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.
Fire Company #2 is holding their first "Cigar Smoke" fundraiser in honor of former chief Greg Velardi, who volunteered there for 42 years.
The sequel also features Christopher McDonald reprising his role as golf pro Shooter McGavin, and Julie Bowen returning as Virginia Venit.
The supermarket chain is shuttering 32 underperforming locations across the Northeast, and anticipates they will close this fall.
Forecasters say most of the state can expect showers through Friday, ending a stretch of sunny and dry weather in the Garden State.
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 53-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing pornographic images of prepubescent children, federal officials said.
Neighbors and local organizations/groups will come together on Sept. 22 for music, food, fun, and a celebration of all Wayne has to offer.
These spiders can grow as large as a human palm, and have been spreading north for the past decade after first being spotted in Georgia.
These venomous spiders can grow up to eight inches long, and have been spreading north since being first spotted in Georgia back in 2014.
These venomous spiders can grow up to eight inches long, and have been spreading north since being first spotted in Georgia back in 2014.
The School Resource Officer and principal were first on scene after some friends called for help. The student was hospitalized, 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.
A new law goes into effect Monday, allowing residents to purchase hard seltzers and canned cocktails in places other than liquor stores.
The Class of 2028 includes students from 18 NJ counties, 13 states, and 17 countries, WPU said. Overall enrollment increased by 5.3 percent.
JINYA, which has locations in 19 other states, also has small plates, tacos, salads, rice bowls, curries, desserts, and a daily happy hour.
The now-suspended officer showed up unexpectedly at the woman's job and used multiple cell phone numbers to threaten her, court papers show.
Multiple lawmakers proposed bills allowing drivers who use E-ZPass to get a deduction on their NJ income tax; one would refund up to $1,000.
Passaic Valley grad Nicholas Fiorita was placed in a coma after being struck in the head at a college baseball practice, his sister said.
