‘Read – A Need You Can Feed’
Church members read with London Towne Elementary students.
London Towne Elementary’s summer reading program was called, “Read — A Need You Can Feed.” And that need was met in two ways. When children came to brush up their reading skills, they were fed literally, getting to enjoy treats such as pizza, hot dogs, chips, juice and pudding. Their minds were also fed, as volunteers from Centreville Presbyterian Church (CPC) came to school and read stories with them.
‘My Crew Chief and Medic Saved Lives’
Vietnam veterans also share their stories.
Each year, Rocky Run Middle School invites veterans to participate in its annual World War II day. This year, it extended an invitation to veterans of more recent wars, as well, and they, too, enjoyed imparting their knowledge and reminiscences to the students.
Veterans Share Their Stories
Rocky Run Middle holds annual WWII Day.
A veteran of three wars, Russell O’Connell helped protect Gen. George Patton. Elmer Smith flew President Roosevelt to the “Big Three” meeting with Stalin and Churchill. And Ruth Erno was a Navy communications officer. They were among the more than 80 veterans who participated in June in Rocky Run Middle School’s annual World War II Day. It’s hosted each year by the seventh-grade class and organized by history teacher Jamie Sawatzky.
New County Police Chief Named
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning Aug. 6, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Police advise residents how to protect themselves.
With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Roessler Named Police Chief
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Roessler’s Resume with FCPD
Before Lt. Col. Edwin Roessler became acting and then full-fledged chief of police for Fairfax County, he served in every rank as he’s moved up the ladder. Since 2010, he was deputy chief of patrol managing Animal Services, plus crime-fighting efforts across eight district stations.
How to Make a Difference
WFCM needs people to participate in Homeless Walks.
On the surface, it seems as if the residents of Fairfax County are pretty well-off. But the real truth is that more than 1,500 of them are homeless — and they need help from those able to give it.
Four Years Prison for Fairfax Station Man
He planned to have sex with a minor.
A 67-year-old Fairfax Station man was sentenced last week to more than four years in federal prison. The punishment followed George Ronald Marion’s conviction for crossing state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, plus possession of child pornography.
Quilt Show Displays ‘Sacred Threads’
Some 231 handmade quilts exploring themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing were displayed during the biennial Sacred Threads exhibition, July 10-28, at Floris United Methodist Church in Oak Hill. Linda T. Cooper of Burke had one quilt in the show.
Local Students Learn by Doing
Centreville Elementary fourth-graders create living map of Virginia.
It’s one thing to tell children about their state — its shape, geography and crops — and another thing to have them re-create it in an interactive scale model. But that’s what happened at Centreville Elementary.
WFCM Gears up for Backpack Collection
1,682 backpacks needed for local students.
It may seem early to think about returning to school, but Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is already busy collecting backpacks for local students attending 23 elementary, middle and high schools. “These backpacks are given to students whose parents can’t afford all the school supplies it takes to send a child to school, let alone backpacks,” said Jennie Bush, WFCM’s community outreach manager. “Often, these families must decide between putting food on the table and gasoline in the car.” So WFCM has partnered with Collect for Kids, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Kids are First to help these students. Kids R First provides the school supplies needed at each grade level, and WFCM contributes the new backpacks.
Expo Sunoco Eyes Expansion
Alcoholic beverages sales concern WFCCA.
Sunoco plans to expand its gas station near the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly.
22 Years Prison for Handyman’s Death
Victim died protecting his boss’s son.
Jose Cardona wasn’t famous and didn’t hold an impressive, white-collar job. He worked as a handyman and gardener for a wealthy businessman in Centreville. But that didn’t make his life any less important than any other human being’s. And when the time came, he more than proved his value as a person by giving up his own life to protect that of his employer’s son.
Former Lorton Resident Is Charged With Rape
Police say deejay’s alleged victims were unconscious.
Believing he took sexual advantage of helpless, unconscious women, Fairfax County police have charged a former Alexandria and Lorton resident with rape and aggravated sexual battery. He is Joseph Michael Rivera, 34, although many in the local area knew him by his professional name of DJ Joey Flash.
Solving a Real-World Problem
Rocky Run students win a national science competition.
A team of three, seventh-grade girls from Rocky Run Middle School just won the national championship in the U.S. Army’s 11th annual eCybermission competition.
Slow Down on Roundabout Plan
WFCCA asks supervisors, Park Authority for public hearings on roundabout.
To VDOT’s way of thinking, a roundabout should be built at the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads in Centreville. But a vocal and determined group of local residents wants to put the brakes on this project.
Behind the Scenes at Police Academy
Local residents get a glimpse of weapons and vehicle training.
