Email: paige.austin@patch.com
Phone: 714-721-1222
Hometown: Garden Grove
Birthday: Gemini
I learned how to be a reporter at the Orange County Register, where I covered, of all things, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. After a couple years, however, I broke through the Orange County barrier, landing one county away at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. I covered everything from cities, to the national forest, to courts and prisons. I do have some pretty colorful war stories from those beats. So if you see me around town, you tell me your stories, and I'll tell you about the time I met Gov. Schwarzenegger…in prison…while wearing a stab-proof vest. Or I can tell you about the time I watched a Manson girl give a talk on anger management.
I joke around. A lot. However, journalism might be the only thing I take seriously. It's a very humbling job. Everyday, people trust you with their voice on topics that matter to them, and you have to try to live up to the responsibility. If I ever fail, I need you to tell me about it, so that I can get it right. It's important.
I am insecure enough to tell you about some of the journalism awards I have won – the Associated Press Award for investigative reporting, California Newspapers Publishers Association awards for investigative reporting and best special section, the Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism award from the Children's Advocacy Institute as well as Society of Professional Journalists awards for best enterprise stories, beat reporting, feature writing, and best environmental story. I think I tried to collect awards in an effort to intimidate editors into letting me chase the kinds of stories I want to do. It doesn't really work.
Working for Patch.com, my office consists of the cities I cover, Starbucks, and my house where my co-workers include a lovely gent named D'Wayne and two pugs – Monkey and Maggie. If we ever talk on the phone, it's Maggie you might hear faintly snoring in the background. Sorry, she just can't help it.
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: pro-environment and equality for all
Religion: The unholy trinity of Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and John Steinbeck
The incentives offered for adults getting vaccinated in LA County come as researchers warn of long-term side effects in COVID-19 patients.
A firefighter was killed and another is fighting for life following a shooting at an Agua Dulce fire station.
The cause of the emergency landing was under investigation Tuesday. Video footage from the scene shows a small plane landing in between cars
The cause of the emergency landing was under investigation Tuesday. Video footage from the scene shows a small plane landing in between cars
Much of California is already drier than at the end of the last seven-year drought. It's time to conserve water and brace for fires.
Your five-minute guide to what's going on this week in Los Angeles County, all delivered to your inbox FOR FREE.
The 50 cities where pest control company Orkin got the most calls include four in California including the city in the number one spot.
Law enforcement agencies across Los Angeles County will be out in force this weekend.
The U.S. Postal Service is filling full-time positions with benefits including health insurance and annual leave.
The U.S. Postal Service is filling full-time positions with benefits including health insurance and annual leave.
The U.S. Postal Service is filling full-time positions with benefits including health insurance and annual leave.
The U.S. Postal Service is hiring to fill positions from Long Beach to Beverly Hills.
The $75 Target gift cards being given out at four LA County vaccine sites Friday are part of several giveaways to encourage vaccinations.
Your five-minute guide to what's going on this week in Los Angeles County, all delivered to your inbox FOR FREE.
'I'm Losing My Patience' DA Gives Road Rage Killer Ultimatum | SoCal Mom Hides Cash Gifts For New Parents In Stores | Patch Now
Police believe Ronald Earl Kenebrew Jr. stole a delivery truck and struck a 46-year-old father of two, leaving him for dead in DTLA.
The LA City Council voted to require businesses of all sizes to offer supplemental paid leave for the COVID-19 vaccine and its side effects.
One number shy of the jackpot, the ticket is still worth $11,259.
One number shy of the jackpot, the tickets are still worth $11,259.
Any Californian vaccinated against the coronavirus has a chance to win $1.5 million.
