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.
The buck moon this weekend over Florida is the last regular full moon before a string of supermoons, including August's true blue moon.
The buck moon this weekend over Georgia is the last regular full moon before a string of supermoons, including August's true blue moon.
The buck moon this weekend over Virginia is the last regular full moon before a string of supermoons, including August's true blue moon.
The buck moon this weekend over Maryland is the last regular full moon before a string of supermoons, including August's true blue moon.
Here are a few Florida spots where you can celebrate summer and score deals on National Ice Cream Day this weekend.
Here are a few Georgia spots where you can celebrate summer and score deals on National Ice Cream Day this weekend.
Here are a few Virginia spots where you can celebrate summer and score deals on National Ice Cream Day this weekend.
Here are a few Maryland spots where you can celebrate summer and score deals on National Ice Cream Day this weekend.
A two-vehicle crash in Ashburn Thursday afternoon killed one driver, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
A summer surge in COVID-19 in Virginia and other states has virus activity at a high level, with hospital cases increasing, the CDC says.
A summer surge in COVID-19 in Florida and other states has virus activity at a very high level, although hospital cases are low, CDC says.
A summer surge in COVID-19 in Maryland and other states has virus activity at a very high level, although hospital cases are low, CDC says.
A series of armed pharmacy robberies in Alexandria, Manassas and Beltsville, MD, have sent a DC man to prison for years, prosecutors said.
A swim teacher at a public pool, has been charged with sexually assaulting a child during lessons, Prince William County Police said.
A man authorities said fled the country after sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy in Manassas has been brought back to face charges.
A Mount Vernon woman has died from injuries she suffered in a July 3 car accident in Woodlawn, according to Fairfax County Police.
A man from the Florida Panhandle was arrested Monday for threatening President Biden and others after former President Trump was shot.
Florida developer Sergio Pino — who was in divorce proceedings — took his own life when the FBI came to arrest him for trying to kill her.
Prince William County Police have arrested a fifth suspect in the Manassas Mall shooting, and are not searching for other suspects.
The search continues Wednesday for a Georgia inmate who walked away from a work detail on Monday. A reward is being offered for his capture.
