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
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
Nearly a third of all Los Angeles County residents depend on small businesses for their living, and the holidays are pivotal to them.
DUI Suspected In Crash That Killed Young Parents And Injured 3 Children| NASA Chooses Local Men For Moon Mission | Tree Lighting | Patch PM
LA County natives Jonny Kim and Victor Glover are among 18 astronauts NASA chose to explore the sustainability of humans on the moon.
LA and Pomona natives Jonny Kim and Victor Glover are among 18 astronauts NASA chose to explore the sustainability of humans on the moon.
The usually stoic county health director Barbara Ferrer teared up Wednesday as she talked about the toll of the pandemic on LA families.
Drivers are advised to avoid the 210 Freeway in Glendora due to a fuel spill that forced the closure of three lanes.
Prosecutors said the popular personal trainer made his younger children view the bodies of their slain siblings as they lay there for days.
In the face of pressure from parents and legislators, the state reversed course Wednesday and reopened playgrounds.
The former legislator obtained a restraining order against her ex-husband accusing him of abusing and harassing her.
Crowds Dine At Cronies, Defying Ban | Fundraiser Honors Slain Teen| 158 Arrested At Party In Crackdown On Super Spreaders: Patch PM
Recently made the world's second-richest man, Elon Musk appears to be over California and has moved to tax-friendly Texas.
The COVID-19 vaccine will first go to LA's medical workers, 1,745 of whom recently tested positive, as the effect of holiday gatherings hit
The ruling, a moral victory for restaurateurs opposing the county's health orders, won't bring back in-person dining any time soon, however
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department kicked off its crackdown on gatherings with a raid on a massive party in Palmdale.
Commuters are advised to avoid Venice Boulevard in the Mid City area where police have surrounded a barricaded suspect.
