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.
Flossmoor Veteran's Memorial, Inc. has won the award for its eighth-grade “Flossmoor Veterans’ Time Machine” local history program.
A California man has been charged in an April 16 crash that killed a 40-year-old Chicago man, Illinois State Police said.
The market on Sunday, April 27 is free to attend and features an array of artists and vendors.
The incident happened at Sky Zone Sunday, April 20, with an initial call to police coming at 7:30 p.m.
The fest at Kuipers Family Farm is currently set to open April 23, weather permitting.
The location at 162nd and Harlem is set to open Thursday, April 24.
The incident happened Wednesday, April 16, in the 500 block of N. Cooper Road.
The shots were fired in the 900 block of Elder early Sunday.
The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. Monday, police said.
The village learned recently that it had again received the designation.
New Lenox D122 lost a "remarkable leader whose impact will be felt for generations," Superintendent Dr. Lori Motsch said.
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A New Lenox man died Wednesday night following a crash on Wolf Road in Frankfort, the Will County Coroner's Office said.
Residents are encouraged to clean out medicine cabinets to keep dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands.
HHH Ranch is launching a program to develop life skills in foster children with complex trauma needs. They're in need of mentors.
Mokena's SunKissed Greenz is eager to celebrate its 2nd anniversary, in conjunction with 420.
One seat on the board will be vacant as of May 20. The board will appoint someone to fill it, until the next election on April 6, 2027.
Spencer Trail Principal Deirdre Scott died April 11 after a cancer battle.
Fido's Landing is moving into space on 183rd Street, and they already feel like they're part of the community.
ALSO: Hummingbirds return | Frontier League tryouts back | Farm's reinvention | Handbag sale for a cause | Holocaust survivor remembered
