Hello Bellmore!

I am Danielle De Souza and I am the new Local Editor for Bellmore Patch!

These past few weeks have been wonderful. I am becoming acquainted with this beautiful community and with Long Island on a whole. The residents and local business owners have been nothing but warm and welcoming to this Yonkers girl!

I grew up in Yonkers, NY, the largest city in Westchester and I lived in New Rochelle, NY for a little more than a year. After living in two large cities for most of my life, it feels great to live in a place where i can really get to know my neighbors.

Before joining the Patch community, I worked as a night cop reporter for the Gannett Journal News in White Plains, NY.

I have  worked as freelancer for Patch in the past. My work can be seen on the New Rochelle, Rye, Scarsdale, Larchmont, Mount Kisco and Yorktown sites.

 My work has also been published in the Columbia University Newsletter, The Mount Vernon Inquirer and the Bronx Press.

I graduated from Manhattan College in the Bronx with a B.A. in English and Journalism. I received my Masters in Journalism from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY in 2006.

I love community journalism. I enjoy learning about the history and the people that make up a town, city or village.

Bellmore is my new home and I can't wait to learn everything there is to know about the businesses, schools, politics and most importantly YOU, my new neighbors.