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
More Performance Dates for City of Fairfax Theatre Co.’s Magic Show, ‘Spellbound’
Due to popular demand, the City of Fairfax Theatre Co. (CFTC) has added extra performance dates to its production of “Spellbound,” magician Lars Klores’s one-man show celebrating the art of magic.
Is it ‘A Solution Looking for a Problem’ in Fairfax City?
City enacts new firearms ordinance
Virginia recently adopted legislation allowing localities to enact ordinances prohibiting firearms and ammunition in and on certain public properties or at permitted public events.
Fairfax Academy Students to Hear from the Pros
The Fairfax Academy’s 3rd annual Career Experience Expo is next Monday, Feb. 22.
A Landmark Achievement in Sully District Scouting
First female Eagle Scouts in the Sully District
Four local teens have completed all the requirements to become Eagle Scouts.
‘This Is an Opportunity for Connections’ in Fairfax City
Council extends City’s e-scooter pilot program
Fairfax City has extended its pilot program for e-scooters in the City through the end of this year.
Fairfax Mayor, Council Discuss Capital Projects
City Police Station, Property Yard both need improvements
Besides working on the upcoming FY 22 budget, Fairfax City Manager Rob Stalzer and his staff have also been preparing the City’s draft FY 22-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
‘The Victims Don’t Choose that Lifestyle’
Local police detectives discuss human trafficking
When it comes to human trafficking, no part of the U.S. is immune to it – even Fairfax County.
GMU Homecoming and Valentine’s Day Fun
To support George Mason University’s annual Brave and Bold Homecoming celebration, Fairfax City is again partnering with GMU to showcase its Patriot Pride with the program “Patriots in the City.”
Fairfax City Charges into the New Year
Electric-vehicle charging stations are now available.
As more and more automakers transition to electric vehicles – and their popularity rises with consumers – the City of Fairfax is joining the charge.
Fairfax City Manager: ‘We’re Slightly, Cautiously Optimistic’
Stalzer gives quarterly review of FY 21 budget.
In just a few weeks, Fairfax City Manager Rob Stalzer will present his proposed FY 22 budget.