Hi! I'm a Chicago native who is excited to share the news that matters to your community. Please send your story tips to Andrea.Watson@Patch.com. I cover Decatur, Smyrna, Roswell, Buckhead and Loganville-Grayson. I've worked in the industry for almost 10 years covering breaking news, crime, politics, business developments, and more. My work has been picked up by the Associated Press and New York Times.
I am a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the former Chicago regional co-caption for JAWS (Journalism & Women Symposium). I have a Master’s in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Illinois - Chicago.
When I'm not busy writing and reporting, I love spending time with my family or trying new recipes.
A group is seeking a state legislator to sponsor Mariam's Law, legislation that would protect the community from preventable violent crimes.
A Florida family in Georgia for a baseball tournament was involved in a fatal car crash Sunday, according to multiple reports.
The Highlander announced Monday that it needed to abruptly close after being open since 1992.
A Lawrenceville judge gave Damia Mitchell, of Snellville, a 140-year sentence in connection with the shooting death of Faith Burns.
Atlanta Police said the department is helping the Federal Protection Services with a shooting that happened Friday afternoon downtown.
Brookhaven police made multiple arrests on prostitution charges at Orange Massage and Sauna One between May and June, according to reports.
Human-made “forever chemicals” have been found in water supplies in Georgia, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The most expensive home for sale in Georgia is a five-bedroom mansion on St. Simons Island. It's accessible by a private gated bridge.
On Monday, The Grey's chef Mashama Bailey won the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef.
A man wanted for murder in Rhode Island was found in Sandy Springs this week, police said.
Kennesaw Councilman James Eaton said the reopening of Wildman’s Civil War Surplus, which sells Confederate memorabilia, perpetuates bigotry.
A Roswell Home Depot employee was impaled this week by a crowbar while standing on a forklift, according to a report.
A 21-year-old mother was shot and killed by her child's father while holding the baby behind a Decatur daycare center, according to police.
A 16-year-old suspect is in police custody in connection to the death of a locksmith who was found dead in his burning work van.
A 16-year-old girl dancer was shot and killed outside a Dekalb County Kroger shopping center.
A son is accused of shooting and killing his father in Clayton County because the numbers on a license plate told him, said his brother.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the case was detected in a metro Atlanta man with a history of international travel.
An air duct fell through the ceiling of Mystic Grill Restaurant in Covington. Several customers were injured, according to reports.
In Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ranked No. 1 in the state, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report.
A boy visiting family in Thomas County died after getting stuck between a washer and dryer during hide-and-seek, according to a report.
