Community Corner
Home Explosion, Data Centers, Ammonia Leak: Top News Of 2024 In Ashburn
Top news of 2024: plane landing on parkway, One Loudoun expansion, toll hike rejected, school threats, collective bargaining, White's Ferry.
ASHBURN, VA — There was plenty of news Ashburn Patch readers were following in 2024, from police and fire stories to business and local government news.
The biggest story of the year was the February home explosion that killed Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 11 firefighters and two residents. Charges for a former gas supplier employee resulted from the investigation. Other major police and fire stories included an ammonia leak injuring dozens and a plane landing on Loudoun County Parkway.
In business news, One Loudoun is working on an expansion, the Eat Loco Farmers Market will introduce an open-air market for non-food vendors, new businesses were introduced, and some will close.
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In local politics, supervisors are working on revising data center standards and learned that data centers account for increasing revenue. Property owners got a lower tax rate, the first collective bargaining agreement was approved, and voters chose a new 10th congressional district representative, leading to two other special elections. In transporation news, a Dulles Greenway toll hike was rejected, a path forward for the closed White's Ferry was sought, and Loudoun Transit has fare changes and some service cuts.
There was plenty of school news, with a completely new Loudoun County School Board taking office. Collective bargaining was approved for qualifying LCPS employees, stricter cell phone policies for students took effect, two new schools opened, school violence and threats concerns were raised, and a new admissions policy at a career and technical school drew criticism from some students.
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There were also notable feel-good stories in the community, such as the Scrape for the Grape volunteer effort to address invasive spotted lanternflies, an Ashburn woman battling cancer and a 3-year-old inspiring blood donors, Santa delivering presents to children in the hospital and much more.
See top stories by category below. Be sure to subscribe to Ashburn Patch to get free news alerts and a daily newsletter to stay up to date with Ashburn news in 2025.
Police and Fire
- Loudoun County House Explosion: Firefighter Dead, 13 Injured
- Video: Procession For Firefighter Killed In Loudoun County House Explosion
- Final Firefighter Injured In Sterling House Explosion Returns Home
- Woman 'Lost Everything' In Sterling Explosion That Killed Firefighter
- Indictment Results From Loudoun County Home Explosion With Firefighter Death
- Ammonia Leak Sends 33 To Hospital In Loudoun County; Hundreds Of Workers Present
- Plane Landed On Loudoun Parkway Without Hitting Any Vehicles: Police
- Loudoun Road Rage Shooting Leads To Charges: Sheriff's Office
- Undocumented Man Identified As Fatal Carjacking Suspect: Sheriff
- Driver Who Hit Dog Before Sterling Shooting Won't Face Charges: Police
- Suspect In Trump Campaign Office Burglary In Ashburn Arrested: Sheriff's Office
- 12 Displaced By 2 House Fires In Loudoun County Over Extended Thanksgiving Holiday
- 3D Printing Helps Revive Cold Case Homicide Investigation In Loudoun County
- Dead, Neglected Dogs In Loudoun County Lead To Charges For Woman
- Crash With School Bus In Loudoun County Sends 4 To Hospital
- 27 Guns Stolen In Ashburn Shooting Range Burglary: Sheriff's Office
- Suspect Identified In Pro-Palestine Vandalism At Ashburn Starbucks Locations
- Sterling Robbery Injuring Convenience Store Worker Leads To Sentence
