🌱 Eaglets Name Contest + LCPS Officials Can Testify At Perjury

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this week started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things going on these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Mostly cloudy. High: 71 Low: 48.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 80 Low: 55.

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Here are the top three stories today in Leesburg:

1. According to the agency's case report, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office investigated communications in a closed Facebook group in December but found no evidence of criminal behavior. After a story by WJLA-TV highlighted the violent comments in the Loudoun Love Warriors group and connected its members of the group to elected Democrats. The investigation emphasized remarks made by group members regarding Mark Winn, a resident of Loudoun, after his remarks at a School Board meeting in December. The sheriff’s office opened a new investigation into the group that is separate from the one in December. Sheriff's Office spokesman Tom Julia stated via email that "the Mark Winn matter was investigated late last year and is separate from the investigation the Sheriff's Office opened this week." He declared that the sheriff's office had started its fact-finding process and declined to comment on the open investigation. (Loudoun Now)
2. The Dulles Greenway and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy have partnered for a contest that gives the public the opportunity to name the three eaglets that were born in March. Terr Hoffman, the Dulles Greenway's public and consumer relations manager, remarked, "We look forward to reviewing all the creative name choices contributed by our fans.” He stated that the three live on the Dulles Greenway Wetlands in Leesburg and are now 59, 57, and 54 days old. Fans of the eagles can submit their suggested names online. The first round's deadline is May 19 at 8 p.m. On Thursday, June 1, the Dulles Greenway Eagles Facebook page will reveal the winning names. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
3. LCPS communications director Joan Sahlgren and Stone Bridge High School principal Timothy J. Flynn will be permitted to testify for the prosecution in the perjury trial of LCPS spokesman Wayde Belmont Byard after a motion by defense lawyer Jennifer L. Leffler to exclude them as witnesses were denied on May 12. Leffler argued prosecutors for the Virginia Attorney General's Office violated Virginia law and a court order by providing Flynn and Sahlgren with transcripts of their testimony before a special grand jury that indicted Byard in December. Byard is charged with lying to the grand jury regarding his knowledge of a student-on-student sexual assault in a Stone Bridge restroom in May 2021 during his testimony in August. Former Superintendent Scott Alan Ziegler, who is charged with lying about the matter at a school board meeting, was also indicted. The trial for Byard is set for June 20–21. (Loudoun Times-Mirror)

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Today and tomorrow in Leesburg:

Monday, May 15

• PRCS on the Go! At Greg Crittenden Memorial Park (10:00 AM)
• Estate Experience | Stone Tower Winery At Stone Tower Winery (12:00 PM)
• B2R Lansdowne Hiring Open House At Bach To Rock (1:00 PM)
• Video Game Club: Super Smash Bros. Tournament At Rust Library (6:00 PM)

Tuesday, May 16

• Family Storytime At Brambleton Library (10:00 AM)
• Older Workers And Smart Job Search Strategies Workshop At Workforce Resource Center (10:00 AM)
• Annual Holiday Art Market At The Clay and Metal Loft (10:00 AM)
• Adult Book Club At Rust Library (2:00 PM)
• Anime Club: One Piece At Rust Library (6:00 PM)
• Tree Commission Monthly Meeting At Town Hall (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Reminder! National Police Week is May 14–20, and Leesburg will be placing blue ribbons on trees in front of town facilities and parks. Residents, schools, and businesses are asked to show their support for the Leesburg Police Department by placing blue ribbons around trees in their yards or on their mailboxes and wearing blue as an additional sign of support and appreciation. (Loudoun Now)
• Save the date! The "State of the Town" address by Mayor Kelly Burk, which was once set for Monday, May 15, has been moved to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The speech focuses on recent successes, ongoing initiatives, and what Leesburg can look forward to in the next months. The function will be held in Leesburg Town Hall's Council Chambers (25 West Market Street). The town's Facebook page will also broadcast the speech live. (Town of Leesburg, Virginia via Facebook)
• Announcement: Public restrooms at Cascades Library will be unavailable for the upcoming several weeks and service for the next few weeks. During library hours, portable restrooms are available with electricity, water, family facilities, and ADA accessibility in the front parking area. Thank you for understanding! (Loudoun County Public Library via Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

• Young Scholars Circle — (Visit website)

Featured events:

• Antique Silver & Brass Restoration Services: MONDAYS 10-4 (May 15)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (May 16)
• Ashburn Red Cross Blood Drive (May 18)
• Sterling Community Yard Sale!! (May 20)
• Riverside High School 5K Fundraiser American Heart Association (May 21)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be 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.