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 district had recently moved to promote this employee, but the county superintendent apparently did not approve that promotion.
Gov. Murphy also wrote a letter to President Trump, urging him to put a halt to the $9 toll.
Some residents are also without water service while crews are working to repair the break, police said.
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 person was seen on surveillance video behind the wheel of a black Cadillac SUV, police said.
The mayor said he plans to run as a team with three current Town Council members this November, seeking his fifth term.
The fox was spotted in a residential neighborhood on Monday, and police said local wildlife authorities are looking out for it.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the prestigious culinary awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food."
A military heritage museum is proposed at one historic site, and new structures at the other. The county is looking for residents' feedback.
Officials said that after originally being charged, the man tried to bribe several witnesses to recant their statements.
Catch up with the stories making headlines today across New York City.
The lucky player became the first Pick-6 jackpot winner of the new year, lottery officials said.
State leaders say the president's executive order violates the constitutional rights of children born in the United States in a new lawsuit.
Authorities have not announced any arrests yet, as they continue investigating the fatal collision.
Firefighters were able to rescue one person from the home, a report said.
Gov. Phil Murphy said that the pardons represented "a dark moment for our country."
Township Council has an ordinance on their agenda Wednesday that would get rid of the 13-member commission in its entirety.
Sub-zero wind temperatures will make it dangerous for those traveling or working outside, forecasters said.
Police said two women were hit by a driver in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood on Saturday night, with one of them suffering fatal injuries.
