Former Patch Staff
Hometown: Lake Zurich, IL
Collin's interest in journalism sparked after he wrote his first article for his high school newspaper. From there, he studied journalism at Colorado State University. During his time at Colorado State, he gained insight on the workings of a major media publication while interning for TIME Magazine. The opportunity allowed him to meet legendary journalists like Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. Collin was also a political writer for CollegeNews.com, a Boston Hannah publication.
After college, he worked as a beat reporter for a local weekly newspaper in Florida. Before joining Naperville Patch he was a guest editor for Morton Grove Patch as well as a freelancer for Des Plaines Patch in 2010.
He also launched an award-winning online magazine, The Lead, which he developed, designed and maintained. The Lead featured coverage of global current events such as the Arab Spring as well as lifestyle stories.
Collin is now happy to be here in Naperville working as your Local Editor.
In his free time, Collin likes playing with his dog Moose, photography, James Bond movies, politics and traveling (27 states, eight countries and counting!). He also enjoys screenwriting as he recently completed a comedy screenplay.
A DuPage County judge ruled that DNA of suspected bloodstains found at a Naperville townhouse where two children were slain in October can be tested.
Taking a glance at this week's Naperville headlines.
Naperville Police Department reports, March 21
Community will have opportunity to meet candidates running for Naperville School District 203 school board.
Naperville Police Department reports, March 20
The Boers and Bernstein Show will be on the air from inside the Naperville bar.
In February, Naperville saw an increase in home sales as well as a slight increase in median price.
Naperville Police Department reports, March 19
The DuPage County Coroner's Office is waiting on the victim's toxicology results before announcing a cause in the first of three recent fatal incidents along the BNSF tracks.
Skynyrd joins Rick Springfield and STYX in list of musicians set to perform during this summer's annual fest.
A luxurious home in Naperville's Woods of Rivermist subdivision ranks among the top ten "most expensive" list.
Lawmakers proposed new taxes on oil rigs, license plates, satellite TV, strip clubs and more to find money for schools, parks, youth centers and crisis centers. Reboot Illinois talks taxes.
Edward Hospital announced a three-year agreement with the Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon, which takes place in November.
Six Naperville residents are among the 162 Illinoisans and 4,802 Americans and allies lost in the war.
Three pedestrians have died after being struck by BNSF Metra trains this month in Hinsdale, Westmont and Downers Grove. Most recently, a male pedestrian was hit by a train near downtown Downers Grove on Tuesday morning.
Naperville Police Department reports, March 18
Naperville Firefighters were able to bring an attic fire under control within 15 minutes early Tuesday morning.
Hinsdale Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Wodka confirmed the fatal accident Monday afternoon.
Naperville Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted to Local Editor Collin Czarnecki at collin.czarnecki@patch.com.
Residents can take part in early voting for the 2013 election beginning next week.