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.
Gusty winds could cause snow-covered roads and dangerous travel, as fast-falling lake effect snow continues through the morning.
Police said the man was missing from the area of 127th Street and Shenandoah Trail.
Plus: Officials warn of injured coyote, school district admits it overtaxed residents, crash victim was father of five.
Road rage ramming | Ex-Jan. 6 defendant charged with kidnapping, sex assault | Man guilty of murdering bystander who intervened
Bonded coyote pair rescued | Police renew efforts in 1998 missing person case | Memorial fund for beloved radio personality
SUV crashes into school building | Hazmat spill closes lanes on I-80 | Students pulled from car at gunpoint
Police warn of 'amorous mammals' | Halloween teen takeover | Coworkers found dead in car
Father, daughter identified after fiery crash kills 4 | Woman smashes car windows, injures cop: police | Body pulled from river | Jury scam
Plus: Tesla in self-driving mode crashes as driver sleeps | GoFundMe for Chick-fil-A stabbing victims, refinery responds to concerns
4-year-old left home alone | 'Barstool Sports' personality dead at 31 | After son's death, mother seeks changes
45 beagles found in suburban home | IL deputy guilty in death of Sonya Massey | Road rage stabbing
Plane passengers stabs teens with fork | Pipe-bomber targeted trick-or-treaters | Houses hit by gunfire
Electrocution death | Cause of death for newlyweds released, manner of death under investigation | Woman missing
Plus: Space heater blamed for fire, person trapped in tractor cab, cash register theft, teen fatally hit by train.
Mother, son credited with subduing Chick-fil-A attacker, community comes together after 2 boys die, patriots turn out for "No Kings" protest
Police said the 19-year-old assailant killed a 52-year-old delivery driver, then remained inside the fast-food restaurant nearly 2 hours.
A third grandchild, age 10, was not on the helicopter and is safe, the Republican gubernatorial candidate's campaign said.
Jewish children targeted in incident | Missing high school senior | Community mourns deaths of 2 young boys
Cop impersonators at protest | School board member censured again | Town reels after deaths of 2 young children
Plus: Measles exposure at hospital, gun fired during dinner party, beloved ex-fire chief accused of financial misconduct.
