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.
Allan Calhamer grew up in La Grange Park, graduated from LTHS and spend much of his life as a mailman there—but also created the mass-selling game reportedly loved by the Kennedys.
Also this week: a second pastor also in hot water over an underage girl, a woman is saved from a burning home and two burglars invade a home and shoot the dog.
The Village has approved a detailed schematic for bettering its relationship with its businesses, attracting new ones and improving business prospects overall.
The eighth-graders took on the roles of attorneys, witnesses and jury, advised by actual lawyers and a judge, as they tried a fictional character for a slaying.
Motions for both an appeal and a new trial have been filed on behalf of Shelly Halligan, who was convicted of first-degree murder earlier in February.
George Beshilas of George's Hair Designs has spent half a century running the Garden Market salon after first coming to the U.S. with no experience.
La Grange police reports, Feb. 20-27
La Grange police blotter, Feb. 19-27.
Bridget Fitzgerald was a top-five finisher last year and is the second St. Patrick's Day Parade queen from Western Springs in the past eleven years.
The recently renovated and highly unique Nettie J. McKinnon gallery is called "a treasure of American fine art" in the five-minute segment.
Dr. Brian Barnhart will serve as the superintendent of Western Springs District 101 at least through the 2018-2019 school year.
The longer a contract is signed for, the more expensive electricity will be; the cheapest rate for a one-year contract is just over 5¢/kWh.
Architect and painter Bartek Szymanski is seeking to beautify empty storefronts in the La Grange-area pedestrian-friendly locations by filling them with donated artwork.
The upcoming Empty Bowls event put on by the pottery studio raised $6,400 for local food pantries in 2012.
A storm is headed towards La Grange and Western Springs, the second in a week. As before, check out its progress towards us with our interactive weather map.
Western Springs police reports, Feb. 19-25.
Headlining this week: comparing sales taxes in various local towns, keeping your cat free of unnecessary vet trips and why 'Starry Messenger' has been scary for TWS to tackle.
The reverend at Second Baptist Church denies the charges but told police he raped the child's mother when she was 10 years old, said prosecutors.
Winds of 30 miles per hour and snowfall of up to six inches are expected as another winter weather pattern blows through the Midwest this week.
Also this week: a missing Downers Grove man is found dead, a local teacher is a Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions finalist and a killing trial proceeds in Wheaton.
