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.
Police noticed a box of condoms on the floor of the man's car when they arrested him at a Morris County Walmart, documents show.
Officials said the 37-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, after a crash in Pequannock on Tuesday evening.
All are welcome to the free Spring Encampment demonstration this weekend at Jockey Hollow, part of Morristown National Historical Park.
Three men were charged in the beating of a handcuffed detainee, who had squirted urine on another officer the day before, said authorities.
Officials said there were almost 80 victims that the former teacher and coach admitted to soliciting nude photos and videos from.
The Spring Stampede 5K and Color Fun Run are hosted by the Educational Foundation of the Chesters. See the race route and how to sign up:
Police cautioned that these scammers are claiming to be performing tree removal services for the Township, and taking money to do so.
The man’s mother filed a complaint against the physician, after the 20-year-old died of respiratory arrest in a hospital emergency room.
A New Jersey man faces manslaughter charges after a fatal crash on the Palisades Parkway last April, which killed another NJ resident.
Police found more than 100 images and videos of young children being sexually abused on the man's cell phone, officials said previously.
The proposed spending plan includes an annual tax increase of $161.38 for the average assessed home in Parsippany, district officials said.
College freshman Gabriella Ager is working with scientists at Picatinny Arsenal, and pursuing a STEM career with the Department of Defense.
MVC's mobile unit offers a range of services, such as issuing REAL IDs. You do need an appointment, and slots are filling up in Wayne.
Some suggested that the post-trial day visit might have been the 77-year-old New Yorker's first visit to a city bodega.
Photos posted by first responders show the Cessna 150 with its nose crumpled into the grass. The pilot was able to get out safely.
A 41-year-old man is accused of engaging in sexual conversations with two minors on the app KIK, and making plans to meet them in Morris Co.
This service is free of charge for all honorably discharged Morris County veterans, in appreciation of their service.
Police said the 20-year-old lost control of his vehicle on I-295 and crashed. He was studying economics at Rider University.
Parsippany residents can take advantage of this free, secure method of disposing of personal documents. There is also an Earth Day cleanup.
First responders eventually upgraded it to a four-alarm fire, calling for additional units and going on the defensive as the fire spread.
