🌱 Robbed At Knifepoint In Loudoun Co. + Local Teacher Awarded $5 Mil

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Ashburn Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A couple of afternoon showers. High: 48 Low: 38.
• Tuesday: Warmer; breezy in the p.m.. High: 60 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories today in Ashburn:

1. Police in Loudoun County are searching for three suspects who robbed victims at knifepoint on Saturday night, Feb. 25. According to police, the victims were sitting in a parked vehicle near the Dulles Town Crossing shopping center, only about five miles away from Ashburn, when the three suspects broke the windows of the vehicle and stole "multiple cases containing a significant amount of jewelry imported from India." The suspects then fled the scene in a gray or white SUV heading toward Nokes Boulevard. (WTOP News)
2. Kimberly Winters, a former Loudoun County teacher, was awarded $5 million after a jury dismissed sexual abuse accusations against her and found law enforcement liable for damages. Winters was arrested in 2018 after a former student at Park View High School in Sterling, about five miles away from Ashburn, claimed he had a sexual relationship with her while underage. The jury determined that Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman and Deputy Peter Roque arrested and charged Winters without any evidence. (Subscription: Independent)
3. On Feb. 22, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System firefighter/EMT Meghan
   Gruber and Chief Keith Johnson were honored at the 2022 Governor’s Fire Service Awards. Gruber was awarded "Firefighter of the Year" for heroically rescuing a teenager and a fellow firefighter in March 2022. Chief Johnson was awarded the Virginia Fire Chief's Association's Glenn A. Gaines Leadership Legacy Award for his exemplary leadership and character. (Loudoun Now)

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Today and tomorrow in Ashburn:

Monday, February 27

• Ashburn Writing Group At Ashburn Library (6:00 PM)
• Bingo Night At Lost Rhino Brewing Co. (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, February 28

• Toddler Storytime At Ashburn Library (10:00 AM)
• BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) Night - Sound Tracks At Lost Rhino Brewing Co. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Loudoun Symphony Orchestra presents the "American Stories" concert on Mar. 25! The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church and School in Ashburn. (EventBrite)
• The American Red Cross Blood Donors Blood Drive is on Thursday, Mar. 9 at the Claude Moore Recreation & Community Center! The drive runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you can sign up to donate here. (Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services via Facebook)
• When you're looking for a new home, keeping tabs on the latest listings can be a tedious task. Keep it easy and check out the latest homes for sale in the Ashburn area at the link. Including a beautiful three-bedroom on Golden Ridge Drive for $774,900! (Ashburn Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• FREE WEBINAR | "The Beauty of Botticelli" (February 28)
• Masons joining forces with INOVA Blood Donor Services to help our community (March 3)
• Master Singers of VA Presents Sing Her Song (March 4)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Foley Academy Irish Dance Spring Session Enrollment Open (Details)
• Add your announcement

Other featured classifieds:

• AP Tests & Reviews | SAT | ACT | SOL Tests & Reviews (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update!

— 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.