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.
The community voted, and the winning school(s) receive their very own slip-and-slide day at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.
There's more space to dance and play. There's more parking. And that's just the start of what's new with the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority.
John Schaff Carter, 33, remains jailed following his arrest.
Stoney Creek teachers create poster messages to help 2013 start off right.
Saturday night's blaze on Grant Street was the second in two days in the Rochester area.
They were trying to steal $1,200 in items from the store, according to sheriff's deputies.
The public is invited to attend interviews Monday and Wednesday night. Here's a look at the schedule.
Here are a few to get this picture gallery started.
Here are five community events you won't want to miss this month.
If you could make a New Year's resolution for our hometowns, what would it be?
The blaze began in the electrical panel of the two-story home on Terry Avenue, fire investigators say.
There's a fun coincidence in this New Year's Day birth.
Here are two dozen dinners, parties and other events happening on the last night of the year in Grosse Pointe and southeast Michigan.
Take a cup of kindness — and enjoy this special sendoff to 2012.
The incident happened Saturday on Star Batt Drive in the city.
From pizza to fish and chips to soft-serve yogurt, here's a look at the menus we sampled around town.
Michael and Gina Spehn will discuss their bestselling book, 'The Color of Rain,' on Thursday.
Here's a by-the-numbers look at injury and non-injury accidents in Oakland County during Wednesday's snowstorm.
Part-time drivers and new, three-lane salt-spreaders will help the Road Commission for Oakland County remove the snow in and around Royal Oak this year.
Snow expected to continue Thursday morning.
