I was born in Joliet and grew up across from Nowell Park on the city's far east-side where I delivered the Joliet Herald-News. I attended grade school at St. Mary Nativity on Broadway. Some of my favorite memories growing up revolve around St, Joseph's Park where I played Little League baseball and had several Catholic Youth Organization basketball games.
At 13, our family moved to Plainfield. By the time I was 16, I knew I wanted to be a journalist. As a teen, I made a few extra bucks as a sports stringer for The Plainfield Enterprise taking photos and covering Plainfield's high school football and basketball games.
I graduated with a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University. I have had a strong passion and commitment for public service journalism ever since. I am grateful to have covered so many different places throughout the greater Midwest.
After college, I worked for The South Bend Tribune, the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Omaha World-Herald and on the statewide investigative team for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, where I was based at The Post-Crescent in Appleton for five years.
I'm thrilled to be joining Patch as the Joliet Editor at this point in time when more and more people prefer to access their local news through web-only platforms and mobile devices.
Joliet and Will County always seem to have a lot of news going on, and I will do my best to bring you a superior news product.
In December 2018, Tamara Edmonson was hired by Joliet as a finance department accountant. By July 2021, she became a grants coordinator.
Joliet Patch is the only news source to regularly bring you stories from Will County's civil courts. Here's our latest exclusive.
After hearing the prosecution's case, Will County Judge Derek Ewanic ruled in favor of Joliet's aggravated domestic battery defendant.
Joliet Patch's latest in-depth story detailed how Melissa Vanderwall had skipped out on the Will County Courthouse for 18 months.
The victim told Joliet police that Saul Pina-Merced grabbed her by her feet and dragged her across the floor.
Tuesday marked the soft opening for the new Joliet sit-down restaurant at 1121 Essington Road. Juybe's Breakfast and Lunch is open daily.
Joliet city staff spent the past several months reviewing proposals from a number of restaurants interested in moving into MyGrain Brewing.
Joliet Central and West High School students were honored for their Advanced Placement and National Merit achievement this week.
Hey! Hot Dog has been a Joliet landmark located on Ruby Street since 1978. The original location existed on the east side on Cass Street.
The paraprofessionals were joined at the rally by teacher colleagues and fellow union members in a broad showing of support.
Joliet officers were contacted by Joliet Township Animal Control regarding a possible case of animal cruelty
For at least second time in a week, the associate judge has ordered someone facing felony domestic battery charges jailed in Will County.
Will County Associate Judge Derek Ewanic has ordered aggravated battery defendant Travares Williams detained.
In recent years, the Lockport police department also captured the downtown Joliet lawyer and arrested him on a DUI charge.
Joliet's new subdivision is on the north side of Caton Farm, directly across the street from the Greywall Club.
Wilmington police arrested 33-year-old Andrew Sombraske, who stands accused of trying to strangle a woman at his house on West Kahler Road.
Ivan Davis spotted the officers and tried to flee on foot. Officers pursued Davis and were able to apprehend him after a brief foot chase.
Officers were aware that this gas station has a trespassing agreement with the City of Joliet.
Concerned for their safety, the Joliet police officers took cover until Cano rode past and they lost sight of him.
Members of the Joliet Township High School Paraprofessional Council will rally ahead of Tuesday's District 204 school board meeting.
