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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Pham Now Charged with Federal Crime

Man allegedly assaulted two Connolly staffers.

Man allegedly assaulted two Connolly staffers.

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‘Her Addiction Led to Her Incredibly Bad Decisions’

Health aide sentenced for stealing children’s medications.

Health aide sentenced for stealing children’s medications.

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Feed Fairfax 5K Yields Money and Meals

Proceeds provide food for local schoolchildren.

Proceeds provide food for local schoolchildren.

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Devastating Attack

Chantilly man charged with four felonies.

U.S. Capitol Police said that last year they investigated some 7,500 cases of potential threats against members of Congress.

Car Crash Kills Man in Centreville

Car Crash Kills Man in Centreville

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Petting Zoo, Food Trucks, Children’s Games

Earth Day Fairfax is Saturday, April 22.

Earth Day Fairfax is Saturday, April 22.

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Seeing the World from a Different Perspective

Chantilly presents ‘Curious Incident of Dog in Night-Time’

Chantilly presents ‘Curious Incident of Dog in Night-Time’

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Oompa, Loompa, Doompety Doo …

Centreville High presents ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.’

Centreville High presents ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.’

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‘Celebrate Spring and Support a Good Cause’

Fundraiser planned for Syrian earthquake rescue workers.

Fundraiser planned for Syrian earthquake rescue workers.

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Successfully Aging on Their Own Terms

Fairfax Village in the City helps residents stay in their homes.

Fairfax Village in the City helps residents stay in their homes.

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