• Jennifer FisherPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Evanston, IL

I have worked for Patch as a local editor since September 2010, when I launched the Northbrook Patch site. I ran that site until taking over as editor in Evanston in May 2012. 

I have been involved with the news business since age 12, when my first job was stuffing papers (folding the arts section into the news section, which came separately) for a local newsstand in my hometown. Within a year, I was promoted to selling them on the street, where my biggest sales day coincided with the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

I attended college at the University of Chicago, where I majored in English and wrote for the school newspaper, The Maroon. I went on to earn a master of science degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. 

While in New York, I covered community news for the weekly Our Town, in addition to writing for the alternative weekly New York Press.

Following graduation, I spent two years in St. Louis, working full-time as associate editor for the weekly newspaper Ladue News while freelancing for the West End Word. 

Posting Activity

Skokie, IL|News|

Driver Crashes Into CVS in Neighboring Evanston

A woman accidentally pushed the accelerator and ran into a parking meter, a bicycle and the side of CVS Pharmacy as she was pulling into a parking space on Sherman Avenue in neighboring Evanston, according to police.

Driver Crashes Into CVS in Neighboring Evanston
Evanston|News|

Driver Crashes Into CVS in Downtown Evanston

A woman accidentally pushed the accelerator and ran into a parking meter, a bicycle and the side of CVS Pharmacy as she was pulling into a parking space on Sherman Avenue in downtown Evanston, according to police.

Driver Crashes Into CVS in Downtown Evanston
Northbrook, IL|News|

Roti Will Offer Free Chicken On Earth Day

The first 100 customers at Roti Mediterranean Grill in Willow Festival will receive a free salad, sandwich or Mediterranean plate featuring the restaurant's new naturally raised, antibiotic-free chicken on Earth Day, April 22.

Roti Will Offer Free Chicken On Earth Day
Evanston|News|

Evanston Running Club Members at Boston Are OK

Approximately 14 people from the Evanston Running Club traveled to Boston to run the marathon yesterday. All are safe and accounted for following the explosions, according to president Al White.

Evanston Running Club Members at Boston Are OK
Evanston|News|

Shots Fired in Possible Gang Fight, Police Say

Two people exchanged gunfire late Sunday night near Emerson Street and Hartrey Avenue, according to police. No victims have come forward, and police do not have any identified suspects.

Shots Fired in Possible Gang Fight, Police Say
Evanston|News|

ETHS Seniors Make National Math Challenge Finals

A team of Evanston Township High School seniors are now preparing for the final round of Moody's Mega Math Challenge, a national applied math contest, and more school news from ETHS.

ETHS Seniors Make National Math Challenge Finals
Evanston|News|

Kafein Closed Temporarily, Under New Ownership

The Evanston coffee shop at 1621 Chicago Ave. is temporarily closed after new owner Kelly O'Leary purchased it March 1. O'Leary says she's not sure when it will reopeon.

Kafein Closed Temporarily, Under New Ownership
Evanston|News|

Breakfast, Meet Dinner: Chicken and Waffles

This week, Foodie Finds treks to Evanston, where a new outpost of Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles serves up the unusual combination of—you guessed it—chicken and waffles.

Breakfast, Meet Dinner: Chicken and Waffles
Evanston|News|

Farmhouse Restaurant Moves Toward Spring Opening

Michelin-rated Farmhouse restaurant is making progress toward opening adjacent to the Hilton Orrington in Evanston. See what other businesses have recently opened or closed around town.

Farmhouse Restaurant Moves Toward Spring Opening
Evanston|News|

Obituary: Blanche Helms Bayly, 95

Blanche Bayly, nee Helms, died on April 5, 2013. She leaves behind two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Obituary: Blanche Helms Bayly, 95