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.
With heavy rain and storms brewing that could dump 2 inches of rain per hour in parts of Maryland, a flood watch has been issued by the NWS.
With heavy rain and storms brewing that could dump 2 inches of rain per hour in parts of Northern Virginia, a flood watch has been issued.
From new taxes to cannabis regulation and a fund to pay for abortions, 300 new laws affecting Marylanders go into effect on July 1.
A fire started by a grill on the deck of a Derwood home spread to two neighboring homes Sunday and caused an estimated $1 million damage.
The study from LendingTree examines how much Americans pay for groceries as a percentage of their income. See how Florida shoppers fare.
The study from LendingTree examines how much Americans pay for groceries as a percentage of their income. See how Georgia shoppers fare.
The study from LendingTree examines how much Americans pay for groceries as a percentage of their income. See how Maryland shoppers fare.
Three Florida beach resorts are in exclusive territory, landing on a Forbes list of the top 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways worldwide.
Demolition of the remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to begin next month, state officials said. Here's what to expect.
Wine Spectator recently released its list of 2025 Restaurant Award winners, and six Montgomery County spots were honored.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations in and around the city of Baltimore.
Marylanders may see a Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket launch in the sky early Thursday from Wallops Island, depending on cloud cover.
Virginians may see a Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket launch in the sky early Thursday from Wallops Island, depending on cloud cover.
Montgomery County's third Wegmans grocery store is now open in Rockville's Twinbrook Quarter Community.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations in and around Washington, D.C.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations in Ocean City.
A grocery chain is closing one of its Montgomery County stores in late July, according to multiple reports.
Rapper Noah Settles, known as No Savage, served prison time for firing a gun in Tysons Corner. His probation is at risk over marijuana use.
Montgomery County police have released the name of an Ellicott City woman who died 2 months after she was run over by a truck in Rockville.
Virginians shouldn't be alarmed when they see very low-flying planes circling over power plants and cities this week, NASA says.
