With the property acquired in 2001, the groundbreaking ceremony for a Balls Bluff Veterans Park this Saturday marks a significant step forward in what has been a lengthy process for the Town of Leesburg.
The town and Nova Parks acquired 141 acres adjacent to the Balls Bluff Regional Park, with the town’s share of 86 acres planned to be developed along the Potomac River near the Potomac Crossing neighborhood in northeast Leesburg.
Phase One of the project will include the construction of a two-lane, three-quarter-mile access road from Ball’s Bluff Road to the river, along with parking lots, a boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft, and other related improvements. The second phase, to be completed in fall 2029, will include roadway upgrades, additional parking, a picnic pavilion, and upgrades to the existing silos and trail improvements.
The ceremony will be held at 42314 Ball’s Bluff Road NE, starting at 10 a.m.
Leesburg's Department of Economic Development yesterday held its annual business awards, highlighting the community contributions of businesses and individuals in a variety of categories.
Brianne Grant and Cheryl Strasser of Cowbell Kitchen took home the George C. Marshall Award, which celebrates community leaders who demonstrate exemplary commitment to the community above and beyond business contributions. Grant and Strasser were recognized not only for their popular downtown café, but also their partnership with the Love KK Foundation, which combats food insecurity by providing locally grown products to the Lucketts community food pantry.
BENEFIT took home the Arts and Cultural Award, given to a business organization or individual that contributes to or actively supports art within the town. BENEFIT is a coalition of musicians and community leaders who use music to fundraise for charitable causes, including at the annual Crossroads Music Festival held each fall.
The Community Ambassador Award was given to Pawsitivity Pet Services, for contributing time, talent, and resources to promote the town’s positive image.
“They contribute to a culture that elevates the community,” Mayor Kelly Burk said. “They’ve continued to grow in Leesburg and give back in meaningful and active ways, distributing their time, their resources and energy towards bettering the lives of local residents and shelter animals with direct donations and volunteering in community based activities.”
The New or Expanding Business Award was presented to Wonder Childhood Discovery. Burk said that the company “sprouted from the gap in our local community for early childhood development, focused on sensory friendly activities for young families.”
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties took home the Nonprofit Award, which celebrates an organization that serves or benefits Leesburg residents and businesses with a direct involvement and commitment to the community.
The People’s Choice Award, selected by the public from the list of businesses nominated across all categories, was given to Wonder Childhood Discovery.
The Sterling man convicted of providing drugs that resulted in a teen’s fatal fentanyl overdose in 2022 was sentenced today to a 25-year prison term.
Haider Sudhuzai pleaded guilty in February to distribution to a minor of a schedule II drug.
During the May 29 sentencing hearing, Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman handed down the 25-year sentence, with 11 years suspended.
Sudhuzai, a Pizza Hut worker, gave a 17-year-old, identified with nickname “Eden” in court documents, fentanyl on Sept. 24, 2022. Her twin sister discovered Eden dead in her room the next day. A toxicology report from the Virginia Chief Medical Examiner’s Office found fentanyl in her bloodstream. That blood sample also revealed Bupropion, and Fluoxitine.
Investigators linked Suhuzai to the case using Eden’s phone and a law enforcement database that led them to Suhuzai’s FaceBook profile, his driver’s license and vehicle registration. While search his vehicle, investigators found fentanyl inside, according to case evidence. Also according to evidence, Sudhuzai met with Eden and her partner at a 7-Eleven and handed the two a “white powdery substance.”
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors called four witnesses to the stand — her parents, girlfriend, and a sister.
Her father said the family has been experiencing disenfranchised grief – that the social stigma of losing a child to a drug overdose, combined with shame and guilt made coping more difficult.
“Every day is a horrible day. It has aged me quickly,” he said.
Eden’s girlfriend said no child should have to go through the death of their first love. She said the possibility that her friends and family are dead is the first thing that pops into her head when they don’t answer the phone.
Eden’s mother said Eden’s twin sister suffers from severe PTSD, phobias, and severe social anxiety after what happened. She has refused to celebrate the birthday she used to share with her sister, she said.
Sudhuzai’s attorney argued that he was remorseful, evidenced by him not requesting bond. Sudhuzai apologized to the family in the court room. He said he knows there isn’t anything he can do to make the situation better, but that he was trying every day to be a better person.
Sudhuzai’s sister, Suniya Sudhuzai, brother Akbar Sudhuzai, and his brother’s girlfriend Belinda Bargas also testified during the hearing.
Suniya said Sudhuzai was an addict who had overdosed 11 times previously and that the family had been trying to do everything they could to help him. She said Sudhuzai struggled with cultural stigmas around mental health and substance abuse as the son of immigrant parents.
Sudhuzai’s attorney described him as addict “scraping the bottom of the barrel,” not a high-level drug dealer or someone “profiteering off poison.”
Plowman said the state’s sentencing guidelines offered a range of five to 40 years in prison based on the quantity of the drug, the degree of profiteering, and prior convictions.
“I don’t have any info to suggest that Sudhuzai was a profiteer,” he said, weighing the facts of the case. He also noted that, despite Sudhuzai’s difficult upbringing, both his brother and sister are “productive members of society.”
“No matter what the sentence is, it’s not going to make things right,” Plowman said.