Rocky Run Student Wins Writing Contest
Peter Hwang is only in the seventh grade at Rocky Run Middle School, but he recently won the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) writing contest. He wrote an essay answering the question, “What would you say to the Founding Fathers?”
Real Estate Fraud Leads to Prison
Lorton woman sentenced to two years behind bars.
A 35-year-old Lorton woman conspired with three other people in an illegal real estate scheme to yield them big bucks. They plotted to take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge.
Lees Corner Sixth-Graders Help Stop Hunger Now
Children at Lees Corner Elementary are taking a bite out of world hunger. They raised money to purchase food and, last Wednesday, April 24, students in teacher Jeffrey Houser’s sixth-grade class packaged enough meals to feed 103,200 people.
Fairfax Teenager Wins Writing Contest
Peter Hwang is only in the seventh grade, but he recently won the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) writing contest. He wrote an essay answering the question, “What would you say to the Founding Fathers?”
Fairfax Assault Victim Dies of Injuries
City of Fairfax police say a 63-year-old city resident, William Hays O’Brien, has succumbed to injuries sustained April 16 when he was assaulted in a shopping-center parking lot.
Songs, Dances and a Message 4/24/2013
Westfield High presents ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’
Westfield High’s new show, “Urinetown: The Musical,” is about a future time when a severe water shortage forces citizens to pay to pee. And, no pun intended, Director Susie Pike says her actors are “rarin’ to go.”
Songs, Dances and a Message
Westfield High presents ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’
Westfield High’s new show, “Urinetown: The Musical,” is about a future time when a severe water shortage forces citizens to pay to pee. And, no pun intended, Director Susie Pike says her actors are “rarin’ to go.”
Track-a-Thon Tackles Brain Cancer
Students of all ages are invited to participate.
Area residents can get some exercise, have fun and fight brain cancer, all at the same time, by participating in Chantilly High’s annual Team BT Track-a-Thon. It’s slated for this Saturday, April 20, from 6-9 p.m., at the Chantilly High track. Team BT is the nonprofit fundraising organization of Fair Lakes resident BethAnn Telford, who’s battling a brain tumor, herself, and will be at the event. All proceeds go to Accelerated Brain Cancer Cure and the National Brain Tumor Society.
Tara Sankner, ‘Warrior Princess’
Second-grader battles brain cancer.
That’s because Tara, a second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary, is in the fight of her life, battling brain cancer. “My day depends on how she’s doing,” said mom Tammy Sankner. “If she’s having a good day, I’m fine.”
Celebrating Erin’s Life
Event promotes her legacy.
Erin Peterson was just 18 when she became a victim of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. But her parents, Centreville’s Grafton and Celeste Peterson, make sure the Westfield High grad’s legacy lives on. They established the Erin Peterson Fund to continue their daughter’s commitment to reaching goals through education and aiding people in need. They also began an annual Gospel Celebration in remembrance of her and to raise money for the fund.
Hot Exhaust Causes $231,500 House Fire
A house fire April 10 in the Fairfax Center area caused an estimated $231,500 worth of damage. Fairfax County fire officials say it began accidentally when the hot exhaust of a riding lawn tractor ignited nearby dry ground cover. Flames then quickly spread, catching the home’s siding on fire, as well.
‘A Sweet Story From a Simpler Time’
Fairfax High presents musical, “Hello, Dolly.”
Rousing music and a tender romance in turn-of-the-century New York—Fairfax High’s FX Players bring it all to life in the musical, “Hello, Dolly.”
Celebration Time in Centreville
International Music and Dance Fiesta is April 27.
A variety of ethnic songs, dances, food and fun are on tap for the third annual Centreville International Music and Dance Fiesta. It’s slated for Saturday, April 27, from 7-10 p.m., at Centreville United Methodist Church, 6400 Old Centreville Road.
‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’
“Hairspray” takes the stage at Robinson Secondary.
Robinson Secondary’s Cappies production is “Hairspray,” and Director Chip Rome is more excited about this show than he’s been about any show in “quite some time.”
30 Years Prison for Handyman’s Death
Champean sentenced for May 2010 Centreville homicide.
Jose Cardona was a handyman and gardener on a huge, Centreville estate. On May 17, 2010, he also became something else — a hero who died protecting his employer’s son from armed intruders.
‘A Fantastic Piece of Escapism’
Woodson High presents Tolkien’s classic, “The Hobbit.”
Welcome to Middle Earth, as envisioned by J.R.R. Tolkien in Woodson High’s production of “The Hobbit.” It’s the adventure of a peaceful homebody persuaded by a wizard to help a group of militant dwarves reclaim their treasure from a marauding dragon. “One of our biggest challenges was building a huge, dragon puppet,” said Director Terri Hobson. “There’ll be lots of caves, rocky hills and earth tones. And we actually have five girls who are being trees.”