Police officers firing weapons and forcing a vehicle off the road during a high-speed pursuit — these are some of the things local residents recently got to see as part of a demonstration sponsored by the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee at Fairfax County’s police academy in Chantilly.
‘It’s Irreverent … and Entertaining’
Westfield Summer Stage Presents ‘The Producers’
With a cast and crew of more than 100, Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical that won more Tony awards than any other show in Broadway history, “The Producers.” The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, July 19-20 and July 26-27, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m., at Westfield High, 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Seats are reserved; tickets are $12 at www.westfieldtheatreboosters.com and $15 at the door.
‘For Service Beyond the Call of Duty’
Police MPO Gubesch is Officer of Month for June.
An 18-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department, MPO Mike Gubesch is the Sully District Station’s Officer of the Month for June. And he was honored recently at a meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Helping Teens Bounce Back from Adversity
Look for their strengths and build on them.
It’s not easy being a teenager. And in today’s world — where a fragile psyche can be crushed by thoughtless, callous and hurtful words by an online bully — it’s important to endow teens with the tools they need to have confidence in themselves, shake off the insults and bounce back.
Police Corral Wayward Cow in Centreville
Fairfax County Animal Control Officers are used to dealing with dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons and other critters. But it’s not every day they’re called upon to capture a cow on the run in the streets of Centreville.
Electrical Fire Engulfs Clifton Townhouse
A townhouse fire, early last Wednesday, July 10, caused an estimated $25,000 damage to a townhouse near New Braddock Road in Clifton.
Fairfax Man Charged With Molesting Child
A Fairfax man who worked as a local swimming coach and instructor has been arrested and charged with molesting a 7-year-old girl. He is Eduardo Requejo, 23, of Warwick Avenue. Fairfax County police say the alleged crimes did not happen at his worksite; the child is an acquaintance and was not one of his students.
Police Corral Wayward Cow From Fairfax
Fairfax County Animal Control officers are used to dealing with dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons and other critters. But it’s not every day they’re called upon to capture a cow on the run.
Young Students Tackle Real-World Problems
Rocky Run eighth-graders learn via their science projects.
To the untrained eye, they looked like science-fair projects. But Ileana Rodriguez, eighth-grade science teacher and Science Department chair at Rocky Run Middle School, said her students created experimental-design displays.
Celebrating the Fourth At Chantilly Mosque
Food, fun, politicians and gratitude.
There were hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelons, children’s games, politicians and speeches — a typical, American celebration of the Fourth of July. But this one last Thursday was at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, home of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Before Going Forward, Taking a Look Back
Centreville High seniors open elementary-school time capsule.
Before a group of Centreville High seniors graduated in June, they returned to their elementary school, Union Mill, to reunite with their classmates and take a trip down memory lane.
Alliance Theatre presents ‘Grease.’
It’s high school 1959, and the students at Rydell High are busy with their classes, music and love lives. And with a rockin’ beat underscoring the story, the audience will see the blossoming romance of tough guy Danny and nice girl Sandy.
Remembering Reema in Song and Dance
The annual Remembrance Cabaret for 2006 Westfield High grad and Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha was June 15 at Westfield.
Braddock/Pleasant Valley Dilemma
Residents want their say before supervisors vote on design.
While discussing local road projects last week, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) saved the most controversial one — the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection — for last. VDOT’s proposing a roundabout, but residents in nearby communities say it’ll benefit Loudoun County commuters, while flooding Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads with so much traffic that it’ll all but imprison them in their neighborhoods.
Road Projects Moving Forward
Frey updates Sully District Council.
Transportation was the topic last week when Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) addressed the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations, updating the panel and audience on local road projects. “We have a fair amount of transportation improvements coming in the next two years,” he said last Wednesday, June 26. “And for the first time in awhile, there’s some optimism that we’ll be able to [carry them out] because of the passage of the transportation bill.”
Eline Leaves Rocky Run
He’s named new principal of Robinson Secondary School.
Under Matt Eline’s leadership at Rocky Run Middle School, several teams of math and science students have won state and national championships, and the school, itself, received the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, three years in a row.
New Leader at Robinson’s Helm
Matt Eline is named school’s principal; will retain Meier as football coach.
There’s a new person at the helm of Robinson Secondary School—one well equipped for the job. He’s Matt Eline, who was an assistant principal at Fairfax High for four years and principal of Rocky Run Middle School the past three years.
Centreville Day Plans Are Now Underway
Event seeking sponsors, vendors, crafters, nonprofits.
