Oconee|News|
Storms Roll Through Northeast Georgia
A Patch reader photographed lighting from last night's storm. Share your photos now for a chance to win our weekly giveaway.

Email: Stephanie.Gross@patch.com
Phone: 706-206-1946
Hometown: Watkinsville, Georgia
Birthday: January 24
Bio: Stephanie comes to Patch with experience as news director at WRBN and WGHC radio stations in Clayton, Georgia. While working for GA-CA Radiocasting, she further developed a passion for local news and made lasting professional connections to many members of the community.
Stephanie received bachelor's degrees at the University of Georgia in Telecommunications Arts and Spanish. While at UGA, she danced as a Georgette with the Redcoat Marching Band (Go Dawgs!). She grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, but has lived in northeast Georgia for over 17 years.
Stephanie enjoys volunteering as an interpreter at local school systems. In her free time--which is few and far between thanks to a vibrant three-year-old daughter -- she enjoys Latin ballroom dancing with her husband and playing with her black lab and two cats (all rescues!).
Beliefs:
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know. Politics:
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I am not affiliated with any particular political party, and I describe myself as a moderate. I prefer to look at candidates as individuals and not vote based on party lines. Religion:
How religious would you consider yourself? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?
Observant. I joined the Catholic Church on the 2011 Easter vigil and am a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Athens.
I grew up in the Lutheran Church, and have a strong faith in God. I respect other faiths and am always interested in learning about them.
A Patch reader photographed lighting from last night's storm. Share your photos now for a chance to win our weekly giveaway.

The family returned Tuesday to find coins, jewelry and silver missing from the Deer Trail home. An arrest does not mean a conviction.
Seniors celebrate America's independence and the State Botanical Garden holds a first Friday event.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
Share your best photos from Fourth of July celebrations for a chance to win our weekly giveaway.
Applications are currently being accepted for work in human resources, product quality and logistics engineering. Application deadlines range from July 9-15, 2012.
Thousands enjoy the parade and fireworks at the first-ever Oconee July 4th Spectacular at Oconee Veterans Park.
The night's sky lit up with fireworks at Oconee Veterans Park to music provided by WMSL 88.9 FM.
A storytelling concert and performance of "Steel Magnolias" are a few of the things to know about in and around Oconee today.
Here's a list of the Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks displays in and around Oconee.
Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry dropped off a check the day after his political opponent inquired about it.
Authorities allege Bryan Adrian Cole made the threats during back-to-back calls to 911 last week.
The following information was supplied by the Oconee County Sheriff's Office. An arrest does not mean a conviction.
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office and the Barrow County Sheriff's Office conducted a joint undercover operation using Backpage.com. Nine people in all were arrested.
Apply now to work at the location inside Georgia Square Mall.
The following information was supplied by the Watkinsville, Ga. police department. An arrest does not mean a conviction.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.