A Patcher Emeritus, Cleveland native and always hopeful yet frequently dismayed Cleveland Browns fan, Dennis likes dogs, and dogs like him. He likes pizza a bit too much, Ernest Hemingway books, and home renovation projects.
Before joining Patch in 2010, Dennis got some ink on his hands in Chicago during stints with Sun-Times Media and Copley Press. He led investigative and public service reporting teams that changed laws, helped people and put a few bad guys in jail.
Dennis was managing editor of the Daily Southtown in suburban Chicago (2004-2009), twice named National Newspaper of the Year for large-circulation dailies by the American Press Institute and Suburban Newspapers of America. The Southtown received a dozen awards for General Excellence, the Chicago Headline Club Watchdog Award, AP Top 10 Sports Section in America honors, Best Commentary Section in Illinois three consecutive years, and dozens of writing, reporting, public service and photojournalism awards.
Dennis was editor-in-chief of Patch for six years (2016-2021), leading the news team through a period of substantial growth and improved local journalism. Patch's local news coverage has been recognized and heralded by professional press associations in New York, Illinois, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.
Prior to that, he founded Patch's Chicago Southland region, building it into one of the company's top regions for audience, revenue and engagement.
Today, he's a WordGrinder for hire, focused on entrepreneurial local news projects and media relations.
Miss a day, miss a lot: Midway security marathon / Dad tries to win mobility van / Kids at Carnegie Hall / Son poked dad with scissors.
Week in Headlines: Cherry Pit Cafe returns to Deerfield / Merrick Garland at Niles West / Squad-car spitter.
Week in Headlines: A teacher's 'Jeopardy' challenge / Great-grandma beating / Evergreen Terrace law firm change.
Week in Headlines: New priest gets to serve close to home / Son taped dad's mouth shut / Flossmoor Meijer opens soon / Doc has to find a job
Week in Headlines: Teen drove into cop 'like a bug on his windshield' / Kmart could be new Mariano's
Rahm, Bruce, Barack, Chance, Jay, Jake and Kyle did not make the list of popular baby names bestowed on the Illinois newborns of 2015.
Really, really long. Like, pack a sandwich for your wait long. One Chicago traveler shared a video of his pre-flight security line journey.
He'd already been arrested 92 times. What's one more?
Miss a day, miss a lot: President commutes crack dealer's prison term / Burpee world record broken / Snapchat harassment pix / Hospital hate
Manhunt is under way today for suspected shooter who wounded a Central Illinois police officer in a late-Saturday gun battle.
Week in Headlines: Cell-phone-store robber convicted / Big pot haul / Gun brought to high school / Hinsdale man accused in fatal hit and run
Week in Headlines: Vince Vaughn's stepdad and his goat-blood drug / Oliver Stone's history secret / Pop Warner All-American in Evanston
Week in Headlines: Accused coke dealer takes over woman's home / Kiddie porn arrest / Teen club-drug death / Hilltopper signs with Colts
Week in Headlines: Sex offender accused in assault on friend's child / McAuley's Sox video / Providence HS student dies / Snapchat harasser
Working for a kingpin who terrorized Chicago Heights, Artrez Nyroby Seymour sold crack outside a school for years. He'll be free on Sept. 2.
This fast-moving human storm gaining strength with every drink.
After Donald Trump wins Indiana Tuesday night, Ohio's governor blasts Trump's "Mad Hatter gibberish," outlines a plan for the convention.
It's all over but the crying ... and denial. The #NeverTrump movement lost the Hoosier state Tuesday. And Cruz elbowed his wife in the face.
Aero-Mexico jet made emergency landing in Houston Tuesday morning.
She, her husband and kids were driving home from the Wisconsin Dells when the gunman, suspected in a murder, began shooting on I-90/I-94.
