Bio: </b>I grew up in a home where it was normal and, in fact, oddly comforting to see three different newspapers stacked beside the fireplace on any given day. "I don't know; let's check the newspaper," was a suggestion my parents patiently offered my nonstop curiosity about the world. And so the story goes that my grown-up years have been spent still surrounded in newspapers and taking part in their evolution. From my work covering local government for <i>The Towne Courier</i> of East Lansing to my seven years as part of the page one team at <i>The Kansas City Star</i> to my writing for the <i>Detroit Free Press's </i>"Twist" magazine, I have experienced the power of journalism in telling a town's stories and informing those who live there. I am a journalist; I am also the wife of a sports editor, the mom of two incessantly curious children and the friend of anyone who will entertain my idea for a girls night out that involves bad 80's music. I like skiing and boating, shopping with my daughter and listening to my son rattle off random football stats. And, yes, it is somewhat ironic that I'm the mom who makes the fun "patches" for the neighborhood kids' holey jeans.
<br><b>Your Beliefs</b><br><i>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.<br></i><br><b>Politics </b>
I do not identify with a specific political party because I think it's near impossible to fully fit the mold of a party's ideology. I try to support candidates and public officials who show they have an open mind and a willingness to consider others' viewpoints and visions. <br><br><b>Religion</b>
I am not devoted to any particular religion. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br><br>The 2011 Rochester Hills and Rochester city council elections and the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education elections.
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You nominated. You voted. Here is the winning name of the Fire & Ice mascot.
Charges are pending against the Rochester Hills kids.
The public voting period for County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's annual program begins today.
The "Our Dancing Lights" show was named the best display of Clark-Griswold-style spirit; here's what the show's creator has to say about that.
A wintry mix that began Sunday night forced the district's first weather-related closing this year.
A state association is holding its annual conference at the Royal Park Hotel; more than 160 local government officials are expected to attend.
What was your favorite ice sculpture? Did you capture the fireworks show on film? Share your images here.
He will appear at the Detroit Pistons game on Tuesday night and at Henry Ford Museum on Thursday.
About 400,000 cubic feet of snow awaits visitors to the Fire & Ice Festival this weekend.
Harlem Globetrotter visits Van Hoosen Middle School to present a special award to eighth-grader whom Twitter propelled to ESPN SportsCenter fame.
Robert Shaner, director of instruction and technology for Warren Consolidated Schools, is now the only candidate for the Rochester Community Schools superintendent position.
It's called "Pathway to Self-Sustainability" and an introductory meeting will be held this week across from Oakland University.
Michael and Gina Spehn's bestseller will be made into a TV movie.
Here's your guide to what's happening when during the three-day festival.
Oakland County is bringing in snow machines to turn downtown into a winter wonderland for next weekend's Fire & Ice Festival.
The sixth annual Fire & Ice Festival starts Friday. Here's what you need to know.
It's called "Pathway to Self-Sustainability" and an introductory meeting will be held this week across from Oakland University.
To help detect young people who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, Beaumont is offering the service next weekend at Sola Life & Fitness.
The stir-fry restaurant closed because of "economic factors," a company spokesperson says.
