Amanda is a 10-time award-winning journalist who has been in the field for more than a decade. A graduate of Valdosta State University, where she was a features editor for the campus newspaper, Amanda has since moved on to embark on a career that has led her to winning top state awards through the Georgia Press Association.
She has been a lifestyles editor for The Valdosta Daily Times and a magazine editor for The Daily Times' monthly publication, Valdosta Scene, overseeing a small staff and being third-in-command in the newsroom. While at the Daily Times, she revamped the company's magazine, acted as a link between the community and readers and took on hard-hitting assignments that garnered her multiple accolades while remaining committed to community journalism.
Her leadership then took her to The Griffin Daily News, where she was a managing editor and department head who worked closely with the publisher and marketing manager. While there, she brought new light to the newspaper and its bimonthly magazine, Southern Crescent Living. She established new weekly departments for the newspaper while correlating opportunities for advertising and editorial to come together and share space on the pages.
Her awards include: two for Investigating Reporting (first and third place), Feature Photo (second place), three for Lifestyle Coverage (first and second places), Best Magazine Overall Design (first place), Magazine Cover Design (third place), Magazine Product (second place) and Religion Writing (third place).
The Associated Press has run 13 of her stories through its weekend wire, and she has had multiple stories to circulate both nationally and internationally in several print and digital publications. National Public Radio Atlanta (WABE) has interviewed Amanda about her work.
She has interviewed Adrian Peterson, Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, Super Bowl Champ Malcolm Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart, two Harlem Globetrotters, Pam Tebow, Misty Copeland and the late Burt Reynolds. She has also photographed Shaquille O'Neal, Flo Rida and other public figures.
Amanda has a passion for storytelling and enjoys being a voice for the local community. While her work ranges from crime to business to education news, her heart lies in features journalism as it offers the chance to meet diverse people and share their stories in a way that matters. The readers and those she interviews will always come first for Amanda.
Coach Kirby Smart announced the wide receiver's suspension Wednesday at a media teleconference. Patch has obtained audio of the conference.
Additionally, some cruise lines have had to cancel voyages due to potential threats from Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm in the Gulf.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is expected to steamroll central Florida before sending impacts to southeast Georgia.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring catastrophe to Florida's west coast, but forecasters told Patch parts of GA could be impacted.
UGA wide receiver Colbie Young was accused of battery and assault of an unborn child, an incident report obtained by Patch showed Tuesday.
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton's impact on Florida, several schools have closed and will remain closed for a few days.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday assured residents there was not a gas outage though 1,000 stations are reportedly out of fuel.
The MARTA officer fatally shot the man after the man "reached in the direction of the gun" at the metro ATL train station, the GBI said.
A new report analyzes where U.S. cities land regarding financial safety, home and community safety and natural disaster risks.
Each of the 22 MacArthur Foundation fellows will receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want.
Each of the 22 MacArthur Foundation fellows will receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want.
The two Fulton Co. inmates were being held in the Cobb County Jail when one of them reported finding the other unresponsive in their cell.
Forecasters told Patch the impacts from Category 5 Hurricane Milton may not spare coastal and southeast Georgia.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger assured on Monday that ballots will go out as planned, and early voting will start on time.
One FL city whipped up a victory over giants Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago to be named the best foodie city nationally.
This CA city whipped up a victory over giants Miami, New York City and Chicago to be named among the best foodie cities nationally.
This PA city whipped up a victory over giants Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago to be named one of the best foodie cities nationally.
This GA city whipped up a victory over giants Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago to be named among the best foodie cities nationally.
See information on how to vote in Georgia's 2024 general election, which will determine the next U.S. president and U.S. House members.
State officials are offering assistance to people who received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in September.
