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
‘Because My Skin Is Black, Is My Life Worth Less?’
Black Lives Matter protest in Fairfax City.
Their voices were strong, and their message was clear: Black Lives Matter.
‘The Pandemic Has Really Changed Everything’ in Sully District
Kathy Smith discusses the ‘State of Sully.’
What’s happening in the Sully District, land-use cases and COVID-19’s effects on Fairfax County’s budget were discussed during Supervisor Kathy Smith’s (D-Sully) “State of Sully” talk.
Westfield Grad Receives Sheriffs’ Institute Scholarship
Westfield High grad Michael Corwin has just received a Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute scholarship.
Fairfax High Lions Instead of Rebels
Next name change could be Lanier Middle School.
In the wave of the Black Lives Matter Movement – plus the anti-Confederate sentiment sweeping the country – Fairfax High’s mascot and teams will no longer be the Rebels. Instead, they’ll be called the Lions.
Local Students Receive Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute Scholarships
Several local students recently received Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute scholarships. Given to students pursuing an education in criminal justice, they were presented by Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid.
‘People Stepping Up and Helping Out’ in Centreville and Chantilly
Families in need receive free dairy products.
When times are tough, people already having a hard time making ends meet need an extra hand. So last Monday, June 15, volunteers gave out free milk and other dairy products to Centreville and Chantilly families, plus the food pantries that support them.
Improperly Discarded Fireworks Cause House Fire in Chantilly
Fire officials say improperly discarded fireworks caused a house fire, June 13, in Chantilly’s Franklin Farm neighborhood.
‘This Was Something I Could Count On’ in Centreville
Paul VI seniors honored in neighborhood’s graduation parade.
Thanks to COVID-19, this year’s high-school seniors didn’t get to have their achievements and graduation recognized in a public way.
‘One Step in the Long Road to Recovery’ in Fairfax City
City creates grant program for its businesses.
Fairfax City received some $2.1 million of Virginia’s CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act funds. And last Tuesday, June 9, City Council approved using $1,150,000 of this money for a business-support grant program, Fairfax City ReConnected Grant, to help small City businesses impacted by COVID-19.
‘We’re Grateful You Were our Theater Director’
Zoom retirement party for Centreville High’s Mike Hudson.
Mike Hudson’s taught for 40 years – the last 30 as Centreville High’s theater teacher/director. And he and his students have always had such a strong bond that they didn’t call him “Mr. Hudson,” but “Huddy,” as a term of endearment.