Bonnie Hobbs | Staff

Bonnie Hobbs

With more than 25 years experience in journalism, I’ve written and edited newspapers in California, North Carolina and Virginia. In California, I worked for a weekly paper in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I’m from originally.

In North Carolina, I worked two years (1990-92) at the Sun Journal, a daily paper in New Bern. There, I covered county government, commercial fishing – which is a big industry there – and the Gulf War.

New Bern is near the Marine Corps Air Station in Havelock, so I did lots of stories on the effects the war had on the wives and children left behind while the husbands and dads were fighting in Iraq. As one elementary-school teacher told me, “If one child’s father or mother is killed, the security for the rest of the students is shattered.”

In addition, my photographer and I were lowered by helicopter onto the USS Iwo Jima as it returned to port in Morehead City after deployment. I got to interview the sailors and Marines aboard ship and experience, firsthand, their welcome back by local residents who greeted them in the water in hundreds of small boats to escort them home.

I also interviewed parents of Marines killed in the war, as well as a Marine pilot whose aircraft had been shot down overseas. He spoke about what went through his mind while parachuting into the desert and what happened to him while he was a POW. Luckily, it was toward the end of the war and he was eventually freed to return home.

I also worked three years for the Prince William Journal, covering the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, as well as a slew of criminal cases. And I’ve been with Centre View for almost 19 years, covering Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes. For the past few years, I’ve also covered Fairfax and some of Lorton and Fairfax Station for the Connection.

Recent Stories

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‘Make No Mistake – Black History Is America’s History’

FCPS holds special event at Woodson High School.

FCPS holds special event at Woodson High School.

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GMU Professor Warns of Censorship.

‘Your Power Is In Curiosity, So Be Fearlessly Inquisitive’

‘Your Power Is In Curiosity, So Be Fearlessly Inquisitive’

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Two Woodson Students Share Their Thoughts

Taking pride in one’s heritage to create a better future.

Taking pride in one’s heritage to create a better future.

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Fairfax City’s Proposed FY 26 Budget Unveiled

Recommends a 9.5-cent, residential real-estate tax hike.

Recommends a 9.5-cent, residential real-estate tax hike.

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Top Awards Presented to Mountain View Students

Top Awards Presented to Mountain View Students

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‘Your Dreams Are Worth Fighting For’

Mountain View High celebrates its winter graduation.

Mountain View High celebrates its winter graduation.

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Fairfax City Celebrates 31 Years of Chocolate Festival

Three-day extravaganza runs Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Three-day extravaganza runs Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

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Local Marine Veteran Receives Quilt of Valor

Jim Wescoat, 103, is honored before friends and family.

Jim Wescoat, 103, is honored before friends and family.

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Fairfax City Council and Mayor Are Sworn In

Former government leader urges them to work together.

Former government leader urges them to work together.

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Chanukah Celebration Is Planned in Fairfax City

A Chanukah celebration is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Old Town Square. Rabbi Sholom Deitsch of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia will light the menorah.

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