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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Sully District: Tessema Named Officer of the Month

Police Officer Robel Tessema has been recognized as the Officer of the Month for March.

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Centreville: ‘I’m Doing OK; No One’s Hurt’

Two-alarm, Centreville house fire does $82,810 damage.

A two-alarm house fire in Centreville last week displaced a family of three and caused nearly $83,000 damage, according to fire officials.

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Centreville: Local Group Brings History to Life

Bull Run Civil War Round Table celebrates 25th anniversary.

The Bull Run Civil War Round Table invites the public to a special program to help celebrate its 25th anniversary on Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m., at the Centreville Regional Library.

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Relay For Life to Help Find Cure for Cancer

Local Relay For Life event is June 11.

On the surface, walking around a track over and over may not seem too productive. But when done during the Relay for Life, it can make a world of difference to people battling cancer.

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Ninth Annual Reema Remembrance Cabaret Set for June 4

Providing entertainment and raising funds for students' in need.

Singing, dancing, comedy sketches, a silent auction, food and fun will take center stage when Westfield High and Angel Fund host a free event celebrating life and community through the arts. It’s slated for Saturday, June 4, in the Westfield auditorium, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.

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‘The Chance to Be Like Other Teens’

Students attend Day Prom at The Waterford in Fair Oaks.

At last week’s prom, the students attending ate pizza, visited with friends, danced and sang along with the music. But this wasn’t just any prom — it was the Day Prom for special-education students with intellectual disabilities.

Chantilly: Cappie Nominations

Westfield gets 11 and Chantilly, 6.

The 2015-2016 Cappie nominations for high-school theater were released Monday, with Chantilly and Westfield high schools receiving 17 nods between them. Chantilly performed the play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” and Westfield put on the musical, “Footloose.” Centreville High didn’t enter this year’s competition.

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Chantilly: ‘We’ll Never Forget Vicky and Mike’

New memorial dedicated to Armel and Garbarino.

May 8, 2006 is a date seared into the hearts and minds of everyone who remembers the tragic events that happened that day at the Sully District Police Station. It was when a heavily armed teen took the lives of two police officers — Det. Vicky Armel, 40, and MPO Mike Garbarino, 53.

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Chantilly: ‘A World of Pure Imagination’

Chantilly High presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Willy Wonka, Charlie Buckett and a fleet of Oompa-Loompas will all burst upon the stage during Chantilly High’s upcoming children’s play, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The curtain rises Friday, May 20, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 21, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in the school theater. Tickets are $5 at the door or via www.chantillyhsdrama.com.

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Centreville Snapshot:Work of Young Artists on Display

Centreville High’s Pyramid Art Show was April 14.

Centreville High Student Competes in Pageant

Next stop: College and another contest.

Selected as a finalist in the Miss Teen 2016 pageant, Centreville High senior Shaylan Ferguson participated in early April in Southern Virginia. And while she didn’t win, she enjoyed the experience, learned a few things along the way and plans to keep on competing.

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Centreville High: Action, Swordfights and Tech Surprises

Centreville High presents “The Three Musketeers.”

Featuring a cast of 34 and a crew of 12, Centreville High’s dramedy, “The Three Musketeers,” is all set to burst upon the stage.

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Potential Development of Dulles Suburban Center

A study to determine this land’s future is currently underway.

It’s been 23 years since the Dulles Suburban Center had a thorough review. But all that’s about to change, as a study has just began to document what’s there now and review recommendations for potential land-use changes and development in the future.

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Chantilly: ‘Comedy with a Lot of Heart’

Chantilly High presents “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

There’ll be laughs galore when Chantilly High presents the comedy, “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” It’s the school’s Cappies show and contains a cast and crew of 52.

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Sixth Annual Centreville International Showcase is Set for April 30

Find music, dancing, food, and more.

Everything from Korean drumming to Irish dancing, Guatemalan music and food from around the globe — it’ll all be part of the 6th annual Centreville International Showcase. The evening of fun is set for Saturday, April 30, from 5:30-9 p.m.

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Westfield High To Present the Musical, ‘Footloose’

“What a great way to end a beautiful year,” said director Susie Pike.

The music, story and costumes will transport audiences back to the ’80s when Westfield High presents the musical, “Footloose,” in the school theater. It’s Westfield’s Cappies show and features a cast and crew of 55.

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Centreville: The Alliance Theatre Presents “The Addams Family”

Takes the audience on a joyride.

