Brandie comes to you from the Chicagoland area via Providence, R.I. After earning an undergraduate degree in philosophy of science from the University of Illinois, she found she couldn't get a job. Imagine that! So she went on to earn a Master's degree in journalism from Boston University. Brandie has worked at the Providence Journal as a Metcalf Institute Environmental Reporter, as a general assignment reporter and as an online reporter.
She has also worked at the Associated Press, and done freelance for a whole bunch of publications, including AAA (you know that newsletter!), Providence Business News and MassDevice.com.
Now Brandie is in Maryland and is in L-O-V-E with the state -- the diversity, the food (she had her first crab!), the nightlife, the great central location along the Eastern Seaboard. When not tied to the computer, or interviewing folks for a story, Brandie can be found deejaying 60s music at a few clubs around Baltimore; watching a local band; or just out with friends (and talking to strangers) at one of her local haunts.
Your 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
I have always been an extremely liberal-minded person. To me, that means accepting the fact that no one has all of the answers and that we are all trying to find them. I genuinely respect and appreciate the fact that people can come to such different conclusions and I love nothing more than a good conversation with someone who has completely different views than I do.
Religion
No religion.
Local Hot-Button Issues
I'm new to Ellicott City, so I'd like you to tell me what you think is important! I do suspect that maintaining the unique character of the community is important to many residents -- I plan to keep an eye on zoning and development issues.
A Long Reach High student lobbied the school system for years to find a more environmentally-friendly option for school lunch trays. And she was succesful.
A Supreme Court decision expands health care options for federal employees who are married to a same-sex partner.
A Supreme Court decision expands health care options for federal employees who are married to a same-sex partner.
Congrats to the Hurricanes, winners of the 2013 Cal Ripken 8U MD State Title.
Lyme Disease is alive and well in Carroll County according to Health Officials. Track the cases across Maryland.
Lyme Disease is alive and well in Carroll County according to Health Officials. Track the cases across Maryland.
Miss something? Not to worry. Here are five well-read stories you may want to read, too.
Miss something? Not to worry. Here are five well-read stories you may want to read, too.
Lyme Disease is alive and well in Howard County according to Health Officials. Track the cases across Maryland.
The deaths of two children in the region over the holiday weekend underscore the dangers of leaving young ones in hot cars.
Police say a fashionista stole designer items from a home, and other crimes as reported by the Howard County Police Department.
Few details are publicly available about the case involving a 7-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department.
This month marks an end to the year's trend of lower unemployment numbers.
Someone found "something" in a field in the vicinity of Roswell, NM 66 years ago today. Since then, UFO sightings and the search what those UFOs are, continues.
Someone found "something" in a field in the vicinity of Roswell, NM 66 years ago today. Since then, UFO sightings and the search what those UFOs are, continues.
This Muslim holiday offers people an opportunity to cleanse themselves of unholy thoughts and actions through of fasting.
Miss something during the Fourth of July weekend? Here are five well-read stories from the past few days.
Miss something during the Fourth of July weekend? Here are five well-read stories from the past few days.
Miss something during the Fourth of July weekend? Here are five well-read stories from the past few days.
Here's a look at the week's forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service.
