🌱 New Title For Miss Loudoun County + Teen Arrested In Gunfire Case

Hi, Leesburg! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the Fourth of July. I’ll be back in your inbox after the holiday, but until then, here’s what’s happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Very warm with a thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 68.
• Tuesday: A stray afternoon t-shower. High: 88 Low: 67.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High: 89. Low: 70.

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Here are the top three stories today in Leesburg:

1. After an agreement with law enforcement last week, Loudoun County's school system will be changing the way their resource officers handle sexual assault cases. The new deal will focus on certain trainings and learning trauma-informed policing tactics that better help students who have been sexually assaulted or victims of domestic violence. According to reports, this is a result of two sexual assault cases that involved the same student back in 2021 and ended with former Superintendent Scott Ziegler being fired. (WTOP)
2. On Saturday, Jul. 1, the Commonwealth crowned Miss Loudoun County as the new Miss Virginia for 2023. After a three-day competition at the Berglund Center, winner Katie Rose will now spend the next year preparing for the Miss America pageant and traveling throughout the state of Virginia. In addition, the competition gave our more than $60,000 in academic scholarships to a variety of participants. (WSLS)
3. Earlier last week, the Leesburg Police Department officially arrested the teenage boy who was involved in a May gunfire investigation. The 18-year-old was taken into custody on numerous charges, including willful discharge of a firearm in a public place, possession of a firearm by an undocumented individual, and two counts of destruction of property as well as possession of a controlled substance. Jairo Amaya-Sorto is being held at Loudoun Count Sheriff's Office without bond. (LeesburgVa.gov)

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Coming up in Leesburg:

Monday, July 3

• Signature Experience At Stone Winery Tower (12:00 PM)

Tuesday, July 4

• 4th Of July Parade At Ida Lee Park Festival Parking (9:15 AM)

Wednesday, July 5

• Bob And Mike From Mudyard Band Live At Spanky’s Shenanigans (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Havilah Mitchell, a 5-year-old girl who's legally blind, deaf, and nonverbal, returned to kindergarten after missing 28 consecutive days of school. Havilah's mother said she's been pressing the school district for months to help comply with the Havilah's Individualized Education Plan, which includes a private duty nurse. (Loudoun Now)
• The Leesburg Police Department is celebrating Master Police Officer Bruce "Bill" Wolff's retirement after 40 years of service within their community. Officer Wolff says he will miss serving his community, but is excited to be able to spend more time with family and friends during this next chapter of life. (Leesburg Police Department via Facebook)
• On Tuesday, Jul. 4, Historic Downtown Leesburg will be hosting their annual Independence Day Parade beginning at Ida Lee Park. The parade will also feature the 15th annual Patriot's Cup Competition that's sponsored by the Loudoun Now newspaper. (Town of Leesburg)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.