Patch Editor Departing After 5+ Years: See Top Stories

I have written roughly 6,500 stories for Patch, and this is my last. My colleagues will continue to provide quality local news for Maryland readers, but it's time for me to take my next step.

Patch took a chance on me as a fresh college graduate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I started on June 8, 2020, days removed from my last courses at the University of Delaware, where I was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Review. With internships at The News Journal in Delaware and The Philadelphia Inquirer under my belt, I was eager to step into the professional ranks.

During my 5.5 years here, I have cut my teeth covering Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Prince George's counties. Each day was different.

I covered tornadoes in Annapolis, Bowie and Middle River.

I spoke with business owners fighting for their livelihoods after flooding in the state capital, and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a park that should mitigate inundation.

I trekked through Bowleys Quarters floodwaters in my bathing suit, a Patch T-shirt and rain boots to interview the Baltimore County executive. After he became a congressman, I interviewed him again in a truck riding down the taxiway at Martin State Airport.

When the Key Bridge collapsed, I was one of the first 10 reporters on scene. I followed that with stories on the last driver to cross the bridge, workers affected by the ensuing port slowdown and the traffic still plaguing truckers.

A windsurfer who grew up on the bay, adaptive boats for people with disabilities and an Olympian's "hell and back" journey — all stories I have shared.

My spotlights on military mental health are being featured in a documentary on veteran suicide.

Covering tragedies is unfortunately part of the job. I paid tribute to a father and boxer who was fatally shot, and I documented the life of a Holocaust survivor.

A nonprofit that mentors students from disadvantaged neighborhoods gave me hope for the world. Features on a secret skate park and a couple sailing the globe were also memorable.

It was humbling to see my exclusive story on a flash mob for a retiring teacher appear in an NBC Nightly News segment on influential school employees.

A firefighter who saved a dog, a mall's roadmap to prosperity and a marching band cameo — it's been my honor to cover them all.

These stories were recognized with 12 first-place prizes and five second-place awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association. My top stories from each year are posted at the end of this letter.

Thank you to my sources for sharing vulnerable moments. Thank you to my editor, Deb Belt, for coaching me on how to be a professional reporter.

Thank you to my parents, loved ones and friends for supporting my dream through late nights and breaking news. I love you all, and I'm lucky to have you in my court.

And most importantly, thank you to you, the readers. Journalism is changing, and you've stuck with us. You've read Patch while sipping your morning coffee, you've welcomed us into your home and you've trusted us as a reliable source for local news. Thank you for believing in us.

Patch is in talented hands moving forward. You will still get your daily newsletters and push alerts with town happenings. You can still count on Patch to keep you informed; there will just be a new byline.

Thank you for making my time at Patch so memorable. Press on.

With gratitude,

Jacob Baumgart

2025

• Immigrant Fears His 'Life Will Be In Danger' If Forced To Leave MD
• 13K MD Layoffs Amid Trump Cuts: 'I Thought We Were Safe'
• Federal Worker Job Fair In Odenton Draws 750: 'I Need To Pay My Bills'
• Truckers Face 'Roller Coaster Ride' Year After Key Bridge Collapse
• Annapolis High Schooler Is 'Tenacious' Leader On Field, In State House
• Schools, Parks Face Uncertainty In Anne Arundel County Amid DOGE Cuts
• Stop DOGE's Federal Cuts, Voters Tell Olszewski At Towson Town Hall
• Flash Mob Surprises Retiring Anne Arundel Teacher With Favorite Song
• Annapolis Mall Sees Luxury Brands, Entertainment As Keys To Growth
• JCPenney Redevelopment, New Village Academy Stall At Annapolis Mall
• Housing At Annapolis Mall Could Create 'Live, Work, Play' Community
• Firefighter Who Rescued Dog From Burning Fairhaven House Is 'An Angel'
• Argument At No Kings Day Protest Ends On Common Ground: Watch
• Olszewski Aspires To Tackle Partisan Divide In DC With Baby Steps
• AJR Taps Randallstown High Marching Band For Surprise Encore In Columbia
• JCPenney Closes Annapolis Mall Store, Redevelopment Questions Remain
• Littmann, Huntley Early Leaders In Annapolis Mayor, Council Races
• $71M Annapolis City Dock Park Aims To Prevent Flooding
• School At Annapolis Mall Is 'No-Brainer' For These Students

2024

• 'You're Alive': Baker Among Last Drivers On Key Bridge Before Collapse
• Port Of Baltimore Back To Full Force, MD Truckers Still Struggling
• Odenton Father, Boxer Remembered At Vigil After Fatal Shooting
• Navy's Solar Power Proposal At Dairy Farm Concerns Gambrills Neighbors
• Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte Hosts Kids Swim Clinic In Columbia
• Veteran Suicide Documentary To Feature 2 MD Women Pushing For Reform

2023

• Egg Price Spike Tests Bakers' Creativity As MD Battles Bird Flu
• MD Native Makes It Big In Hollywood, Screens Movie At Cannes Film Fest
• Sailor's Suicide Leads Annapolis Mom To Fight Military Sexual Assault
• Secret Skatepark Demolished, Builders Turn Page In Anne Arundel County
• Nonprofit Celebrates 15 Years Of Mentoring Annapolis Students With Low Incomes

2022

• Holocaust Survivor Shares Mom's Art, Family's Story On Remembrance Day
• Global Sailors Land In Annapolis, Plan To Settle Down After Boat Show

2021

• Tornado Can Shake Store, But Not Determination Of Business Owner
• Annapolis To Tokyo: MD Olympian Got Her Start On Chesapeake Bay
• Sailing Nonprofit Builds Marina For Marylanders With Disabilities

2020

• Race, Transparency Concern New AACPS Student Board Member
• 'I Can't Even Breathe': AA County Police Chief Retires After Suit
• Paralympic Star, Pastor, Mental Health Advocate 'Back The Blue'
• Moms Condemn Racism, Leave International Club In Protest
• Food Network Chef Helps Annapolis Eatery Recover From Coronavirus
• Cancer Survivor, Business Owner Sets Record Straight On CBD