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.
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Politics: pro-environment and equality for all
Religion: The unholy trinity of Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and John Steinbeck
Los Angeles County reported 5,031 confirmed infections Thursday, a new daily high putting the county on track for strict stay-home orders.
Designer Mossimo Giannulli and actress Lori Loughlin were among the most high-profile parents in the college admissions conspiracy.
A survey released by USC Dornsife found that the president's effort to undermine the election is hitting its mark.
Bobby Brown Jr. Dies | Teen Wins $25K For Community Work | Newport Beach Cancels Christmas Boat Parade | Free Coronavirus Antibody Test
Foul play is not suspected in the death of the 28-year-old.
At nearly 4,000, LA County's daily cases are almost four times what they were Nov. 1 and getting close to the stay-home order threshold.
The model by UCLA public health and urban planning experts pinpoints LA County areas to prioritize for coronavirus vaccine distribution.
Two Encino couples were indicted on charges of filing for millions in small business COVID relief aid and using the funds for luxury homes.
A small brush fire broke out in the early morning near Hansen Dam Wednesday. The cause remains under investigation.
Local Woman Woman To Compete On 'Wheel Of Fortune' | What The New Mask Rules Mean For You | Beverly Hills Approves Ren Relief | Patch PM
The changes to the county's health orders come as the coronavirus outbreak surges to worrisome levels.
The state issued new mask requirements Monday that most Los Angeles County residents are already living under.
Firefighting helicopters from two counties will conduct a series of afternoon and evening drills above the local mountains.
Firefighting helicopters from two counties will conduct a series of afternoon and evening drills over the Santa Monica Mountains.
Firefighting helicopters from two counties will conduct a series of afternoon and evening drills over the Santa Monica Mountains.
Firefighting helicopters from two counties will conduct a series of afternoon and evening drills over the Santa Monica Mountains.
Firefighting helicopters from two counties will conduct a series of afternoon and evening drills over the Santa Monica Mountains.
The Battle Over Protecting Ballona Wetlands — And If They Need It | OC At Purple Tier, County CEO Positive For Coronavirus | Patch PM
Without setting a date for the reopening of schools, Superintendent Beutner said the district will release detailed reopening plans.
All lanes of the eastbound side of the Ventura (101) Freeway were shut down in the Encino area, and a suspect was barricaded in Sherman Oaks
