• Justin PetruccelliPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Fountain Valley, CA

<strong>E-Mail: justin.petruccelli&#64;patch.com</strong><br><strong>Phone: 714-642-0190</strong><br><strong>Birthday: April 10</strong>

After 20 years in Southern California, Justin spent eight years in Arkansas, where he received a bachelor&#39;s degree in print journalism from the University of Central Arkansas and a master&#39;s degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he served as executive editor of the UALR Trojan. It&#39;s also in Arkansas where Justin developed his love for community news.

Justin moved to Orange County in 2006, and spent nearly three years as a senior editor for Entrepreneur Magazine&#39;s website before coming to Patch.

<b>Your Beliefs</b><br> At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

<b>Politics: </b>Yes, I pay attention to them. Is this really the first question? Let&#39;s pretend this is the dinner table and/or a bar, shall we?

<b>Religion: </b>Catholic - goes with the last name.

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>: Feral cats; coyotes (which apprently enjoy eating the feral cats); the relatively stable economy and real estate market.

Posting Activity

Fountain Valley|News|

Defense Rests in Murder-for-Hire Trial

Under cross-examination, accused hit man Antonio Ortega admits he never told police about the nosebleed he described in his earlier testimony.

Defense Rests in Murder-for-Hire Trial
Fountain Valley|News|

Accused Hitman: Friend Borrowed Machete Used in Attack

Antonio Ortega takes the stand in his own defense Wednesday, also claiming he suffered a nosebleed near the scene of the attack the night before it occurred.

Accused Hitman:  Friend Borrowed Machete Used in Attack
Fountain Valley|News|

Victim Describes Machete Attack in Murder Conspiracy Trial

Confined to a motorized wheelchair and wearing a glove to cover his missing fingers, Rick Sharpski identifies one of the defendants, Antonio Ortega, as his attacker in the trial of Ortega and Fountain Valley residents Mary Sharpski and Michael Shores.

Victim Describes Machete Attack in Murder Conspiracy Trial
Fountain Valley|News|

Defense Opens, Testimony Begins in Murder-for-Hire Trial

Lawyers for Mary Sharpski and Michael Shores of Fountain Valley, and Antonio Ortega of Santa Ana are taking distinct tacks in defense of their clients, who are accused of plotting to kill Sharpski's husband.

Defense Opens, Testimony Begins in Murder-for-Hire Trial
Fountain Valley|News|

School Closure Committee Could Vote Tonight

The 19-member committee will review additional information and decide if it is ready to make a recommendation to the school board.

School Closure Committee Could Vote Tonight
Fountain Valley|News|

Defendant's Heart Condition Delays Murder-for-Hire Trial Again

Doctors order further testing for Michael Shores of Fountain Valley, who, along with Mary Sharpski of Fountain Valley and Antonio Ortega of Santa Ana, is accused of plotting to kill Sharpski's husband in 2009.

Defendant's Heart Condition Delays Murder-for-Hire Trial Again