Give me a holler with story ideas, suggestions, or questions: michelle.rotuno-johnson@patch.com. You'll see my bylines in NJ and PA, and occasionally other places on Patch. I live in southern Ohio currently.
I "began" my journalism career at the age of six when I decided to produce a paper for my neighbors with looseleaf paper, a pencil, and some very amateur drawing skills. Now, I am a general assignment editor for Patch with our NJ/PA team, providing local news coverage to our readers in the region. I really enjoy covering local news and working with other Patch journalists.
My work has appeared in newspapers, on TV stations, and for a radio station as well as on digital platforms. I have undergraduate degrees in journalism and religion from Ohio Wesleyan University, and a double Master's degree in journalism and mass communication from Ohio University and the University of Leipzig in Germany. In 2014, I wrote a local history book on the Marion Popcorn Festival, which takes place every fall in Marion, OH.
When I'm not "doing the news," I am usually thinking about Star Wars, The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss, or soccer. I am a big fan of Chelsea Football Club, both the men's and women's teams. I have a dog named Sprout and two cats, Scoops and Bast.
Rankings website Niche.com just published its 2025 list of the "best places to live in New Jersey." Where does your town fall on the list?
The study found that $1 million in savings will go farther in 45 other states than it does in NJ, for those looking to retire comfortably.
A Senate report details "alarming growth in non-renewal rates" for some New Jersey coastal counties.
Patch took a look at Zillow data for more than 3,000 U.S. counties, to see which had the highest typical home values.
Rates dropped more than 10 percent in three communities, even as property tax bills reached an all-time high in the Garden State.
Paper copies of the PAS-1 are expected to arrive to eligible residents by April 15. For those not using the new form, here's what to expect:
Maywood's Adler Aphasia Center is one of a few places in the U.S. devoted exclusively to helping people live meaningful lives with aphasia.
Judge Salas said she and other federal judges —along with their adult children— have been sent anonymous pizzas using her dead son's name.
Catch up with the stories making headlines today across New York City.
Catch up with the stories making headlines today in the Garden State.
The specialized wound care and treatment center dedicated to the care of patients with chronic or non-healing wounds, St. Joseph's said.
He will also receive an honorary doctorate from the university during undergraduate commencement on May 20.
The companies announcing layoffs in New Jersey include Walmart, TD Bank, Chase Bank, and several health goods manufacturers.
Board members thanked parents, teachers, staff, and students for their input during the search and selection process.
Colleagues have also called for the council president to step down, after he and 38 others were charged with gambling and racketeering.
NJ travelers have less than a month left to make sure they have the right identification to board domestic flights.
Officials said the man and an accomplice threw the victim into a U-Haul, drove him to NYC, and demanded his family pay $200K for his return.
Catch up with the stories making headlines today across New York City.
Catch up with the stories making headlines today in the Garden State.
Need to get your pet an updated rabies shot? A free vaccine clinic is coming up in Wayne Township.