- Son Charged After Fatally Shooting Father In Ashburn: Police
- Former PTO President In Ashburn Charged With Embezzlement, Organization Responds
- Dead Dogs, Animals In Unsafe Conditions Found At Loudoun Facility
- 'George Washington' Among 6 Loudoun Internet Predator Arrests
- Loudoun Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Faces DWI Charge
- Arson Fire At Former Classmate's Loudoun Home Leads To 20-Year Prison Sentence
- 111 MPH Crash Killing Truck Driver In Loudoun County Leads To Prison Sentence
- Sheriff's Deputy Faces Sex With Inmate Charge In Loudoun County
- Domestic Violence Leading To Wife's Death Prompts Husband's Sentence
- Loudoun Double Homicide Suspect From Alexandria Is MS-13 Gang Member: Sheriff
- Ambush, Shootout Over High-End Shoes Leads To Man's Sentence In Loudoun
- Ashburn To Vienna Pursuit With Stolen Car Leads To Sentence
- 2-Alarm Fire In Brambleton Starts With Potting Soil, Displaces 5 People
- Bomb Threats At Business Lead To Charges For Sterling Man
- Underage Vape Sale Bust Leads To Charges For 14 Loudoun Shops
- Fires At Ashburn Residential Building Lead To Arson-Related Charges
- DNA Links Loudoun Man To 3 Sex Crimes In Fairfax County: Police
- Teen Driver Killed In Loudoun County Crash: State Police
- Large Warehouse Fire Tackled In Loudoun County; Firefighter Evaluated
- Ashburn Fatal Shooting Suspect Arrested: Sheriff's Office
- Pedestrian Fatally Struck By Vehicle In Sterling: Sheriff's Office
- Fire At Loudoun County Inn Injures 2, Causes $2.8 Million In Damages
Business
- One Loudoun Mixed-Use Development In Ashburn Breaks Ground On Expansion
- Wicket Door Pub Announces Permanent Closure After 5 Years In Ashburn
- Farmer's Market Operator To Launch Loudoun Open-Air Business Market
- Ashby Ponds Launches Construction of Continuing Care Expansion
- SouvlakiBar's 4 NoVA Locations Transitioning To Big Greek Cafe
- Furniture And Home Goods Store A New View Makes Return At New Ashburn Location
- Good Fortune Sushi Bar & Restaurant Closes After 16 Years In Ashburn
- Ashburn Wine Shop Turned To New Owners As Former Owner Dies Of Cancer
- Saudi Coffee Brand Shotted Opens In Loudoun County, Offers Free Coffee For First 50
- Cha Street Food Holds Grand Opening In Sterling With Gift Card Giveaway
- Townhouses-For-Rent Community Starts To Open In Ashburn
- Ancient Turkey-Inspired Restaurant Efesus Cafe Opens In Ashburn
- Free Coffee For A Year Offered At Dunkin' Grand Opening In Ashburn
- Restaurant In Brambleton Named On Post Critic's 40 Best For Fall Guide
- Ancient Turkey-Inspired Restaurant Efesus Cafe Opens In Ashburnide
- Mother-Daughter Business Owners Find Success, Open Newest Business In Loudoun
- Ashburn's Telos Corporation Headquarters Site Sold, Future Data Center Possible
- New Data Center Coming To Existing Campus In Ashburn
- The Meadows Original Frozen Custard To Make Exit From One Loudoun
- Bonefish Grill Closed At Broadlands Village Center In Ashburn
- First Paris Baguette Location Opens In Loudoun County; Long Lines On First Day
- Dig Opens First Virginia Location At Ashburn's One Loudoun
- Dulles Gymnastics Plans Relocation To New Loudoun County Facility
- Relocated Farmers Market In Ashburn Experiences Parking Challenge
- Brambleton Farmers Market Moving Back To Town Center Location
- Whites-Only Job Listing Leads To Penalty Against Ashburn-Based Tech Company
- Duck Donuts Ashburn Grand Opening To Feature Free Donut Giveaways
- New Rita's Italian Ice Opens In Ashburn, Free Rita's For A Year Giveaway Planned
- Luxury Apartment Community Breaks Ground Near Ashburn Metro
- Birchwood Celebrates the Opening of The Barn at Brambleton
- Google To Expand Current Data Centers In Loudoun, Prince William Counties
- The Pit Stop Closes 1 Loudoun Location, Other Remains Open
