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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

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Sully Community Center Opens in Chantilly/Oak Hill

A place for fitness, senior activities, sports, classes and healthcare.

A place for fitness, senior activities, sports, classes and healthcare.

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What’s on the Travel Horizon for Centreville, Chantilly

Several transportation projects are planned for the area.

Several transportation projects are planned for the area.

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Plastic Recycling Earns Bench for Neighborhood

Elise Forrester rises to the NexTrex Challenge.

Elise Forrester rises to the NexTrex Challenge.

Erin Peterson Fund Golf Tourney, Sept. 22

Erin Peterson Fund Golf Tourney, Sept. 22

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Macbeth ‘Will Grip the Audience’

Chantilly High grads are in outdoor production of ‘Macbeth.’

Chantilly High grads are in outdoor production of ‘Macbeth.’

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Route 29 Bridge Northbound over Cub Run Under Repair

‘We need to work without the traffic in the way’

Route 29 Bridge Northbound over Cub Run Under Repair

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‘Does This Really Benefit the Community or McDonald’s?’

Residents, land-use group oppose new McDonald’s in Centreville.

Residents, land-use group oppose new McDonald’s in Centreville.

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Fair Oaks Fire Causes $175,000 Damage

Fair Oaks Fire Causes $175,000 Damage

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Compton Road Shared-use Path Update

‘This project is on the county’s priority plan.’

‘This project is on the county’s priority plan.’

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Appreciated!

Local neighborhoods celebrate National Night Out.

Local neighborhoods celebrate National Night Out.

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Are Supervisors Out of Touch with Residents?

Residents furious board OKed funding of Braddock/Old Lee jughandle.

Residents furious board OKed funding of Braddock/Old Lee jughandle.

FCPS Laptops Stolen; Local Man Charged

FCPS Laptops Stolen; Local Man Charged

Fairfax Man Charged: Juvenile Sexual Assault

Fairfax Man Charged: Juvenile Sexual Assault

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‘When Trust Is Broken’

Greenbriar East Elementary health aide charged with stealing students’ medication.

Greenbriar East Elementary health aide charged with stealing students’ medication.

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‘It’s Like a Great, Big, Community Family’

Centreville’s Cox Farms celebrates 50th anniversary.

Centreville’s Cox Farms celebrates 50th anniversary.

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‘We Cook with Love and Everything’s Homemade’

Roaming Rooster opens in Chantilly Crossing.

Roaming Rooster opens in Chantilly Crossing.

Roundups

Roundups

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‘We’re Down about 140-plus Officers’

Police chief addresses Sully police station’s CAC.

Police chief addresses Sully police station’s CAC.

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‘Nothing about What Happened Is OK’ in Arlington

Westfield grad Chaz Coffin is in “The Scottsboro Boys.”

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Valentine’s Day and Volunteers

Seniors learn about opportunities to serve their community.

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‘Music to Do Good and Help People’

Project Joy will provide an income for Zambian orphans.

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Synchronized Skater Follows Her Dreams

LaDan Nemati wins gold medal with Team USA.

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First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton

Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'

Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.

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ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities

Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.

In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.

Phony Stamps in Fairfax: Two Years Probation

A local businessman has been sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution to the U.S. Postal Service. He is Brian Kim, 38, of Fairfax.

Take Precautions against Rabies

Animal Shelter offers advice to reduce the risk.

Rabies is a deadly virus that infects animals and may be a risk to humans, as well. The most commonly reported rabid animals in Fairfax County include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. But even pets aren’t automatically immune to this disease and must be vaccinated against it.

From the Streets to Safety and Success

Before the CLRC opened in the Centreville Square Shopping Center, day laborers stood on the nearby street corners and outside the Centreville Regional Library and employers hired them from there. But many didn’t get work and, often, some who did were cheated out of their wages by employers refusing to pay them after the job was done.

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‘Victims’ Rights Are a Necessity’

Honoring crime victims with walk, words and candlelight vigil.

Siobhan Russell was just 19 when her ex-boyfriend killed her. Ron Kirby, a noted regional transportation planner, was murdered in his Alexandria home in November by an unknown assailant.

‘Goal Is To Spot Kids in Crisis’

Police, others take suicide prevention training.

Although there have been four recent incidents of teen suicides in Fairfax County, the Police Department has planned to offer Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training for its officers since October 2013.

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Schools Present Choral Concert

Centreville High and Liberty Middle schools will unite in song to present a Spring Choral Concert, next Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. The free concert will be held in the Centreville High auditorium. Afterward, the audience is invited to join the performers for a reception in the lobby.“It’s some of the most beautiful music they’ve studied all year,” said Centreville Choral Director Lynne Babcock. “It really shows off their musical skill and talents.”Liberty’s 90-person choir, under the direction of Nancy Hayes, will be singing first. The students will perform “The Bells,” “S’Vivon” and “Kyrie.”“I’m so happy that our students can share a concert together,” said Hayes. “This way, the middle-school students are hearing the high-school choirs at their very best. And hopefully, it will inspire them to continue singing in choir when they get to Centreville High.”Centreville will showcase 125 singers in six choirs, each performing separately.

WFCM Seeks Contributions

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) believes people in the community can provide hope for local families facing financial hardships. Toward that end, it’s launching its annual Bread and Water fundraising campaign.For any four-week period they choose between March and June, businesses, churches and other groups wishing to participate will receive water bottles to fill with coins, cash or checks (made payable to WFCM). Even a small amount of spare change — when added to all the other donations received — can assist WFCM in making a big difference in the lives of those whom it helps.

