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

Tease photo

People Coming Together for Good in Time of Need

Fairfax’s American Legion Post 177 helps hurricane victims.

After Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow to Western North Carolina – washing away homes and livelihoods and leaving many residents and businesses without drinkable water or electricity – American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax City just had to do something. So it began collecting items for the victims and then delivering them.

Tease photo

Romance, High Drama and a Disintegrating Family

Woodson High presents unique take on Shakespeare’s ‘Lear.’

Woodson High presents unique take on Shakespeare’s ‘Lear.’

Tease photo

Love Runs Amok in Hilarious Shakespearean Comedy

Westfield High presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

Westfield High presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

Tease photo

Community Fun, Festivities under the Autumn Sun

Centreville Day was Saturday, Oct. 19

Centreville Day was Saturday, Oct. 19

Bicyclist, 89, Killed in Collision with Car

Bicyclist, 89, Killed in Collision with Car

Tease photo

‘People Pay Attention when Projects Affect their Neighborhoods’

Fairfax City’s Susan Kuiler wants to become mayor.

Fairfax City’s Susan Kuiler wants to become mayor.

Fairfax Man, 20, Dies after Motorcycle Crash

Fairfax Man, 20, Dies after Motorcycle Crash

Tease photo

‘We Need to Dramatically Increase Our Commercial Tax Base’

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read makes her case for reelection.

Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read makes her case for reelection.

Tease photo

‘What Women Do Is Figure Out How to Make It All Work’

Advice for success given at Economic Empowerment Luncheon.

More than 120 people attended the Sept. 25 Women’s Economic Empowerment Luncheon at the Sherwood Center in Fairfax.

Tease photo

Mixed-Use Apartment Building OKed in Northfax

Fairfax City Council approves WillowWood Phase I plan.

Apartments galore

More stories