Bio: </b>I grew up in a home where it was normal and, in fact, oddly comforting to see three different newspapers stacked beside the fireplace on any given day. "I don't know; let's check the newspaper," was a suggestion my parents patiently offered my nonstop curiosity about the world. And so the story goes that my grown-up years have been spent still surrounded in newspapers and taking part in their evolution. From my work covering local government for <i>The Towne Courier</i> of East Lansing to my seven years as part of the page one team at <i>The Kansas City Star</i> to my writing for the <i>Detroit Free Press's </i>"Twist" magazine, I have experienced the power of journalism in telling a town's stories and informing those who live there. I am a journalist; I am also the wife of a sports editor, the mom of two incessantly curious children and the friend of anyone who will entertain my idea for a girls night out that involves bad 80's music. I like skiing and boating, shopping with my daughter and listening to my son rattle off random football stats. And, yes, it is somewhat ironic that I'm the mom who makes the fun "patches" for the neighborhood kids' holey jeans.
<br><b>Your Beliefs</b><br><i>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.<br></i><br><b>Politics </b>
I do not identify with a specific political party because I think it's near impossible to fully fit the mold of a party's ideology. I try to support candidates and public officials who show they have an open mind and a willingness to consider others' viewpoints and visions. <br><br><b>Religion</b>
I am not devoted to any particular religion. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br><br>The 2011 Rochester Hills and Rochester city council elections and the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education elections.
The Macomb Township man is being charged with scamming customers in cities across Macomb and Oakland counties out of thousands of dollars.
This will be the second Rochester Hills location for the auto parts store.
He is being charged with scamming customers in Rochester Hills out of thousands of dollars.
The 5-year-old German Shepherd named Gunner had been exhibiting aggressive behavior, sheriff's office said.
The 5-year-old German Shepherd named Gunner had been exhibiting aggressive behavior, sheriff's office said.
Here's your guide to Saturday and Sunday in Rochester and Rochester Hills.
Here's why you should sign up right now to be part of the first-of-its-kind Downtown Rochester Cash Mob.
No matter where we were in Rochester or Rochester Hills on Wednesday night, we all saw the same rainbow.
The 16-year-old was caught Saturday morning in Rochester Hills, MI, while driving in a truck that he had stolen for the third time.
The ReadySetGo program will provide Rochester-area kindergarten students with their first backpacks filled with all the school supplies they need to start off their first year.
Frank D. Sottile named interim president and chief medical officer of the Rochester Hills hospital.
Two Sisters owners say they are sad to say goodbye.
The 27-year-old pedestrian said he took the knife from a local bar before the Tuesday morning incident.
With help from Rochester firefighters and police officers, Pet Supplies Plus donates dog and cat food to community food bank.
Parents who may be contemplating a change in how their children are educated are advised to follow these suggestions to make an informed choice about their child’s educational options.
The 16-year-old was caught Saturday morning in Rochester Hills while driving in a truck that he had stolen for the third time.
There are 93 teachers and other staff retiring from Rochester Community Schools this year.
Share your photos from our town's many events.
The water mains have been installed, and workers prepared this weekend to pave one lane of Main Street through Rochester by the end of this week.
It's graduation week for Rochester Community Schools. We want you to have a chance to show off your graduates and tell about their future plans.
