Email: Ralph.ellis@patch.com
Phone: 404-234-8734
Hometown: Waynesville, N.C.
Birthday: July 31
Bio: Ralph Ellis is a veteran journalist who has lived in Decatur since 2007. He serves on the homeowner’s association board for the 335 West Ponce condo building in downtown Decatur.
Ralph has extensive experience as a writer and editor for newspapers in the Southeast. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1990. He reported on a variety of subjects, such as a couple coming to grips with their son’s homosexuality, the high cost of local elections in North Fulton County, and a man who started a Kenyan orphanage for children with AIDS in honor of his late wife.
Ralph is married to Susan Puckett, the former food editor at the AJC.
He has three grown children, Robert, David and Julia.
When he’s not working, Ralph likes to walk, swim, read, and play with his greyhound, Laney. Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.
Ralph's Beliefs 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.
Politics
I have moderate Democratic leanings, but I’ve voted for some Republicans.
Religion
I was raised a Methodist and am now a member of Kairos Church in Grant Park, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
Local Hot-Button Issues
People in Decatur and Avondale Estates care deeply about quality of life issues, and that starts with the local school systems. Both towns have become magnets in recent years for couples with young children, so the emphasis on education will only increase.
Other issues people care about: Dogs, backyard farming, food and drink.
Officials there's no evidence to file charges against the driver who hit and killed bicyclist Paul Taylor, a former instructor in Emory's Physician Assistant Program.
Investigators say they didn't find enough evidence to establish probable cause.
Police had to force their way into a house on Glendale Avenue.
Tickets for the Decatur Wine Festival are also available.
The complex will house the police department, school administrative offices and recreation and arts facilities.
Here are 5 Things to know about this day -- Monday, Sept. 17, 2012.
The writer for the website www.annexmenot.com makes her case.
Both robberies happened on the street during daylight hours.
He ruled on the Presidential Parkway and other important cases.
Honors come from the National Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll.
Andrew Brown scored the winning touchdown with 49 seconds left in the game.
DeKalb Solicitor Sherry Boston says there's no evidence to file charges against the pickup driver who struck and killed bicyclist Paul Taylor, 53, on North Decatur Road.
DeKalb Solicitor Sherry Boston says there's no evidence to file charges against the pickup driver who struck and killed bicyclist Paul Taylor, 53, on North Decatur Road.
Here are Patch's five most-viewed articles for the week starting Sept. 9.
Decatur named Most Fit City and Kim Bentley of Team Decatur was the fastest woman.
The farmers market will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near Decatur High School.
Another vehicle was reported stolen, but had actually been impounded by DeKalb police.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson are expected to attend.
Looking for a new place to live? Take an up-close look at these properties during open houses.
The Meriwether County school is 2-0 this year, the Bulldogs 1-1. Greenville gained fame because the former coach stayed on the job despite having Lou Gehrig's Disease.
