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.
Police arrested Sebastian Sternisha, 28, of Joliet's 2nd Avenue, plus brother and sister Heather Lloyd, 32, and Michael Lloyd, 30.
Your guide to fireworks, parades and other July 4 celebrations in and around Channahon.
The Joliet Police Department works with Axon, its body camera supplier, to offer its police force regular once a month VR training.
Darryl Moore, 40, was arrested by the Joliet police in recent days. This time, Will County's judges are not letting him out of custody.
The man refused medical assistance, began to chest-bump the officers and was taken into custody, Joliet police said.
Cortez Lain claimed ownership of the cannabis and gun found in the vehicle, Joliet police said.
The driver, Rudy E. Sis Lem, was found unconscious in the driver’s seat, Joliet police revealed.
The victim said the man was intoxicated from drinking the night before, Joliet police said.
Jojo met with Joliet Patch for an interview, along with Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy, who praised the teenage boxing star's Olympic dreams.
Anyone with information that can help find Terhan Gordon is asked to call 911 or the Joliet Police Department at 815-726-2491.
A former Joliet School District 86 teacher, first-degree murder defendant Michael Kazecki declined to answer questions from Joliet Patch.
In keeping with his giving nature, Jim donated his body to science.
He lived by one of his favorite quotes “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”
According to his mother, he is doing well and is currently in her care, police spokesman Tizoc Landeros revealed.
Nicholas Orr of Crest Hill as also cited with driving too fast for conditions and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Thursday's fire happened on Patterson Road and Ignatius Street in Joliet Township.
Joliet police followed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the 2300 block of Glenwood Avenue.
Armando Arrendondo, 35, is quickly becoming one of Joliet's best known criminal defendants at the Joliet Police Department.
Cesar Juarez-Avila was taken to the Joliet Police booking area, where he declined to take a breathalyzer test, the arrest reports reveal.
Jack Bender, 27, of Shorewood, will remain in Will County's Jail under the SAFE-T-Act. Judge Ewanic ruled he met the dangerous standard.
