Hometowns: Where to start? I am originally from Indiana, but my family moved to Arizona when I was very young. I grew up in Prescott, Ariz., and moved to San Diego in my adult life. After living in San Diego for eight years, my family and I made Murrieta our home. I also (sorta) call North Hollywood my home, as that is where I visited my late grandmother for most holidays since moving to Southern California.
Birthday: April 23
I started writing in 1998 when I took my first journalism class. In 2008—many years and employers later—I went back to school, completing a degree in journalism at Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif. Before that, I wrote monthly columns in the Murrieta Bugle, including movie reviews, community news and opinion pieces.
During my studies at Palomar, I held various editorial positions for the student-run newspaper, The Telescope. First, as the assistant news editor, then as the opinion editor and finally as the online editor and copy editor.
I covered everything from the campus police blotter to in-depth stories about the college's struggle to keep accreditation. In 2010, I was named Distinguished Journalist of the Year for Palomar's journalism program. And at a state journalism convention, I took second place in a copy editing contest.
In 2009, I landed a freelance position as the education editor for Southwest Riverside News Network, based in Temecula. For more than a year, I covered education news in southwest Riverside County for four school districts: Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Menifee. My stories focused on the tough budget calls districts had to make, as well as on the many great programs our schools offer.
In 2010, I applied and was hired to serve as local editor for Murrieta Patch. In summer 2012, I also began serving as the co-editor or Temecula Patch.
I have lived in Murrieta with my husband, two daughters, two dogs and one cat since 2004. In my spare time, I enjoying reading and getting out into nature. On Sundays, I volunteer in the nursery of a local church.
Matthew Dwayne Greene, 41, said to have contacts in Riverside County, is wanted for alleged sexual assault on a minor and violation of probation.
Matthew Dwayne Greene, 41, said to have contacts in Riverside County, is wanted for alleged sexual assault on a minor and violation of probation.
Matthew Dwayne Greene, 41, said to have contacts in Riverside County, is wanted for alleged sexual assault on a minor and violation of probation.
PleaseGovern.Org is a social welfare outfit that aims to educate and organize rank and file Americans to take a more active role in their government.
PleaseGovern.Org is a social welfare outfit that aims to educate and organize rank and file Americans to take a more active role in their government.
PleaseGovern.Org is a social welfare outfit that aims to educate and organize rank and file Americans to take a more active role in their government.
A Riverside Transit Agency vehicle gets a second life whisking kids from club to school and back.
Karli LaFever, 5, of Murrieta, knew something wasn't right. Turns out, her 75-year-old great-grandmother, who suffers from diabetes, had dangerously low blood-sugar levels.
The French Valley Parkway exit from southbound Interstate 15 in Temecula well as improvements to the southbound Winchester Road exit will be completed during the early part of 2014, according to a city official.
The French Valley Parkway exit from southbound Interstate 15 in Temecula well as improvements to the southbound Winchester Road exit will be completed during the early part of 2014, according to a city official.
The French Valley Parkway exit from southbound Interstate 15 in Temecula well as improvements to the southbound Winchester Road exit will be completed during the early part of 2014, according to a city official.
A Murrieta judge ruled Tuesday that David James Lillard, 51, of Menifee, stand trial for first-degree murder, arson and burglary in the Sept. 6 death of 50-year-old Autumn Kissinger.
A Murrieta judge ruled Tuesday that David James Lillard, 51, of Menifee, stand trial for first-degree murder, arson and burglary in the Sept. 6 death of 50-year-old Autumn Kissinger.
Murrieta police have released surveillance photos in an effort to identify the suspect.
Murrieta police have released surveillance photos in an effort to identify the suspect.
Murrieta police have released surveillance photos in an effort to identify the suspect.
The alleged attack was at 2:20 a.m. Sunday, while two deputies were conducting security checks on cells at the Blythe Jail, sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Velarde said.
Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll said the owner of the Akita who attacked a 3-year-old in Lowe's was interviewed by police Sunday, and that the dog was quarantined and in custody of Animal Friends of the Valleys.
Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll said the owner of the Akita who attacked a 3-year-old in Lowe's was interviewed by police Sunday, and that the dog was quarantined and in custody of Animal Friends of the Valleys.
Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll said the owner of the Akita who attacked a 3-year-old in Lowe's was interviewed by police Sunday, and that the dog was quarantined and in custody of Animal Friends of the Valleys.