I'm your editor for North Canton Patch, and I am pumped to live and work in this city! I'm originally from the New Philadelphia area, so coming to Canton/North Canton to eat and shop was always like heading to the big city when I was little. I remember getting the best rooftop seats to watch the Hall of Fame fireworks, begging my mom to drive me and my sister the extra 40 minutes just to watch a movie at Tinseltown and shopping at The Strip till my back and feet ached.
I even stuck around Northeast Ohio for college, having gone to school at Kent State University (and taking a year's worth of classes at the branch campus right here in North Canton). I got my bachelor's degree in journalism from KSU's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
But for the past two years I've been down in Lancaster, Ohio, covering crime and courts for a small daily newspaper. Before that I was an intern on the City Desk of the Columbus Dispatch, and before that an intern at my hometown newspaper, the Times-Reporter. So, as you can see, I'm a news junkie through and through.
I'm convinced Patch is where it's at in terms of where the news industry is headed. I joined up with Patch because the site focuses on the smaller aspects of a community without forgetting the big picture. Patch wants you to know your neighbor, to know what's going on in your local school system and know what's happening right around the corner.
It aims to connect people, and I'm all for it.
<b>Your Beliefs</b><br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics </b><br>I'm a registered Democrat.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I am non-religious and respectful of others' beliefs.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>The B word: Budget. Whether it's city or state, budget cuts are affecting everyone from the police and fire departments to the library. Budget shortfalls and how the city is dealing with them will be a big part of what we cover.
The Little Art Gallery, located inside the North Canton Public Library, will host an opening reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to show off the work of artists Beth Lindenberger and Jack McWhorter
The dogs were found near Applegrove Street and Marquardt Avenue NW Tuesday afternoon
Make your kids feel extra special by sharing their first-day-of-school photos on North Canton Patch
A Winking Lizard restaurant will be built at Washington Square in North Canton. Let us know if you're a fan of the traditional American restaurant known for its wings and craft beer selection.
Police say a Canton man who stole a cellphone from the Verizon Wireless store at Washington Square hid from them inside his own trunk Tuesday afternoon
Eric Bowles, superintendent of permits and inspection, cleared up why it took longer than expected to demolish one home and begin renovations on another home, both of which were damaged in an April 12 fire
Council discussed the ordinance that would crack down on business owners who drag their feet on cleaning up graffiti and decided to leave it on the table until a first draft is presented
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The city's Entrepreneur in Residence and creative director at Trailer Trash Design will share his entrepreneurial story at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the library
Need to know when to expect your child's North Canton City Schools bus when school starts up this week? We've rounded up links to bus routes from kindergarten through high school.
North Canton City Council returns from its summer break ready to tackle an ordinance that would punish business owners who drag their feet on removing graffiti from their buildings
This year's Main Street Festival drew hundreds to downtown North Canton for a two-day party in the streets
A rundown of the five biggest news stories to hit North Canton this week
The following information was supplied by the North Canton Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Protestors and supporters of Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney chanted back and forth across Maple Street at Walsh University today
Police Chief Stephan B. Wilder says the North Canton Police Department is taking a "no excuses" approach to the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign
Check out our map to see the best ways to navigate North Canton as the Main Street Fest takes over downtown North Canton this weekend
The YMCA will keep its location inside the Charlotte Building — where it operates its preschool and daycare — after the board approved a year-long lease
Local police agencies, FBI looking for serial robber who hit several banks in the area, including one inside the Washington Square Giant Eagle in North Canton
Who has the best pizza in town? And who's the best bartender around? Here are your picks for Readers' Choice.
