I knew I wanted to be a writer at a young age, and never dreamed of doing anything else. My love of writing was born when a grade-school teacher encouraged me to try my hand at fiction. I took her advice, but quickly gave up make-believe stories for the real thing.
I got involved with my high school newspaper before double majoring in journalism and English.
I graduated in 2002 and landed my first newspaper job within six months. I spent eight years at The Enterprise newspaper in Plainfield, where I developed my passion for community journalism.
When a coworker pointed me in the direction of Patch.com, I jumped at the chance to be part of the future of local news.
Plus: Fate of Jo-Ann uncertain, iconic chocolate shop closing, School of Rock expands, beloved restaurant owner opens new location.
Plus: racist meme shared by judge, teens stomp coyote pup, online date has bad ending, advocates prepare for mass deportations.
'Keep the change' on 'Home Alone' house | Security guard stabbed after HS basketball game | Embattled treatment center closes
Crumbling courthouse | Mom speaks out after violent carjackers flee with toddler | Digital driver's licenses for Apple users only
Officer yanks coyote through Aldi | Dead geese explained | Dog-walker hit by car
Plus: Driver flees crash, abandons car; shots fired after car alarm goes off; child left alone in car; man shoots ex's brother.
Plus: Gym offers hope, sushi dreams come true, store closing, lease up for BBQ restaurant.
Plus: Ex-health dept chief's ethics violations, man who shot 3 people back in jail, workers electrocuted, charges in family members' deaths.
Illinois locations are among the 66 Macy's closings and 27 Kohl's store closings.
Violent carjacking arrests | Woman's cart goes up in flames | Officers help save woman
Also: Firefighter hurt battling blaze, IL man killed in Mexico, women shot in drive-by, "you're next," knife-wielding man says.
Plus: Mystery tenant planned, Whole Foods to open, beloved restaurant closes — for now, massive hospital expansion.
Plus: New Year's babies, drone and dogs deployed for Jewel robbers, NYE lotto win, fundraiser after mom of 2 killed, TikTok school threat
Uber driver completes trip after car shot up | Inmate found dead in jail cell | Carjacking outside movie theater
The lucky winner was playing Fast Play Ultimate Diamond Jackpot on the Illinois Lottery app.
Services set for fallen trooper, fugitive on the lam, fake Facebook scam, former "trusted uncle" pleads guilty to child sex abuse.
Some of Illinois' 15 remaining Big Lots locations could stay open as the chain is acquired by another discount retailer.
Some of Michigan's 30 remaining Big Lots locations could stay open as the chain is acquired by another discount retailer.
"Sick" mall prank mimicked gunfire | Man dies in police custody | Body found in plane wheel well
Foreign material found in the drops for dry eyes was determined "to be fungal in nature," according to the FDA.
