• Leslie EllisPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Huntington Woods-Berkley, MI

Email leslie.ellis@patch.com

Phone 248-303-4434

My family was a news family - we got the daily paper and discussed the nightly news over dinner. On the weekend, CBS News Sunday morning was part of our breakfast routine and we spent the first part of the day reading and swapping sections of the newspaper. With all that information floating around in our heads, you'd think one of us would have been able to beat my Dad at Trivial Pursuit. But, we never did - even when we teamed up against him! My first internship was in high school with the Rochester Eccentric newspaper. But I really caught the news bug at Michigan State University, where I studied history and journalism. I found a way to combine both subjects with jobs at The State News and the Lansing State Journal. Journalism, after all, has been called "the first rough draft of history." As luck would have it, I landed my first professional job near home at The Oakland Press and from there moved to The Detroit News. Despite its ups and downs, journalism has been a rewarding career that has allowed me to learn something new every day, meet fascinating people, be creative and serve the community!

Posting Activity

Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Preview: Berkley City Council Meeting

Mayor-elect Phil O'Dwyer and council members Alan Kideckel, Eileen Steadman and Dan Terbrack will be sworn in; a mutual aid agreement between the Berkley Public Safety Department and the Highland Park Fire Department to be considered; and more.

Preview: Berkley City Council Meeting
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Berkley Patch Celebrates Its First Birthday!

As we reflect on the past year and give shout-outs to all the folks who've made the site a success, we'd like to hear your ideas about what direction we should take in the future.

Berkley Patch Celebrates Its First Birthday!
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

'Operation: Ornament' Aims to Spread Christmas Cheer

The drive to collect ornaments, lights and trees for Metro Detroit families in need kicks off today and runs through Dec. 7, with a wrap party Dec. 8 at Lola Salon in Pleasant Ridge.

'Operation: Ornament' Aims to Spread Christmas Cheer
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Preview: Board of Education Meeting

The agenda includes recognition of outgoing Berkley Mayor Marilyn Stephan's service and consideration of initiating the process to launch a Chinese foreign exchange program.

Preview: Board of Education Meeting
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Veterans Day: Take Time to Honor Those Who Serve

Several offices will closed – including Berkley and Huntington Woods City Halls, 45A District Court and the post office – so consider taking the time you would have used to run an errand to thank someone who's served our country.

Veterans Day: Take Time to Honor Those Who Serve
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Phil O'Dwyer Elected Mayor of Berkley

Alan Kideckel, as well as incumbents Eileen Steadman and Dan Terbrack, are elected to seats on City Council.

Phil O'Dwyer Elected Mayor of Berkley
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Status Quo Prevails in Huntington Woods Election

Ronald Gillham re-elected mayor Tuesday and incumbents Jeffrey Jenks and Mary White will continue to serve on the City Commission.

Status Quo Prevails in Huntington Woods Election
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Live Blog: Polls Close, Results Rolling In

It's Election Day in Berkley and Huntington Woods, and we'll be keeping you updated throughout the evening as results come in.

Live Blog: Polls Close, Results Rolling In
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Poll: Do You Vote?

Less than 40 percent of voters cast ballots in Berkley and Huntington Woods during the last set of municipal elections on Nov. 3, 2009.

Poll: Do You Vote?
Huntington Woods-Berkley|News|

Alarm Triggered at Berkley Business

Owner says nothing was taken, but several items appeared to have been left at the scene.

Alarm Triggered at Berkley Business