Tinley Park|News|
Flipside Brewing To Mark 3rd Anniversary With Bash, Burgers, Beers And Balloons
Flipside Brewing owner Erik Pizer will celebrate the brewery's third anniversary with a party on Saturday, July 26.
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
Orland Park, IL|News|
Reader Poll: Do You Agree With Township's Call To Close Orland Park DMV?
Orland Township board members earlier this week voted to close the Orland Park DMV location. Do you agree with the move?
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Flossmoor Veterans' Memorial Offers Richard Haas Murals Walking Tour
The walking tour will be held Sunday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Sheriff Warns Of Phone Scam Demanding Payment On 'Old Warrants'
The caller claims to be with the sheriff's department and threatens arrest if payment isn't made.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Local Eats, Fresh Flowers Star In The Wildflower Farm's First 'Food Truck Fest'
The u-pick flower farm in Monee will host its first 'Food Truck Night' on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Man Stabbed At Charity Picnic | Sex Predator Busted At Walmart | 'Busiest' DMV To Close
ALSO: 2 cars torched | Shots fired, home hit | Suburban man taken by ICE | Missing man safe | Wrestler's surreal moment | Burger spot closes
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
'Eerie And Eclectic' Creations Coming To Summerween Market At Tinley Park Brewery
The Summerween Market returns to Soundgrowler Brewing on Saturday, July 26.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland DMV 'Needs To Go,' Trustee Says, But Secretary Of State Calls Closing 'Huge Disservice'
The DMV operating out of the Township building poses many problems, some trustees argued before voting to end the lease.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Orland Park, IL|News|
Orland Park PD Ramps Up Patrols For 'Speed Awareness Day'
The Orland Park police department is one of more than 300 state, county, and local agencies participating in the July 23 effort.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Shots Fired, Home Hit By Gunfire: Homewood Police
The shots fired call came in just before 6 p.m. Monday, police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Homewood-Flossmoor, IL|News|
Flossmoor Christmas In July Toy Drive Runs Through July 31
The Flossmoor Community Relations Commission is running its toy drive through the end of the month.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
$5,000 Stolen From Car Of Joey's Red Hots Employee: NLPD
The burglary to motor vehicle happened behind the restaurant Sunday around 11:30 p.m., police said.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
Sexual Predator, 61, Had 'Dozens' Of Videos Of Kids, Used Key Fob Hidden Camera: New Lenox PD
The Joliet man was arrested July 18 after police said he took photos and videos of kids using a hidden camera on a key fob.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Missing Bourbonnais Man, 19, Found Safe: Police
The man was last seen July 17 and was believed to be in the Joliet area July 18, police said. He was found July 21.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Oak Forest, IL|News|
Man, 22, Stabbed Multiple Times At Charity Picnic, 1 Person In Custody: Oak Forest PD
The incident happened Sunday night in the 5900 block of 147th Street, police said Monday.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Mokena, IL|News|
Mokena PD Ramps Up Patrols For 'Speed Awareness Day'
The Mokena police department is one of more than 300 state, county, and local agencies participating in the July 23 effort.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Tinley Park|News|
Tinley Park's Harmony Square Ready To Shine: PHOTOS
Officials celebrate the grand opening of the downtown plaza on Friday, July 18. It's booked for the weekend, with the two-day Block Party.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|News|
New Lenox's Ranch Frostie Celebrates New Chapter With Free Cones, Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting ceremony with the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce will be held on Saturday, July 19.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
‘Surreal’ Moment As Manhattan Wrestler Wins Gold For Team USA
After back-to-back state titles, Will Denny defeated wrestlers from around the world at the Pan-American Wrestling Championship in Peru.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Manhattan, IL|News|
Man, 79, Injured In Rollover, Crash Under Investigation: Will Co. Sheriff
The single-vehicle crash happened Thursday evening on Schoolhouse Road near Baker Road, the Will County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