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Theater Workshops Offered from the Professionals

Broadway comes to Fairfax with the arrival of actress Candi Boyd, currently appearing on Broadway in the play, “Jersey Boys.” On Sunday, March 9, she’ll present a musical-theater workshop, “Broadway: Behind the Curtain,” at Fairfax High – and it’s open to all area high-school students. It’ll run from noon-4:30 p.m. in the auditorium, with a limited number of spots available. Tickets range from $10-$40, depending on level of participation. The event’s a fundraiser for Fairfax High’s theater program, and school Theater Director Erich DiCenzo hopes to make it an annual tradition. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to have exposure to professional and talented artists,” he said. “Anyone with any interest in this field is welcome. Attendees don’t have to be theater students.”

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‘We Will Not Tolerate Unsafe Driving’

Police want motorists to get the message from their new cruiser.

There’s a new weapon in the Fairfax County Police Department’s arsenal, but this one has four tires and an engine. It’s a new cruiser covered with messages warning people not to drive impaired or distracted. It was unveiled on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Sully District Station, and the station’s commander, Capt. Ed O’Carroll, explained its significance.

Roundups

House Fire: $100,000 Damage A house fire over the weekend caused an estimated $100,000 damage to a single-family home in Centreville. Fire investigators say the blaze was accidental. They blamed it on an electrical anomaly in the air-conditioning wall unit in the garage that had been converted into a daycare center. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded Sunday, Feb. 16, around 2:15 p.m. to 7105 Ordway Road. First-arriving firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the garage. They brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. Working smoke alarms provided early warning and allowed the home’s occupants to escape unharmed before the firefighters arrived. No one was injured, but the fire displaced four adults and three children.

Working Toward World Peace

Sharing her views on peace, faith and helping one’s fellow man, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova participated recently in a peace event at a Chantilly mosque. She was a guest speaker invited by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and she said she’s pleased to be in local government where she can have direct involvement with and impact upon her constituents.

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How to Fix I-66?

More lanes, bus rapid transit, rail, spot improvements proposed.

It’s said that nothing’s certain but death and taxes – but most of the time, traffic congestion on I-66 can be added to that list. So VDOT’s seeking input from the public on how best to alleviate it.

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On the Job and Hot on the Trail

Finding people is fun for new, police bloodhound pups.

“We’ll get them out here and acclimate them to the noises — gunfire, [vehicle] brakes and birds,” said Masood. They’ll also be exposed to airplanes, wind, rain, heat, car horns honking, plus obstacles such as fences. And they’ll learn how it feels on their paws to walk in the woods, through brush, on cement, carpet, tile floors, etc. That way, said Clarke, “When they get out on the street, when they’re almost a year old, they’ll be ready.”

Cycling for Campus Safety

Gran Fondo to raise funds for VTV Family Outreach Foundation.

Bicyclists ride to promote campus safety

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President Comes to the Area

Obama rallies his supporters during the campaign stop at Centreville High.

Before President Barack Obama addressed the huge crowd inside Centreville High, Saturday afternoon, Jerry Foltz of Wellspring United Church of Christ gave the invocation.

Herrity, Hugo Respond to Obama’s Visit

Both Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) held a joint press conference Saturday afternoon, speaking to local Romney supporters prior to President Obama’s campaign rally at Centreville High. Said Herrity: "It was nice to see so many people from Little Rocky Run stop by and pick up Romney signs and stand with us."

30 Years in Prison for Wife’s Murder

‘There’s nothing to defend this crime.’

Consumed by his own irrational fears and demons, Chantilly’s Tony Tong had threatened to kill his wife for years. In October 2010, he did so; and last week in Fairfax County Circuit Court, he was sentenced to 30 years in pri

Roundups

Free Carseat Inspections

The Play’s the Thing

Chantilly, Westfield finish first, second in one-act competition.

Local students showed off their acting chops last week when Chantilly and Westfield high schools finished first and second, respectively, in the Concorde District portion of the VHSL One-Act Play Competition. It was held Monday, Jan. 30, at Herndon High.

Details of the Offense

In January 2011, Tony Tong had a preliminary hearing in connection with the death of his wife, Kathleen Tran. Homicide Det. Brian Colligan explained the events leading up to the Oct. 22, 2010 tragedy. He said Tran had driven their son John home from a friend’s house and, some time after 1 a.m., they arrived home to find Tong, then 43, furious.

Progress Report from Labor Resource Center

The Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) opened in December and, in nearly two months of operation, registered more than 150 Centreville-area residents who want temporary employment. CLRC’s professional staff and 27 volunteers provide information and quick service to both employers and those seeking work.

‘Dramapalooza’ at Centreville High

One-act play festival takes the stage.

Students take the helm when Centreville High presents "Dramapalooza," its annual, one-act play festival. Show times are Friday, Feb 17, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb 18, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Campbell Takes a Look Back

Although Mike Campbell will leave Centreville High in July, he’s still delighted to be its principal and is proud of the school’s standing locally and nationwide.

Heading for Huntsville

CVH Principal Campbell retiring, taking job in Alabama.

The way Mike Campbell figures it, his retirement will last all of 24 hours. Centreville High’s principal is leaving the school, this summer, and heading for a new job with Huntsville City Public Schools in Alabama.

Remembering Harry Heisler

Wife mourns husband of 28 years.

Ask Evelyn Heisler what made her husband Harry so special to her, and she answers without hesitation. "He had a razor-sharp wit and a brilliant sense of humor and he made me laugh every day," she said.