I am the editor of Lakewood Patch and a local news enthusiast.
I joined Patch because the company is at the forefront of the future of journalism — and I am deeply committed to this changing media landscape. And, I love Lakewood.
I have delivered, printed, packed, stacked, written for, edited and, of course, read newspapers. My first reporting gig came in the fourth grade when Mrs. Williams ordered – since I talked so much — that I report news and weather to begin the class each day. No sweat.
So, the kid with soda-pop-bottle eyeglasses began his career, sharing the latest news and weather forecasts with a room full of confounded classmates.
Since then, I have worked in different media environments, and worn several different hats. I have picked up a camera; learned to handle video equipment and edited my own work. I have kept a blog. I have taped interviews and posted them to the Web. These are a few of the skills that I have acquired in an ever-changing media environment.
After stints in Chicago and Southern California, I returned to home to Northeast Ohio to attend the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. I held a reporting internship at the Record Publishing Co. by day and worked in the Akron Beacon Journal production department by night, stacking newspapers.
I later worked as a reporter and wire editor at the Record-Courier and received several awards for news and sports reporting.
In my freelance work, most notably for hiVelocity, I have followed the changing economic landscape in Ohio. I have identified start-up bio-tech and biomedical companies as they sprout up around the fertile health-care industry, with area institutions of higher education propping them up. The state's economy is changing.
Not unlike my own industry.
I live in Lakewood with my wife, Kelly Flamos, and our children, Ruby and Clyde.
Kelly co-owns and operates Mahalls 20 Lanes with my brother-in-law, Joe Pavlick.
... In case you're curious, that will never affect my ability to report news professionally and fairly in this city that I love.
Bernadette Hisey, the music teacher at Harrison Elementary School, was named the Office Max “A Day Made Better” recipient. She was presented with an actual truckload of office supplies.
The annual candy event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween.
Registration for the November election closes in one week.
Council OK’s resolution accepting $50,000 from the state’s Moving Ohio Forward program, matched by the county prosecutor’s office.
Construction of the new hoops at Lakewood Park is under way, but council still had a couple of questions.
Natural foods grocery store plans to expand into the former McDonald’s on Sloane Avenue.
District officials highlight some successes and discuss some challenges at Monday’s school board meeting.
The following arrest information was supplied by the Lakewood Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
Rumors swirling, but there are no confirmed buyers. Yet.
The rain clouds parted way for sunny skies at the annual, fitness-focused event.
The congresswoman running for the redistricted District 16 made a stop on the campaign trail the Root Cafe on Saturday.
The event formerly known as Recess Rocks coming to Lakewood Park for its third year.
The parade made its way from Lakewood Park to Lakewood Stadium on Friday at rush hour.
Melendez is the GOP challenger.
Zappala is challenging Democrat for the post.
Miller is the incumbent.
Antonio seeking for her second term in the post.
New coffee shop expected to open on Nov. 1.
City officials were hoping to get started on repaving of all of Madison Avenue in the summer of 2013, as well as a traffic signalization project. A streetscape effort was also part of the plans. They will all have to wait.
The following arrest information was supplied by the Lakewood Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
