My goal in this life is to make my way through various journalistic efforts. To that end, I’ve worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and page designer as well as an online columnist, blogger and all-around freelancer. I’ve covered and written about everything from local politics to video games to world travel.
BEST OF THE BEST, a roundup of some of my most recent newspaper work
- “Circuit court judge faces a backlog of cases” (The Kentucky Standard, Feb. 21, 2010)
Investigative piece on a local judge. - “Howardstown: ‘You live your faith here’” (Snapshot, quarterly magazine produced by The Kentucky Standard, Winter 2010)
Profile of one of Nelson County’s smallest and least known communities. - “Healthy competition: HMH raises profile, concerns with Nelson County expansion” (The Kentucky Standard, Feb. 1, 2011)
Story examining local health care providers reaction to aggressive moves by a larger regional company. - “Steep, icy roads keep fire burning hot” (The Kentucky Standard, Jan. 25, 2011)
Breaking news story that I was able to use to examine issues in providing emergency services in a rural area. - “Environmental problems dirty Cox Creek” (The Kentucky Standard, Sept. 26, 2010)
A close look at an EPA report and reactions from local farmers. - “Goncalves guilty” (The Kentucky Standard, Feb. 15, 2010)
The conclusion of a robbery trial where the defendant represented himself and had previously brought two hung juries. - “Case against Marshall murder suspects dismissed” (The Kentucky Standard, Dec. 9, 2010)
A story explaining why the legal prosecution of a drug-related shoot-out was halted. - “Caving: Kentucky’s greatest adventure” (The Kentucky Standard, Oct. 21, 2010
A feature story exploring the depths underneath Bardstown with some avid cavers.
MATADOR NETWORK, freelance travel writer
- “How to Get Started Long-Distance Running”
A short article offering some tips to those endeavoring to turn themselves into foot-powered road warriors. - “Backpacker’s Secret Guide: Nan, Thailand”
A first-hand guide to exploring a remote corner of northern Thailand via motorbike. The experience was one of the highlights of my trip and I was glad to have an account of it published. - “Classic Tales: Life Lessons from ‘Gulliver’s Travels’”
Reading the book “Gulliver’s Travels” on a train en route from Shanghai to Nanning in China, I had some thoughts about my trip and the change it brought and was still bringing to me. This article is those thoughts.
WIZARD UNIVERSE, video game blogger and freelance reporter
- “Total War”
Recount of my experience challenging two young Korean students to a game of “Starcraft.” I lived and worked in Korea as in English teacher for one year, starting March 2008. - “Blue Christmas”
Even the video game industry feels the pinch of economic recession. - “‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ Brings More Robots, Blood and Things Getting Blown Up”
Interview with actor Brendan Hines about what to expect when the Terminator goes to TV. - “Hold a Galaxy in the Palm of Your Hand”
Review of the PC Game “Sins of a Solar Empire.”
LAKE SUN LEADER, news editor and entertainment reporter
- “Striking the Perfect Tone”
Weekend feature on a local guitar marker, blues player and all-around cool dude. - “A Gospel Singer With a Lot of Sole”
Feature profiling a local Gospel singer and shoemaker. - “Crafting a New Future on Old Traditions”
Story covering a local woodworkers successful start-up of a craftsman’s club for the area. - “More Than Just the Same Old Song”
Weekend feature highlighting what makes local cover band Wanted unique. - “Art in the Wild”
Profile detailing one the area’s most successful painters and her love of “Plein Air” painting. - “Lake Economy May Feel Impact of Subprime Fall Out”
Article about the local real estate market shortly before the housing bubble burst.
COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN, political reporter
- “City Manager Race Narrows”
Information about the five finalists in Columbia’s search for a new City Manager. - “Sights Set on Deer”
Short piece that follows Missouri hunters on the first morning of deer season. - “County Examines Streets on Tour”
Riding along with Boone County Commissioners as they check out road projects slated for the year. - “City to Vote on Electricity Deal”
Article covering a potential deal to supply Columbia’s growing power needs. - “Roads Proposition Sparks Controversy”
Columbia’s proposed road projects and funding methods faced significant opposition. - “Voters to Decide on City Street Projects”
An article summarizing what construction the proposed taxes would be used to fund along with arguments from groups opposed to the city’s plan.
GATEHOUSE NEWS MEDIA, video game columnist
- “Being Good at Video Games is a Matter of Time”
Despite my rampant enthusiasm, my actual video game skillz can be rather lacking. - “Lost in Translation: Movies Fail to Make Quality Games”
Exploring the reasons behind the persistent failure of movie to game conversions and vice-versa. - “There’s More to an RPG than just Hit Points”
Of all game genres, role-playing games tend to be the most addictive. Read this and discover the reasons why.
LAKE SUN LEADER, page designer and layout artist
Front page layouts
JUST FOR FUN
- Johnson Family Chronicle
Humorous newspaper mock-up I did for my family one Christmas. Sorry for the couple of typos that sneaked past me.
Things others have said