E-mail: Charlene.Arsenault@patch.com
Phone: 508-736-7708
Hometown: Central Massachusetts
Birthday: June 29, 1970
Snapshot: Married, keyboard player, animal activist who started the Pet Rock Festival, writer, night owl, chatterbox, kind of sporty, adventurous, bad at math and eating small portions.
I grew up in Leicester, MA, and graduated with an English degree from Fitchburg State College in 1993. Out of college, I landed a small weekly music column called The Beat Goes On (yeah, I didn't name it) under the tutelage of editor Sandy Bowles, who was also an editor at Patch.
But my first "real" job was at Worcester Magazine, which I nabbed not long after. Spending days in the news room, where then the pages were still tacked to the lightboard in the production room, typing led to becoming a music column, and ultimately to an editor position.
As a reporter Worcester Magazine, the Telegram and Gazette, Central MA News and a host of other publications, I have covered just about anything imaginable.
Politically, I'm unusual, especially in Massachusetts. Unusual in that I'm gay, yet I most often vote conservatively. I consider myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative and generally subscribe to the Libertarian way of thinking.
I am very concerned about never letting biases get in the way of presenting an objective story. In the end, the story is about the subjects—not me—and I always let them talk.
Over the years, I've gotten quite a few letters and comments that compliment my ability to be fair, my concern over anonymity (when it is requested) and sensitivity to keeping a comment in context.
I edit and provide content for Massachusetts Patch sites.
Framingham's superintendent created a video message welcoming students back after winter break, and focuses on school safety improvements.
A firefighter happened to be checking in on the Wayland, MA, Facebook page. The problem is, the incident was happening in Wayland, MI.
Jimmy Christensen explores different trails throughout the state.
A man allegedly causing a ruckus in a convenience store now faces a slew of charges, including assaulting a Framingham officer.
This Sudbury student's photo is one of 30, out of more than 5,000, chosen in a National Geographic contest.
The beloved (and sometimes hated, but still read) columnist is leaving the paper for which she's written a column for more than 30 years.
The Boys & Girls Club celebrated Wacky Wednesday.
The fire earlier this month displaced two units and caused damages of $5,000.
Downtown Framingham puts the spotlight on a local company doing great things.
"Understandably the safety of everyone is a paramount concern, particularly that of our children and school staff."
Seven people are facing charges in an incident over the weekend on I-93.
Is your child going to be starting school next year? This is for you.
A number of people questioned on social media a rumor of a person threatening to harm students at Algonquin via YouTube.
The following are excerpts from the Northborough police log. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Peter Koutoujian and his mom knew the caller was a scammer, but not everyone does. There's been an uptick, and he's reminding folks.
Framingham's superintendent created a video message welcoming students back after winter break, and focuses on school safety improvements.
This family is missing their dog. Let's help bring him home.
The following are excerpts from the Framingham police log. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
State Police and Auburn police coordinated a sting operation at a hotel in Auburn.
A woman took to the "missed connections" section of Craigslist to vent about being attacked by a muffin-throwing man at the commuter rail.
