• Carrie FrillmanPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Lincoln Park, IL

I was born in Elgin, 10 minutes before my twin brother, Tim. He has since made up for his tardiness in height, towering over me today by about 1 and 1/2 feet. He and I are tied for the youngest in the family—though I like to consider myself a middle child—and have two older brothers. I grew up on one of the last standing farms in what is now the well-developed area of Prairie View. For those who do not know the town, it is a northwest suburb of Chicago sandwiched in the middle of Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire. I moved to Minnesota to attend Winona State University, which is situated right on the Mississippi River. During my time there, I left for six months to study abroad in Granada, Spain, where I traveled throughout the provinces and even ran with the bulls in Pamplona. I returned to Illinois in June 2007 after graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications: Journalism and Spanish. I wrote for The Daily Chronicle in DeKalb until June 2010. There, I covered education for about two years, crime for nearly one and during my home stretch, delved into issues centered on the governments of DeKalb County and the City of Sycamore.

Posting Activity

Lincoln Park|News|

Three Indicted After 12 'Violent' North Side Robberies

Thousands of dollars were stolen during 2012 in a series of what federal officials say were "violent robberies" committed by three Chicago men on the city's north and northwest sides. Among incidents was one in Lincoln Park and another in

Three Indicted After 12 'Violent' North Side Robberies
Lincoln Park|News|

Impostor Poses as Cop at Local Accident Scene

Police said a Chicagoan at a Lincoln Park accident scene told two people he was a city police officer. Investigators did not find the man's name in the city's database, however.

Impostor Poses as Cop at Local Accident Scene
Lincoln Park|News|

Armed Robber Targets Sub Shop, Police Say

Chicago police officers were scouring the area Sunday for a robber who reportedly walked into a Lincoln Park sandwich restaurant armed with a gun.

Armed Robber Targets Sub Shop, Police Say
Napa Valley, CA|News|

When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

Were you looking for a refund in January? Not this year: The IRS has announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date when you can file, and a list of local tax preparation offices in Napa.

When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?
Lakeview, IL|News|

$2.4M For-Sale Home Offers Wine Cellar, Wet Bar

A newly built house on Montrose Street, very near the Southport Corridor, is on the market for $2.4 million. Realtors say it has every detail a homeowner could want. Peruse our attached photo gallery for a look inside.

$2.4M For-Sale Home Offers Wine Cellar, Wet Bar
Lincoln Park|News|

Zoo Invites Valentines to 'Animal Attractions' Breakfast

Whether you are an animal lover or a person in love, you can reserve a spot for the Lincoln Park Zoo's upcoming Valentine's Day breakfast, which offers the inside scoop on the risqué side of animal courtship. Registration closes on Feb. 6.

Zoo Invites Valentines to 'Animal Attractions' Breakfast
Lincoln Park|News|

$8.9M Home With 50-Foot Court; Theater (PHOTOS)

This week's Wow House was built in 2007. It includes a sport court, in-home theater, luxurious garage and elevator. See our photo gallery for a look inside.

$8.9M Home With 50-Foot Court; Theater (PHOTOS)
Lincoln Park|News|

Crime Map: 15 Burglaries in 13 Days

Several batteries, possession of marijuana incidents and stolen cars also join the latest handful of police incidents, dated Jan. 4 to Jan. 17. Did anything happen near your house? Check the crime map.

Crime Map: 15 Burglaries in 13 Days