Robert W. Becker Jr., 57, of Stafford County died Friday, April 25th, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Hello, I’m Patton.

Hello! I’m Max.

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your closet. It’s for your makeup, too.

The idea was to get ideas. That’s why a group of about 60 area elementary and middle school students gathered Saturday at Godwin Middle School for a brainstorming session on how to get the word out on conservation and the environment.

You mow it, spray it, fertilize it, weed it, water it, plug it, rake it, thatch it and edge it — the lawn, that is, that endless glutton of time and energy and usurper of weekends.

MANASSAS – Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer will be the featured speaker at the “Breakfast of Champions” benefit on May 6 at the Carteret Boys and Girls Club, 9501 Dean Park Lane, Manassas.

QUANTICO — Stuffing 10,000 boxes with personal care items Saturday was the perfect way for Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew Carman and more than 200 other volunteers to say thank you to troops serving overseas.

QUANTICO —  Organizers of the Marine Corps Marathon have unveiled marinecorpshistorichalf.com — the official Web site for the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half, a race taking place May 18 in Fredericksburg.

A Navy officer that began his career as an enlisted seaman was promoted to the prestigious rank of captain April 18.

An Air Force sergeant has recently graduated from the Air Traffic Control Operations Apprentice Course at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss.

A soldier with local ties to the Fredericksburg area has been mobilized and prepared for a future deployment that will take him to Iraq.

The Pied Piper Theatre presents Peter Pan

The Brooke Point High School After Prom Committee Car Show held April 5 was a success.

I am an absolutely beautiful 1-year-old silver tabby cat that is one of the most affectionate girls here at the SPCA.

Hello, I’m Kiki and I am a 3-year-old Lhasa Apso who is very sweet and gentle.

Cordie Lee Weeks, 69, of Spotsylvania County, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

John Roger Lanterman, 72, of Stafford died Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

Jeanette Perry Fisher, 76, of Fredericksburg, died Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Area school news

Most of the time I’m confused by the adage that, in sports, “winning isn’t everything.”

FREDERICKSBURG — The Quantico Young Marines put the saying “Marines help Marines” into action Saturday, as they spent the day volunteering at Eagle Hill Farm in Fredericksburg. 

Ceremony special for local service members

STAFFORD — Before Stafford County can build the school system’s sixth high school it must clear out some leftover artifacts from a bygone era.

The following is a look at whats happening in Stafford County Schools this week.

Anna Mae Storck, 81, of Stafford County died Monday, April 7, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Raymond Eugene Simpson Sr., 76, of Stafford County, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at his residence.

David A. Reeve, 65, formerly of Stafford County, died at his home in Richmond of an apparent heart attack or stroke.

Clinton J. Morgan, 61, of Fredericksburg died Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.

Janice V. Layton, 65, of Fredericksburg died Monday, April 7, 2008 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.