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Thursday, dec 26
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James Madison University
Obituaries
Loudoun County Dad Brian Bencic Dies Unexpectedly, 60
Brian Bencic of Loudoun County died unexpectedly on March 11, 2024, according to his obituary on the Loudoun Funeral Chapel website. He was 60 years old. Brian's LinkedIn page says he attended James Madison University, and had more than 20 years of experience in enterprise software sales, having worked for federal clients. Brian, of Ashburn, is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa Bencic; daughters, Alexandra Bencic and Sydney Bencic, father, Anthony Bencic, sister Stephani Balliet, and several nieces and nephews. He was being remembered for his "unwavering support, w…
Obituaries
Roberto Sandoval-Arellano Obituary
A 19-year-old Loudoun Valley High School graduate was killed in a Sunday, March 3 crash, according to his obituary. Roberto 'Beto' Joel Sandoval-Arellano, 19 of Purcellville, graduated high school in 2022 and was planning on attending James Madison University after finishing his associate's degree this year, his obituary reads. "Roberto had a big smile and a kind soul, he was loved by so many. He left a great impact on all who came into contact with him, was gifted at shining positivity and making people laugh," the obituary says. "He was very honest, a hard worker, and a dedicate…
Police & Fire
Homeless Man Charged With Murdering Concert-Going Virginia Tourist At DC Hotel: Feds
The homeless man who killed a beloved 31-year-old woman during what police called a random attack at a Washington DC hotel is facing federal charges in connection to her death. George Sydnor, Jr., 44, was indicted on Wednesday by a DC Superior Court grand jury on multiple felonies for his alleged role in the fatal stabbing of Christy Bautista earlier this year insider her room at the Ivy City Court in Northeast DC. Police say that Bautista, a Harrisonburg resident who graduated from James Madison University, was found stabbed to death in a room at the hotel in the 1600 block of New Yo…
News
JMU Student Found Dead In Dorm ID'd
The death of a 19-year-old, first-year student at James Madison University was found dead inside a dorm on campus, officials said. At around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, officials say that a 19-year-old was found dead in Frederickson Hall, prompting James Madison University Police to call for an inquiry by the Virginia State Police's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The student was later identified as Pennsylvania resident Bernard Stapelfeld by JMU, according to the James Madison University student-run newspaper "The Breeze," which cited an email sent out to the school community, which …
Police & Fire
Teen Driver Killed In Northern Virginia Crash Was Weeks Away From Starting College
A 17-year-old boy from Harrisonburg who died in a Rockingham County crash this week has been identified. William Kyle, a recent graduate of the Blue Ridge school, was behind the wheel of a Subaru BRZ that crossed the double-yellow centerline and struck a Hyundai Elantra in front of it, on Tuesday, Aug. 8 around 8:40 p.m., Virginia State Police said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blue Ridge School (@brsbarons) The Hyundai had been turning left into a private driveway on Buffalo Drive, and the impact caused the Subaru to run off…
Obituaries
Pedestrian Killed In Loudoun County Crash ID'd As 44-Year-Old Government Contractor
Services have been set for the 44-year-old man struck and killed by a pickup truck in Loudoun County last week. Shawn M. Potter, of Chantilly, was crossing John Mosby Highway near Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly early Thursday, July 27, when he was struck by a pickup truck, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. Shawn was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the pickup truck stayed on the scene after the crash. No charges were filed. According to his obituary, Shawn was born in South Dakota and moved to Manassas in 1986. He was a 1997 graduated of Osbourn Hig…
Lifestyle
Real Life Peter Pan Spreads Magical Joy Across The DMV
The best magicians are the ones with Peter Pan syndrome, says Drew Kennerley. And he's the first to admit, he's no different. "The best magicians have to be a kid at heart," said 28-year-old Kennerley, who may be better known across northern Virginia as his stage name, Drew Blue Shoes. Drew has been making life magical with children's shows at libraries, carnivals and birthday parties since he was 15. And he wouldn't have it any other way. Armed with his trusty sidekick, Chicken Nugget — a rubber chicken — Drew dons a red bow tie, top hat, suit jacket, and of course, his hallmark blue sh…
Lifestyle
Magician Persevered To Make Childhood Dream Come True — Now He Spreads Joy Across Northern VA
The best magicians are the ones with Peter Pan syndrome, says Drew Kennerley. And he's the first to admit, he's no different. "The best magicians have to be a kid at heart," said 28-year-old Kennerley, who may be better known across northern Virginia as his stage name, Drew Blue Shoes. Drew has been making life magical with children's shows at libraries, carnivals and birthday parties since he was 15. And he wouldn't have it any other way. Armed with his trusty sidekick, Chicken Nugget — a rubber chicken — Drew dons a red bow tie, top hat, suit jacket, and of course, his hallmark blue sh…
Lifestyle
Fairfax Native Fulfilling Lifelong Dream With Premier Of Film About Shady Salesman
"Jurassic Park" was the movie that Chris Schrack says made him feel like he had to work in the film industry. He was eight years old when he first saw it, and absolutely awestruck. Several decades later, the Fairfax native is preparing for the premier of his third feature film, "For Sale," which will debut Wednesday, May 3 at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. "Ever since I was a really little kid I’ve been into film, especially scary movies," Schrack said. "I was four or five years old and really into Halloween and scary movies, always trying to get my mom to let me rent hor…
Obituaries
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor Sara Kate Moore Of Virginia Dies, 36
To put it simply, Sara Kate Moore made the world a better place. The 36-year-old Verona resident combined her passions for horseback riding with helping others, instilling hope and joy as a therapeutic riding instructor. Following her April 4 death at Sentara RMH Medical Center, condolences began pouring in. To our Still Meadows family: Sara Kate Moore, our therapeutic riding instructor, passed away suddenly last evening.... Posted by Still Meadows Enrichment Center and Camp on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Sara Kate was being remembered for her "unmatched kindness." I am still at…
