Loudoun County news in brief

Loudoun Museum to reopen with 'Emerald County' show

After months of repairs, the Loudoun Museum will reopen its main galleries Friday with "The Lure of Loudoun: Virginia's Emerald County."

The exhibition includes period clothing, photographs, postcards and artifacts. Visitors can learn about the Civil War's impact on Loudoun County, the history of office machines and Ashburn's growth from a small town to a suburban community.

The museum, at 16 Loudoun St. SW in Leesburg, also features a Children's Discovery Room, with a small replica of a Quaker house and kitchen and hearth, period costumes for children to wear and a play area.

The museum will have free admission for the Friday reopening only.

For information, call 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.

Virginia officials predicting a sweet season for peaches

Cobbler lovers are in luck: This summer's Virginia peach crop is shaping up to be a sweet one, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says.

The department bases its forecast on a survey of major peach growers this month. The growers predicted an abundant and sweet crop, with some picking underway.

Spring rains got the peach crop off to a strong start, and the recent heat is putting a sweet finishing touch on the fruit, the department said.

Virginia's peach season runs from mid-July to Labor Day. The state has about 2,000 acres of commercially grown peaches. For a list of farms where customers can pick their own fruit, go to http://www.pickyourown.org.

Sheriff's office welcomes new recruit to the agency

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office recently announced the addition of recruit Tou V. Phung.

Phung graduated June 24 from the 122nd session of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy.

Phung is assigned to the field operations division as a member of its patrol and will undergo 12 weeks of field training.

-- From staff reports