Email brent.champaco@patch.com
Phone 253-217-6060
Hometown Port Orchard
Birthday Nov. 4
Bio (professional highlights, marital status, hobbies, etc)
As a field-tested journalist who has spent the past five years covering University Place and other South Sound suburbs, Patch is my digital dream gig. I began my print news career a decade ago as a Chips Quinn Scholar in the Bay Area. I eventually finished school at Washington State University, then earned my journalistic stripes providing award-winning community coverage for newspapers in Pullman, the Tri-Cities and eventually The News Tribune in Tacoma. My most recent newspaper stint allowed me to help tell some of the South Sound's most tragic and unforgettable stories, including the Tacoma Mall and Lakewood police shootings. In my new role, I get to use my years of reporting on University Place to help provide you with news coverage you won't find anywhere else. I can't wait.
In 2012, I won Patch's first SPJ award in the Pacific Northwest Excellence in Journamism Competition, taking first place in the online, sports reporting category.
On the personal side, I'm a proud Chamorro American who was taught the value of hard work and discipline. My life is my wife and two daughters. When not in the throes of journalistic passion or pulling all-nighters in pursuit of a Master's Degree at Gonzaga University, I'm watching local sports. You name it - Sounders, Hawks, Cougs, Zags, whatever - I'm on the couch yelling at the television. (Calm down, Husky fans. When you're not playing WSU or the Zags, I'm secretly rooting for you)
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the 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. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
My basic political philosophy is I support anything that benefits the greater good rather a select few. I know that sounds cliche, but I can't find a better way to describe it. Often, my familial Catholic upbringing is at war with my idealistic, fight-for-social-justice teachings. Generally, I lean to the left on national issues and to the right on local issues.
Are you registered with a certain party?
No.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
As I stated above, I was raised in a religious Catholic family. My family went to mass, and they recited novenas and rosaries on a regular basis. (Heck, in Guam, every village has its own patron saint!) Today, I still attend church, although not at the rate that used to.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Town Center. It's the community's 800-pound gorilla of local politics. The city has invested a lot of money into the project and, at least so far, hasn't delivered what many residents are expecting. However, the city is adamant that without doing anything to create more revenue, University Place will struggle financially. The city is also dealing with its own financial struggles, and it laid off employees this last budget go-around.
Another hot-button issue is the Chambers Creek Properties and Chambers Bay Golf Course. What was once Pierce County's vision for a world-class golf destination is now a nationally renowned course - it hosted the 2010 U.S. Amateur and will host the 2015 U.S. Open, one of professional golf's signature events. But the course's $20 million price tag has always had critics. Given the likely traffic and crowding that large tournaments could bring to their community, some University Place have questioned whether the course is worth the headache.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
I can see both sides of the argument over Town Center and Chambers Bay. While Town Center has yet to deliver at the speed people want, the community needs some way to generate revenue if it wants to maintain the things that make University Place one of the most desirable communities to live in the South Sound. As for Chambers Bay, I am looking at it from a news standpoint. Having one of golf's signature events in your backyard isn't a bad news story.
The Gig Harbor Democrat says college education and easing the burden of student debt are two of his top legislative priorities.
The Washington State Patrol says Mello didn't try to use his position to get out of it, Mynorthwest.com reports.
The celebration takes place 10 a.m. to noon, at the Sharon McGavick Conference Center.
The governing boards for Pierce County and Kitsap County voted to appoint the emergency room doctor to the 26th Legislative District Senate seat.
Following a two-week pre-trial appearance in November, Bales appeared again in military court today at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Galaxy Narrows Theater in University Place will show it's last film on Thurs., Jan. 31, the Tacoma News Tribune reported Monday.
University Place's Community Connector to JBLM got 30 new UH-60M Black hawk helicopters to replace the current UH-60L models earlier this month.
The 25-year-old from Hampton, VA was assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He died Wednesday in the Panjwai district, Kandahar province.
Herrera won the 2012 Dream Award based on her perseverance through a horrific life challenge: the miscarriage of her third child. She will receive a $2,500 scholarship for an advance degree program.
Founder Diane Formoso writes it's the organization's major fundraiser. It's especially important this year, as city funding has been cut. The auction helps fund the group's Ready to Learn Fair events, which helps kids throughout the
Following a two-week pre-trial appearance in November, Bales appeared again in military court today at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Barry Crust, who now lives in University Place, wants to sell customized bricks from the former Hudtloff Middle School building - which is being torn down - to raise money for the school.
The Wenatchee World is reporting that the man who owns the horses told authorities he had asked his son, who lives in Tonasket, WA, to care for them. Deputies left messages for the son, but were unable to reach him.
The Vikings downed their non-league rival, 100-86 on Tuesday. BJ Woodburry out touched the Tides in the 200 free relay by splitting a 21.7, and the Vikings swept the 100 back and 100 breast with Jacob McGoogan and Garret Friedman in their final event.
Barry Crust, a Clover Park High graduate who now lives in University Place, wants to sell customized bricks from the former Hudtloff building - which is being torn down - to raise money for the school.
The News Tribune is reporting that the family of the girl - who sneaked on base with Army Pvt. Timothy Bennitt and overdosed - settled with the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The picture comes courtesy of Staff Sgt. Marlon M. Clark.
The donation from the Port Orchard-based bank is intended to support investment in downtown revitalization efforts, including events, public relations and economic development activities, buildings, parks, trails, and other public amenities.
The retail giant calls the move part patriotism, part common sense.
The department posted pictures of the subjects on its Twitter feed.
