Email: rachelh@patch.com
Phone: 571-212-7455
Hometown: Plantation, Fla.
Birthday: February 4

Bio

I'm a South Florida native who graduated from the University of Central Florida's journalism program. As a student, I interned as a reporter at the Sun Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Ore., among other publications.

After graduating in 2007, I was hired full time at the Sun Sentinel as a community news reporter. I later moved on to the municipal and public safety beats, covering everything from bank robberies to the start of turtle nesting season.

When I'm not reporting, I can be found reading Harry Potter books (again), watching TV, or taking pictures on my smart phone.  I also enjoy exploring the greater Northern Virginia area.

Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics

How would you describe your political beliefs?

I have a healthy skepticism when it comes to politics, and consider myself politically neutral. I look at each issue on its own merits.

Are you registered with a certain party?

I'm not registered with any political party.

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious) 

I am Catholic, but would say I'm a casual attendee.