I'm the deputy manager for the D.C. region, which includes Patch sites in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Before that, I spent several years in breaking news roles, providing support at a national level and in several states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Florida and Washington, D.C.
I re-joined Patch in 2019 as a roving editor, then moved to the national desk in January 2020. This is my second stint with the company — I launched and managed Ankeny Patch in Iowa from 2011 to 2013.
Before returning to Patch, I spent four years assisting with marketing and communications for a nonprofit that provided services to people with disabilities. I also worked as a reporter at the Des Moines Business Record, served as editor of the Britt News-Tribune in Iowa, and started my career as a journalist at the Jackson County Chronicle in Wisconsin.
Reach me at megan.verhelst@patch.com.
The man was arrested in North Carolina more than a month after Charles Talley was fatally shot outside an Alexandria apartment complex.
Nighttime lane closures on southbound I-95 will begin Monday as VDOT shifts traffic onto a new section of the Occoquan Road bridge.
The ALX Herbarium Hunt challenges residents to find and identify mystery plants growing in Alexandria parks throughout September.
Two September open houses will give Loudoun residents a chance to weigh in on proposed rules covering data center noise, energy and siting.
A new recycling center under construction at Lovettsville Community Park will add dedicated glass collection and replace an existing site.
Loudoun County deputies will step up efforts to prevent impaired driving Saturday as part of MADD's nationwide Saturation Saturday.
As part of his plan to bring down prices, the Trump administration plans to import more beef. But will it actually help?
A new Houzeo ranking compared home prices, rents and living costs to identify 10 of Maryland's most affordable communities.
Prince William County police are searching for a man accused of photographing an employee and making obscene gestures inside Miss Kibbles.
A former federal employee admitted to secretly recording minors and possessing thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos.
Leesburg's annual Dog Swim returns Sept. 12, giving local pups a chance to take an off-leash dip before summer ends.
Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes are possible across Northern Virginia on Thursday night. See the forecast.
Damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes are possible across parts of Maryland on Thursday night. See the forecast.
Maddie Gierber will lead the Haymarket nonprofit, which provides equine-assisted programs to more than 300 students each year.
A Manassas Park High School teacher was arrested after staff reported she appeared intoxicated on school grounds, police said.
Nationally, total household debt stands at approximately $18.79 trillion, with mortgages making up the bulk.
Alexandria will intervene in the Dominion-NextEra merger review, citing concerns about electric bills, reliability and clean energy.
The woman is accused of striking an officer's patrol bike with a pink Tesla after he tried to give her a parking ticket.
The former DIA employee admitted passing classified information to someone he believed represented a foreign government.
The 2026 Maryland State Fair opened Aug. 27 with rides, racing, animals, food, concerts and several new attractions.
