How to contact me: deb.belt@patch.com.
Deb Belt has been an editor and team leader with Patch.com since August 2011, and regional manager of the Southeast team since 2017. After launching Patches in Iowa -- where staffers covered the 2012 Iowa Caucuses and the presidential campaign -- Deb joined the Southeast team of editors. Since March 2017 she has led Patch sites ranging from the Baltimore/DC area to Atlanta and Tampa/St. Pete.
She previously worked as an editor for 13 years at the Des Moines Register, focused on suburban coverage that ranged from local election coverage to city and county government reporting and crime/safety issues. During this period she led a team of 27 reporters, photographers and editors who produced 27 print sections a week, and transitioned into digital news.
As a weekly newspaper editor, Deb led the staff of the Indianola Record-Herald to win the prestigious Newspaper of the Year award from the Iowa Newspaper Association in 1997, competing against newspapers from major metros. She also won multiple INA and National Newspaper Association awards for covering city government and editorials examining open meetings issues, the need for bond issue approvals, and other good government practices.
In the digital space, Deb has earned an award for Patch's 2024 coverage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore harbor, along with local editor Jacob Baumgart.
Deb grew up in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, and majored in journalism at Northwest Missouri State University. She has spent her entire career in community journalism.
Arena bill in legislature, restaurant weeks and a clothing chain's plan to open top this week's VA business news. Plus a $1M lottery win.
These Maryland hotels and resorts are among the best in the nation, according to a new ranking from U.S. News and World Report.
MarketWatch ranked 576 U.S. counties across multiple health measures, with 2 Maryland counties landing in the top No. 25 nationally.
Baltimore Washington International Airport is one of 114 airports across the country receiving a combined $970 million in federal funds.
About 127,000 Maryland residents could see their student loans canceled under a Biden administration plan to ease college bills.
Millions were stolen from schools and a medical center, prosecutors said. Ten MD money laundering suspects were arrested, authorities said.
Montgomery County Public Schools has changed its schedule Tuesday as snow moves through the region, officials said.
Baltimore County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday as snow moves through the region, official said.
An attempted murder suspect from Hagerstown wanted in West Virginia was arrested at BWI Airport Sunday, said authorities.
A nor'easter is forecast to form as a weather system moves through. Its path has now prompted a winter weather advisory for some MD areas.
A new study ranked the annual cost of living in each state, as the price of goods and some services keep increasing in FL and nationwide.
Causes of depopulation in FL include the decline of industry, lower birth rates, and the impacts of climate change, according to the study.
Causes of depopulation in VA include the decline of industry, lower birth rates, and the impacts of climate change, according to the study.
Causes of depopulation in MD include the decline of industry, lower birth rates, and the impacts of climate change, according to the study.
A Towson University graduate designed a Travis Kelce jacket for Taylor Swift. Her Super Bowl puffer vest is helping breast cancer patients.
Florida tends toward the middle of the pack among states when it comes to the cost to raise children, according to a new report.
Virginia is among the priciest states to raise children, according to a new report. Here's a look at the rates families pay for care.
Maryland is among the priciest states to raise children, according to a new report. Here's a look at rates families pay.
A new list of the 250 top-tier pizza destinations across the country includes one Maryland city.
A new list of the 250 top-tier pizza destinations across the country includes 4 Virginia cities.