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.
Officials said the tow truck driver died at the scene; the other driver was hospitalized after their vehicle flipped over from the impact.
Fires have been prevalent in recent weeks, spreading quickly because of the region's worsening drought; another wildfire began on Monday.
Along with the presidential race, PA has 17 U.S. House seats and a Senate race on the ballot. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
TGI Friday's declared bankruptcy on Saturday after recently closing dozens of its restaurants.
About 6.73 million residents are registered to vote as of Nov. 1, so more than a quarter of voters have already turned in their ballots.
William Paterson U is one of the driving forces behind Student News Live, a 24-hour broadcast of election coverage from student journalists.
Traffic was affected near the interchange of Routes 23 and 202 for some time Friday.
The Y will be open during normal hours Saturday, and the facility will begin serving as the Wayne Community Center on Sunday.
Police said the child's outfit caught fire as she passed a lit candle while trick-or-treating. A nearby resident helped put out the flames.
The nurse claims that a Morris County hospital violated state discrimination law by not accepting her religious exemption for a flu vaccine.
Here's what to know about these recently-signed laws in the Garden State.
A person was struck and killed just after 11 p.m. on Thursday near the interchange for Routes 23 and 46 in Wayne Township, reports said.
Earlier sunset times also mean earlier sunrises, so here's when to look for the sun once Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday morning.
Earlier sunset times also mean earlier sunrises, so here's when to look for the sun once Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday morning.
Daytime temperatures in New Jersey climbed into the upper 70s this past week when they are usually in the mid-60s throughout October.
High temperatures in Pennsylvania climbed into the upper 70s and even into the 80s this past week when the average high is about 57 degrees.
Officials said the 55-year-old was outside his car inspecting damage from a minor collision, when another driver struck and killed him.
A grand opening is coming up in November at the new store, which used to be a Toys "R" Us. The former Burlington location closed on Oct. 25.
Six Stop & Shop locations are closing for good at 3 p.m. on Halloween, Patch has learned.
The trooper thought the driver might need help and stopped to check before he was shot, New York State Police officials said.
