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.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District is facing a possible religious discrimination lawsuit over the incident.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District is facing a possible religious discrimination lawsuit over the incident.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District is facing a possible religious discrimination lawsuit over the incident.
The crash was reported at 6:28 p.m. on Highway 74 at Juniper Flats Road, according to CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Spokesman Mark Annas.
The crash was reported at 6:28 p.m. on Highway 74 at Juniper Flats Road, according to CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Spokesman Mark Annas.
Maddi Olson suffered critical head injuries in a skateboarding accident Jan. 5.
Michael Reagan is scheduled to headline a Jan. 20 campaign event for state Assemblyman Brian Nestande in his bid for the 36th Congressional District.
If convicted as charged, Anthony Eugene Rollins faces a potential life sentence.
Here are five things to know the week of Jan. 13, 2014 in Temecula, Calif.
Here are five things to know the week of Jan. 13, 2014 in Murrieta, Calif.
Maddi Olson suffered critical head injuries in a skateboarding accident Jan. 5 in San Clemente.
Julie Pierce of Temecula founded a nonprofit organization, FORE, which is holding a series of charitable off-road Southern California desert races.
Julie Pierce of Temecula founded a nonprofit organization, FORE, which is holding a series of charitable off-road Southern California desert races.
Initiated by EMWD, the campaign is designed to bring awareness to the quality, reliability and value that tap water brings.
Initiated by EMWD, the campaign is designed to bring awareness to the quality, reliability and value that tap water brings.
Initiated by EMWD, the campaign is designed to bring awareness to the quality, reliability and value that tap water brings.
Kesaun Kedron Sykes, 26, could face the death penalty if convicted in the October 2008 slayings of 24-year-old Janek Pietrzak and his 26-year-old wife, Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak.
Kesaun Kedron Sykes, 26, could face the death penalty if convicted in the October 2008 slayings of 24-year-old Janek Pietrzak and his 26-year-old wife, Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak.
Chester, a 3-year-old male neutered purebred Akita, was released to a rescue, which will seek to find the proper home for him, an animal control officer told Patch.
Chester, a 3-year-old male neutered purebred Akita, was released to a rescue, which will seek to find the proper home for him, an animal control officer told Patch.
