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.
Behnke was released from an area hospital this week, processed at the Joliet Police Department and then taken to the Will County's Jail.
Joliet police say Stallings ignored orders given by the officers and climbed into the front seat and drove away.
Joliet police say Jalen Davis was questioned about his involvement in additional burglaries to businesses in other areas of Joliet.
Meg Gillespie took over the former Thayer Bros. Deli on Ruby Street. Her restaurant never caught on with the community.
The Channahon Police Department investigation has led to a criminal complaint against Nicholas Doran. The incident happened Sept. 27.
The library will continue to share updates as construction reaches its final stages.
This marks the fourth time that Michael Moreno, 38, has been in the Will County Jail since 2022. He is from the 1000 block of Murphy Drive.
The exhibition game will adopt the name “The Big House Ballgame” to represent the long history of organized baseball played at the prison.
Anyone with information regarding the location of Melinda Hall is asked to call 911 or the Joliet Police Department Investigations.
“Each department’s requests were evaluated closely to ensure responsible and strategic use of City funds," Beth Beatty pointed out.
Channahon police say they determined probable cause existed to charge Steven Gossman with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
Signs have been erected in front of the new Hollywood Casino Joliet that opened in August. There will be a Drury Hotel constructed here.
The new Chipotle Mexican Grill opened Wednesday morning in Joliet across the street from the new Hollywood Casino Joliet.
No action will be taken at the meeting, the district said.
Will County Sheriffs spent six months investigating the shooting in the 2400 block of Joliet's Berry Street near the Louis Joliet Mall area.
Joliet Patch's latest exclusive examines several major personnel changes at Joliet's City Hall during the past two years.
The location is expected to bring approximately 30 new jobs to the Joliet area, offering competitive pay and benefits.
Two of the oldest cheese manufacturing companies in the Midwest continue to thrive in Joliet, both on the east side: Chellino and Mancuso.
The Will County Clerk’s Office said it will provide updates as upgrades are complete and mobile ID acceptance becomes available.
Owner Kurtis Lott brings a hands-on approach that balances smart operations with a menu designed to bring real excitement to Crest Hill.
