Amanda came to Patch in June 2010 after graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She launched Lemont Patch in 2010, and covered the community for two years before moving to Downers Grove in August 2012.
Prior to Patch, Amanda wrote for her college newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, covering city council and education. In 2009, Amanda spent three months interning at the Orange County Register in California. Despite the large market, it was here that she learned the ins and outs of community reporting. After returning to Illinois in June 2009, Amanda immediately started working as an editorial intern in the DuPage County office of the Daily Herald. During her senior year at Northwestern, she spent six months investigating a possible wrongful conviction case with the Medill Innocence Project.
Village officials will consider a sales tax rebate agreement with the high-end dealership, 217 Ogden Ave., which is expected to generate an additional $185,000 in revenue for the village each year.
Downers Grove police are searching for a Hispanic man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, who allegedly tried to lure a 15-year-old girl to his vehicle Thursday morning.
A Downers Grove resident writes in support of Peter Roskam for Congress.
Downers Grove police reports, Oct. 8-12.
The program, founded in memory of Columbine High School shooting victim Rachel Joy Scott, will teach students to combat bullying through kindness and compassion.
Officials received hundreds of emails last month about Downers Grove North's Constitution Week speaker Jessica Ahlquist, a Rhode Island teen who sued her school to have a prayer removed from the gymnasium wall.
Gov. Pat Quinn and Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully were also on hand at the Belmont Road Metra station Wednesday to dedicate the long-awaited, $60 million project.
Downers Grove police reports, Oct. 2-9.
Josiah Williams—a trombonist in the Mustang marching band, orchestra and jazz ensemble—is one of just 125 students who will perform at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January 2013.
Police said they found Ellie shortly after 3:30 p.m., just 30 minutes after they issued a village-wide alert about her disappearance.
Michael Dobbs, 46, was charged with assault, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct after an alleged road rage incident on Oct. 4, police said.
Will O'Neil, 11, found a second home at the School of Rock, where he plays guitar and sings each week.
South Principal Steve Bild was recognized by the Village of Woodridge. • Career and technical education teacher Patrick Fardy was selected to received the 3M Star in the Classroom Award. • Head football coach John Belskis earns milestone victory.
Check out ReadKiddoRead's list of the best Halloween books for kids.
Orchestras from Community High School District 99 and Grade School District 58 will put on a Halloween-themed concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Downers Grove South High School.
Employees say they are "plugging along" as customers take advantage of their closeout sale.
Former Playboy playmate Jenny McCarthy will hold a book signing tonight at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall.
Both North and South high schools failed to make adequate yearly progress—a topic that will be discussed by District 99 officials Monday night.
The district was honored last month by the National School Public Relations Association for projects and publications produced during the 2011-12 school year.
The Downers Grove Young Professionals Network will host its annual "Howl-o-ween Bash" at Emmett's Ale House on Wednesday to benefit the West Suburban Humane Society.
