I am New Jersey 101.5's Senior Producer for Morning News and Special Programming, also serving as lead reporter and fill-in anchor for "New Jersey's First News." I was formerly the station's Evening News Anchor from 2013 to 2016. I'm proud to be a member of our on-air and digital teams which were honored by the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, for coverage of the 2016 Seaside Park bombing, and by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, for the 2015 fatal Amtrak derailment. I got my start in radio at The College of New Jersey, on student-run WTSR-FM, and graduated from TCNJ in 2009. Before coming to 101.5, I did news and sports for WGHT-AM in Pompton Lakes and WYNY-FM in Milford, PA. In a previous life as a child actor, I appeared in the Broadway cast of "Beauty and the Beast" from 1994 to 1996. I live in Hunterdon County with my wife, Kristen, and our 6-pound toy poodle and life of the party, Archie.
Patrick Lavery
Surgical wraps upcycled to yoga mats, sleeping bags for homeless
If you've ever been inside a hospital operating room (and conscious), you may have seen workers take sterilized surgical equipment out of large, blue plastic sheets. Those are made of plastic, but they are not recyclable.
New district, same holiday season fundraiser for NJ teacher
For the third straight year, elementary school teacher Jennifer Olawski is piloting a simple mission: making sure every one of her students has a gift to open on Christmas morning.
Somerset County tries to get kids dressed warm for winter weather
Since 2010, the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women has collected winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to donate to the children of county Food Bank Network clients.
Therapy pets comfort Newark Airport travelers this holiday season
MORRIS PLAINS — Animals used as therapy pets are not legally allowed in as many places as service animals, and instead must be invited to the places they go. But a group based in North Jersey has received plenty of invites throughout eight counties and its most prominent appearance will c…
Rider’s new dining partnership helps Meals on Wheels of Mercer
Gourmet Dining, the new food service provider at Rider University, made it a priority to offer to cover costs for the school's partnership with Meals on Wheels.
Flashmob and dances will raise money, demonstrate kindness
For the upcoming World Kindness Week, the nonprofit organization Life Vest Inside is preparing its annual global flashmob and fundraiser, the Dance for Kindness, which will be in two New Jersey towns on the same day.
RWJBarnabas’ mobile nutrition education vehicle launches NJ tour
This new van roving around the state not only nourishes people, but also educates them about the food they are eating and the nutritional choices they make.
NJ group gives free glasses to those who can’t buy them
Think about the number of people in your life who need or use eyeglasses. Now think about what their lives would be without those critical vision aids.
What a difference a week makes for NJ weather
When I last filled in on the weather blog, we were talking about the return of 80-plus degree temperatures in New Jersey. We were also talking about Yankee playoff games, but ... well, let's focus on the weather angle, shall we?
Monmouth County group is more than just prom dresses
Cinderella's Closet has replaced one major annual event, and is currently preparing for its only fundraiser of 2018.