- Route 7 Brewing Sets September Opening Date In Ashburn
- Authors Best-Selling Ice Creams Opens Brick-And-Mortar Shop In Ashburn
- Single Mom Owner Of Home Care Business Opens Loudoun Cleaning Service
- Ashburn-Founded Pet Care And Grooming Business Woofie's Expanding In Loudoun
- Loudoun County Mall Gains New Zealand-Style Ice Cream Shop
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park Closed In Cascades Marketplace Spot Slated For Development
- More Flex Industrial Space Pursued At Ashburn Crossing To Meet Business Demand
- Builder Acquires Kincora Land For More Townhouse Condos
- Medical Spa, Newest Business At Ashburn's Loudoun Station, Holds Ribbon Cutting
- Goodwill's Newest DC Area Store To Open In Loudoun County
- First 50 To Get Açaí Bowl Or Smoothie At Brambleton Rush Bowls Opening
- 8 Loudoun Restaurants Honored With Wine Spectator Awards
Local Government
- Housing, Economic Development: Loudoun Board Of Supervisors Adopt 6 Focus Areas
- Firefighter Tribute, Economy, Mental Health Highlighted In Loudoun Chair's State Of County
- Loudoun's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adopted With Lower Real Estate Tax Rate
- No 'Moratorium' Allowed On Data Center Development: Loudoun County
- 'Making History': Loudoun County's First Collective Bargaining Agreement Approved
- First Collective Bargaining Agreement In Loudoun County Ratified, Up For Board Approval
- Early Voting To Begin For House, Senate Seat Special Elections In Loudoun County
- Loudoun County Courthouse Named National Historic Landmark
- Amended Belmont Data Center Proposal Approved In Loudoun
- Vehicle Registration Fee Elimination, Lower Tax Rates Considered By Loudoun Supervisors
- Most Ashburn Precincts Prefer Harris Over Trump In 2024 Presidential Election
- Loudoun County Sees Continued Population Growth: Census
- Loudoun's Data Center Process Setting Standards, Locations To Begin
- Loudoun's Data Center Tax Base Jumps, Residential Increases Continue
- Subramanyam Projected To Win Over Clancy In 10th Congressional District Race
- Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Fails Loudoun Supervisor Vote
- More Moderate Income Households Now Eligible For Loudoun's Homeowner Loan Program
- 3 Residential Developments OK'd By Loudoun Supervisors
- Rent, Eviction Prevention Program To Launch In Loudoun County
- Democratic Supervisors Slam Removal Of 98 Loudoun County Voters
- Loudoun To Explore Additional Early Voting Sites For 2025 Amid Limited Weekend Voting
- Loudoun County's Invasive Plant Removal Pilot To Take Root
- Park On Loudoun Water Reservoir Property To Open To Public In Ashburn
- Loudoun County's Newest Glass Recycling Location To Open In Ashburn
- Airport Noise Notification Rule To Be Partially Suspended In Loudoun County
Schools
- New Loudoun School Board Members Sworn In, Mansfield Elected Chair
- Loudoun Education Association Chosen For Collective Bargaining At LCPS
- Collective Bargining For LCPS Staff Approved By Loudoun County School Board
- Stricter Cell Phone Policy For Students Approved At Loudoun County Schools
- Cell Phone Rules, School Capacity Priorities As LCPS Opens 99th And 100th Schools
- Loudoun Schools Make Gains In All Standards Of Learning Test Subjects
- Former Loudoun Superintendent Faces New Trial: Report
- Gun Safety Storage Resolution Approved By LCPS Board, School Violence Concerns Voiced
- Lottery Added In LCPS Career And Technical Academy Admissions
- New Lottery At LCPS Career And Technical Academy Sparks Student Backlash
- School Threats Investigated At Loudoun School District, Security Boosted
- Swatting Call Suspected In Threat Against School In Loudoun County
- Alternative To 16 Late Start Dates For Students OK'd By Loudoun School Board