Liberty Middle To Perform ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
“The audience will come away happy.”
Featuring a cast and crew of nearly 70, Liberty Middle School presents the musical comedy, “Once upon a Mattress.” Show times are Thursday-Saturday, April 18, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door and during school lunches.
Former Teacher Convicted of Child Porn Charges
A former special-education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary has been convicted in federal court of two child-pornography charges.
‘There’ll Be Some Impact to You’
VDOT gears up to begin Stringfellow Road construction phase.
The good thing about Stringfellow Road is that it connects Route 50 in Chantilly to Route 29 in Centreville — and even links to the Town of Clifton. It also provides access to four elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, a regional library, two parks, several athletic fields, churches, shopping centers and highly populated residential areas.
Fundraisers Set for Police Unity Tour
Centreville’s Kevin Whalen is riding for his sixth year in the Police Unity Tour (PUT) Virginia ride, May 10-12. It’s 230 miles from Richmond to Charlottesville to Warrenton to Centreville, and to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Enjoying Frozen Treats to Help Fairfax Girl
Rita’s Italian Ice raises money for Tara Sankner.
Standing on a crate behind the counter of Rita’s Italian Ice, 8-year-old Tara Sankner of Fairfax scooped the cool, frosty treat into cups for customers. Some came there Monday evening because the weather was warm and they enjoy Rita’s offerings. Many others came because the Fairfax location was holding a fundraiser for Tara, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
Ready to Take on the World
Rocky Run students heading to FIRST Lego League championship in St. Louis.
After capturing the FIRST Lego League state championship, Rocky Run’s seventh-grade team, R2D2, is ready to take on the world. The five girls and two boys are heading to St. Louis to participate, April 24-27, in the world championship.
Carry on Erin Peterson’s Legacy
Annual Gospel Celebration of Life is Sunday, April 14.
Erin Peterson was a basketball star at Westfield High and was almost finished with her freshman year of college, on April 16, 2007, when she became one of 32 people killed in the Virginia Tech massacre. Just 18, she was sitting in her French class when her life ended.
‘These Citizens Are the Heroes’
‘These Citizens Are the Heroes’
A mother allegedly high on drugs — and driving 70 mph in a car containing an infant and a 6-year-old without a seatbelt — led to a three-car crash on March 11 that could have ended in tragedy. As it was, it sent five people to the hospital, resulted in the mother’s arrest and brought out the best in public-safety personnel and ordinary citizens who came to the rescue of the children and of police PFC Rockie Akhavan, who was trapped in his cruiser.
‘I Put It in God’s Hands’
Looking at her husband’s badly damaged police cruiser, with the rear end demolished and the passenger side caved in, affected Beverly Akhavan profoundly.
Zero Tolerance For Impaired Drivers
Police detail DUI-related crashes, arrests.
During last week’s ceremony honoring the officers and citizens who helped out after a devastating crash on I-66, police Lt. Rich Morvillo, assistant commander of the Sully District Station, presented some sobering statistics.
‘You Can Taste All the Seasonings’
New Coyote Grille restaurant arrives in Centreville.
Featuring a fusion of southwestern and Bolivian cuisine, Coyote Grille is Centreville’s newest restaurant. Area residents may already be familiar with its Fairfax location, but they may now dine there at 14101 St. Germain Drive in the Centrewood Plaza shopping center.
‘Familiar Fairytale With a Talented Cast’
Paul VI presents “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Colorful costumes, an elaborate set, songs, dances and a classic musical comedy—they’re all part of Paul VI’s upcoming production of “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Westfield High Holds International Night
Featuring a variety of performers representing countries throughout the globe, Westfield High will hold its annual, International Night program this Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m., in the school theater.
Fundraiser for Fairfax Girl, Age 8
Tara Sankner, an 8-year-old Fairfax resident, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, and the local community is rallying ’round to show its support. She and a fundraising and support team called “Pray for Tara” wore special, pink T-shirts and participated in last Saturday’s, March 23, Rev3 Run Rogue 5K and 1K at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. Tara ran and walked in both events and also had a donation table there.
Sully District Station Honors its Own
MPO Mary Hulse is Officer of the Month.
MPO Mary Hulse is an example of a police officer doing her job and doing it well. And at the March 13 meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee, she was honored as that station’s Officer of the Month.
Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Rocky Run Middle wins state honor for fourth time.
Rocky Run Middle School has just won the 2013 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence. But according to school Principal Matt Eline, “We were just doing what we do all the time.”
Mathcounts: First in Regionals, Second in States
Rocky Run’s team has stellar year.
