Vanzetta Evans, Patch Staff

Email: vanzetta.evans@patch.com Phone: 770-378-5709 Hometown: Holliston, MA Birthday: February 20

Bio:

Vanzetta Evans comes to Patch after working in television news for nearly a decade. Prior to Patch, Ms. Evans worked for Capital News 9 (now YNN Albany) and WNYT in Albany, NY and WPRI/WNAC in Providence, RI.

The broadcast journalism bug bit Ms. Evans during her freshman year at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. She worked at the campus TV station as a news reporter, weather reporter and producer. Although she graduated in 2000 from Syracuse's Maxwell School of Citizenship with a B.A. in Public Policy, Ms. Evans still had a passion for news. Just six weeks later, she began graduate school at SU's Newhouse School of Communications, working towards a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism. While in grad school, Ms. Evans worked as a super-intern an hour away at RNews (now YNN Rochester) in Rochester, NY. There, she had the opportunity to put what she learned into action, writing stories and interviewing people.

After completing the program at Newhouse in 2001, Ms. Evans took a job as a Media Editor at Capital News 9, a Time Warner affiliate, in Albany, NY. During this time, she learned to shoot and edit video and even on occasion worked as a Traffic Reporter and Sideline Sports Reporter.

Ms. Evans then went to work at WNYT – Newschannel 13, Albany, NY's NBC affiliate, as an Associate Producer. There she successfully produced the Weekend Today show, doubling its' ratings in less than one year and bringing it from a three-way tie to a clear first place winner in the ratings.

She then decided to take her skills to WPRI/WNAC Eyewitness News, the CBS and Fox affiliate in Providence, RI. While working there as a News Producer, Ms. Evans brought the noon show to number one for the first time in several years.

One highlight of Ms. Evans career as a journalist would be breaking the news of then New York State's Junior U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's decision to run for President in 2008. Ms. Evans' quick thinking and savvy news skills allowed her to be the first to report the news in all of New York State. She also has had the opportunity to personally document historic moments such as the election and inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the death of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.

When Ms. Evans isn't working, she enjoys watching classic movies. Her favorites are ones starring Audrey Hepburn and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She is also a big sports fan, faithfully following football and basketball. But her favorite sport? Bargain shopping.

Ms. Evans is proud to call Lawrenceville home. Her family has lived in Gwinnett County, including Lawrenceville, for nearly two decades.  She looks forward to covering news in Lawrenceville for you on Patch.com.

My Beliefs:

I am very open-minded. While I am a Christian and uphold traditional values for myself, my belief is do whatever makes you happiest, so long as it does not bring harm to yourself or anyone else.  

Politics:

I try to vote in every election and for the best candidate, regardless of party.

Religion:

I was raised in the Baptist church and have attended AME churches for the last few years. I attend services regularly.

Local Hot-Button Issues:

One hot-button issue in Lawrenceville at the top of my list is the proposed airport expansion. It could be good for the community in bringing new revenue and new jobs to the city, but it also could be bad by decreasing home values and increasing traffic. This is one story I plan to cover and cover all angles of it.