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 family of Clay Carns, who died in December 2024, is planning a memorial park in his honor. Fundraisers will help with the cost.
K9 Bane died weeks after surviving surgery to remove a mass from his chest. His fellow troopers have found a way to honor his memory.
The crash happened at 7:30 a.m. Friday, authorities said.
The caller claims to be from the jail, saying they have a person's family member in custody. They then demand personal details and payment.
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Edward Amankwah, 22, died Aug. 6. He was a grad student at Indiana State University, just starting his final season on its football team.
Tensions among police and Village leadership mounted Wednesday, as contract negotiations fester and head to interest arbitration.
Demolition at the site has been paused following the July 25 incident where an excavator overturned.
The contestant search is set for Friday, Aug. 22 at Steinhafels Furniture in Orland Park.
Fishing approved in specific Village-owned ponds, officials have announced.
Flossmoor police will beef up patrols for impaired driving and seat belt use beginning Aug. 15.
Beryll "BJ" Yates-Heiferman died Aug. 1 after a years-long battle with cancer.
The three-day festival drew record crowds, Mayor Jim Dodge said in a release Wednesday.
Katie Hollingsworth, of Mokena, is gathering items for those seeking recovery, like her son Robbie did for years before his death in 2023.
Village of South Holland and Fr. Michael Pfleger offer the reward for information that leads to an arrest in the death of Davell Holden.
Flossmoor police on Tuesday released the results of speed enforcement patrols July 8–August 1.
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Nour Shaban and husband Ommar are fighting for continued access to a drug that brought their infant son back from acute heart failure.
The event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Yunker Park.
Faith Walk on Sept. 6 to support children in need of tutoring, as well as grieving mothers and those in need of shelter.
