Orland Park, IL|News|
'Tis The Squeezin': Fresh Smoothie, Juice Shop To Open In Orland Park
California-based Robeks will open in space on 159th Street in late-July. It marks the third Illinois location.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
- Tinley Park, IL
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.
Posting Activity
New Lenox, IL|News|
Hot Pepper Eating Contest To Put Tastebuds To The Test In New Lenox
The contest will be held during New Lenox's newest event, Food Fight: Taco Fest on Saturday, July 15.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Tinley Park Residents Invited To Chalk The Walk For 'Unplug Illinois'
The event will be held Saturday, July 15 at the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Southland Special Rec Association To Celebrate 50 Years With Picnic
Participants and families in the South Suburban Special Recreation Association are invited to the gathering Saturday, August 19.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
15 Years For Child Porn | Lost Dog Saved | Question Popped At Shania
PLUS: Stolen items returned years later | Robbers lift safe | A chihuahua beauty pageant | RibFest a safe hit | Beloved woman remembered
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Oak Forest Culver's Nears Opening, Hiring Crew Members
Management is hiring for team members at the Oak Forest location, 5410 W. 159th St.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Proposal Lights Up Crowd At Shania Twain Show In Tinley
A man at the July 1 Shania Twain show in Tinley Park chose the moment to drop to one knee in the lawn at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Band Lineup, Food Vendors Set For Tinley Park's Block Party
The block party is back July 15–16, in and around Zabrocki Plaza. Find out who's playing, when.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
30,000 Take To Tinley's RibFest, Debut Event A Hot Hit: Village
Tinley Park's first-ever RibFest catered to a crowd of 30,000 over its four days, despite heat and some rain, officials told Patch.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
Venus' Adventure: Lost Rescue Dog Hoisted To Safety By Firefighters
A 4-year-old Bernese mountain dog gave her foster mom quite a scare—until firefighters came to her rescue.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Intersection Of Cedar, Smith Roads To Become Four-Way Stop: Mayor
Will County has approved Manhattan officials' request for stop signs on Cedar Road.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
Chihuahuas To Strut Stuff At New Lenox's Taco Fest
A Chihuahua beauty pageant has been added to New Lenox's new event Food Fight: Taco Fest, on July 15.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Woman Shot, Homewood Man Charged With Attempted Murder
The incident happened early Saturday, July 1 in the 3000 block of Hickory Road, Homewood police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
'Loose Cannon' Orland Park Man Gets 8 Years In 2018 Crete Shooting
Tomas Rekasius, 31, of Orland Park, will serve the 8 years after he finishes another sentence for an unrelated violent incident.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Drowning Victim, 5, Was At Pool Celebrating Pre-K Graduation: GoFundMe
A 5-year-old girl who drowned Friday at a Tinley Park water park was taken there to commemorate the special occasion, friends said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Tinley Water Park Closed After Apparent Drowning Of 5-Year-Old Girl
A 5-year-old girl died in an apparent drowning Friday at a Tinley Park water park. The park is closed Saturday, staff announced.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
Drone, K9 Unit Help Locate Elderly Man Missing In New Lenox: Police
The man was found safe and was taken for a medical evaluation, New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini told Patch.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Girl, 5, Dies In Apparent Drowning At Tinley Park-Park District Pool
It is unclear how long the girl was underwater, Tinley Park Fire Chief Steve Klotz said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Let's Go, Girls! Brace For Traffic Ahead Of Sold-Out Shania Twain Show
Heads up, fans. Plan for heavy traffic for the sold-out Shania Twain show Saturday, July 1 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Man Wigs Out, Robs Bank | New RibFest Set To Sizzle | Funny Money Bust
PLUS: "Governor, sign that bill!" | Panda Express going up in Lockport | Fall Fest back Labor Day weekend | Bluegrass Fest July 8–9.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
