Alexandria Teen Remembered For Theater Talent And Love Of Music After Sudden Loss
A Virginia community is mourning the loss of 15-year-old Kristeen Schlak, a bright and talented teen whose life ended far too soon, leaving a family, a school, and an entire community grieving the absence of someone many say made every room warmer just by being in it.
Schlak passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, her family confirmed.
She was a 10th-grade student at a local high school in Alexandria, where friends and classmates knew her as kind, creative, and quietly confident, according to those close to her.
To the people who loved her most, Schlak was many things all at once: a daughter…
Holiday Teen Night With Music, Games, Food Set For Ages 12–15 From Stratford Recreation
The Stratford Recreation Department will host a Holiday Teen Night on Friday, Dec. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m., with music, dancing, games, and food for teens ages 12 to 15, according to the department's post on Facebook.
The event is described as co-ed, with the Friday night session set aside specifically for teen participants.
Admission is $10 per person for the two-hour program, and the fee covers entry to the activities planned for the night.
Preregistration is required through the department’s online system at townofstratford.recdesk.com, based on information in the department’s announcement…
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Daily Voice
Maryland Sgt. Joseph Mullendore Dies Of Cancer Just Months Before Hitting 20 Years Of Service
Some people spend a lifetime talking about public service. Sgt. Joseph Mullendore spent his life doing it on the streets of Maryland.
The Prince George’s County Police Department announced on Monday, Dec. 1, that Mullendore died last week “following a hard-fought illness.”
He was 50 years old.
Mullendore first joined the department in 2006, and over nearly two decades, he served in Oxon Hill – District IV, the former Regional Investigation Division, the Training and Education Division, and most recently, District VI – Beltsville, according to the agency.
Before that, h…
Suffern Native, Singer Grace VanderWaal Mourns Death Of Her Mother: 'Can't Yet Find Words'
New York native and singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal is mourning the death of her mother following a 17-month battle with cancer, her family announced.
VanderWaal, 21, shared an emotional tribute to her mother, Tina, on Instagram Tuesday, Oct. 21, writing, "Can’t yet find the words. I love you mommy. So much."
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A post shared by Grace VanderWaal (@gracevanderwaal)
According to VanderWaal's father, Dave, Tina died on Monday, Oct. 20. After her death, he posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, re…
Grammy Winner D’Angelo, Virginia Native, Dies At 51
A velvet‑voiced architect of neo‑soul whose grooves reshaped Rhythm and Blues, D’Angelo has died at 51 after a private battle with cancer, his family said.
Relatives confirmed his death on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and asked for privacy, saying he passed after a “prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.” Multiple outlets, including TMZ, reported the cause was pancreatic cancer.
The singer had kept his diagnosis out of public view. In May he withdrew from the Roots Picnic festival citing “unforeseen medical delays from a prior surgery.”
Born Michael Eugene Archer in Richmond, Virgini…
Scotch Plains Dad Dies In Crash, $150K Raised For Widow, Children
Brian Benson, of Scotch Plains, died in a car crash on Wednesday, Sept. 17, according to his obituary from Memorial Funeral Home. He was 46 years old.
Born in New York and raised in Mountain Lakes, Brian was a Rutgers graduate who built a two-decade career in medical device sales with Bausch and Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, and most recently RxSight, his obituary says.
“Brian was a valued member of the RxSight team, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in medical device sales and a deep commitment to his work,” a GoFundMe created by colleague Heather Spiri reads.
Brian was de…
