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.
Find out when you can pick up those last-minute Thanksgiving 2025 staples from Jewel-Osco, Meijer, CVS, or Pete's Market.
Doreen Holford will retire in December, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia announced this week.
ALSO: Woman embezzled $615K | Cars careen into houses | Suspicious package at post office | Town's big surprise | Craft show | Pierogi sale
The incident happened Sunday in the 900 block of Court Street.
The theme of the next installment of the public art display is "Party in the USA."
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann affirms that there will not be a property tax refund this year.
Manhattan holiday festivities start with Round Barn Farm's Winter Fest Dec. 5, followed by a Dec. 6 Parade of Lights, tree lighting.
There will be 16 chargers, available for use and payment with an app.
President Trump earlier this month rolled back tariffs on more than 200 grocery items—but when will Illinois shoppers see relief?
The "Church Ladies Test Kitchen" of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection will hold a one-day sale on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The incident happened Friday night on Hawthorne Lane.
The post office and immediate area were evacuated as a precaution Saturday afternoon.
The Village of New Lenox this week revealed its newest feature to the lights display at the Commons.
The current portal, Citizen Access, will be disabled on Monday, Dec. 8 and replaced with Citizen Self Service.
The buyer handed over just $1,900 of $4,900, and the seller suspected the cash was fake. When he tried to stop the sale, the buyer fled.
The incident happened in the early morning hours Nov. 18, police said.
District 210 celebrated its student-athletes who will continue competing in college.
The 18-year-old still needs to find his match in a living liver donor. Find out how to help.
The woman directed the money into her personal bank account, and used it for rent, utility bills, clothes, furniture and more.
PLUS: Teen's perfect score | Alderman dies | Pierogi sale | K9 cop's body armor | Turkey Trot signup | Free microchipping | Signing Day
