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
Saving Humanity via Pop Culture after Apocalypse
Chantilly High presents ‘Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play’
It’s the apocalypse meets “The Simpsons.” In Chantilly High’s upcoming show, “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” a plucky group of survivors uses acting to keep their pop culture – symbolized by “The Simpsons” – alive in an apocalypse-devastated world.
‘The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music’
Classic musical is Westfield High’s Cappies show.
A beloved, Academy-Award-winning musical, “The Sound of Music,” will soon burst upon the Westfield High stage as its 2025 Cappies show.
Jackson Russell: Sully Police Officer of the Year
Honored for strong work ethic, dedication to the job.
PFC Jackson Russell is the Sully District Police Station’s 2024 Officer of the Year.
What’s Planned for the George Snyder Trail
Named after a former Fairfax City mayor, the George Snyder Trail is planned to be a shared-use trail connecting Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) to the Wilcoxon Trail at Draper Drive, south of Fairfax Boulevard (Route 50). It’s also intended to be ADA-compliant, with some sections porous asphalt and others, concrete boardwalk.
‘Listen to the Citizens; Preserve the Woods’
Fairfax residents have their say about Snyder Trail.
They’re now considering only building half the trail or even canceling the project outright.
City Council to Reconsider Controversial Project
Fairfax’s George Snyder Trail is now in jeopardy.
Fairfax’s George Snyder Trail is now in jeopardy.
Chanukah Celebration Is Planned in Fairfax City
A Chanukah celebration is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Old Town Square. Rabbi Sholom Deitsch of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia will light the menorah.
Glebe View Townhouse Project at a Glance
Fairfax Presbyterian Church, at 10723 Main St. and Presbyterian Way in Fairfax City, has donated some 1.6 acres of its land for affordable homes, called Glebe View Townhouses, to be built there. Habitat for Humanity NOVA is the developer, and nonprofit Homestretch/Sacred Homes will own two of the houses. HomeAid will provide building materials and tradesman expertise at reduced prices.
People Coming Together for Good in Time of Need
Fairfax’s American Legion Post 177 helps hurricane victims.
After Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow to Western North Carolina – washing away homes and livelihoods and leaving many residents and businesses without drinkable water or electricity – American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax City just had to do something. So it began collecting items for the victims and then delivering them.
‘What Women Do Is Figure Out How to Make It All Work’
Advice for success given at Economic Empowerment Luncheon.
More than 120 people attended the Sept. 25 Women’s Economic Empowerment Luncheon at the Sherwood Center in Fairfax.