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.
The fresh flavors of Shaka Kitchen will be available soon in Morristown, the restaurant owners teased on Facebook. See when you can stop by:
Local Amazon Flex drivers said the company doesn't take their safety seriously enough, and are also responding to delivery quota changes.
Residents of Chester Borough and Township are invited for a morning of volunteer service projects, then lunch with friends new and old.
The woman was trying to cross the highway when a driver hit her Monday morning, officials said. That driver collided with another vehicle.
Actors and producers from an indie flick are filming scenes locally, and met with NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy and film sector reps this week.
Authorities arrested and charged the 45-year-old man the same day the assaults were reported at a residence.
Officials charged a 20-year-old man in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl, which took place last April.
Police said they have been getting calls for suspicious people or vehicles, which turned out to be students playing the game.
Lane closures and detours will be in place as crews continue working on Hamburg Turnpike and Alps Road this week and next week.
Parenting expert and therapist Lauren Muriello will examine topics related to screen time, social media, and more at a student-hosted event.
Wayne Township residents can safely dispose of confidential papers at the next shredding event - see more details below.
The town is undergoing its first property revaluation since 2004, and property owners got tax estimates last year that may be incorrect.
Feast & Fettle is a subscription service that delivers fresh, fully-prepared meals right to your door that can be heated up in 5-10 minutes.
Feast & Fettle is a subscription service offering fresh, fully-prepared meals delivered to your door that can be heated up in 5-10 minutes.
Pulsed Field Ablation technology uses pulsed electric fields to treat patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib).
More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-25 survey, with 537 schools earning the designation.
“Whether Break or Shape comes from wondering about our response to change, crisis, grief, obstacle, difficulty, new circumstances," she said
These seedlings will help re-plant communities where trees have been damaged by storms and Emerald Ash Borer Disease.
A 27-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a semi truck near the Delaware Water Gap Toll Bridge on Monday. Her car was disabled.
This is an opportunity for youth ages 10-12, who are interested in a law enforcement career, to get some hands-on experience in the field.
