E-mail: darren@patch.com
Phone: 708-275-8365
Hometown: Andover, MA
Current town: La Grange, IL
Birthday: September 24, 1987
Bio: I was born and raised in Eastern Massachusetts, and first took an interest in journalism when I was named the National Correspondent of the Year for SchoolSports (now called ESPN Rise.) I relocated to Chicagoland in 2006 to attend the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where I wrote for a number of student publications. During my time in school, I also completed editorial internships with Chicago Parent and Vicon Publishing. Upon graduating, I became Western Springs Local Editor with Patch.com, and have since held several jobs in the company. Currently I am a Community Editor for DuPage County.
My interests/hobbies include sports, reading, fiction writing, gaming, and outdoor living (hiking/camping/canoeing.) I play both indoor and beach volleyball, and I'm passionate about golf (if not terrific at it.) I also author the online graphic novel Panthera as "D. Z. McRoy."
Politics: I am a registered Democrat; my politics are socially liberal and economically moderate.
Religion: I am a member of the United Church of Christ, though my practice is largely casual.
The racer from North Carolina races in two events at the Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, and visited True Value to promote sponsor PlanItDIY.com.
In this week's Vision's for Vacancies, the former used-book store at 1062 Hillgrove Avenue: within the restrictions placed on the building, what might fit there?
Also: a bank robbery in Westmont on Friday, fires torch a historic home and a garage and an Oak Park man is nailed in a bribery sting.
Building on last year’s District championship as 10-year-olds, Western Springs’ 11-year-old team is breezing past opponents as they claimed the District title and more.
The strike occurred at around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday night and jumped from an adjacent tree into the roof; damage estimates are in the multiple thousands of dollars.
Metra wants to know how it can better serve you. Here is your chance. Attend one of the upcoming public sessions or comment online.
It is undoubtedly the Village's best-known landmark—yet few have ever seen its interior pinnacle, a haunting empty water tank closed to the public. We take you inside.
Arcing electricity ignited the Western Springs garage and melted its contents causing estimated $60,000 in damage; fire apparently started when dead power lines lying against the garage were re-energized.
![Downed Power Lines Start Electrical Fire, Destroy Forest Hills Garage [VIDEO]](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/37697/2012/07/raw/27734e7d9f53b2fae079de7eb013be11.jpg)
Local girls research the phenomenon of Internet memes and image macros and design their own for T-shirts at Thomas Ford Memorial Library.
The financial group's new office on Burlington Avenue can be your one-stop shop for investment advice and wall decor—or just one or the other.
The escalation of breakage hit a new high on Saturday and Sunday with a combined five breaks spread over Old Town North, Field Park and Ridgewood.
The esteemed restaurant’s classes demonstrate for attendees the entire process of turning a pig into deluxe sausages, bacon, pork and other meats.
Also, a Village well is offline after its electric system was fried, EMS fees changes and likely extension of the Village's contract with Allied Waste.
Western Springs police reports, July 9-16
You won't believe some of the vehicles that showed up in Spring Rock Park on Sunday for the Western Springs Police Department's 2012 car-show fundraiser.
The vocal populist movement against added fluoridation of water has sprung up in Western Springs recently. Water hardness aside, how do you feel about the F−?
Skies look to stay partly cloudy throughout the week with a chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday.
In the first edition of our newest series, Visions for Vacancies, we head down to southern Western Springs and ask: what would look good in the place of that empty White Hen?
Also this week: a husband charged with contributing to his wife's death through neglect, accusations of inter-town cyberbullying, and two dogs getting married.
Drop by Spring Rock Park this weekend to check out a wide variety of cars and help the Western Springs Police Department raise funds for Special Olympics Illinois.