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 California Science Center is moving beyond the love of science as a wedding venue, inviting couples to celebrate their love in style.
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The LAPD arrested three people and confiscated guns and 662,809 counterfeit goods at a Downtown warehouse.
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino introduced a motion Tuesday for the city to sue LAUSD to force school reopenings.
The family of a tween missing since Monday is asking for help finding her.
The cancellation, due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, is another sign that post-vaccine life is not quickly returning to normal.
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LA County's efforts to address racial disparities in vaccination rates will be slowed as this week's shots are reserved for second doses.
Facing pressure to reopen elementary schools, LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner urged officials to prioritize teacher vaccination.
Authorities identified the 26-year-old suspect as a Corona man.
Anti-vaccination protestors, who forced a temporary closure of the nation's largest coronavirus vaccination site, say they aren't done.
Police will hold several DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols across Los Angeles through Super Bowl Sunday.
Los Angeles police hope someone will recognize the men who robbed a couple with a toddler on a crowded street.
A 25-year-old man died Friday morning, and authorities are asking for help piecing together his final moments.
A 25-year-old man died Friday morning, and authorities are asking for help piecing together his final moments.
In a deal purported to make Trevor Bauer the highest-paid player in baseball, the Dodgers seek to cure their postseason pitching woes.
A vehicle plunged over the cliff along Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates, but no victims have been found.
Drivers are advised to avoid the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway Friday through Monday morning.
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The governor and the CDC are urging the reopening of schools regardless of whether teachers have been vaccinated.
