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.
Cop accused of touching, harassing women, suburb pays $2M | Car thief put ankle monitor in mailbox: PD | Teen suffers cardiac arrest
Baby found unresponsive at daycare has died | Flower shop, baseball tourney honors moms | Barricade at vape shop | 6 hurt in ambulance crash
Book It! is back | Man sentenced for sexually abusing girlfriend's child | Sheriff accused of retaliation | Mom meets her hero
Woman, 68, missing | Man charged in girlfriend's death threatened to kill brother: court | Murder defendant freed
Cop accused of "inappropriate relationship" with female workers | Teen son charged with killing dad | Felony dropped against ICE protesters
Baby airlifted after medical emergency at daycare | Condo explosion | Missing woman last seen at airport
Man waist-deep in mud rescued | Restaurateur Rovito released in gambling case | Judge finds man guilty in woman's beating death
Plus: Alleged teen accomplice of accused cop killer arrested | Be kind to your mind | Services for slain cop | Propane tank fire injures 1.
Plus: Perfect ACT score, inmate fight, Lysol attack, Bill Murray visits "City of Champions."
Man dies in fall at university | Cop accused of offering to drop DUI for sex | Staff, patients hid from accused cop-killer: court docs
Road rage attempted murder | Restaurant owner charged in illegal gambling ring | Animal torture arrests
7 arrested in armed home invasion | Hero car wash employee | Criminal history emerges for accused cop killer
Cops fatally shoot driver during chase, shootout | Skull, other bones found in preserve | Bodycam released in fatal shooting
One person was transported to a hospital, police said.
Known for its gourmet burgers, the eatery opened seven years ago.
Dumped dead animal wasn't dog, cops say | Victim says he shot at armed robber | Duck adoptions open | Man found dead, woman hurt
The 38-year-old officer was killed and a second officer, 57, was critically injured in the shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.
Pole falls, critically injures school staffer | Another dead dog dumped | Missing mom, twin babies found
Relative finds man dead after fire | Teen earns Amazon scholarship | Porn-spending ex-school official wants name change
Plus: Man accused of vandalizing firehouses, firefighters cars with axe | Cal-Sag death | "Out of control" kids at Culver's
