The Blue Ridge Leader

01/01/2026

Ask Dr. Mike https://blueridgeleader.com/ask-dr-mike-17 Dr. Mike,

Our son is 7 years old. His teacher contacted us to discuss the school doing an evaluation on him since he is having attention problems, hyperactivity and behavior problems, and language learning problems in the classroom.

Our son is 7 years old. His teacher contacted us to discuss the school doing an evaluation on him since he is having attention problems, hyperactivity and behavior problems, and language learning problems in the classroom. She also said that he seems to get anxious socially with the other kids often...

01/01/2026

Letter to Senator Perry https://blueridgeleader.com/letter-to-senator-perry Dear Senator Perry,

Thank you for taking an active interest in our Town. I was grateful that you traveled from Richmond to speak at our recent Town Council meeting. I am writing to strongly encourage you to follow through on your commitment to help Purcellville.

01/01/2026

Something unusual is happening in the Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office https://blueridgeleader.com/something-unusual-is-happening-in-the-loudoun-county-commonwealth-attorneys-office By Lloyd Harting

In July of 2025 Purcellville Town Manager Kwasi Fraser and Purcellville Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett were arrested and each was criminally charged by the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney with one felony charge of violating Code of Virginia Section 59.1-68.1 (Combinations to Rig Bids) and one felony charge of violating Code of Virginia Section 18.2-498.3 (Misrepresentations Prohibited) constituting commercial fraud against government. The criminal charges pertain to a meeting that Fraser and Nett attended earlier in January of 2025 when they met with Michael Jones, President of Major Security Consulting and Design LLC, regarding the town’s possible intention to conduct an organizational assessment of the Purcellville Police Department.

At the time of that meeting, no formal procurement process was underway, no contracting opportunity had been publicly advertised, and no vendor had been selected for contract award. In fact, no decision had yet been made to move forward with a police department organizational review.

It was only a market research fact-finding discussion about a possible organizational assessment of the Purcellville Police Department.

01/01/2026

A Few Thoughts https://blueridgeleader.com/a-few-thoughts The Ratchet and the Economy

By Charlie Houston

Old fashioned car jacks are ratchets: They allow continued upward movement, but downward movement will be one slow notch at a time. That tool lends its name to an economics concept called, naturally, the ratchet effect: Prices can rise quickly in inflationary times, but fall slowly. That’s the situation we find ourselves in right now.

01/01/2026

Overbuilt utilities, oversized consequences https://blueridgeleader.com/overbuilt-utilities-oversized-consequences-2 Dear Editor,

I notice that the issues behind the catastrophe in Purcellville and the coming debacle in Paeonian Springs and Waterford arise from the same terrible policy. That is, to overbuild a major utility service in anticipation of substantial future growth. Which, in turn, actually creates that growth by raising costs hugely for current users, pressuring them to allow more growth to absorb those higher costs. This, of course, is a policy suggested, supported and encouraged by some land owners and some local developers to create growth and wealth for themselves at the expense of the public.

01/01/2026

Purcellville Public Works Director resigns amid internal department dynamics https://blueridgeleader.com/purcellville-public-works-director-resigns-amid-internal-department-dynamics By Valerie Cury

In the first week of December, the Town of Purcellville’s Public Works Director, Jason Didawick, abruptly resigned. Didawick had served the town for 15 years and was widely regarded as a model employee. In 2024, he was named Employee of the Year by Town Manager Kwasi Fraser.

12/31/2025

TLUC to revisit rural land use rules in January meeting https://blueridgeleader.com/tluc-to-revisit-rural-land-use-rules-in-january-meeting By Sophia Clifton

Loudoun County officials are continuing a months-long review of how rural land is used in the western part of the county, with the next discussion scheduled for late January. The Board of Supervisors’ Transportation and Land Use Committee will meet in January to focus on updates to zoning rules that affect farms, rural businesses, and residents in the county’s Rural Policy Area west of Rt. 15. The January meeting is part of a broader effort to revisit Rural Uses and Standards—the rules that determine what activities are allowed on rural land, and under what conditions.

12/31/2025

FINANCIAL FOCUS® https://blueridgeleader.com/financial-focus-12 New Year’s financial resolutions: Making them stick

Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor

As the calendar flips to a new year, millions of Americans pledge to improve their financial lives. But without a concrete plan, those well-intentioned resolutions often fade quickly. Financial goals consistently top the list of New Year’s resolutions.

12/31/2025

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Paris, Virginia https://blueridgeleader.com/just-like-nothing-else-on-earth-paris-virginia By Tim Jon

I went to Paris, and it took my breath away; actually, what this means is: I visited an historic village along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I relaxed enough to be able to feel the air being pulled into my lungs. Doesn’t sound quite as romantic that way, does it? Life can be like that: sometimes we feel like we may be settling for less, yet we feel that undeniable uplift of exhilaration.

12/31/2025

L-Lab launches Loudoun County’s first after-school language program https://blueridgeleader.com/l-lab-launches-loudoun-countys-first-after-school-language-program L-Lab is launching Loudoun County’s first language-based after-school enrichment program, designed to introduce children ages 5-9 to the joy of multilingual learning through interactive, play-based activities. Beginning Jan. 5, 2026, the program will offer young learners the opportunity to build early proficiency in their choice of Arabic or Spanish,while developing cognitive, social, and cultural awareness skills proven to support long-term academic success. All activities are intentionally designed using STEAM-based, Montessori-inspired approaches.

“Studies have shown, time and time again, that high-quality after-school programs have long-term benefits that extend well into adulthood,” explains Yomna Sarhan, L-Lab’s Founder. “Children are more engaged in school, experience improved wellbeing, and are better positioned for higher earning potential and career success as adults.

12/31/2025

Houston releases romantic thriller Bad Horsey—set in the heart of Western Loudoun https://blueridgeleader.com/houston-releases-romantic-thriller-bad-horsey-set-in-the-heart-of-western-loudoun By Valerie Cury

Acclaimed writer Charles Houston unveils his newest novel, Bad Horsey, a romantic thriller set against the rolling countryside and foxhunting culture of western Loudoun County. Since its recent publication, the book has already garnered outstanding early ratings and enthusiastic reader praise. Bad Horsey follows Robert Rood, a 36-year-old Atlanta real estate success who decides to trade skyscrapers for open fields, horses, and a quieter life in Middleburg.

12/31/2025

Loudoun County writers called to create for Annual Library Contest https://blueridgeleader.com/loudoun-county-writers-called-to-create-for-annual-library-contest Sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library, the Loudoun County Public Library Short Story Contest invites teens and adults to curl up with their imaginations this winter and share an original, unpublished short story.

Submissions will be accepted online through Sunday, Feb. 15, with winners celebrated at awards ceremonies on Saturday, May 9. Along the way, aspiring writers can hone their craft and find inspiration through library-hosted writing workshops led by experts and community members. The contest is open to middle school, high school, and adult writers who live in Loudoun County or neighboring jurisdictions, and there is no theme—just a wide-open invitation to be creative.

The area neighbors who are included are: the Cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Wi******er and Washington, D.C.