Julia is the new editor of the local newspaper, The Independent, and just recently moved to Chester's Mill with her husband, Peter. She appears to be good at her job because she responds to a citizen's tip about gas tankers making repeated trips into town and doesn't blow off the woman's suspicions.She meets Dale Barbie Barbara by the McAlister's house after the dome comes down and begins inspecting its borders with him. When he predicts that the army will soon swoop in and quarantine the town, she deduces that he has a military background.Julia is married to a doctor, Peter Shumway. She finds out that he has not been working at the medical clinic every Sunday like she believed. When she cannot find him inside the dome, she assumes he was cheating on her. She does not know that earlier that day, Barbie buried his dead body in the woods, for unknown reasons. Julia strikes up a friendship with Barbie and even insists he stay with her when she finds out he has nowhere in town to stay.Background: Married to Peter Shumway, but has concerns he is unfaithful.