🌱 Restaurant Health Violations + Loudon Family Sues Jail For Torture

Hello all. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Leesburg Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler; a little p.m. rain. High: 47 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories in Leesburg today:

1. Several Leesburg restaurants were dinged with violations in a recent health inspection. Hunan Cafe, Sidebar, McDonalds, and Chefscape Leesburg were among the local restaurants with several violations. You can read the full report as released by the Loudoun County Health Department at the link. (Leesburg Patch)
2. A Loudon-county family is suing Loudoun County jail for $7 million. Rickie Piland has been a pre-trial detainee at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s jail for nearly two years for a sexual assault charge. His family is suing the jail, claiming he was tortured. The suit alleges that Loudoun deputies used pepper spray to get Piland to comply, restrained him in a wheelchair, brought him to a jail shower, and burnt him with scalding water. Piland was treated for severe burns after the incident. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
3. A Heritage High School senior and cancer survivor shot a game-winning basket. 17-year-old Rocky Elardo was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2019, completing chemo her freshman and sophomore years, and then radiation her junior year. Still, she made it to every basketball practice she could physically go to and was an active participant in the team over the last four years. She recently made the game-winning, at-the-buzzer shot that clinched the win against Rock Ridge High School. (GMA)

Today in Leesburg:

• New Mama Cafe at Panera Bread (9:30 AM)
• Family Storytime at Rust Library (10:00 AM)
• Rugby Basics with Old Glory D.C. at Rust Library (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes are available in the Leesburg area. Browse the newest real estate roundup to see what's available, including a 1,040 sq. ft. three-bed and two-bath townhome for $325,000 and a four-bed, five-bath single-family home for just over $1 million. (Leesburg Patch)
• This month is all about learning music at the YMCA Loudoun Youth Development Center! Early Learners have already been able to be fully immersed in learning about reading music and playing instruments, thanks to wonderful volunteers. (YMCA Loudoun County via Facebook)
• Relay For Life of Loudoun County, VA needs driving volunteers. Currently, the Relay for Life can’t provide rides to everyone who asks. Becoming a trained volunteer driver will fill that need and ensure patients' access to care isn’t prevented or delayed. (Relay For Life of Loudoun County, VA via Facebook)

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• NEW all-inclusive Senior Community in Ashburn (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.