A Study in Courage And Compassion
Centreville woman battles cancer; needs community’s help.
Just 38, Centreville’s Debbie Bendorf is a wife, a mother of three young boys and a person fighting the battle of her life against a rare form of cancer. She loves her family, is loyal to her friends and doesn’t complain or ask for anything special for herself — which is why the community is trying to help her and her family.
Giving from the Heart
SYA raising money for family of Westfield coach/administrator.
On the surface, it was a basketball tournament like any other. Boys in colorful uniforms competed against each other in a school gym, while moms sold concessions outside in the hallway. But the whole event, Saturday, Feb. 9, at Westfield High had a much more special and serious purpose.
‘Take Every Day as a Blessing’
Debbie Bendorf may be fighting a tough foe that doesn’t play fair, but that’s not going to stop her from living her life as best she can or spending every minute possible with her family.
'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry
Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.
Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.
‘She Will Be Missed Every Day’
Family mourns Centreville icon, Marguerite Buckley, 94.
Marguerite Buckley lived a long, full life — but that doesn’t mean her family was ready to say goodbye to her when she died Jan. 8, at age 94.
Katcham Receives McDonnell Award
Honored for his long-time community service.
Jim Katcham has been serving his community for years, so it’s only fitting that he was honored Monday night with the James D. McDonnell Award for dedicated and outstanding community service.
‘They Treat Him Like One of Their Own’
Centreville High football players mean the world to Juwaan.
Juwaan Espinal, 15, was born with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound. But that doesn’t mean he can’t live a life as full of joy and meaning as possible.
Gaining Confidence for SATs
Educators offer prep seminar.
For high-school students, a great deal rides on doing well on the SAT test. But it can be both a daunting and an intimidating experience. And that’s where Westfield High counselor Dan Harris and English teacher Gregg Greentree come in. Together, they’ve developed an SAT prep course.
CAC Honors Auxiliary Officer
Thad Palmer praised for his dedication.
APO Palmer was honored as that station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Officer of the Month.
‘He’s Centreville’s Family Doctor’
Beloved physician, Richard Bowles, retires after 42 years.
Physician Richard Bowles Retires after 42 Years
Looking Back on a Satisfying Career
Richard Bowles always knew he’d someday be a doctor. “My dad was a doctor and I used to ride on calls with him,” he said. “I think he had a big influence on me. I was around medicine all my life and I looked up to him, so there was never any question about what I wanted to do.”
Will Justin Wolfe Be Freed?
Family, friends await court’s action.
In March 2001, Centreville High grad Danny Petrole, 21, was shot and killed outside his Bristow townhouse. The crime involved drug-dealing and money, and the shooter — Chantilly High grad Owen Barber IV, who pleaded guilty — received 38 years in prison.
Taking Command
Sully District police commander glad to be at station’s helm.
For police Capt. Ed O’Carroll, taking command of the Sully District Station was like coming home again. He served as a shift supervisor of the evening squad when the station opened in May 2003; and for four months now, he’s been in charge.
‘Horses in Need of Heroes’
Centreville girls benefit equines via charity.
Caring and compassion can reside in people of all ages. Just 13, Centreville’s Katie Puckett showed that when she created a charity called Horses in Need of Heroes.
Bite Me Cancer Kickoff Is Jan. 3
While still in high school, Nikki Ferraro was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer.