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.
Christian Samay was set to graduate from Bucknell University this spring. People have donated almost $50,000 to help remember him.
All proceeds from the 16th annual event support student scholarships. Check out the different themes for this culinary competition below.
The suspects smashed the front doors of the businesses and stole vape products, cash, and cases of lottery tickets, said police.
Baby Mary was abandoned in trash bags near a small waterfall in Mendham Township on Christmas Eve, 1984.
Police said they expect the road to be open later Thursday afternoon.
High winds and heavy rain knocked out power for thousands of Morris residents, who are still waiting to be restored Thursday morning.
Officials said they are trying to have everything cleared by Thursday afternoon.
Storms moving through Morris County also knocked out power for some township residents on Wednesday. See the latest impacts:
State officials are issuing $1.2 million in grants to local police departments across the state to help them combat distracted drivers.
The "U Drive. U Text. U Pay" campaign began April 1, and 182 law enforcement agencies are getting grants to increase patrols.
Residents, businesses, and historic societies are invited to an online public information session about the project on April 17.
Board members approved a preliminary spending plan which includes a 2.48 percent property tax increase, saying there was little wiggle room.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications on Saturday, April 27.
Several local departments are participating in Take Back Day, which offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications on April 27.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications on Saturday, April 27.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications on Saturday, April 27.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications on Saturday, April 27.
Wind gusts may get above 40 miles per hour, and rainfall could be heavy at times as a coastal storm sweeps through the region.
Wind gusts may get above 40 miles per hour, and rainfall could be heavy at times as a coastal storm sweeps through the region.
The developers of M Station are looking to add an apartment complex that would also include 30 affordable housing units.
