<b>Email:</b> pauld@patch.com<b><br>Phone:</b> 708-261-8247<b><br></b><b>Originally from</b>: Rockford, Ill.<b><br>Birthday</b>: Sept. 3
Paul has a bachelor's degree in news-editorial journalism and a history minor from the University of Missouri and a master's degree in new media journalism and science writing from Northwestern University.
Before Patch, Paul worked as the education reporter for the Aurora Beacon-News and the government reporter for the Kane County Chronicle. During his time at the Chronicle, he won several awards for stories ranging from the misuse of electronic voting machines to the fallout from a fatal teen brawl.
He has written for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Agence France-Presse wire service in Thailand and the Huffington Post. His work has appeared in newspapers and magazines from Bangkok to Melbourne to Sugar Grove, Ill.
Paul enjoys reading, biking and travel. He dislikes olives (both green and black) and has never trusted that Oprah Winfrey. She's up to something.
If Paul gets a dog, he's naming it Stet.
<b>Beliefs <br></b><i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. We also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. In the spirit of simple honesty, we encourage editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license to inject our beliefs into stories or dictate coverage according to them. Rather, we hope the knowledge our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair and balanced manner. If you ever see evidence we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i>
<b>Politics<br></b>I've voted for Democrats, Republicans and even the occassional Green candidate when I didn't like any of the other options (2006 gubernatorial race, anyone?), but I tend to lean donkey. That's a tendency, not a creed.
<b>Religion<br></b>My mother is Jewish and my father Catholic. I believe this cross-cultural upbringing brought me a perspective looking past the trappings that divide us, into the characteristics that make us all human. But to answer the question most people want to know: Yes, I did get presents for both Christmas and Hanukkah.
<b>Local Hot Button Issues</b><br>Development – both commercial and residential – is always a hot topic, particularly where some see healthy growth and others see urban sprawl. Mokena is a family-oriented community, so any news that affects families is big news here (schools, schools, schools). Where do I stand on these issues? If I do my job right as a journalist, you'll never know.
By a 8,707-5,928 vote, residents of unincorporated Will County shot down a measure that would have let the county shop on their behalf for better power prices.
By a 8,707-5,928 vote, residents of unincorporated Will County shot down a measure that would have let the county shop on their behalf for better power prices.
By a 8,707-5,928 vote, residents of unincorporated Will County shot down a measure that would have let the county shop on their behalf for better power prices.
By a 8,707-5,928 vote, residents of unincorporated Will County shot down a measure that would have let the county shop on their behalf for better power prices.
We can't give you your Tuesday afternoon commute back after an acid spill on I-294 South, but a Patch T-shirt, bags and more could help make it up to the commuter with the best story about the worst commute.
By a 1,258-1,051 vote, Mokena residents passed a referendum question that will let the village shop around for a cheaper electricity price for its residents and small businesses.
On the first election since Will County shut down more than 100 polling places and consolidated several others, some Mokena voters found a little confusion waiting for them at the polls Tuesday.
By a 8,707-5,928 vote, residents of unincorporated Will County shot down a measure that would have let the county shop on their behalf for better power prices.
Updates and live chatter on Patch's Illinois Primary blog, with info on the presidential hopefuls and key Chicago-area contests.
From finding your polling place in the morning to getting race results at night, here's how Patch is making today's primary ridiculously easy.
A group of downtown merchants presented their plan for a Front Street market to replace the French Market up for contract renewal next week. But can they pull it off?
Lauren Peterson, 9, of Mokena, will be shaving her head this Friday for a St. Baldrick's Day fundraiser for cancer research. Help her reach her fundraising goals.
Check back here starting after polls close for the results of all the races that affect Mokena.
See how and where crimes in Mokena took place so far this month, courtesy CrimeReports.com.
Welcome back to the week. Here's what happened in and around Mokena over the last few days.
Tomorrow is the primary, and your Will County polling place might have changed. Here are the new maps and how to find out where to cast your ballot.
Curious about what your neighbors are renting? Check out last week's top 15 from Mokena's own video empire.
Cheers your friends with a hearty "sláinte" at these Mokena bars. Remember to drink responsibly.
Marcus D. Jones, 31, of Mokena, has been charged with the 2001 shooting death of Terrance Chandler in Joliet.
From a Front Street barber who can still pull out the old "fire haircut" technique to a good-bye to the Mokena Elementary principal, here are readers' reactions to the week's news.
