The Blue Ridge Leader

07/31/2025

Hotel Burg celebrates grand opening in Leesburg https://blueridgeleader.com/hotel-burg-celebrates-grand-opening-in-leesburg A ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday, July 29 to celebrate the grand opening of Hotel Burg. Located at 208 S King Street, Hotel Burg was designed by Michael Graves Architecture & Design and Madison Dale. The hotel integrates seamlessly with Leesburg’s old & historic district by incorporating a preserved 1885 historic house and styled with Federal, colonial, and Italianate elements.

07/31/2025

BOS adopts Attainable Housing Loan Program for Developers https://blueridgeleader.com/bos-adopts-attainable-housing-loan-program-for-developers Loudoun County is expanding the type of attainable housing that may be financed and supported by the county, with the new Attainable Housing Loan Program. Eligible housing developers are encouraged to apply for the program, which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors during its June 17, 2025, meeting. The AHLP provides the ability to finance the acquisition, renovation, preservation and development of housing for renters and housing for homebuyers.

07/31/2025

Virginia Montessori opens in Purcellville on Main Street https://blueridgeleader.com/virginia-montessori-opens-in-purcellville-on-main-street Virginia Montessori Academy, located at 130 E Main Street, has opened their doors and is gearing up for the school year. On July 17 the Town of Purcellville cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the school. Mayor Chris Bertaut said, “This is a school that will grow with us, support us and reflect the values we hold dear.

07/31/2025

Vineyard Square downtown project officially dead—new vision ahead https://blueridgeleader.com/vineyard-square-downtown-project-officially-dead-new-vision-ahead By Valerie Cury

After more than 15 years without progress on a deeply unpopular proposal for a six-story building with first floor commercial space and 40 apartments in the heart of Purcellville’s historic downtown, the project’s approvals have finally run their course. The developer’s Certificates of Design Approval, previously extended three times, have now officially expired. The Purcellville Planning Department has confirmed that the site plan for the Vineyard Square project (TP-14-13) expired on July 1, 2025. The extended timeline had been granted under a temporary statewide provision related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed certain development plans to remain valid longer than usual.

07/31/2025

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Broad Run Stream Valley Park https://blueridgeleader.com/just-like-nothing-else-on-earth-broad-run-stream-valley-park By Tim Jon

Funny how despite the fragility of life it seems that Nature can often abide in very close proximity to mankind and our so-called civilization. We see the reverse of this pattern as well with flora and fauna wilting before our progress, so I’m always heartened when I observe any vital signs of life within the workings of humanity. Now I know that’s a lot to chew on, and I had hardly formulated these thoughts in their entirety at their place of inspiration—but I definitely had the basic idea by the time I’d completed my short exploration at the local site known as Broad Run Stream Valley Park.

The whole thing started before I’d parked my car in the adjoining neighborhood—having circumnavigated much of the preserve’s acreage, seeking in vain for any designated area for visitors’ vehicles.

I mean, this place was smack dab in the middle of American suburbia.

07/31/2025

https://blueridgeleader.com/25244-2 FINANCIAL FOCUS®
Investing With Heart: Find a Financial Advisor Who Shares Your Values

Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor

When it comes to managing your money, there’s more to consider than just the bottom line. For many people, investing isn’t only about building wealth or reaching goals — it’s about making sure their dollars support charitable causes and principles that are in line with their closely held values. Whether your focus is on protecting the planet, aligning with your faith or giving back to your community, a financial advisor who understands your values can help you build a portfolio that reflects what matters to you.

FINANCIAL FOCUS® Investing With Heart: Find a Financial Advisor Who Shares Your Values Submitted by Joshua Wolinski, Edward Jones Financial Advisor When it comes to managing your money, there’s more to consider than just the bottom line. For many people, investing isn’t only about building weal...

07/31/2025

Understanding Post-Separation Abuse: The hidden continuation of domestic violence https://blueridgeleader.com/understanding-post-separation-abuse-the-hidden-continuation-of-domestic-violence By Michael Oberschneider, Psy.D. For many survivors of domestic violence, leaving the relationship is just the beginning of a new chapter of fear, manipulation, and control. This phenomenon is known as post-separation abuse, and it can be even more damaging than the abuse that occurred during the relationship.

07/31/2025

Loudoun BOS denies Hiddenwood Industrial Rezoning https://blueridgeleader.com/loudoun-bos-denies-hiddenwood-industrial-rezoning By Sophia Clifton

After more than a year of negotiations, public hearings, and revisions, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted on July 15, to deny the Hiddenwood Assemblage’s request to rezone their community for industrial use—a decision that leaves 20 families in limbo. The Hiddenwood Assemblage is made up of 20 parcels totaling nearly 29 acres along Hiddenwood Lane near Arcola. Residents there have watched their once-rural neighborhood become surrounded by massive data center projects, following county approvals that some supervisors have since admitted were mistakes.

07/30/2025

Justice shouldn’t be politized https://blueridgeleader.com/justice-shouldnt-be-politized Dear Editor:

As Mayor, I cannot stay silent in the face of what’s unfolding in our town. Let me be clear, I stand firmly behind the principle that every individual is innocent until proven guilty. What we are witnessing today are serious charges, but they come at a time of deep political division and immediately following the complete exoneration of Vice-Mayor Ben Nett by an independent Grievance Panel.

07/30/2025

Did Purcellville really pay $12K for a six-page organizational assessment report? https://blueridgeleader.com/did-purcellville-really-pay-12k-for-a-six-page-organizational-assessment-report By Lloyd Harting

In March of 2025, the Town of Purcellville awarded a $12,000 service contract to perform a comprehensive organizational assessment of the Purcellville Police Department. What the town received instead was a six-page report, and one of those pages was the consultant’s biography. This so-called “organizational assessment” was performed by Major Consulting and Design, LLC, a Virginia-based consulting firm that was competitively awarded the contract.

07/30/2025

Boneheads https://blueridgeleader.com/boneheads By Charlie Houston

Dictionaries define “bonehead” as a dumb or foolish person. My definition is broader and includes people or organizations which have done things that turn out to be glaringly wrong, such as athletes, actors, politicians, governments and others. Athletes

Shaquille O’Neill on visiting the Parthenon in Greece said, “I really can’t remember all the clubs we went to.”

Golfer Greg Noman, “I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”

Dennis Rodman, “Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college where you figure that two plus two is ten or something.”

Businesses

Remember New Coke?

07/30/2025

Rayner’s attempt to tip the vote—targeted, trapped, and torn down https://blueridgeleader.com/rayners-attempt-to-tip-the-vote-targeted-trapped-and-torn-down Nett cleared by Panel, then arrested along with Town Manager

By Valerie Cury

In a dramatic rebuke of political interference and procedural injustice, the Town of Purcellville Employee Grievance Panel has unequivocally exonerated Officer Ben Nett, overturning his April 4 termination from the Police Department. What began as a controversial dismissal steeped in allegations now stands exposed as a flawed, politically motivated attack that shattered a career and threatened a man’s livelihood and reputation. The Panel’s unanimous decision not only orders Nett’s reinstatement with full back pay and reimbursement of legal fees but also highlights a deeply dysfunctional system where personal vendettas overshadow justice and fair process.