Police & Fire
DC Hotel Murder Victim From Virginia Was 'Nicest, Purest' Person
The 31-year-old woman killed by a homeless man in what police say was a random attack at a Washington DC hotel has been identified as a Virginia native with an innate ability to make others feel comfortable. Christy Bautista, of Harrisonburg, VA, was stabbed dead by George Sydnor, Jr., 43, in a room at the Ivy City Hotel in the 1600 block of New York Avenue Friday evening, March 31, Metropolitan police said. Court documents detailed by NBC4 and FOX5 say Bautista was heard yelling for help less than an hour after checking into her hotel room. Responders found Sydnor with blood…
Sports
March Madness: These
Dmv-a
rea Teams Are Going Dancing In The NCAA Tournament
March will certainly be mad for some college basketball fans in the DMV area after several teams from the region were chosen by the selection committee to enter the NCAA Tournament. Several colleges from the region are among the field of 68 who will be going dancing in the tournament, which kicks off on Tuesday, March 14 with the “First Four” set of games. In total, 37 states, plus Washington, DC, are represented among the men’s field that will be vying for one of the most coveted in all of sports. The University of Maryland is back in the “big dance” after notching 21 wins in coach Kevin…
News
JMU IDs Three Virginia Students Killed In Crash
Officials at James Madison University have identified the three Virginia students who were killed in a West Virginia crash last week. John “Luke” Fergusson, of Richmond, Nicholas Troutman, of Richmond, and Joshua Mardis, of Williamsburg, all died in the Thursday, Feb. 2 crash, when the driver lost control and struck a tree along Route 259, according to university officials and authorities. All three students were 19-year-old sophomore students. Two other victims were airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries, officials said. "These three young men will always be remembered as Dukes …
News
Three Virginia College Students Killed, Two Airlifted To Hospital After Crash (
Developing
)
Three Virginia college students were killed and two others suffered life-threatening injuries and remain hospitalized following a fatal crash in West Virginia near the state line, according to officials. On Thursday, Feb. 2, a one-vehicle crash was reported along Route 259 in West Virginia, when a driver lost control for undisclosed reasons and struck a tree. Five people were in the car at the time of the crash, three of which died from injuries from the crash, and two were airlifted to an area hospital in critical condition. Their condition was not immediately available on Friday, Feb. 3.…
Police & Fire
Gunman Apprehended Following Mass Shooting At Outdoor Gathering In Virginia That Wounded Eight
A 20-year-old convicted felon is in custody following a mass shooting that left eight with gunshot wounds over the weekend not far from James Madison University in Virginia, authorities announced. Harrisonburg resident Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 17 following the shooting, which happened in the 1500 block of Devon Lane in his hometown and left eight of his victims with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say that at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Sunday morning, witnesses stated that a suspect - later identified by investigators as Fleming - fired multiple shots into a …
Obituaries
'Force To Be Reckoned With:' Amber Takesh Of Morris County Dies After Brave Cancer Battle, 24
Beloved North Jersey native and “force to be reckoned with” Amber Stefanie Takesh died following an incredibly brave battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Thursday, Oct. 6. She was 24. A native of Montville, Amber graduated from Montville High School in 2016, her obituary says. She went on to attend James Madison University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in 2019 and a Master’s in accounting in 2020. She was also a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Amber passed all four portions of the CPA exam on her first attempt while earning high scores. After finishing college, she worked as an accoun…
News
These Virginia Colleges Ranked Among Best In America
Virginia is home to multiple prestigious colleges, many of which boast historical significance. Of all of the Commonwealth's institutions, 15 of them were ranked among the top 1,500 on the US News & World Report's 2022-2023 Best Colleges. The University of Virginia was the highest ranking placing 25th overall, tieing with University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, New York University, and University of Southern California. Here are the top eight best colleges in Virginia among the top 250 in the country: University of Virginia William and Mary Virginia Tech George Mas…
News
Ashburn Teacher Wins Lottery Without Buying A Ticket
A Loudoun County teacher won a massive prize thanks to the Virginia Lottery earlier this month. Roumario Bector, a history teacher at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, won a Virginia-theme vacation courtesy of the lottery's Thank A Teacher program on June 1, the lottery said. He can choose between a winery and brewery vacation or one focused on health and wellness. The trip is worth $2,500 and comes with a gift card to pay for luggage or any incidentals he may need on his vacation. Rock Ridge High School will also get $2,500 for school supplies, the lottery added.&nbs…
News
JMU Cancels Softball Season After Death Of Player Lauren Bernett
James Madison University has cancelled the remainder its softball season following the death of Lauren Bernett. The sophomore catcher, 20, died on Monday, April 25. A native of McDonald, Penn., Lauren Bernett was a key player in leading James Madison University to their first-ever run to the Women's World Series last year. An investigation by the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department revealed that Lauren died of an apparent suicide, reports NBC News. "This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not made lightly," JMU Head Coach Loren LaPorte said. "We are so grateful…
Sports
James Madison Softball Standout Lauren Bernett Dies At 20
James Madison University softball standout Lauren Bernett died at 20 years old, confirmed in an announcement released by the university. A cause of death was not made public. A sophomore catcher from McDonald, PA, Lauren was a key player in leading the women's softball team to the College World Series last year, the first in James Madison University history. Lauren was a member of the National Honor Society with a biology major and plans to minor in pre-veterinary studies. She was the daughter of Scott and Kim Bernett. "Our hearts are aching, hearing the news of the loss of one of our stu…
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