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.
This week includes: "great ways to boost your workout," some local preschool news and the fierce debate between corks and screw-caps among wine enthusiasts.
This week ahead is predicted to be bizarrely warm for the middle of January.
After a winter in which the park saw no skating, the Park District of La Grange has added a dedicated hockey rink, but the weather prognosis continues to be poor.
Also this week: a Great Clips is also robbed, a big-name Hollywood couple stops by for lunch and an update on the "missing mom" from Hinsdale found in Georgia.
With a fiscal cliff looming, the Department of Employment Security said last month that a solution was necessary to help improve jobless rates.
Candice Washilewski worked with the Colon Cancer Coalition of Minneapolis to bring a fundraising race to the Chicago area.
The Western Springs Republican (District 82) said that Illinois government is attempting to circumvent a thoughtful discussion on several controversial bills.
The village says the new website will offer a number of improved services to Western Springs residents.
La Grange police reports, Dec. 25-Jan 2.
La Grange Park police reports, Dec. 18-Jan. 2
Congressman Dan Lipinski, a Western Springs resident, offers remarks on Tuesday's passage of fiscal cliff-avoiding legislation.
Tyler Jacob Sanders was born to a couple from Brookfield on Wednesday morning.
Western Springs police reports, Dec. 26-31.
Nothing particularly spectacular coming up in this week's weather, but here's what we will be getting!
E! News snagged a photo of the Hollywood celebrity couple grabbing brunch at the La Grange restaurant Prasino.
Western Springs police reports, Dec. 17-26.
E! News snagged a photo of the Hollywood celebrity couple grabbing brunch at the La Grange restaurant.
Steve Jasinski will take over for Ryan Williamson at the head of the La Grange Business Association in January.
There's a good chance of at least seeing some flurries on either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.
Also this week: a kitten survives nine days in a drain pipe, a man injured in a plane crash sues the estate of the deceased pilot and a minivan crashes through a Metra train station.
