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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
‘This Doesn’t Work for Us’
Pleasant Valley/Braddock roundabout: To be or not to be?
As far as the folks at VDOT are concerned, a roundabout at the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Braddock roads in Centreville is a swell idea.
Alliance Offers Summer Workshops
The Alliance Theatre has a 10-year tradition of working with young people in the arts, and it’s continuing this summer.
Braddock/Pleasant Valley Project Details and Background
The Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection is near the Fairfax/Loudoun border and regularly backs up at rush hour. Surrounding it are Cox Farms and Fairfax County Park Authority land containing wetlands. There’s poor drainage, rare plant life and utility poles that would cost about $80,000 each to relocate. And Cox Farms is in an agricultural/forestall district, which has its own restrictions.
Danger on the Roadways
Inspection team places nearly one-third of big-rig trucks out of service.
It wasn’t rush hour, but I-66 east was backed up as far as the eye could see, as big-rig truckers warned their buddies about a commercial-truck inspection happening on Route 28 in Centreville.
Clifton to Host 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.
Competition sponsored by Library of Congress
Student Wins Contest for Literature Letter
A Rocky Run Middle 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.
Misuse of Federal Funds?
Residents sa.y project will worsen traffic problems
Residents who live in the vicinity of the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection have a multitude of reasons why they don’t want it made quicker by constructing a roundabout. “Once you improve it, more traffic will come down Pleasant Valley,” said Virginia Run’s Walt Dougherty at last week’s meeting. “Then its speed limit would have to be reduced to 25 mph because there are a lot of children and bikes.”
CPMSAC Presents 28th Annual Youth Awards Program
Before the start of Saturday’s 28th annual Youth Motivation and Academic Awards program for middle- and high-school students, Johnny Nelson texted his two grown children.
Two Students Win Best in Show Awards
Students Shine in Ceramics Competition
Centreville High School students won three of the 15 awards presented recently at an annual, high-school ceramics competition sponsored by The Clay Connection. These included two out of the three Best in Show honors.
Eyes on the Prize: Angel Fund Goals
Angel Fund President Lu Ann McNabb thought of Reema Samaha as a daughter so, for her, the annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema is personal. It also raises money for a cause hoping to help young people deal with mental-health issues, thereby averting any future tragedies like the one at Virginia Tech.
Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is June 15.
The annual Remembrance Cabaret for Reema Samaha is a time when people honor the memory of a talented young woman who died in the Virginia Tech tragedy. It’s also an evening packed with singing, dancing, comedy sketches and fun.
Bite Me Cancer Fundraiser
Fun activities planned for children and adults.
When she was 17, Chantilly’s Nikki Ferraro was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. It wasn’t what she’d planned, but she attacked it head-on and continued fighting for others battling the same disease.
A Time of Remembrance
Memorial Day ceremony held at Ox Hill Battlefield Park.
The Battle of Ox Hill was fought Sept. 1, 1862 in a torrential thunderstorm. When it ended, two key Union generals were dead and more than 1,500 soldiers had been killed or wounded. It’s the only major Civil War battle that occurred in Fairfax County.
Bus-Transfer Building and Project Details
Part of the Stringfellow Road park-and-ride lot expansion will be the construction of a 1,345-square-foot bus-transfer building. Architect John Wirth, of Ritter Architects, talked about it during last week’s public meeting.
‘We’re Making All the Sacrifices’
Residents say Stringfellow Road park-and-ride expansion will worsen traffic troubles.
At first glance, Fairfax County’s plan to expand the park-and-ride lot at Stringfellow Road and Fair Lakes Boulevard in Chantilly doesn’t seem controversial. The idea is to add more parking spaces, three new bus bays and a small, transit-center building.
Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter
Each year, the nonprofit Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FFCAS) raises money to pay for things the shelter can’t afford. And in June, it holds a wine-tasting and invites the public to participate. In past years, it’s been at a beverage store. “But this time, we’re doing something totally different,” said FFCAS President Evelyn Grieve. “We’re having it at Paradise Springs Winery. And besides the wine-tasting, there’ll be appetizers, desserts and a raffle.”
The Power of Persistence
New laws will deal with mental health, campus safety.
In a little over a month, two new bills dealing with mental health and college safety will take effect in Virginia. And both are a result of the work of two members of the Angel Fund board and a small group of politicians.
From the Performers’ Point of View
Singers, musicians talk about Chantilly’s upcoming show.
Performing in Chantilly High’s annual Jazz & Pizzazz show is more than being a student entertaining the community; it’s also about carrying on a tradition for more than a quarter of a century.
Centreville, Westfield Garner Cappies Nods
‘Cabaret’ and ‘Flowers for Algernon’ are honored.
When the winners are announced during the 14th annual Cappies Gala, June 9, at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., students from Centreville and Westfield high schools will be there, eager for the results.
Family and Friends Mourn Trish Stach
Centreville woman dies on Mother’s Day.
It’s bad enough to lose a wife and mother; having her die on Mother’s Day only makes it worse. But on Sunday, May 12, Centreville’s Trish Stach lost her battle with breast cancer at age 59. She’d fought the disease for 15 years and ultimately died of complications from it.
Singers, Dancers, Musicians Galore
Chantilly’s annual Jazz & Pizzazz is May 29-June 1.
Chantilly High’s Jazz & Pizzazz isn’t just any musical-entertainment show. It’s a high-octane, raise-the-roof extravaganza featuring award-winning singers and dancers in colorful and energetic spectacle. This year’s event, the 27th annual, runs Wednesday-Saturday, May 29, 30 and 31 and June 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at www.ChantillyChoral.org. They’re also available at the door, but Friday and Saturday nights usually sell out, so advance purchases are recommended for those shows.