Loudoun News Briefs

by Loudoun Extra Staff

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Ashburn Teens Arrested After Fight and Gunfire

Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies arrested two young adults Thursday night after a gun was fired during a fight in Ashburn, the Sheriff’s Office said.

A single shot was fired during the fight in the 20900 block of Strawrick Terrace about 8:45 p.m., authorities said. No injuries were reported.

The Sheriff’s Office said that the altercation may have started with a dispute between two groups in the parking lot of Junction Plaza and that several teenagers were fighting when deputies arrived.

Bernard R. Ofori, 19, and Reginald D. Crosby, 18, both of Ashburn, were charged with disorderly conduct. A 17-year-old also faces a disorderly conduct charge.

Anyone with information about the person who discharged the firearm is asked to contact sheriff’s investigator T. Sheffer at 703-777-0475 or, to remain anonymous, call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1021.

Fire-Code Problems Don’t Stop Bluegrass Jams

The Round Hill Arts Center was able to host its monthly bluegrass jam session Friday evening despite fire-code problems.

The five-year-old jam session is the nonprofit center’s largest fundraiser and usually draws about 200 people to the 19th-century building on Loudoun Street.

But last month, a few days before the event was to take place, Loudoun Chief Fire Marshal Keith Brower determined after an inspection that the building has a maximum occupancy of 49 people. He said the center would need to undertake major improvements before allowing more people inside.

Center officials managed to host last month’s show by making a few last-minute changes — such as removing doors — and using several outdoor tents to accommodate the overflow crowd. The tents also were used Friday.

Hope Hanes, the center’s artistic director, said an architect soon will draft plans for renovations to bring the building up to code. The improvements, which will include the addition of a staircase and sprinkler system, could cost up to $50,000, Hanes said.

To help offset that bill, the center is having a fundraiser at 4 p.m. next Sunday at a private residence in western Loudoun County. Admission is $50, and the event will include wine tasting, catered food, music and a silent auction.

Those interested in attending or in donating money for the building improvements should call 540-338-5050.

Sterling Recreation Center Receives $3,000 Donation

The Loudoun County teen center at Claude Moore Recreation Center in Sterling received a $3,000 donation from Konover Construction Corp. on Friday to mark the program’s first anniversary.

The donation will cover the $5 admission fee for teens, said Claire Smith, spokeswoman for the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

The Friday and Saturday night programs include swimming, rock climbing, games and music.

Input Sought on Improving Potomac, Sterling Districts

Loudoun County officials are encouraging Potomac and Sterling district residents to complete an online survey on how to improve their communities.

The survey, at www.loudoun.gov/potomac-sterling, is part of a county outreach effort that will include public input sessions May 10 and 14. Information from the survey and the meetings will be used by the county in community planning.

The survey also can be picked up at Claude Moore Recreation Center and the Cascades and Sterling libraries. Surveys can be mailed to the county Department of Planning, 1 Harrison St. SE, MSC No. 62, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Va. 20177-7000.

For information, call 703-777-0246 or e-mail potomac_sterling@loudoun.gov.

Session for Entrepreneurs, Small-Business Owners

Leesburg and Loudoun County are hosting a free workshop for small-business owners and entrepreneurs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday on the lower level of the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Dr. NW, Leesburg.

The workshop will cover how to start and operate a business, marketing strategies and financing. The event is sponsored by the Town of Leesburg, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development.

To register, call 703-771-2708 or visit www.vastartup.org.

Economic Development Forum in Purcellville

Purcellville will host a free economic development forum for business leaders and residents at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way.

Purcellville Mayor Robert W. Lazaro Jr., Town Council member Greg Wagner and county Department of Economic Development Director Larry Rosenstrauch are among the speakers.

Topics will include public-private partnerships, downtown revitalization, commercial expansion and redevelopment. The event will include a networking session and roundtable discussions.

To register, call 540-751-2326 or 540-751-2300 or e-mail cherman@purcellvilleva.gov or sboylan@purcellvilleva.gov

— Compiled by ARIANNE ARYANPUR

Tagged: Loudoun

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