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Bonnie Hobbs

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Hail to the Champions

Chantilly High wins VHSL One-Act State Competition.

Long known for its outstanding theater program, Chantilly High just added another award to its collection. On Saturday, March 7, the theater students became state champions, winning the VHSL One-Act State Competition.

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United at Last With Family

Man who died in 1863 is reburied in Chantilly cemetery.

James Davis died in 1863, but he was just buried Monday in the Oakton Baptist Church Cemetery in Chantilly.

Day of Celebration: Homeless No More in Fairfax

The first residents move into Kate’s Place.

Kate’s Place consists of six apartments for extremely low-income and formerly homeless families. And to the mothers and children who just moved in, the homes are more than a roof over their heads — they’re a lifeline.

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WFCCA Reverses Decades-Old Policy

The change paves the way for gas stations to sell alcohol.

They say it never hurts to ask, and Raj Gupta asked. Now, thanks to his persistence — and a local land-use group’s willingness to reconsider one of its most long-standing policies — gas stations in the Sully District will no longer be barred from selling alcoholic beverages.

‘It’ll Be Another Challenging Year’ in Fairfax County

Frey discusses the state of the Sully District.

Money — and the lack of enough of it to do everything needing to be done — is at the heart of Fairfax County’s problems. And Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) doesn’t expect the situation to change anytime soon.

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Claudette Ward of Centreville: 80 Years Young

Family, friends celebrate her birthday on Sunday.

More than 100 family members and friends gathered Sunday afternoon, Jan. 18, in Centreville United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall to celebrate Claudette Ward’s 80th birthday.

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Chantilly: Otal Named Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Brookfield’s Otal Honored

Brookfield Elementary counselor Carole Zendle wanted to nominate Kathleen Otal, the previous school year, for the FCPS Elementary School Counselor of the Year. But, saying she doesn’t do her job for recognition, Otal wouldn’t let her. This school year, though, Otal — also at Brookfield — relented. Zendle nominated her and Otal won.

Phony Stamps in Fairfax: Two Years Probation

A local businessman has been sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution to the U.S. Postal Service. He is Brian Kim, 38, of Fairfax.

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Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey Not Running for Reelection

‘You reach a time where change is appropriate.’

After giving his State of Sully address Monday night, Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) said his next words almost matter-of-factly. “Regarding the upcoming elections in November, I will not be seeking reelection,” he said. “You reach a time where change is appropriate, and that time has come for me.”

Centreville Man Charged with Murder

Three days after a Centreville man was killed in his home in the Meadows community, Fairfax County police have charged one of his roommates with his murder.

It’s Four Lanes All the Way from Chantilly to Centreville

Newly widened Stringfellow Road opens to traffic.

It’s been a long time coming but, on Monday, Dec. 15, Stringfellow Road became four lanes all the way from Route 50 in Chantilly to Route 29 in Centreville. And the newly widened section opened to drivers six months ahead of schedule.

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ONC Volunteers Make Like Santa’s Elves in Centreville

Volunteers with Our Neighbor’s Child gathered up and packaged Christmas gifts, Dec. 11, for nearly 800 local families.

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Ho Ho Holiday Show in Chantilly

Westfield High’s children’s theater presents its annual “Ho Ho Holiday Show,” Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m.

Centreville and Chantilly Roundups

Volunteer opportunities, free services, updates on road closures and other important community information for the Centreview community.

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Stone’s Panther Drop-Off, Community Help ONC in Centreville

The nonprofit, all-volunteer Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) is collecting presents for local families in need to give to their children on Christmas. To donate new clothes or toys, or to help with the deliveries, this Sunday, Dec. 14, email Volunteer@ourneighborschild.org.

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Holiday Mischief at the North Pole (and in Annandale)

Encore presents musical show, “3 Days ’til Christmas!”

Reindeer, elves and dancing snowflakes are all part of the holiday joy in Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s upcoming musical extravaganza. Called “3 Days ’til Christmas!” it’ll be presented at NOVA’s Ernst Community Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

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Redemption through the Power of Love in Chantilly

Chantilly High presents “A Christmas Carol.”

A timeless, holiday classic comes to life when Chantilly High presents Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.”

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Ushering in Holiday Season in Centreville

CVHS presents choral concert.

Centreville High’s Choral Department will present its annual Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the school theater. The concert is free to all, and refreshments will be served afterward.

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Chantilly: ‘She Eats, Sleeps and Breathes Music’

Chantilly High student to perform with Army’s All-American Marching Band.

Chantilly High senior Mari Takeda has an extra-special reason to look forward to the holidays. On Jan. 3, 2015, she’ll join an elite group of musicians who’ll perform at halftime of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

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Centreview: Briney Honored As Officer of Month

PFC Shannon Briney has been a Fairfax County police officer for 12 years and, for the past three, she’s been assigned to the Sully District Station.

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Centreview: Holiday Food Drive for Needy Families

Police and community answer the call.

For many local families, the holidays are a time of hunger. So the Sully District Police Station, Westfields Business Owners Association and Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) teamed up to help feed them.

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Chantilly: Standing Together

Poplar Tree Elementary School teachers and staff gather together to take a stand against bullying during the school’s recent Bullying Awareness Day.

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Centreville: It’s Time for Turkey Trot

A great way to burn calories before Thanksgiving dinner is to participate in the Virginia Run Turkey Trot. This year’s 26th annual 5K race and 2K fun walk will be held Thursday morning, Nov. 27.

Chantilly Roundups

Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 p.m. to dusk, at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly.

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Centreville: Four Helpings of Comedy and Drama

Centreville High’s One-Act Play Festival.

