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
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Politics: pro-environment and equality for all
Religion: The unholy trinity of Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and John Steinbeck
With about half of LA County's population now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, a glitch made one mass vaccination site a free-for-all.
The storied train station, long a favorite setting for filmmakers, will host part of this year's Oscar ceremony along with the Dolby Theatre
A survey by the Los Angeles Unified School District found that many families are leery of an immediate return to school.
Long Beach police are warning residents not to fall for a scam in which the caller impersonates police officers seeking money.
On a rainy Monday morning, Long Beach gyms and restaurants welcomed customers for indoor service for the first time this year.
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Forced to give workers hazard pay during the pandemic, Kroger Co. opted to close stores in Hollywood, the Westside and Park Mesa Heights.
Forced to give workers hazard pay during the pandemic, Kroger Co. opted to close stores in Hollywood, the Westside and Park Mesa Heights.
Forced to give workers hazard pay during the pandemic, Kroger Co. opted to close stores in Hollywood, the Westside and Park Mesa Heights.
Governor Newsom said Los Angeles would be allowed to reopen eateries and theaters this weekend. County officials are a little more cagey.
A little girl ran into the arms of a SWAT Team officer after her mom led police on a wild chase, repeatedly ramming vehicles, police say.
Local mountains are expected to see a foot of snow and mudslides have slammed SoCal communities that already endured wildfires.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
The National Weather Service and Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management are warning of power outages and flooding across LA.
County leaders would have to authorize openings allowed by the state, but health officials and elected officials differ on the pace.
The Hollywood (101) Freeway was shut down Tuesday while police searched for a murder suspect erroneously released from jail.
