I was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I attained both my bachelor and master degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During my time in local news, I have learned invaluable lessons in journalism, as I teared up while covering the funeral of a beloved couple and chased a renegade miniature pony through a subdivision. I have seen firsthand what responsible, inspiring hyper-local journalism can do for a community.
I started with Patch in 2010, as a Local Editor covering the south suburbs. In 2017, I moved into the national role of Deputy Managing Editor and now Director of Editorial Recruitment and Training, in which I handle the recruiting, hiring, and training of journalists on our team, in addition to other editorial projects. I'm thrilled to contribute in such a way to a news organization I've grown to love so deeply over the past 12 years.
Questions? Concerns? Comments? You have my full attention at lauren.traut@patch.com, or 708-323-6173.
The crash happened Thursday night in the small village of Reddick. One car was traveling recklessly at high speeds before hitting another.
An evaluation determined that the man—a registered sexual predator—is currently unfit, but will undergo treatment and be reevaluated.
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Homewood-Flossmoor H.S. history teacher Jon Elfner produces program remembering WOK Radio and “Ukulele Les” Wolf of Homewood lore.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday to support food banks with state funds.
The drones can respond directly to 911 calls, sometimes arriving on scene before officers, the department said.
The games will be played at Busey Football Stadium in Joliet.
The re-dedication ceremony was held Sunday, Oct. 26.
The sale of "MSD114 Together in Support" items will help fund the memorial for Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt.
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A beloved Southland organization that has helped thousands of families in cancer fights will soon open its new home in Orland Park.
The fire happened around 11 p.m. Monday in the 13900 block of Berkhansted Court.
The open house is set for Nov. 16. The placement exam is on Dec. 6.
Two events will be held Nov. 8, at Plum Creek Nature Center near Beecher and Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook.
The tiny kitten's life was in firefighters' hands Saturday, as crews sprang to action to get the little baby oxygen.
The man died Thursday morning after being struck at a crossing in University Park.
Sugar Shack Cookie Co. will donate a portion of proceeds from Saturday, Oct. 25 to the Hunnicutt family of Manhattan.
Suzanne Owens's official last day is June 30, but she's on administrative leave until then, her agreement details.
Roughly 400 people filled the parking lot at Manhattan Junior High Thursday night, in honor of Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt.
The theft happened late Tuesday night, the woman said. Her son's car was then involved in a high-speed chase in Chicago Heights.
