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 North Canton City Schools Board of Education is closing in on its search for replacement for Superintendent Michael Gallina. Board President Nancy Marion announced Tuesday night that the search is down to three candidates.
We've rounded up all the roads the city expects to repave this year. Is yours on the list?
We rounded up all the major projects North Canton has planned for the summer; find out how to avoid those orange barrels
Hoover High School was one of 35 Ohio schools that made the list
Councilman Doug Foltz opposes the proposed zoning change — affecting a property on Applegrove Street NW, west of North Main Street — saying it could lead to noise and other disruptions for the residents surrounding the property
Councilman Mark Cerreta said residents soon will get to choose from a few different city markers, which all fall in line with North Canton's Master Plan
"I not only was lucky enough to get a job, but I’ve been lucky enough to have my career here,” Hall told North Canton Patch
Doug Lane, president of the North Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, plans to address Council at its meeting tonight
A look back on the top stories from this week in North Canton
The wine and beer bar has the best outdoor patio, according to North Canton Patch readers
North Canton Patch viewer Jon Coulter (@jcoulterdotnet) gave us a little vacation and picked these tweets for us. Thanks, Jon!
The following information was supplied by the North Canton Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Here's your chance to find out who's the best dressed, most likely to succeed, most likely to become president and most like to, uhm ... make you feel awkward ... at Hoover High School
Wilder gave a snapshot of the city's crime relating to prescription medication when he spoke at an opiate town hall meeting at Stark State College Thursday
Dale and Terrie Batdorff of Jackson Township shared the story of their son Dustin's opiate addiction that cost him his life and encouraged others to seek help with a new support group, SOLACE
A quick rundown of what happened at Wednesday night's North Canton City Schools Board of Education meeting
You know what we're talking about — just the right amount of sun-to-shade ratio, a great view and maybe a good drink to go along with it
The Playhouse debuts the side-splitting musical Thursday night
North Canton City Schools Board of Education is slated to meet at 6 p.m. tonight in the Hoover High Media Center
Police say Christopher S. McCormick, 26, of North Canton, crashed into a federal building before taking his clothes off and running around. He failed to appear for his arraignment hearing in Stark County court Monday.
