I grew up in the suburbs about 20 miles west of Milwaukee, until leaving the nest for college at the University of Minnesota. There, I worked for three years at The Minnesota Daily student newspaper, where I held newsroom positions from intern up to managing editor. After earning a journalism degree, I went back to Wisconsin and spent a year covering education and doing online editing for the local daily newspaper in the city of Manitowoc, a community on the shores of Lake Michigan. I hope I can make Apple Valley Patch meaningful for the Apple Valley community.
Outside of journalism work, I dabble in expository essay-writing, play the piano here and there, try to keep up with Jillian Michaels and really, really would like to finish the New York Times Sunday crossword, for once. I'm always open to suggestions for new restaurants or little corners of the world to check out.
<b>Politics, Religion</b>
At Patch, we promise to report facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. I would be happy to discuss my political persuasions and religious beliefs with anyone who asks.<br><br><b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
One important and ongoing issue in Apple Valley is the development of the Cedar Avenue corridor and bus rapid transit, which has affected and will continue to affect transit and the business community. AV Patch also will keep tabs on development within the city's designated downtown area.
The district's total property tax levy is slated to decrease, and home values continue to decline so the district will receive more equalization aid.
The district's total property tax levy is slated to decrease, and home values continue to decline so the district will receive more equalization aid.
According to a report from Thisweek newspapers, the race track event cost too much to put on and didn't sell enough tickets.
Several wrestlers were honored at a Sunday banquet in St. Paul.
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board must adopt a proposed tax levy by Oct. 7, and will finalize the levy on Dec. 12.
About 1,000 women attended the third Sparkle conference for women at Apple Valley's River Valley Church campus.
The inside lanes of eastbound and westbound 160th Street West between Granada Avenue and Garrett Path will close Monday.
Each week, Apple Valley Patch will post the profile of a child on the waiting list for a mentor with Kids 'n Kinship, an Apple Valley-based organization that matches kids with adult mentors.
A 20-year-old Lakeville woman was arrested in Apple Valley last week for speeding, suspended driver's license, not wearing a seat belt, giving an officer a false name and having counterfeit money.
Check out which Apple Valley homes sold in the past week.
There is no change in the city's insurance contribution in the one-year contract for the 51 full-time maintenance employees.
The Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant's owners hope to attract more customers by adding 40 seats for warm-weather outdoor dining.
The Apple Valley City Council will look at plans for the patio on Thursday, and also is slated to approve an AFSCME labor agreement.
Students who achieve certain scores on their Advanced Placement course exams often can receive college credit.
These students are 11 of the 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, which eventually will be narrowed to 8,300 scholarship winners.
Diamond Path Elementary students on Tuesday took an educational field trip on the Anson Northrup riverboat, helping push the Big River Journey classroom to the 50,000 mark for number of students served.
Several people from Apple Valley rode in the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival races this past weekend.
Parts of Cedar and surrounding roads will be closed overnight on a handful of nights.
It's Eastview's Homecoming week, and residential fall cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday.
Each week, Apple Valley Patch will post the profile of a child on the waiting list for a mentor with Kids 'n Kinship, an Apple Valley-based organization that matches kids with adult mentors.