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.
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The Barketplace's Amanda Daly needs old customers to come back and new ones to find her; the store's future is in jeopardy.
The opening of Don Jose's Cantina and Taqueria is set for August 14, and the owners can't wait for you to try it.
Illinois State Police are investigating after a man's body was found in the canal near the Lockport Dam Monday afternoon.
The ticket was sold at a tobacco shop in Monee.
The person is in their 70s and started feeling symptoms in July, the Will County Health Department said.
Terrence Clyne pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in the January 2024 encounter with his neighbor that turned violent.
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is offering monthly trainings for salon professionals to help them spot signs of domestic violence.
It's about that time. Mokena District 159 students head back to class August 21.
Only 30 spots available for the academy that runs Jan. 9–March 27.
The boy had been reported missing from a home near Turtlehead Lake Preserve. Drones and bloodhounds were deployed in the search.
The man was found in his bed as smoke spilled over into his unit from an adjacent one.
The incident happened on Spring Street in Brookstone Springs subdivision Sunday afternoon, police said.
Manhattan resident Niki Costello knew she needed to help the featherless creature found after the July 15 derecho.
A scent kit compiled by the family of a missing Beecher man proved crucial in leading police to him, Will County Sheriff's Office said.
Todd Simon was the son of longtime 2nd Ward Alderman Rich Simon, and owner of Simon Plumbing.
It's about that time. New Lenox District 122 students head back to class August 21 and 22.
It's about that time. Lincoln-Way District 210 students head back to class August 20.
It's about that time. Students in CCSD 146 head back to class August 21.
It's about that time. Freshmen and transfer students report Aug. 13, with all grades reporting Aug. 14.
