Caroline Evans, Patch Staff
- Mokena, IL
Caroline Evans first discovered her love for news and current events as a page in the House of Representatives her junior year in high school. Sharing an elevator once with Cokie Roberts helped. Her first news job was shadowing photographers as an intern for a German newspaper while taking a year off between high school and college.
Caroline earned a B.A. in history from McGill University in Montreal, where she cut her literary teeth on music reviews and artist interviews for the campus newspaper. While she spent a year of service as an AmeriCorps volunteer in a charter school on Chicago's West Side, she freelanced for Paste, Venus Zine and NPR.org's Song of the Day.
In 2010, she earned an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri, where she reported on education and worked as an assistant city editor for the arts and neighborhoods beats at the Columbia Missourian newspaper.
Caroline loves music, travel and food, and she is experimenting with vegetarianism. She can often be seen around Mokena riding her bike, a gray Cannondale Comfort.
Want to know more? Watch my Welcome Video.<b><br></b>
<b>Beliefs </b><i><br>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> </b><b>Politics</b><br>I have voted for both elephants and donkeys, but I would never vote for a yellow dog. I do tend to be pretty liberal on most issues, but I firmly believe that democracy functions best when a myriad of opinions is represented.
<b> </b><b>Religion</b><br>I was raised Episcopalian, so I know the difference between a salad and a dinner fork pretty well. I am still a Christian, and I think finding peace and comfort in religion is a pretty cool thing. If someone else finds peace and comfort in a religion different from my own, that's pretty cool, too.
<b>Local Hot Button Issues </b><br>Right now, I think the biggest issue in Mokena is the budget crisis facing the school district. Schools are a linchpin of communities, and I plan on covering this issue constantly.
Business and economic development are also pretty big here, and we'll be keeping track of new businesses and finding out what's going on with all those empty storefronts.
Posting Activity
Mokena|News|
Consolidation a 'Possibility,' According to Dist. 159 Superintendent
Mokena District 159 could consolidate in a few years with a neighboring district if the November referendum does not pass, administrators say during Wednesday's town hall meeting.
Mokena|News|
Five Things You Need To Know This Week: Village Board
Mokena patch helps you plan your week.
Mokena|News|
Mokena 159 School Board Eyeing Where to Cut Next
Board of Education is expected to begin making cuts to staff at its Feb. 23 meeting.
Mokena|News|
Celebrate Valentine's Day With Your Sweetheart: Patch Picks
We've got the skinny on how to make that night out extra-special.
Mokena|News|
Snow Cleanup Continues a Week Later in Mokena
The snow from last week's blizzard has been removed from Mokena streets for days, but Public Works employees still are touching up the roadways to keep them passable.
Mokena|News|
Village Crews Still Working to Clear 104th Avenue Thursday
Nearly all roads were clear Thursday morning, but crews were still working to clear the stretch of 104th Avenue between Camden Court and 187th Street.
Mokena|News|
Year in Review: The 10 Best Stories of 2010 (Part 1 of 2)
Mokena Patch's best articles from the year.
Orland Park, IL|News|
Man Tasered While Resisting Arrest, Police Say
Joseph Anthony Tuccillo, 43, of Orland Park, became 'physically combative' while police tried to arrest him, according to reports.
Mokena|News|
District 159's Board of Education Will Try for Another Referendum, but Amount is Still Unclear
The board also tabled action on cost-cutting measures to allow for discussion.
Mokena|News|
District 210 Officials Say Student Achievement Up, Despite Failure to Make AYP
The Illinois State Board of Education released Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210's annual report card last week.
Mokena|News|
Police Blotter: 'Vampire' DUI; Hurrying to White Castle
Mokena police reports, Oct. 17 to Oct. 24
Mokena|News|
District 159 Town Hall Meeting Addresses Home Value Question
Residents voice concern about the proposed property tax increase's effect on home values.
Mokena|News|
Lincoln-Way Central Junior Hit By Bus
Teen was riding his bike when he was hit by a school bus.
Mokena|News|
'Isolated' Incidents at Mokena Junior High: Attempts to Sell Knives, Marijuana
Students have been disciplined for actions in two separate incidents that happened in the same week, Principal Michael Rolinitis said.
Mokena|News|
Neighborhood Alert: Two Home Burglaries in Grasmere Subdivision
Suspects might have carried stolen items in a bag decorated with elephants, giraffes and zebras.
Mokena|News|
Police Blotter: Missing Wallet at the Oaks; Spray Painting in Mokena Elementary School Playground
Mokena police reports, Sept. 27—Oct. 4
Mokena|News|
This Week's Pet: Candy
Friendly pit bull mix is one of many pets at Tinley Park's PAWS animal shelter looking for a home.
Mokena|News|
Dist. 159 Referendum Committee Readies Campaign
Plan is put in place to inform residents in advance of the Nov. 2 vote.