Gomez, Morticia, Lurch and the rest of the gang from the classic TV show, “The Addams Family,” will come to life onstage when The Alliance Theatre presents the musical comedy of the same name. The show runs three weekends, April 29-May 15, at Mountain View High, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville.

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Planning Commission, Community Honors Litzenberger

“He’s someone who’s willing to invest the time and make people understand the land-use process.” — Michael Frey, former Sully District Supervisor

After Michael Frey retired as Sully District supervisor, Kathy Smith succeeded him and made her own appointments to various Fairfax County boards and commissions. So after serving eight years as Sully’s planning commissioner, John Litzenberger was replaced by Karen Keys-Gamarra.

After 15 Years, Wolfe Admits Guilt

Writes confession saying he killed Danny Petrole.

After 15 years of denying that he ordered the killing of Danny Petrole, Justin Wolfe reversed himself last week in a handwritten confession. In it, he admitted giving the go-ahead to the man who carried out the hit.

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Centreville: ‘He and Erin Are Together’

Grafton Peterson, Virginia Tech victim’s father, dies at 57.

Like most people, Grafton Peterson experienced both great joy and great sadness in his life. He had a long and happy marriage and two children he adored. But he outlived both his daughters and, on March 18, succumbed to a heart attack at age 57.

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Lidl Grocery for Chantilly?

Potential traffic problems have to be ironed out.

If all goes well, a little bit of Europe may someday come to Chantilly. It would do so in the form of a Lidl grocery store in the Chantilly Crossing Shopping Center.

Supporting Fairfax Salvation Army

Fundraiser for Fairfax Salvation Army set for the Waterford.

The hot looks for spring, live entertainment, a luncheon and a silent auction are all in store for attendees of the 36th annual fashion show benefiting the Fairfax Salvation Army. It will be held Friday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (off the ring road across from Fair Oaks Mall).

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‘Small Candle of Hope in a Troubled World’

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women hold interfaith peace dialogue.

Sometimes it takes a woman to lead the way — or, at least, to plant the seeds of a good idea. And that’s what happened when the Women’s Association of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith dialogue on peace.

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Stewart Honored as Officer of Month

Nabbed two people suspected of auto thefts.

Each month, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Sully District Police Station honors one of the station’s officers for his or her outstanding service to the police and to the community.

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Wish Comes True

Centreville’s Liam Bruen gets a companion dog.

Like most little boys, Liam Bruen loves superheroes and playing with his dog and his friends — he just does it from a wheelchair. Born with muscular dystrophy, he was officially diagnosed one-and-a-half years ago.

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Chantilly: Meet Westfield Principal Anthony Copeland

Decades of leadership prepared him for the job.

Westfield High Principal Anthony Copeland has a wealth of experience as a leader, both in schools and in the military. Before taking over the reins at Westfield in September 2015, he was an assistant principal at Lake Braddock Secondary and North Stafford High and an Army field artillery officer who served 20 years in the military.

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Chantilly Snapshot: Police Honor Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A’s Peter Kim (left) receives a plaque from police 1st Lt. Matt Owens. The restaurant was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. Owens, the assistant station commander, said Chick-Fil-A donated food to the police officers working on New Year’s Eve and has partnered with the station on various community projects. The plaque recognized Chick-Fil-A for its “continued, outstanding support and dedication to the men and women of the Sully District Police Station.”

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Centreville/Chantilly: State of the Station

A look at local crime, traffic and community engagement.

Basically, the Sully District is a safe place to live, and the men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing everything they can to keep it that way. That was the overall message presented by Capt. Bob Blakley, the station commander, and others during the annual State of the Station report to the community.

Rochefort: Officer of the Year

Wrote third-highest number of traffic tickets in the county.

PFC Brian G. Rochefort has been named the Sully District Police Station’s 2015 Officer of the Year. And although he couldn’t be present to receive his award, he was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

Mountain View Grads Succeeding Despite Obstacles

Mountain View honors four students with special awards.

During Mountain View High’s winter graduation last week, four students were honored with special awards. They were Sara Mendez, Jada Jones, Reynaldo Gonzalez Martinez and Brenda Rivera.

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Mountain View Principal: ‘You Can Achieve Anything’

Success stories shared at Mountain View’s graduation.

Mountain View High’s motto is “Family, Love, Respect,” and it was on full display during the school’s winter graduation, last Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Centreville High.

