I was raised in a northern suburb of Chicago, and now find it bittersweet that I help cover the towns and counties in and around the one I grew up in. I miss the area so very much, every day. In 2013, I moved to the Indianapolis area after graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington in May 2013. I grew up watching mainstream media play a major role in my father's nearly 20-year career as a sports medicine professional in the NFL. I knew before heading off to IU I was going to study journalism and communication.
I had two incredible internship opportunities I took full advantage of before my senior year- Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee/Communications team member (Dec. 2011 to Feb. 2012), and WBBM CBS Chicago newsroom intern (June to Aug. 2012). I learned and experienced more than I thought I would before graduation, and knew my passion for building a relationship with others and hearing their stories was something I had to continue to feed. Flash forward to graduation, I wasn't going to put my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism to waste, as I accepted and started an Associate Producer job at WRTV Indianapolis in June 2013. But I wanted much more than that- I wanted to be the person choosing and reporting content. That's when I applied for a digital reporter role at Gannett's The Star Press in Muncie, Ind. As the company's Trends and Social Scene Reporter, I brought daily events, trends, and feel-good stories to Muncie and Delaware County community members. The creative freedom and fun I felt each day was immeasurable. But with the responsibility of a newspaper in addition to a website comes challenges, as this world is going digital. I had to look elsewhere, and told myself the next and only step for me in news (and my journalism interests) was everything digital- web, apps, social media sites, and daily email alerts. That's where the news is, every minute of every day. Here I am at Patch!
I've already made my husband (Anthony), family, and friends download the app and subscribe to my newsletter. I have to make sure they stay in the loop 24/7. Anthony and I were married on Dec. 16, 2017 and we moved into our home in a north suburb of Indianapolis during June 2017. Fun fact; my husband, myself and our puppy all have December birthdays, so December and the Christmas season are our absolute favorite time of the year and the reason why we chose a December wedding date (which is also my husband's birthday).
I couldn't be more excited or fortunate to be living in one of my Patch cities, (Fishers), but during the three years prior, I had an Indianapolis zip code. I've worked in downtown Indy, and spend multiple days or evenings a week in Carmel.
Whether working, always decorating and cleaning the house, taking care of our Siberian Husky puppy "Bane," going to weddings (we're at that age where so many friends and young family members are getting married), hanging out with family and friends, baking, taking Orangetheory Fitness classes, watching or attending football or basketball games, or taking in as many new restaurants as I can, I'm always on the go. I enjoy trying (and hearing) new things and points of views.
These cities, people, and places north of Indianapolis have my full attention and heart for years to come, and I enjoy hearing why others may feel the same.
Authorities said the Marengo man's girlfriend claims he pinned her to the ground, grabbed her around her neck and hit her in the face.
Freedom Movement USA plans to protest the state's extended stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Lake County to 3,091, including 114 deaths, the health department said on April 27.
Police said Stephan Krizanovic was found wearing the same clothes he'd been wearing the night he was reported missing, along with his bike.
All cases scheduled for trial through May 29 in the 22nd Circuit, McHenry County will be continued to a future date, officials said.
The SEIU Healthcare Illinois union said the strike would involve workers from 40 facilities in Chicago and across the suburbs.
Nonprofit organizations and businesses in McHenry County want community members to know about Giving Tuesday Now, happening May 5.
Palatine's numbers are reported by Suburban Cook County Health Department's COVID-19 surveillance data and the Cook County Medical Examiner.
In a news release, MCDH said it's concerned about the confusion long-term care facility case numbers listed on the IDPH website may cause.
The Zion Police Department said an active investigation is underway into a Sunday, April 26 shooting in the 2300 block of Jethro Avenue.
Here's when Village and Lake County officials said the precautionary boil order will remain in effect until.
Abbott said the majority of the ID NOW tests have been sent to the coronavirus outbreak hotspots.
Fire crews were called Friday to the intersection of Algonquin Road and Route 25 for a crash involving 2 cars, and a woman who was trapped.
According to the sheriff's office, 3 teens came across the body Friday in the 25200 block of West Old Rand Road while collecting firewood.
More than 200,000 people in Illinois have been tested for coronavirus.
Ronnell Robinson, 22, from the 5600 block of South Bishop Street in Chicago, is a documented gang member who was wanted in Lake County.
Nonprofit organizations and businesses in Lake County want community members to know about Giving Tuesday Now, happening May 5.
A Niles man was cited after going into a Terra Cotta Ave. business to solicit roofing repair work, and urinating on the floor, police said.
The Village of Palatine provides updates for residents on trash collection and stay-at-home measures, and upcoming blood drive details.
McHenry Township fire crews found smoke coming from a one-story storage unit building on Route 31, and its 60 units, while one was on fire.