Comedy, drama and four plays for the price of one are all on the bill at Centreville High. Its One-Act Play Festival is set for this Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22, at 7:30 p.m. in the school theater. Tickets are $5 at the door.

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‘Love, Hope and Commitment’ in Chantilly

During the reflections portion of The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee’s (CPMSAC) 30th-anniversary celebration, people explained from various perspectives what the organization has meant to them.

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Chantilly: ‘Only Excellence Is Good Enough’

CPMSAC celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) has come a long way in 30 years — and there’s more work to be done. But Sunday night, it took time out to celebrate three decades of dedication to area youth.

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Chantilly: ‘And Then There Were None’

Westfield High presents Agatha Christie mystery.

Something is definitely amiss after 10 people are invited to a party on an isolated island in Maine and are killed off, one by one. That’s the premise of the classic mystery by Agatha Christie, and it’s Westfield High’s upcoming play.

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Haunted House and Carnival in Chantilly

Screams and laughter were both part of Westfield High’s Haunted House and Carnival

Screams and laughter were both part of Westfield High’s Haunted House and Carnival, Oct. 29-30.

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Trying To Serve Over 1,600 Families in Fairfax County

WFCM’s Holiday Food Program needs community’s help.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ Holiday Food Program helps those in need in Western Fairfax County. All year long, WFCM fights to end hunger in the community via its food pantry; and during Thanksgiving and Christmas, it provides local families with holiday meals.

Steady Voter Turnout at Fairfax's Greenbriar East

More than a third of those registered there voted Tuesday.

Most voters at Greenbriar East Elementary (GBE) didn’t want to reveal specifics about which candidates they voted for on Tuesday, but they did share their reasons for casting their ballots, in general.

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Boy Scout Food Drive Is Nov. 8 in Centreville and Chantilly

It’s tough being hungry – and especially in an affluent place like Fairfax County. So each year, local Boy Scouts conduct a food drive to so families in need will have something to eat.

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Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop

The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.

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Colorful Costumes at Goblin Gallop

The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.

The 21st annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 26, at Fairfax Corner.

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Up Where the Air Is Rare

Chantilly yearbook adviser is in Virginia High School Hall of Fame.

Mary Kay Downes has won her share of awards over the years; but now, she’s seemingly reached the pinnacle. On Oct. 15 in Charlottesville, she was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.

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Arbors of Chantilly Gets a Thumbs-Up

Assisted-Living facility would focus on Alzheimer’s patients.

It’s on to the Board of Supervisors now for a proposed, elder-care facility in Chantilly. The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave it a thumbs-up last Wednesday, Oct. 22.

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‘An Awesome Experience’

Chantilly High student attends Governor’s German Immersion Academy.

Chantilly High senior Kate Meyer is such a fan of German culture and language that she spent three weeks of her summer immersed in it. She attended the Virginia Governor’s German Immersion Academy at Washington and Lee University in Lexington.

Roundups

A car crash in Chantilly last week took the life of a 27-year-old Sterling man. Fairfax County police identified him as Jordan Douglas. The tragedy occurred last Wednesday, Oct. 15, shortly before 5 p.m.

Holiday Food Drive For Needy Families

Teaming Up To Help Needy

The holidays are almost here, with all the joy of family gatherings and tasty meals around the table.

Featured Artist

Lorrie Herman’s watercolor, “Le Fountaine Bleu,” was on display, Oct. 3-5, at the Vale Schoolhouse in Oakton during ValeArts’ 19th annual fall art show, “Transitions.”

18-24-Year-Olds Needed for Survey

To meet its grant requirement for a Virginia Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant, the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) needs to gather at least 300 surveys in a 30-day time fra.m.e that ends Nov. 15.

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Homecoming Parade for Westfield

Westfield High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Centreville.

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Centreville Wildcats on Parade

Centreville High’s Homecoming Parade was Friday, Oct. 17, in Little Rocky Run.

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‘Hands-On History’

Students participate in E.C. Lawrence archaeological dig.

Area students got to be part of history recently when they participated in an archaeological dig to find the remains of a home from the 1800s in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville.

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Qreitem: Business Citizen of Year

The Centreville Day Business Citizen of the Year is Paisano’s Pizza (and Bella Pizza) owner and CEO, Fouad Qreitem. He was honored by the Centreville Day Planning Committee at the Oct. 11 festivities.

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‘A Side-Splitting Comedy’

Chantilly High presents “Funny Thing Happened on Way to Forum.”

Featuring a cast and crew of 45, Chantilly High presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

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21st Annual Goblin Gallop Nears

Goblin Gallop To Benefit Families of Children with Cancer

When the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes crisp, Halloween soon follows. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event, the 21st annual, is slated for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

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Centreville Day 2014: Celebration Returns Oct. 11

Zombie Slouch 5K, parade, food, pets in costume, music and more.

Featuring everything from a charity 5K to a parade, music, history tours, a costume contest for pets and a swordsman, the upcoming Centreville Day celebration promises something for everyone. The 22nd annual event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Historic Centreville Park, 5714 Mount Gilead Road (off Braddock Road, across Route 29 from the IHOP).

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Community Mourns Girl, 16

Missing since Sunday, she was found dead in park.

Just a month before her 17th birthday, friends, family members and classmates from Chantilly, Centreville and Fairfax are mourning the loss of a local girl.

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‘15,000 Hot Dogs To Break Even’

Permit costs spur gas station’s request to sell alcohol, too.

Raj Gupta just wanted an OK to add hot dogs to his convenience store’s offerings at the Centre Ridge Exxon station.