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.
The St. Patrick's Day celebration, now in it's third year, added new attractions including a car and bike show and expanded vendors areas. Check out the photo gallery and add your own pictures and videos.
Bed of Moses and the Holy Rollers faced off in the final heat of the annual bed races benefiting Family Promise of Gwinnett. Upload your own photos and videos from the event.
What's for lunch at Gwinnett County Public Schools?
Downtown Lawrenceville’s painting party place presented a check to the Gwinnett County chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Bed of Moses and the Holy Rollers faced off in the final heat of the annual bed races benefiting Family Promise of Gwinnett. Upload your own photos and videos from the event.
Thousands of Gwinnett County students will graduate this spring. Find out when your child will receive their diploma.
Check out our interactive map to find where, when and why local roads will be closed for construction, from the Gwinnett DOT. (Updated with new road closures)
Irish folklore is all about mischievous leprechauns and discovering that ever elusive pot of gold at the end of a rainbow - but how much wealthier would we be if we were lucky enough to find one.
Know what's going on and where to park for the St. Patrick's Day Festival in downtown Lawrenceville.
Know what's going on, where to go and where to park for the St. Patrick's Day Festival in downtown Lawrenceville, Ga.
Know what's going on, where to go and where to park for the St. Patrick's Day Festival in downtown Lawrenceville, Ga.
Know what's going on, where to go and where to park for the St. Patrick's Day Festival in downtown Lawrenceville, Ga.
Financial identity fraud, credit card fraud and commercial gambling are some of the charges Lawrenceville, Ga. residents were arrested on. Although they have been charged, they have not been convicted of a crime.
Two popular chain restaurants in Lawrenceville, Ga scored A's on re-inspections after previously scoring C's.
Larson-Juhl is hiring for this position in Norcross.
The Spring Green Festival is Saturday in Downtown Lawrenceville. We spotted one of the organizers doing last minute errands before the big event.
"Opportunities have come along that wouldn’t have come along," GGC President Dr. Daniel Kaufman told Patch. Share your thoughts.
The GGC president talked to Gwinnett Patch about his tenure at the Lawrenceville college and his decision to take the position of President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber.
"Opportunities have come along that wouldn’t have come along," GGC President Dr. Daniel Kaufman told Lawrenceville Patch as he reflects on his tenure at the college and his decision to take the position of President and CEO of the Gwinnett Cha
Theft by conversion, forgery and theft by shoplifting are some of the charges Lawrenceville, Ga. residents were arrested on. Although they have been charged, they have not been convicted of a crime.
