Ryan Martin started pursuing a career in journalism because he loves writing, but he stayed with it because he loves people. He grew up in Goreville, Ill., a town with a population of 800 people southeast of St. Louis.
After earning his associate's degree from a local community college, Ryan continued his coursework at the University of Missouri. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in converged media in May 2010. He's currently pursuing an MBA at Washington University in St. Louis.
Ryan started working for Patch in August 2010, when he began the process of launching Maplewood-Brentwood Patch, the first St. Louis-area Patch site. That site went live in October 2010.
Ryan also has experience working as a multimedia intern for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and as a city and county government reporter for the Columbia Missourian.
Ryan loves to read fantasy novels, play Ultimate Frisbee and watch sports. He lives in Maplewood with his girlfriend Gwen and their two dogs.
Lori Trakas is leading the three in fundraising efforts as the candidates face the final days before the April 2 election.
Ed Ryan's campaign committee has far outraised and outspent opponent Mike Klund's.
The two stories were among the most read police stories on Sunset Hills-Crestwood Patch in March 2013.
The two stories were among the most read police stories on Fenton-High Ridge Patch in March 2013.
Both candidates raised the same amount of money in the race to become Fenton's next mayor.
Mayor Jon Dalton has far outraised challenger Barbara Ann Hughes in the Town and Country mayoral race.
The most recent campaign finance reports show that Mayor Ron Counts' campaign committee has raised over $12,000 more than challenger Doris Borgelt's.
Documents show that Robert J. Mainieri, Jr's campaign committee has outraised opponent Jim Peanick, Jr's by nearly $40,000.
Major contributors to Ralph Sidebottom's committee include Hoisting Engineers Local 513, Joyce Corey and Joseph Snell.
David Goewert, who is challenging the incumbent Bill Hennessy for the post, paid for much of his committee's spending out of his own pocketbook.
The two high-profile Republican candidates are seeking a relatively obscure position on the Monarch Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
Maplewood and Brentwood communities both faced issues related to rights for gays and lesbians last year.
While the city of Kirkwood has taken steps to protect the LGBT community, the issue hasn't gained as much support across Missouri. Is McCaskill's announcement a signal of things to come?
Clayton and Richmond Heights started protecting gay and lesbian people as early as 2011, when the cities added sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policies, but does McCaskill's announcement signal possible change across Missouri?
A committee supporting Harold Sanger is leading the Clayton mayoral race in total fundraising.
A list of supporters for Berger III's campaign is included in the article.
A list of supporters for Sanger's campaign is included in the article.
A list of supporters for Harris' campaign is included in the article.
Where do the candidates agree and disagree? They met in a candidate forum on Monday, and a full recording is now online.
Oakville's soccer team fell short against St. Joe despite a good game from Oakville junior Tina Haberberger.
