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
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It’s Earp’s Ordinary for Live Music, Food, Drinks and Fun
Fairfax City gets an exciting new restaurant/music venue.
Fairfax City gets an exciting new restaurant/music venue.
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Helping People Become Healthy and Strong
Omni Wellness & Performance opens in Fairfax City.
Wellness
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Relaxing Place for Coffee, Food and Conversation
It’s The Commons Fooderie in Fairfax City’s Old Town Plaza.
It’s The Commons Fooderie in Fairfax City’s Old Town Plaza.
Melanie Zipp is Fairfax’s Assistant City Manager
Melissa Shinaberry promoted to city clerk.
Melissa Shinaberry promoted to city clerk.
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Musical Comes to Life in a New York Apartment
Westfield Summer Stage presents ‘The Drowsy Chaperone.’
Each year, Westfield Summer Stage gives audiences the chance to see some of the most talented high-school thespians from throughout Fairfax County.
Carwash Crash Claims Fairfax Woman’s Life
Carwash Crash Claims Fairfax Woman’s Life
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Warm Welcome for a Missed Friend: Old Firestation #3
Fairfax City residents are delighted at the reopening of an icon.
Fairfax City residents are delighted at the reopening of an icon.
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Man Charged with Killing Fairfax Resident
Fairfax County police have arrested a Washington, D.C., man in connection with the May 21 murder of a Fairfax resident.