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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

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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.

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Fairfax City: Silverthorne Re-elected; Changes on Council

Stehle is in; Greenfield is out – maybe.

It was a night of high drama and raw emotion as Scott Silverthorne held off a challenger to win re-election to his third term as City of Fairfax mayor.

Fairfax: City Council Adopts FY 2017 Budget

Real estate tax rate rises just a penny.

When Fairfax City Manager Bob Sisson presented his proposed FY 2017 budget for the City, in February, he recommended raising the real estate tax by 2.7 cents, to $1.0815 per $100 assessed valuation.

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.

Fairfax High Presents ‘The Wedding Singer.’

Songs, dances, humor and a love story

Featuring a cast and crew of 63, Fairfax High presents the romantic comedy, “The Wedding Singer,” in the school theater. Based on the movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, it’s about wedding singer Robbie Hart, whose bride left him at the altar, and his new love, Julia, who’s engaged to someone else.

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Derby-Q is May 7 in the City of Fairfax

Barbecue, blues music, bourbon and beer – it’s all part of the City of Fairfax’s annual Derby-Q festival. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, from 2-7 p.m. in Old Town Square, at the corner of University Drive and North Street in downtown Fairfax.

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Fairfax Civil War Day Is this Saturday

A significant chapter in American history will come to life this Saturday, April 30, during the 16th annual Fairfax Civil War Day. It is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.

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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.

Mayor Scott Silverthorne Running for Re-election.

‘My Experience Qualifies Me as the Best Candidate’

Having served 18 consecutive years on the Fairfax City Council and now completing his fourth year as mayor, Scott Silverthorne definitely has a handle on the city and its issues.

Fairfax: Meet the Candidates for City Council in May 3 Election

Meet the Candidates for City Council in May 3 Election.

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Tom Ammazzalorso is the Challenger for Mayor

'Not afraid to go against the grain’

Tom Ammazzalorso has lived in the City of Fairfax for almost 20 years and was the past chairman of the City’s Republican Committee.

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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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Fairfax: Delving Inside Two Marriages

CFTC presents ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’

The 1963 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” established Edward Albee as the most important playwright of his generation.

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Fairfax: Sixty Years of Service, Memories and Fun

Woman’s Club of Fairfax celebrates diamond anniversary.

It takes effort, care and dedication to reach a 60th anniversary – and that’s exactly what the Woman’s Club of Fairfax has done.

Fairfax: Nominate Residential Properties for Awards

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time for City of Fairfax residents to start thinking about the 2016 Residential Appearance Awards.

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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.

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Fairfax: Lanier Students Head to State Competition

They also must raise money to go to nationals.

More than two dozen students from Lanier Middle School, plus some Fairfax High School freshmen, are vying this Saturday in a statewide competition. On Thursday, April 7, they head to the Virginia Beach Conference Center for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference.

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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Fairfax: Songs, Dances and Fun for Everyone

Paul VI presents ‘Emma, a Pop Musical.’

With Director Katherine Miller likening it to a “Disney-Channel movie,” Paul VI High will present “Emma, a Pop Musical,” April 8-10.

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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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Fairfax: Students Collect Socks for Homeless Families

Doing a good deed for others has led to state recognition for three Lanier Middle School students.

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Fairfax: 'We’ll Create a Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community’

Second meeting on fate of Paul VI building and property.

Street connectivity and what to do about the existing building remained top priorities of residents attending the second meeting about the fate of Paul VI High’s current site.

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Fairfax: Residents Have Their Say to Consultants

Discuss Paul VI site’s history, connections, drainage and traffic.

The firm that will redevelop the current site of Paul VI High School continues to seek the opinions of the surrounding residents.

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Fairfax: Ammazzalorso Announces His Candidacy for Mayor

Says two candidates are needed to debate the issues.

Schoolteacher Tom Ammazzalorso is challenging incumbent Scott Silverthorne to be the mayor of the City of Fairfax.

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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.

Fairfax: City Sets Advertised Real-Estate Tax Rate

But the actual number may change in coming weeks.

In February, Fairfax City Manager Bob Sisson presented his proposed FY 2017 budget for the City.

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Fairfax: Silverthorne, ‘I’m Up to the Task’

City of Fairfax Mayor kicks off re-election campaign.

Before an enthusiastic crowd of some 150 people, City of Fairfax Mayor Scott Silverthorne officially kicked off his reelection campaign, Sunday afternoon, at Red, Hot & Blue.

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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.”

Fairfax: Asking the Needed Questions

City Council and staff discuss City housing policy.

The City’s housing policy was one of the items discussed during the Fairfax City Council’s recent mini-retreat at the Blenheim Interpretive Center.

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Fairfax: Jara Honored as Officer of Year

Feted at City Police Department’s awards ceremony.

Officer Alex Jara is just 26, yet he’s already served with the military overseas and with the City of Fairfax Police Department for three-and-a-half years.

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Fairfax: Sisson Presents Proposed FY 2017 City Budget

Recommends 2.7-cent real estate tax rate hike.

Think it’s tough balancing a household budget? Try dealing with one that is more than $166 million.

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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.

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Fairfax: What to Do with the Paul VI Site?

Residents receive information, give comments during meeting.

Seeking a larger campus with room to expand, Paul VI High School will move from its longtime home in the City of Fairfax to a 68-acre site in Loudoun County in 2020.

Fairfax: Looking Out for Children’s Safety

Fairfax City Council adopts bike-helmet ordinance.

Bicycle-riding children in the City of Fairfax will now be a bit safer, thanks to a helmet ordinance just adopted by the Fairfax City Council.

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.