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.
The U.S. Postal Service also halted mail service in Iowa, Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin as the polar vortex produces bone-chiling temps.
Boy treats cops | Mancow calls for pastor's firing | Horse's death prompts warning | Cleaning woman steals ring: cops | Troopers hurt in DUI
Layoffs and closings also affect two Illinois hospitals, Cars.com and more.
The Plainfield Police Department is available as a warming center. The cause of the outage is under investigation.
Ex-firefighter saves crash victim | Hooch, heroin found in jail | Coach videotaped kids: cops | Cops shoot armed man | Priest not guilty
Fatal snowmobile crash | Marine vet forcibly stripped | New trial for killer | Rifle-toting suspects apprehended | Horse dies after scare
Mall manhunt continues | Man found frozen was shot | Teen drowns while saving friend | Deputy killed | Fatal snow fort collapse
Some area school districts have canceled events due to frigid, icy conditions.
Some area school districts have canceled events due to frigid, icy conditions.
Carlos Gasca, 18, died in what a GoFundMe campaign describes as a "tragic accident."
The folks at 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the effective property tax rate for all 50 states. See how much Illinois is paying.
A new set of rankings from Forbes reveals the best employers for diversity in the country.
The richest counties in each state have median household incomes ranging from $58,000 up to $129,000. See the number for Illinois.
Detained teen flees cops, steals car | Man accidentally shoots self at Outback | Gun dealer laws now among strictest | Dog kennel tragedy
The fractured polar vortex is bringing bone-chilling temps and up to 9 inches of snow to some parts of Illinois.
The shooting closed a section of Weber Road for several hours Thursday.
Police reportedly said a shooting Thursday night in Romeoville was unrelated.
The shooting closed a section of Weber Road for several hours.
Pritzker signs gun dealer bill | Man head-butted in road rage case | Sgt. drove 120 mph: cops | 3 stabbed in home | Excessive force case
The Jan. 20-21 full wolf moon over Illinois is special: A total lunar eclipse — known as a blood moon — occurs during a supermoon.