Rocky Run Middle School’s MathCounts team didn’t win the state championship this year. But it did capture second place, which is a big achievement, in itself.
Training Key In School Safety
FCPS security coordinator addresses citizens committee.
Keeping students safe is Jim McLain’s job. After retiring as a Fairfax County police commander in 2001, he joined Fairfax County Public Schools; and for 12 years now, he’s been one of its two security coordinators.
Social Change Celebrates Anniversary
Social Change Celebrates Anniversary Founded by Julie Sussman of Centreville’s Rocky Run community, Social Change was born in March 2011. Sussman’s idea was to get people together in a fun and informal way to discuss their favorite causes, share food and wine, visit with old friends and make new ones.
Rita’s Fundraiser for Second-Grader
Contributions also accepted online.
Tara Sankner, an 8-year-old second-grader at Lees Corner Elementary was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, and the community is rallying ’round to show its support. She and a fundraising and support team called “Pray for Tara” wore special, pink T-shirts and participated in last Saturday’s, March 23, Rev3 Run Rogue 5K and 1K at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.
‘They’re Not Bad Kids; They’re Just Teenagers’
Westfield SRO talks about keeping students safe.
Authorities say children are safe in Fairfax County schools, but it requires continual vigilance to keep them that way. So the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee recently hosted a community meeting on the topic.
The Facts about MathCounts
Open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, MathCounts involves solving various types of complicated math problems.
Clifton’s Easter Egg Hunt
The Town of Clifton held its Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23, in the town park thanks to the efforts of the Clifton, Fairfax and Fairfax Station au pairs with Cultural Care Au Pair.
Fashions, Music and Silent Auction
Fairfax Salvation Army fundraiser set for the Waterford
The latest looks for spring, live entertainment, luncheon and a silent auction are all in store for those attending the 33rd annual fashion show benefiting the Fairfax Salvation Army. It’ll be held Friday, April 12, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (across from Fair Oaks Mall), but reservations must be made by March 27.
Mildred DeBell: 95 Years Young
Friends, family gather for birthday celebration.
Most people grow older each year — and then there’s Mildred DeBell. Although technically she did gain another year on Saturday, you’d never know it by the way she looks or acts.
National Honor for Chantilly Academy
Student team wins CyberPatriot V competition.
Five students captured a national championship last weekend for Chantilly, but not in athletics. They did it with computers to emerge victorious in the Air Force Association’s (AFA) CyberPatriot V National Finals.
Between a Rock And a Hard Place
Plain talk about proposed county, FCPS budgets.
In the presentation of the Fairfax County Executive’s proposed FY 2014 budget, there’s a slide titled, “Turned over Every Rock” – and that about sums up the county’s current financial picture. After cutting back as much as it can and looking everywhere possible for extra funding, it still doesn’t have enough money to do everything on everyone’s wish list.
A Roundabout or a Traffic Signal?
Braddock/Pleasant Valley intersection to be improved.
Pretty much everyone agrees that the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads in Centreville is a pain. It’s tiny and congested, with especially long waits for drivers during rush hours.
‘How Does This Help Us?’
Some residents say fixing congested intersection may lead to other problems.
At Monday night’s meeting about plans to fix the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection, VDOT’s Bill Cutler said early cost estimates for the project are in the $3 million to $4 million range. But, he added, utility relocation, environmental problems and land-acquisition costs could raise the price.
Ruby Tuesday Holding Fundraiser for WFCM
If area residents eat a meal at a particular Chantilly restaurant next week, they can help feed hungry families in the local community. That’s because Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) and Ruby Tuesday are partnering to make it happen.
‘At Some Time, Everyone Needs a Helping Hand’
Wounded veteran talks about the value of serving others.
Two years ago, Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient Justin Constantine shared his personal story with Mountain View High students. Severely injured during the War in Iraq, he had a long road to recovery and now helps other wounded veterans.
Father Runs Marathon in His Son’s Honor
Fairfax teen is in remission from leukemia.
This Saturday, March 16, Glen Goold is running in the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon in Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And fueling his every footstep will be the knowledge that his son Spencer is now in remission from this disease.
‘They See Science as a Joy’
New way of teaching yields many benefits.
Two representatives of the VISTA program, Arthur Polton and Andre Radloff, watched and listened to Centreville Elementary fourth-graders’ presentations on the best ways to preserve Virginia’s ecosystem.
"Record, Remember And Report”
CID officer advises citizens about homeland security.
Fairfax County’s Police Department has been around for more than 70 years, but its Criminal Intelligence Division (CID) wasn’t created until after the 9/11 tragedy. “Five detectives and one supervisor were in a lunchroom in the Massey Building when we first discussed it,” said CID Det. Doug Comfort.