Hi Sterling! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Fab Fridays Live Music: Silent Dance Party and 14 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross an angry cow with an angry sheep? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Man convicted of starting deadly townhouse fire in Loudoun County community (wjla.com) — A Loudoun County jury has convicted 78-year-old Jacob Bogatin of murder and multiple arson charges for a 2025 townhouse fire in a Sterling community that killed 36-year-old Madelaine Samantha Akers. The verdict, reached after a 12-day trial, stems from a blaze on Riptide Square that engulfed several homes and left neighbors shaken across the Sterling area.
2. Meet the Northern Virginia Native Who Voices Mrs. Potato Head in 'Toy Story 5' (northernvirginiamag.com) — A Northern Virginia native who once attended Sugarland Elementary School in Sterling has landed the coveted role of Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 5. She recalls childhood memories in Sterling and Arlington before building a prolific Hollywood voice career, and hopes her Pixar breakthrough inspires locals to pursue creative dreams beyond traditional paths.
3. Home-Away-From-Home Spots for NFL Fans in Northern Virginia (thelocalgirl.com) — Sterling football fans looking for a lively game-day scene can join fellow Dallas Cowboys supporters at Bungalow Lakehouse on Lake Center Plaza, which offers multiple TVs, bars, and plenty of seating. The roundup also points to other Northern Virginia spots where fans of teams like the Bills, Browns, Eagles, and Steelers gather to watch games together all season.
4. Hydrogen-Powered Drone Manufacturing Arrives in Winchester (thewinchestergazette.com) — A Sterling-based drone company, Heven AeroTech, is expanding its footprint by opening a major hydrogen-powered drone manufacturing plant in Winchester, while keeping its headquarters in Sterling. The move could eventually mean more high-tech jobs and supply-chain activity tied back to Sterling as the company builds a national production network for defense and commercial customers.
5. Is There a 'Data-Center Effect' on Real Estate? (nar.realtor) — Sterling's role in Northern Virginia's booming data-center corridor is spotlighted in a new National Association of REALTORS report examining how these massive facilities affect nearby home values, utility costs, and commercial demand. While county-level data show no clear hit to housing prices, the study urges buyers near Sterling centers to weigh noise, power use, and future expansion plans carefully.
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Ok Sterling! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: An animal that's in a baaaaad mooood! (Thank you Lisa A. for sending it in!)
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