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.
Sen. Claire McCaskill is the projected winner of the U.S. Senate race in Missouri, defeating Republican challenger Rep. Todd Akin.
With the election finally here, it's time to fess up: Whether it's Akin, McCaskill, Spence, Nixon or someone else, which political ad will you be happy to see go?
With the election only one day away, it's time to fess up: Whether it's Akin, McCaskill, Spence, Nixon or someone else, which political ad will you be happy to see go?
Todd Combs is the stepfather of Christopher Marks, the 12-year-old Affton boy who drowned in the Meramec River in August. Combs has been charged with seven counts of child endangerment.
Todd Combs is the stepfather of Christopher Marks, the 12-year-old Affton boy who drowned in the Meramec River in August. Combs has been charged with seven counts of child endangerment.
With Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm comes an announcement of Star Wars: Episode VII, with an expected release in 2015.
These dark mornings may have you wondering: When does Daylight Saving Time end?
These dark mornings may have you wondering: When does Daylight Saving Time end?
These dark mornings may have you wondering: When does Daylight Saving Time end?
These dark mornings may have you wondering: When does Daylight Saving Time end?
Students learned from St. Louis County Police Department officers on how data is collected from a crime scene, including the collection of blood, fingerprints and other physical evidence.
Halloween falls on a weekday in 2012. Local police recommend that parents have their kids back home by curfew.
The Affton School District has implemented an anonymous hotline for parents and students to report acts of bullying, harassment and intimidation.
In an effort to help prevent drug abuse, the elementary school in Affton held its first Family Fitness Night earlier this month.
Because Halloween falls on a weekday in 2012, trick-or-treating will be held on Wednesday in Arnold and across the St. Louis area.
Because Halloween falls on a weekday in 2012, most trick-or-treating will occur on a weekday but trunk-or-treats are happening all over this weekend.
Get into the Halloween spirit by carving a pumpkin at Star Clipper, a shop located on the Delmar Loop. The event will be held on Saturday.
Get into the Halloween spirit by carving a pumpkin at Star Clipper, a shop located on the Delmar Loop. The event will be held on Saturday.
Strange thefts, a bank robbery involving a man with a woman's wig and other crime stories are collected in this end-of-October report from Fenton-High Ridge Patch.
Most trick-or-treating events will occur on a weekday in Fenton and across St. Louis.