Centreville Day isn’t until fall, but event organizer Cheryl Repetti is putting out the call for participants now. Sponsorships, vendor, crafter and nonprofit spaces are available at early-bird pricing through July 31. The one-day, outdoor festival is held in Centreville Park in the Centreville Historic District and includes a variety of fun, activities and entertainment for all ages. This year’s 21st annual event is Oct. 19, and the planning is already beginning.
Chantilly Tragedy Described As Family Murder-Suicide
Police say suspect killed brother and himself.
The tragic event in which two men were stabbed and another was shot last week inside a Chantilly home has turned into a murder-suicide. Fairfax County police identified the murder victim as Haseeb Raza, 24. They also said his suspected killer was his 20-year-old brother, Mohammad H. Raza.
Making Maps to Solve Problems
Centreville High students apply geospatial analysis to solve real-life dilemmas.
When Centreville High seniors Antonio Choi and Brooke Peterson presented their culminating, final-exam project, they did so at their school’s first-ever GIS (geographic information system) Fair. And Tish McKinstry, their Geospatial Analysis teacher, couldn’t have been prouder of them and their classmates.
Police Call Chantilly Tragedy ‘Domestic in Nature’
It’s not yet known what touched off the fight among the three men, Tuesday morning, inside a Chantilly home used as a childcare center. And at press time, the victims’ names hadn’t been released.
CVHS Honors its Thespians
Actors and techs were honored June 13 during Centreville High’s 25th annual Thespie Awards ceremony; 14 students were inducted into Centreville Troupe 4510 of the International Thespian Society.
10 Years Incarceration For Former Teacher
He was convicted of child-porn offenses.
Little more than a year ago, Oak Hill resident Robert C. Fenn was about to finish his first year of teaching at Poplar Tree Elementary, where he taught special-ed students in kindergarten through third grade. But it all ended June 12, 2012, when Fairfax County police arrested him at the school on child-pornography charges.
‘His Life Mattered’
Westfield teacher, students raise money to honor Matt Peterson.
Matt Peterson was just 16 when his father inexplicably killed him, his mother and younger brother in their Herndon home before taking his own life.
Sacred Threads: Quilt Exhibit with Meaning
Besides being beautiful to look at, handmade quilts can convey powerful messages. Such are the quilts that will be on display during Sacred Threads 2013.
Steiding Named Officer of Month
PFC Adrian Steiding is the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month for May. He was honored during his evening roll call. Lt. Rich Morvillo, assistant station commander, presented an example of Steiding’s work illustrating why he was selected.
Meier: ‘A Supporter, Leader and Listener’
Although Danny Meier’s now retired as Robinson’s principal, he left his mark on the school and his colleagues say he led it well. “He’s a great leader because he’s quick at evaluating situations and has the background to make logical decisions,” said school administrative assistant Sue Henderson. “It’s also a great loss because I’ll miss him as a friend.”
‘Mountain View Dramatically Changed My Life’
Students overcome adversity and persevere to graduate.
Student Ana-Lycia Pena was just about to sing the last word of the National Anthem during Mountain View High’s graduation last Friday at Oakton High, when the auditorium went dark.
Lobbying for Children’s Cancer Treatment
Centreville’s Crossett lobbies Congress to improve children’s cancer treatments.
It’s too late to save her own child. Meg Crossett’s daughter Rachel died of a cancer called neuroblastoma on July 3, 2001, at age 6. But she’s doing her best to improve the quality of care for other children battling the same disease that took Rachel’s life.
Clifton Holding Outdoor Weekend Painting Festival
The Art Guild of Clifton is hosting the first annual Clifton Plein Air (outdoor) Painting Festival, rain or shine, Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23. That Saturday, concurrent with the Clifton Wine Festival, artists may set up anywhere in the corporate town limits, except for the Town Park, where the wine festival is being held.
Student Wins Contest for Literature Letter
Local eighth grader Christine Wang has won first place (for grades six through eight) in the Letters about Literature contest sponsored by the Library of Congress. She wrote her award-winning letter about the book, “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang. Christine, 13, even got to read her letter recently at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville. The book’s a graphic novel in hardcover, comic-book form. It contains three connected stories that become one at the end, and they appealed to her on a personal level.
Real Estate Fraud: Two Years Prison
Chantilly woman is sentenced.
A Chantilly woman has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than half a million dollars in restitution for her part in a real-estate fraud. She is Melissa McWilliams, 35. She was among four people who pleaded guilty Feb. 19, in federal court in Alexandria to conspiring to fraudulently take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge, selling those homes and keeping the profit.
Chantilly, Westfield Win Cappie Awards
Regional recognition for student performances.
Chantilly and Westfield high schools each won two awards at the 14th annual Cappies Gala, Sunday night, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.