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.
Impaled with chainsaw | Man with knife necklace arrested | 'It's a Wonderful Life' popup | Gun found at school | Recruit dies, cmdr fired
Police say this person attempted to steal a package back in September.
More than 70 percent of adults are overweight or obese, according to federal health officials. See how fat Illinois is.
A strain of drug-resistant salmonella, which has sickened 164 people and killed one, has been linked to raw turkey sold in Illinois.
Police say these suspects stole a purse at Jewel-Osco and used stolen credit cards at Walmart.
Veterans, and in most cases active military personnel as well, get free Veterans Day deals in Illinois.
Who voted for Nazi Art Jones? | Uninvited man crawls into woman's bed | Was teen's tragic gun death preventable? | Man kills woman, self
Forty-three hospitals scored "A" grades, nonprofit group Leapfrog says in its bi-annual round of hospital safety grades.
A parent who objected to Halloween costumes featuring ponchos, sombreros and fake mustaches was told she was "looking to be offended."
Lyft car hit by gunfire | Yes to marijuana tax | Underwood's election a first for district | Missing man's belongings buried | Xmas music
The Marquette Drive "innovation" McDonald's undergoes renovations every few years.
24/7 Wall St. ranked every state based on three socioeconomic factors. Here’s what they found for Illinois.
More victories for incumbents.
It was a good night for local incumbents in the General Assembly.
Take a ride with Santa this December in Plainfield.
Other police reports include a teen arrested at Plainfield Central and battery.
Early voting record | Teen fatally shot in accident | Coach Q fired | Serial killer found dead | Pritzker, Rauner faceoff | Nazi on ballot
Blue Illinois: Democrats took the governor's race and held onto the attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer seats.
Voters voted overwhelmingly against a 1 percent sales tax to give District 308 a $5.6 million annual boost.
The three-branch library district made a fifth unsuccessful try for a tax rate increase to expand hours and services.
