From the newsroom: Get to know Belleville News-Democrat staffer Mike Koziatek
Editor’s note: Mike Koziatek wrote this letter to subscribers earlier this month. We’re sharing it with all BND readers today.
Belleville News-Democrat readers will always want to know what’s happening in their neighborhood and how their local leaders are spending the public’s money.
And that’s where the BND’s team of reporters shine.
I’m proud to be a member of this team that works every day to bring news reports to our readers.
I joined the News-Democrat in 1998 as an assistant city editor and now I serve as a reporter covering the general assignment and Belleville City Hall beats.
I grew up on the St. Louis side of the river and went to De Smet Jesuit High School.
The BND is my sixth newspaper in a career that began in 1983 after I graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Before moving to Belleville, I worked for newspapers in Missouri, Florida and South Carolina.
During this time, I received multiple awards for stories that I have written or co-written. One of my favorite commendations was being part of Editor & Publisher’s inaugural class of “15 Over 50” in 2020. The trade magazine honored myself and 14 others nationwide for their “passion” to support the news industry.
My recent Belleville News-Democrat articles include the following:
An interview with the sister of a 27-year-old Smithton woman killed in a DUI-related crash in Swansea and a subsequent court hearing in which a prosecutor revealed the defendant is accused of having a blood-alcohol level that is twice the legal limit. The victim is survived by her 3-year-old son.
An examination of whether advances in DNA technology can help solve the cold case of News-Democrat intern reporter Audrey Cardenas, who was found slain in 1988. This report includes an interview with Audrey’s mother, who just turned 80.
A report on construction of a $4.3 million bike trail on the west side of Belleville. The project includes a bike trail bridge over Illinois 161 near Dutch Hollow Road. This article was completed after a reader contacted the BND.
When I’m not researching and writing news articles for the BND, I enjoy spending time with my family and pursuing hobbies such as golfing, hiking, cheering for the Cardinals, Blues and Packers and growing vegetables in my garden. If you like salsas, you really should try making one of my favorites: a grilled tomatillo and serrano pepper salsa. Let me know if you want the recipe!
But if you’re not into hot salsa, I still want to hear from you.
If you have a story idea or have a question that you want answered by either myself or my colleagues, feel free to call me at 618-239-2502 or send me an email at mkoziatek@bnd.com.
I appreciate your support and thank you for subscribing.