Writing samples
Valley News Dispatch
Breaking news reporting
Part of a team covering the death of a western Pennsylvania police officer who was shot by a fugitive. First reporter on the scene who helped break story online before any other news source.
Part of a team covering a plane crash that killed three residents of Pittsburgh suburbs in West Virginia's mountains. Traveled out of state twice to report on the lengthy search and recovery of the wreckage. Developed strong source relations, allowing the paper to break news online about when the plane was located.
Feature series
Additional feature writing
Article tells the story of a western Pennsylvania man, who at age 60 retook his first steps. He lost both of his legs while fighting in the Vietnam War and lived his life wheelchair bound until recently when new prosthetics technology allowed him to walk again.
Database reporting
Contributed to statewide Associated Press "Broken Bridges" project, extracting western Pennsylvania data from a Excel document listing conditions of all state bridges. Analyzed data to chart the worst local bridges.
Covering Marcellus shale drilling
Issues-driven coverage ranging from Marcellus' jobs outlook to its possible environmental effects, incorporating perspectives from drilling's ardent supports and drilling's fieriest protesters.
Covering education
Monitoring how 2011 Pennsylvania budget cuts change the face of public education and affect the operation of school districts. Focusing on issues of district mergers, teacher furloughs, building consolidation and tax hikes.
The Daily Collegian
Story analyzing the level of acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on campus.
The Lion's Roar, published through Penn State's College of Communications
The story of Apollo, Pa., a tiny Western Pennsylvania town hit disproportionately hard by the number of servicemen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Breaking news reporting
Part of a team covering the death of a western Pennsylvania police officer who was shot by a fugitive. First reporter on the scene who helped break story online before any other news source.
- Cornered fugitive kills Lower Burrell officer, dies himself
- Lower Burrell in shock over death of Patrolman Kotecki
- Post's acquaintances have little to say in wake of killing
Part of a team covering a plane crash that killed three residents of Pittsburgh suburbs in West Virginia's mountains. Traveled out of state twice to report on the lengthy search and recovery of the wreckage. Developed strong source relations, allowing the paper to break news online about when the plane was located.
- Search expands in West Virginia mountains
- Blue skies help rescuers search for plane carrying Kiski Valley residents
- Small plane with Kiski Valley people on board found (breaking news web update)
- Wreckage of plane discovered in West Virginia
- Plane crash victims' bodies found in rugged part of West Virginia
Feature series
Series chronicling the remarkable recovery of a western Pennsylvania Air Force pilot who was shot in the legs during a mission in Afghanistan and his determination to not only walk again but to fly again in a war zone.
- First installment: Wounded Upper Burrell pilot's true grit put to test
- Second installment: Wounded Upper Burrell native determined to fly again in war zone
- Third installment: Upper Burrell chopper pilot heals, ready to redeploy
Additional feature writing
Article tells the story of a western Pennsylvania man, who at age 60 retook his first steps. He lost both of his legs while fighting in the Vietnam War and lived his life wheelchair bound until recently when new prosthetics technology allowed him to walk again.
- Veteran, outlook rise on new legs
- 9/11 babies offer hope from day of despair
Database reporting
Contributed to statewide Associated Press "Broken Bridges" project, extracting western Pennsylvania data from a Excel document listing conditions of all state bridges. Analyzed data to chart the worst local bridges.
- Broken bridges: Thousands of deteriorating spans need to be fixed
- Poverty: Two Alle-Kiski Valley towns struggle with poverty
- Education: Academia finds a home in Fox Chapel
- Vacancy: Vacancy rates surprise Alle-Kiski Valley mayors
- Hispanic population: Slightly more Hispanics proud to call area home
Covering Marcellus shale drilling
Issues-driven coverage ranging from Marcellus' jobs outlook to its possible environmental effects, incorporating perspectives from drilling's ardent supports and drilling's fieriest protesters.
- Marcellus shale boom offers Alle-Kiski Valley job opportunities
- Penn State offers neutral view on Marcellus shale drilling
- Upper Burrell drilling ordinance approved
- Driller given go-ahead over South Butler residents' objections
Covering education
Monitoring how 2011 Pennsylvania budget cuts change the face of public education and affect the operation of school districts. Focusing on issues of district mergers, teacher furloughs, building consolidation and tax hikes.
- Education's future caught in web of finances
- Alle-Kiski Valley declining school enrollment raises merger issue
- Budget divides Alle-Kiski Valley legislators along party lines
- Consolidation will close New Ken-Arnold schools
- South Butler Intermediate School closing is one option
- Givebacks help avert teacher layoffs in Freeport
- Deer Lakes looks to increase taxes, cut 41 jobs
- Rental, pay-to-play fees eyed at Deer Lakes
The Daily Collegian
Story analyzing the level of acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on campus.
The Lion's Roar, published through Penn State's College of Communications
The story of Apollo, Pa., a tiny Western Pennsylvania town hit disproportionately hard by the number of servicemen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Apollo takes war, losses personally
Create a free website with Weebly