Fairfax County Police: ‘We’re There to Help Them Out’

CAC learns about Police Department’s hostage negotiations team.

Each month, members of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) learn about a different section of the Fairfax County Police Department. Recently, they learned about hostage negotiations.

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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.

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Centreville: Joining Together to Help, Support Others

Meet Centreville High’s Wildcats vs. Cancer club.

Centreville High sophomore Valerie Nguyen founded the Wildcats vs. Cancer club at her school to help others. But for her, the battle against this disease is also personal.

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Chantilly: ‘Seeing What’s Changed ... And what has not’ since “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Westfield presents ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’

A volatile courtroom drama in 1930s Alabama comes to life in Westfield High’s production of the Harper Lee classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

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Bite Me Cancer Gets New Home

Nonprofit now headquartered in AFCEA building in Fair Lakes.

When Nikki Ferraro was just 17, she was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. Since then, she’s fought it hard while also reaching out to help other teenagers battling the same disease.

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Centreville Resident: ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’

“American Idol” sends Westfield’s Sara Sturm to Hollywood.

It’s too early to know whether Centreville resident Sara Sturm will be the next American Idol; but at least, she has a chance. That’s because, after auditioning on the singing-competition show that aired Jan. 13 on national TV, she received a golden ticket to Hollywood.

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Chantilly: Fairytales, Puppets and Laughter for Everyone

Chantilly High presents “Jack and Jill and the Beanstalk.”

Take two popular fairytales, add a couple gigantic puppets and mix well inside the mind of Chantilly High Theater Director Ed Monk, and the result is the school’s upcoming children’s play.

New Sully Supervisor Chooses Her Team

Board of Supervisors has final say on Kathy Smith’s nominees.

New Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) has been busy choosing her team to assist her in issues regarding Sully. At press time on Tuesday, Jan. 12, she planned to announce her nominees to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which has the final say on their approval.

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Centreville/Chantilly: Looking into the Future

Homes, stores, restaurants and a roundabout.

With the downturn in the office market, developers are instead planning to build residential and commercial uses on vacant parcels of land in the Westfields area of Chantilly. Below are details about what’s on the horizon, including plans for a memory-care facility off of Route 50 west.

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Christmas Comes to Hanley Shelter

Christmas came early at the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter, courtesy of the third annual Gift of Giving event.

Chantilly: ‘In the Spirit of the Season’

Sully police collect, deliver holiday food to local families.

Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones lending a hand, this holiday season. The men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing their share, too. They “adopted” 30 local families in need, collected 2,009 pounds of food and then delivered it to them.

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Chantilly/Centreville: ‘In the Spirit of the Season’

Sully police collect, deliver holiday food to local families.

Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones lending a hand, this holiday season. The men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing their share, too. They “adopted” 30 local families in need, collected 2,009 pounds of food and then delivered it to them.

Snapshot: ONC Brings Holiday Happiness

Our Neighbor’s Child just packaged and delivered Christmas gifts to nearly 800 local families in need.

Chantilly/Centreville: ‘We Are All God’s Children’

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds prayer vigil.

The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is “Love for all, hatred for none.” Its members condemn violence, terrorism and Jihad and, instead, believe in morality, justice, peace and tolerance.

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Centreville: Homes Will Rise Instead of Offices

Developer will build 355 apartments at the Trinity Centre.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently approved a developer’s plan for the Trinity Centre in Centreville. As a result, 355 apartments will be built there, amenities will be added around the lake and the county will receive financial contributions.

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Centreville Snapshot: Stone Students Help ONC

Posing with some of the gifts donated by the community to Our Neighbor’s Child during the Panther Drop-Off are members of Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society.

Chantilly: Charlie Brown, the Grinch and More

Westfield High presents its “Ho-Ho Holiday Show.”

Each year, a holiday tradition at Westfield High is the “Ho-Ho Holiday show.”

Centreville: Voices Will Be Raised in Song

Centreville High presents winter choral concert.

Voices will be raised in song when Centreville High choral students present “Celebrate Peace; A Winter Choral Concert.” It’s set for Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the school theater. Admission is free and a reception will follow.

Lending a Hand To Help Others

Our Neighbor’s Child brightens Christmas for local families.

The volunteers of Our Neighbor’s Child are working as hard as Santa’s elves to bring holiday joy to local families in need. But with so many people in need, they can’t do it all without the community’s help.