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
Fairfax’s Middleridge Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Middleridge subdivision off Ox Road in Fairfax celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 27.
‘Families Are in Jeopardy of Losing their Homes’
Hugs, handshakes, traveling, and gathering with friends at large events are just some of the things the current pandemic has stopped.
Safety Kits Help Fairfax City Businesses
To protect the business community and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Fairfax City’s Economic Development Office and Economic Development Authority (EDA), will provide City businesses with Fairfax City ReConnected Safety Kits.
‘High-Quality Care and Education for Children’ in Fairfax City
Main Street Child Development Center helps both students and parents.
Main Street Child Development Center provides affordable childcare for low-income families in Fairfax City and Fairfax County.
‘Good Way to Bring the Community Together’: Centreville, Chantilly Celebrate National Night Out
Because of the pandemic, this year’s annual National Night Out celebration was shifted from the first Tuesday in August to the first Tuesday in October.
Centreville Day Celebration Begins Oct. 17
Variety of events will be both virtual and in-person.
The 28th annual Centreville Day will be different this year, due to COVID-19, but the community may still participate and enjoy some fun activities.
Fairfax City Helps Restaurants Ready for Winter
Fairfax City is launching a Winter Preparedness Initiative Micro-Grant, this Friday, Oct. 9, as part of the Fairfax City ReConnected Outdoors Program.
‘Stuff You Can’t Find Anywhere Else’ in Fairfax City
99 Ranch Market opens
When 99 Ranch Market, a leading Asian grocery store, recently opened its new store in Fairfax City, the pandemic meant just 50 people were allowed inside at a time.
Bull Run Post Office Road: ‘That Road Is Narrow and Very Dangerous’
Supervisors OK large-truck ban
Bull Run Old Post Office Road is a winding, two-lane, country road, not intended to carry the heavy traffic an arterial road, such as Route 29, does.
Honoring Heroes Virtual 5K Challenge Planned
Event to raise money for Wreaths Across America.
Despite the current pandemic, two local Scouting troops will remember the sacrifices of America’s fallen soldiers by raising money to lay wreaths on their graves.