a little bit, that is the extent of the connection she is making at this point,” he said. “It’s what we’ve got, so we are holding onto it.”

But the family’s main objective is to return Lia Marie to a hospital in the United States.

Seven weeks ago, Leesburg resident Lia Maria Flora Johnson was on the first day of a dream vacation in Argentina when she was struck by a fast-moving vehicle.

07/21/2025

Breaking news: Former propane technician Roger Lee Bentley's decision to not immediately excavate or call firefighters about a leaky propane tank that caused a deadly house explosion last year led to his conviction July 21 for involuntary manslaughter.

Bentley, 68, of Wi******er, was also convicted by a Loudoun Circuit Court jury of unlawful release of hazardous materials, failure to maintain records of a hazardous materials release and failure to control or mitigate an unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials in the death of Loudoun County firefighter Trevor Brown on Feb. 16, 2024.

Bentley, a retired Southern States Cooperative employee, was charged in October. The trial began July 7.

Former propane technician Roger Lee Bentley's decision to not immediately excavate or call firefighters about a leaky propane tank that caused a deadly house explosion last year led to his

07/18/2025

A Loudoun Circuit Court jury in the trial of a former propane service technician accused of responsibility for a fatal house explosion last year in Sugarland Run will resume deliberations July 21.

The six-man, six-woman jury in the Roger Lee Bentley trial began deliberating July 16 and deliberated about 17 hours over three days. They retired about 5 p.m. July 18.

A Loudoun Circuit Court jury in the trial of a former propane service technician accused of responsibility for a fatal house explosion last year in Sugarland Run will resume deliberations

07/18/2025

Toll rates on the Dulles Greenway will remain the same.

In a July 17 ruling, the Virginia State Supreme Court denied an appeal by the the Greenway operator, TRIP II, short for Toll Road Investors Partnership II, to raise rates.

TRIP II is a subsidiary of Atlas Arteria an Australian company that owns the 14-mile, privately-owned toll road from Leesburg to Dulles International Airport in Sterling. It sought to reverse a State Corporation Commission denial of a rate increase in September.

If approved, peak hour tolls for most vehicles would've increased from $5.80 to $8.10, and from $5.25 to $6.40 for off-peak hours. The opinion by Justice Stephen R. McCullough denying the increase said a driver using the Greenway five days per week for 48 weeks of the year would see the annual toll cost increase from $2,784 to $3,888, a 40% hike. Drivers pay the full rate even if they only drive a portion of the route, but experts from the SCC and Loudoun County government found more than 70% of trips aren't full-length, according to the opinion.

Toll rates on the Dulles Greenway will remain the same.

07/18/2025

This week’s front page! 🗞️🗞️

07/18/2025

Independence, Riverside, Briar Woods and Loudoun County high schools each secured a top five finish in the final National Guard Cup standings for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The National Guard Cup, presented by the Virginia Army National Guard, is awarded to a school in each of the Virginia High School League’s six enrollment classifications. A point system determines the winners based on overall athletic performance in VHSL state championship competitions.

Independence, Riverside, Briar Woods and Loudoun County high schools each secured a top five finish in the final National Guard Cup standings for the 2024-2025 academic year.

07/18/2025

It's another year until the new concourse opens at the Dulles International Airport, but the construction project reached a milestone this week with the placement of the final steel beam.

More than 100 construction crew workers watched as the beam was placed in the core of the new Concourse E during a “topping out” ceremony July 17.

More than 300 construction personnel have worked on the project for 11 months. Construction is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2026. The concourse should be open to the public later next year.

It's another year until the new concourse opens at the Dulles International Airport, but the construction project reached a milestone this week with the placement of the final steel beam.

07/17/2025

While Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has drawn fire from some residents for a new agreement to hold jailed immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for up to 48 hours past their scheduled release, the agreement is being praised by a conservative group.

The American Constitutional Rights Union presented Chapman with its "Defender Award" on July 11. An ACRU news release said the award was for law enforcement leaders who work with ICE to "protect law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens."

While Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman has drawn fire from some residents for a new agreement to hold jailed immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for up to 48

07/15/2025

The Upper Loudoun Little League Juniors all-star team (ages 13-14) capped an undefeated run in the 2025 Junior League Baseball Virginia State Tournament with an 8-3 win over Lancaster County in the championship game July 8 in Tazewell.

The Upper Loudoun Little League Juniors all-star team (ages 13-14) capped an undefeated run in the 2025 Junior League Baseball Virginia State Tournament with an 8-3 win over Lancaster County

07/15/2025

The international opera vocal program Canto returns to Loudoun County this summer for two weeks of performances and workshops with “Midsummer Opera Dream,” based at the Dreamscapes Performing Arts Center in Sterling.

From July 16 through Aug. 2, Canto has planned a variety of events for all ages and experience levels, ranging from two family-friendly introductory opera events to more sophisticated concerts, according to event coordinator Caitlin Driscoll.

“There really will be something for everyone,” she said.

The festival will bring together local musicians and renowned international performers, vocal coaches and opera experts from New York’s Metropolitan Opera, the Julliard School, the Washington National Opera, and opera houses in Europe.

The international opera vocal program Canto returns to Loudoun County this summer for two weeks of performances and workshops with “Midsummer Opera Dream,” based at the Dreamscapes Performing Arts Center

07/15/2025

Closing arguments are set for July 16 in the trial of a former propane service technician accused of negligence in a Sugarland Run house explosion last year that killed a firefighter.

Roger Lee Bentley, 68, of Wi******er, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of violation of fire prevention code in the death of Trevor Brown on Feb. 16, 2024. Bentley, a former Southern States Cooperative service technician, was charged in October; the trial began July 7.

About 25 witnesses testified on behalf of the Loudoun Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, and three testified for the defense. Bentley didn't take the stand. Both sides rested their cases July 15.

Closing arguments are set for July 16 in the trial of a former propane service technician accused of negligence in a Sugarland Run house explosion last year that killed a

07/15/2025

For the second year, the Ashburn Village community is rallying to support a beloved mother and cancer survivor by holding a blood drive in her honor.

In 2024, Ashley Littman was diagnosed with leukemia after experiencing mild symptoms of fatigue and dizziness while playing tennis and participating in other activities.

Since then, she has undergone treatment with chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Her prognosis is excellent, her husband Mike Littman said.

But through the ordeal, they discovered the local and national need for blood donors and wanted to host a community blood drive to help.

Statistics show that while 62% of people are eligible to donate, only 3% do. If all blood donors donated one more time per year, shortages would be rare. One donation can save up to three lives, according to Inova Blood Donor Services.

Last year’s blood drive in Ashburn Village turned a “moment of need into a model of action,” according to Inova Blood Donor Services’ senior director Nicholas Lilly.

For the second year, the Ashburn Village community is rallying to support a beloved mother and cancer survivor by holding a blood drive in her honor.