🌱 Loudoun Sheriff Sued For $7 Million + Record Low Ashburn Home Sales

Good morning, everybody. It's Friday in Ashburn and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny; windy, cooler. High: 55 Low: 30.
• Saturday: A little morning snow. High: 42 Low: 31.

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Here are the top three stories in Ashburn today:

1. The Loudoun County sheriff is being sued for seven million dollars by the family of Loudoun County inmate Richard Piland for allegedly torturing Piland by placing him in a scalding, hot shower. The incident occurred on Feb. 4 after Piland refused to comply with deputies' orders. Piland was pepper sprayed and then placed in the shower to wash it off. On the body camera, one deputy allegedly said he wasn't sure which switch was for the hot water, and then he wished Piland luck. (ABC 7 News)
2. A new January market report from the Dulles Area Association of Realtors showed record-low sales in Loudoun County's real estate market. In the monthly market report, the number of sales is reaching its lowest levels in eight years, but sale prices continue to increase dramatically. According to the report, Ashburn, Leesburg, and Sterling saw the steepest decline in activity. (Ashburn Patch)
3. On Feb. 21, Ronald Roldan of Loudoun County was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Bethany Decker. The 21-year-old disappeared in 2011, and her body has never been found. Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Buta Biberaj said authorities finally got some answers out of Roldan two weeks ago, reporting, "She's not disappeared, she has not just gone and run away – she was killed." (ABC 7 News)

Today and tomorrow in Ashburn:

Friday, February 24

• Hiring Event At Embark Behavioral Health (9:00 AM)
• Spirit Night At Ashburn Ice House (6:00 PM)

Saturday, February 25

• The Addams Family Spooky Festival At Broad Run High School (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office welcomed Deputy First Class Camron Gentry back to active duty after being shot multiple times in January 2021. (Loudoun Sheriff via Instagram)
• Less than a week is left to vote for "Best of Ashburn 2023!" Vote here for your favorite local small businesses in the various categories, now through Feb. 28. (Ford's Fish Shack via Twitter)
• A beautiful, large five-bedroom home is for sale in Ashburn for $999,900! Check out the open house on Saturday, Feb. 25, and other upcoming open houses in your area. (Ashburn Patch)

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Featured events:

• XP League Open House (February 25)
• Discover Nature's Secrets at the Chapman DeMary Trail (February 26)
• Active Bystander: Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) (February 28)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
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Featured housing:

• NEW all-inclusive Senior Community in Ashburn (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.