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
Time To Make a Change?
Fairfax City might change Confederate-related street names.
Following a rise in the nation’s consciousness about the need for racial justice and healing, in fall 2020...

Will Four Lanes to Six Be the Fix?
Update on Route 28 widening project in Centreville.
Update on Route 28 widening project in Centreville.
‘Relaxing and Therapeutic Environment’
Upscale Raizun Nail Spa opens in Fairfax City
Sure, it’s easy to find a nail salon in nearly every city. But one look inside Raizun Nail Spa...
Police: Double Murder-Suicide Pact in Fair Lakes
Police find three people fatally shot.
Police: Double Murder-Suicide Pact in Fair Lakes

Fairfax County Considers Renaming Sully District
‘The beginning of a community conversation’
Fairfax County Considers Renaming Sully District
‘Please Remember the Importance of Respect’
Mountain View principal shares words of advice.
Mountain View principal shares words of advice.
‘Thank You for Helping Me See My Own Value’
Mountain View High celebrates Class of 2022.
Mountain View High celebrates Class of 2022.
Remember and Honor That Sacrifice
Fairfax City’s Memorial Day ceremony pays tribute to the fallen.
Fairfax Memorial Day
Middle School Library Will be Renamed
Katherine Johnson Middle School’s library will soon be renamed in honor of Fairfax City Schools Superintendent Phyllis Pajardo.
Fairfax City Adopts FY 23 Budget
Real-estate tax rate reduced 6.5 cents; average tax on Fairfax City home will increase $127.
Fairfax City’s newly adopted FY 23 budget fulfills City Council’s goals and directives.