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
Actively Caring Comes to CVHS
Part of Bullying Awareness Week, AC4P recognizes acts of kindness.
Not bullying means more than just not taunting or hitting someone; it also means being kind and considerate. So it was fitting that members of Virginia Tech’s program, Actively Caring for People (AC4P), shared their message Monday, Nov. 18, during the first day of Cluster VII’s Bullying Awareness Week.
It’s Time to Celebrate Christmas in Clifton
Parade, homes tour to be held on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Twinkling lights, the sound of caroling, a parade on horseback and beautifully decorated houses in a storybook setting – all that and more means Christmas in Clifton. And the public’s invited to join in the fun on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Encouraging People to ‘Live Like Nick Did’
Memorial blood drive, Nov. 30, will honor Nick Franca.
If he’d lived, Nick Franca would be celebrating his 24th birthday on Dec. 4. But the Town of Clifton native and 2009 Centreville High grad died of a form of cancer called neuroblastoma, in May 2011, at age 21.
‘Sassy, Modern Twist’ on a Classic Play
Westfield High presents Shakespeare’s comedy, ‘Twelfth Night.’
A love triangle, comedy, colorful costumes, plot twists and swordfighting — it’s all there in Westfield’s production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”
Local Students Offer Mark Twain Classic
Rocky Run Middle presents ‘Tom Sawyer.’
Featuring a cast and crew of 60, Rocky Run Middle will perform Mark Twain’s classic story of “Tom Sawyer.”
Hersey Honored as Officer of the Month
Praised for dedication and professionalism.
MPO Julie L. Hersey was honored recently as the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee’s Officer of the Month for October. Nominating her for this award was her direct supervisor, 2nd Lt. Michael Reser.
Church, School Provide Food for Students
Not everyone in Fairfax County has enough food to eat. And many students receiving free and reduced-price lunches in school go hungry over the weekend.
Scouts, Volunteers Make Food Drive Successful
The Boy Scouts’ annual Scouting for Food drive was Saturday, Nov. 9.
Schools Take Action Against Bullying
Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax pyramids join forces in initiative.
Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County Public Schools wants to do something about it.
Musical with a Message
Journey ‘Into the Woods’ with Woodson High.
Fairytale characters come to life, but in different and unexpected ways in Woodson High’s upcoming musical, "Into the Woods."