- Loudoun School Is VA's First Traditional High School To Earn STEM Certification
- Loudoun Schools To Take Part In New Lab School To Support Career Pathways
- Elementary School Resource Officers Pushed By Loudoun Sheriff
- Loudoun School Chosen As First In VA To Perform 'Harry Potter' Play
- Random Scans For Drugs To Take Place In Loudoun County High Schools
- Amended Loudoun County Schools Budget Passed By School Board
- Loudoun Crossing Guards Win Most Outstanding In VA Award
- Loudoun School Board Member Not Formally Disciplined Over Confidentiality Concern
- Student's Non-Fatal Overdose Prompts Notification By Loudoun Schools Superintendent
- 2 School Renaming Committees Appointed By Loudoun School Board
- Outdoor Learning Lab Opened In Preparation For Ashburn Early Childhood Education Center
- 8 Loudoun Schools Earn Military-Friendly Purple Star Status
- 2 Loudoun Students Named 2024 Presidential Scholars; Among 5 In Virginia
- 5 Loudoun Students Win College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships
- Loudoun Student Returns For Second Scripps National Spelling Bee
- 5 Loudoun High Schools Make Top 25 In U.S. News Best In VA Ranking
- Senior Assassins Game With Water Guns Draws Warning From LCPS, Sheriff's Office
- 8 Students From Loudoun County Win $2,500 National Merit Scholarships
- American Flag Making Helps Loudoun Students Learn Meaning Of Memorial Day
- Independence High School Band Wins Second State Championship In A Row
- Future Cell Phone Towers At Loudoun Schools Restricted
- Seniors At Loudoun County Schools Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
- 4 Students In Loudoun County Win Dunkin’ Regional Scholarships
Transportation
- Toll Increases On Dulles Greenway Rejected By State Corporation Commission
- Free Local Bus, Paratransit Service Begins In Loudoun In New Year
- Loudoun Transit To Remove Some Routes, Increase Commuter Bus Fare
- Deteriorated Bridge To Close 'Indefinitely' In Sterling Neighborhood
- White's Ferry Donation Offered To MD County
- $55M In NVTA Money To Help Fund 3 Loudoun Transportation Projects
- Ribbon Cutting Planned For New 4-Lane Road, Widening In Arcola
- Crosswalk With Flashing Beacons Added Near Ashburn Senior Center
- Ribbon Cutting For Belmont Ridge Road Widening Planned In Ashburn
- Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Bolstered In Loudoun County
- Pedestrian Death Site Near Cascades Marketplace Eyed For Safety Upgrades
- Electric Vehicle Fees To Be Charged At Loudoun Metro Parking Garages
More Local
- 'Uplifting': Santa Delivers Joy And Toys To Children In Loudoun Hospital
- 'He's A Light': 3-Year-Old Son Inspires Ashburn Family's Blood Donation Advocacy
- Fallen Firefighter Trevor Brown's Family Aided With Mortgage-Free Home
- Firefighter Trevor Brown Named Loudoun United's First Hometown Hero Of Year
- Ashburn's Emily Fox Wins Olympic Gold With U.S. Women's Soccer Team
- Ashburn Village Woman Fighting Leukemia Brings Light To Blood Shortage
- 'Bit Of Normalcy': Hospital Staff Bring The Tricks And Treats To Pediatric Patients
- Live4Lane 5K Supports Mental Health In 5th Year, Honoring Dominion High School Teen
- 'All For The Athletes': Cheer Athletes Sparkle With Stunts During Loudoun Fireworks
- Loudoun's Scrape For The Grape Volunteers Honored, Repeat Event Eyed For 2025
- Ashburn Masonic Lodge and Youth Groups Donate 3/4 Tons of Food
- Donations, New Center Aid NoVA Food Pantries As Need Increases During Summer
- 11-Year-Old Loudoun County Cancer Survivor Inspires Fundraising To Fight Leukemia
- $243K Raised For Local Nonprofits Through 2024 Race On Dulles Greenway Toll Road
- Plant-A-Thon At Loudoun Farm Benefits Food Insecure
- Nonprofit Loudoun County Farm Donates 1M Pounds Of Food In 5 Years
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