Email: mark.schaaf@patch.com
Phone: 262-497-1633
Hometown: Prairie du Chien, WI
Birthday 5-6-85
Bio: Being a journalist is the only career I've ever wanted for myself, and I'm so blessed that I'm getting to do it professionally. I grew up reading newspapers and by the third grade, I was making my own newspapers out of printer paper and putting them out on the porch at night, so when my dad got the Wisconsin State Journal in the morning, mine would be right next to it. (true story - my parents still have the copies) I have a passion for good journalism and I'm happy to be bringing that enthusiasm to Patch.
I grew up in Prairie du Chien and attended college at UW-Eau Claire where I served as editor of The Spectator. I worked for NOW Newspapers for 3 1/2 years before heading over to Patch to be the editor in Oak Creek.
Besides journalism, I'm passionate about music (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Jack White) and the Milwaukee Brewers; I enjoy reading (non-fiction, mostly) and Sunday nights on HBO; and I believe Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK but he did not act alone.
Police say Cory Jason, 21, walked into Southridge Mall concealing the gun used in an accidental shooting in the mall parking lot Feb. 21. He's been charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
A 28-year-old Oak Creek man was arrested after a minor accident in a gas station parking lot.
Oak Creek Sporting Goods, inside the Hitters Baseball Academy in Caledonia, specializes in baseball and softball products.
The school district spends about $1.2 million on capital projects each year, targeting health and safety, curriculum and instruction and efficiency.
A School Board vote Monday ended months of discussion about grading scales at the high school and middle schools.
An opening reception for the 20th annual school district art show was held Thursday.
A 55-year-old West Allis woman could serve up to six years in prison after she was pulled over on College Avenue early Saturday.
Oak Creek Sporting Goods, inside the Hitters Baseball Academy, specializes in baseball and softball products.
This week's police reports also include a Walmart employee arrested for theft and marijuana possession, graffiti and a theft from a vehicle.
A 66-year-old woman told police she wanted officers to speak to her children about eating whatever she cooks and "not putting up a fuss."
The Greendale High School Theater production has one weekend in the books and one more to go.
A discussion on high school and middle school grading scales that started in September could reach its conclusion Monday night.
About 10 local restaurants, cupcake wars and a new flavor of student-made soda highlighted the fourth-annual event at the Oak Creek Community Center.
24-year-old Christopher Wolf fled an Oak Creek McDonald's and led police on a brief high-speed chase down Ryan Road, according to a criminal complaint.
Three interchange ramps and multiple lanes on Rawson Avenue are closed, which will be a theme throughout the rest of the year.
Franklin's huge fourth-quarter comeback sinks the Oak Creek girls basketball team's season.
Steve Yttri has retired after working nearly 20 years for the Oak Creek Water and Sewer Utility.
See if your street is on the finalized list of road construction projects in Oak Creek this year.
Sal's Beer and Wine will open in the former Smiles space at the corner of Drexel and Howell avenues. The council also granted an alcohol license for the new Sadie's restaurant.
The popular Oak Creek restaurant lost about $4,800 in deposits and sustained a fair amount of damage in a Feb. 28 burglary. A police investigation is ongoing.
