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.
Oak Creek knows from experience that mass shootings can happen anywhere, 'even in the quietest and gentlest of communities,' Superintendent Sara Burmeister said.
The Oak Creek Plan Commission signed off on plans for a wedding chapel in the Market Place Village.
Christopher Lynch, 51, died unexpectedly Sunday, leaving behind a wife and two kids.
Several prominent firms will get involved with the redevelopment of the former Delphi site, according to a BizTimes Milwaukee report.
The marching band has more than 200 students this year and could grow to 300 in the next five years.
A host of class additions, subtractions and changes at Oak Creek High School were approved for the 2013-14 school year.
A representative of the Sikh Coalition is in Oak Creek this week to educate people about the Sikh religion, and a program is planned in Racine as well.
The Pittsburgh-based company, which has a plant in Oak Creek, has awarded grant money to Oak Creek High School and Deerfield and Shepard Hills elementary schools.
A representative of the Sikh Coalition is in Oak Creek this week to educate people about the Sikh religion.
Mobile Ministry Inc. is proposing to open a wedding chapel in the Market Place Village, at the corner of Puetz and Chicago roads.
Someone entered through an unlocked sliding patio door and stole video game systems, an iPad 2 and silverware and knife sets, according to a police report.
Police say a man posing as an Oak Creek police detective called a 25-year-old woman Saturday.
The Friends of the Oak Creek Library group is seeking materials — books, CDs, DVDs, magazines — on fitness, dieting and exercise as part of the Mayor's Weight Loss Challenge.
Oak Creek Patch is now accepting nominations for the person of the year. Help us tell the great story of a person (or people) doing great things!
A Zumba class and a holiday eating workshop will be held in the next few days as part of the Mayor's Weight Loss Challenge.
The Oak Creek Common Council approved about $58,000 worth of pay increases for nonunion city employees.
Oak Creek Assembly of God will present "The Gift of Christmas" this weekend. Last year's musical drew more than 10,000 people.
An 11-year-old Franklin boy suffered minor injuries after he was knocked from his bike Monday afternoon on W. Puetz Road.
The extension of the Lake Parkway to Highway 100 in Oak Creek was added Wednesday to a regional transportation plan.
New signs were put up Tuesday night after an embarrassing misspelling.
