Erika I. Ritchie

Erika Ritchie is an award-winning staff writer for the Orange County Register and 10 other Southern California News Group newspapers.

She covers military and national defense from West Coast bases to the Pentagon. She's reported from Navy ships, Osprey aircraft and training ranges throughout Southern California, explaining national and international warfare tactics and military equipment.

Erika has a comprehensive understanding of issues affecting South Orange County communities, including coastal access and the environment, the plight of marine mammal entanglements, water quality, development, local harbors and quality of life in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. While adept at reporting hard news, she's known for telling human stories of conflict, struggle and joy.

She's a three-time award winner from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for telling stories of Marines in local communities. The Gerald R. Ford Foundation has awarded her coverage of National Defense. She's won many first-place awards from the Los Angeles and Orange County press clubs.

Away from her pen, Erika runs, skis and enjoys all things ocean and outdoors. She grew up bilingual in German and conversational in French.