Paige Austin, Patch Staff

I learned how to be a reporter at the Orange County Register before moving to The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. I covered everything from cities, to the national forest, to courts and prisons. I do have some pretty colorful war stories from those beats. So if you see me around town, you tell me your stories, and I'll tell you about the time I met Gov. Schwarzenegger…in prison…while wearing a stab-proof vest.  Or I can tell you about the time I watched a Manson girl give a talk on anger management.

I joke around. A lot. However, journalism might be the only thing I take seriously. It's a very humbling job. Everyday, people trust you with their voice on topics that matter to them, and you have to try to live up to the responsibility. If I ever fail, I need you to tell me about it, so that I can get it right. It's important.

I am insecure enough to tell you about some of the journalism awards I have won – the Associated Press Award for investigative reporting, California Newspapers Publishers Association awards for investigative reporting and best special section, the Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism award from the Children's Advocacy Institute, OC Press Club Award for Best Daily Story, LA Press Club Award for Breaking News, as well as Society of Professional Journalists awards for best enterprise stories, beat reporting, feature writing, and best environmental story.

Email: paige.austin@patch.com

Phone: 714-721-1222