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.
A Patch survey shows broad concern about the extent of bullying in schools and frustration that school policies don't fully address it.
Marquette Owens is being held on $750,000 bond on attempted murder charges after police say she stabbed the mother at a forest preserve.
According to police, the officer was hurt while responding to the fight at the school involving four girls.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office reports arrests across the area that took place during the week of Oct. 13, 2019.
Damage to the home and its contents caused by the fire are estimated at $25,000, the St. Charles Fire Department reported.
The bus crashed into the building after colliding with another car, according to reports.
A Patch survey shows broad concern about the extent of bullying in schools and frustration that school policies don't fully address it.
As of Sunday, Oct. 20, the other passenger was hospitalized in serious condition, police added.
The four operators are accused of knowingly hiring at least 18 undocumented workers at KSO MetalFab Inc., a sheet metal fabrication company.
Charges against Bedoya are pending in five cases with similar allegations involving 11 more victims, the state's attorney's office said.
Fire, police and gas company crews all helped at the Lakewood home Saturday after a fire broke out.
The library collected kids and teens ebooks and digital audiobooks together for more convenient, easy browsing on the library website.
Here's what police and the DEA will accept at the upcoming drop off day event in Lake in the Hills.
Salvation Army is providing programming at four local sites to assist CPS families during the Chicago Teachers Strike.
October events for all ages at the Lake County Forest Preserves.
Proceeds from the Gateway Foundation's annual event supports Lake County Opioid Initiative and Gateway’s Naloxone Distribution Program.
County residents can recycle electronics, documents and latex paint at these upcoming events being held by the MCDH and partners.
Here's when and where state police are conducting a Roadside Safety Check.
The Lake Co. Sheriff's Office shares where and when community members can drop-off unused, unwanted medications during the upcoming event.
The suit filed by AJ Freund's estate claims Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin ignored DCFS procedures while investigating the Freund family.
