I'm a child of the eastside of Baltimore County and have lived here most of my life — first in Middle River then in Perry Hall, where I graduated from high school. I now live in Towson.
I'm a county history junkie and have a fondness for all the places that make my "hometown" special. You'll frequently find me hiking around Oregon Ridge with my dog or grabbing a slice at Pizza Johns in Middle River.
Over the years I've worked for a number of area publications including The Times in Perry Hall, The Avenue and The Journal Northeast as well as writing for Reuters news service.
For much of the last decade I was a reporter for Patuxent Publishing Co.'s community papers in Baltimore County as it's senior politics and government reporter.
I've won numerous state, regional and national awards for coverage of stories such as the Joseph Palczynski spree killings and hostage standoff in 2000, coverage of Hurricane Katrina, as well as state and local government coverage.
I've also been honored for my investigative work which includes stories involving the Community College of Baltimore County, the hiring of a health officer who was not licensed to practice medicine in Maryland and an investigation that led to the indictment of a sitting county councilman for theft from his campaign finance account.
While at Patuxent, my political blog was honored as the best in the Maryland-Delaware-DC region. I continue to blog about politics for Patch.
I appear each Thursday morning in the 7 o'clock hour where I talk about local politics on WBAL 1090 AM. I've appeared regularly on a number of that station's programs and have made guest appearances on Midday with Dan Rodricks on WYPR 88.1 FM.
I also co-hosted the "All Politics is Local" radio show on WCBM 680 AM.
You can find me on Facebook and on Twitter.
One state delegate says effort to force illegal immigrant tuition law to referendum is generating support across the state.
When selling publicly held land to developers makes sense and bidding out contracts with public agencies doesn't.
Is Kamenetz's chief of staff interested in a new job and a council aide celebrates the signing of an anti-bullying law she pushed the General Assembly to pass.
There's no telling what might happen. Maybe you'd better prepare.
Earnest Hines, county school board president, will be replaced at the end of June — a year earlier than expected.
Outgoing board member is critical of political appointments and interference in school board business.
Comment sparks response from state comptroller's office.
A relatively obscure agency could play a part in county economic development efforts.
Residents in higher tax brackets "may have moved away because of the tax rates."
Former chief of staff to County Executive Jim Smith, returns to city government as top aide to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
County Council asks Van Arsdale for update on the restructuring of her new department after taking over a week ago.
One member of the County Council is floating the idea of imposing a fee on shopping carts in the county, saying the carts are becoming an environmental and safety hazard.
Promised meeting scheduled for later this month.
McDonough, a sometimes bombastic GOP delegate and radio show host, puts his money, his pride and his nose on the line.
Schools system superintendent has yet to schedule meeting with state legislators.
Concerns about underage, binge drinking at one city bar have caught the eye of county state's attorney.
Investigation continues into chemicals found at the home but police say they do not believe bombs or methamphetamines were being manufactured.
Greatest Olympian wins $100,000 in poker tournament.
Spraying will take place in the Milford area of Baltimore County next month.
Maryland reports 13 cases of the mosquito-borne virus so far in 2012.
