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.
McHenry officers performed shelter-in-place compliance checks last month and sent certain stores cease and desist letters, NW Herald said.
The fire is under investigation, but appears to be an accident, according to Crystal Lake and local fire investigators.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the City reminds residents to support local businesses, including during Takeout Tuesday.
It will take up to one month for the concrete to cure depending on air humidity and temperature, the division of transportation said.
80 families from Mundelein and neighboring school districts in need during the coronavirus pandemic received essential items Saturday.
The Elgin Police Department has notified its employees about the second positive case of the coronavirus among its civilian employees.
Cary police were called to an E. Main Street address for reports of a man shooting a gun outside the property.
The Lake County Government said they've teamed up with the United Way because of residents looking to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
SWALCO also said the May cancellations include their Public Drop Off events scheduled May 9 and May 26 in Gurnee.
Information on food pantries across McHenry County, including hours and requirements, according to county officials:
Target, Trader Joe’s and other major grocery stores across Illinois will close on Easter Sunday to give essential workers a day off.
The police department said if you would like to make a donation but can't do so during the below times, please call 847-359-9000.
We asked local businesses in and around Batavia to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses.
We asked local businesses in and around St. Charles to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses.
We asked local businesses in and around Libertyville to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses.
We asked local businesses in and around Grayslake to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses.
We asked local businesses across the Indianapolis area to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses.
The McHenry County State's Attorney's office said DNA evidence discovered at the scene matched the DNA on file for Hall.
The McHenry County State's Attorney's office reported that due to being a convicted felon, the crime was punishable by 6 to 30 years.
RVs For MDs is a group aimed at connecting front-line health care workers with RV owners who will lend a space to self-quarantine.
