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.
Funding will allow for air-conditioned classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen upgrades, and roof and parking lot repairs at both high schools.
Voters in the Chesters, Mendhams, and Washington Township cast their ballots Tuesday for a $26 million school referendum.
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday for a $169.8 million referendum. Take a look at the latest tally:
Officials said the man threatened bank tellers and fled with the cash.
Parsippany will receive more than $111,000 from the state to continue and improve its recycling programs.
Wayne will receive more than $134,000 from the state to continue and improve its recycling programs.
HSS chapters in Parsippany and Morris Plains invited and honored local African-American community leaders for the celebration.
Diversity Delight featured an array of interactive workshops, culinary delights, and musical and dance performances.
During her "Revolutionary Road Trips" series in NJ, host Darley Newman visits several historical sites and museums in Morris County.
Thinking of warm summer days by the pool or at the lake? Registration is now open for individuals and families.
Officials said the man took almost $33,000 in a series of robberies last July around North Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Rey Sol Coffee has been harvesting coffee for 6 generations from the mountains of Colombia, and their second shop opens soon in Morristown.
The scammers are able to make the caller I.D. look like the police or sheriff's office is calling and use officers' names, officials said.
A crash investigation has southbound traffic moving slowly, said transportation officials.
It was a rainy one this year! Take a look at some video highlights from the popular parade in our article.
Officials said taxpayers would get a reduction in the school debt part of their property tax bills if the issue passes.
Morris County remains under a wind advisory, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour possible.
Residents head to the polls in Wayne on Tuesday to approve or deny a bond proposal that would fund improvements across the K-12 district.
Public safety officials advise drivers to plan an alternate route, or follow the detours in place for this long-term sewer project.
A New Jersey man claims he was permanently injured after the lid came off of his coffee cup and it spilled on him.
