Professional Experience

I joined the WINK News team in June 2020. I am a general assignment reporter, soaking in more than just sunshine every single day!

I started my reporting career in Panama City Beach, Florida, at WJHG/WECP. There, my love for storytelling expanded as I learned the true impact of great journalism.

Four months into my time in the Panhandle, Hurricane Michael ravaged the area, showing me the importance of local news and the crucial need for journalism after a devastating event. My reporting helped people get the resources they needed after the storm, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Given my experience covering a major storm, Hurricane Ian was like deja vu. Immediately after the storm, I knew how crucial it was to tell the stories of survival and connect people with the right resources to rebuild their lives.

The best feeling in the world is when my stories can bring a helping hand to someone in need.

My time in Southwest Florida has led me to cover various topics. From being a lead reporter on the Gabby Petitio case to covering the highly anticipated Florida elections, but not before navigating the challenges of reporting during a global pandemic.

There's a reason why I'm soaking up more than just sunshine! Every day I am lucky to learn something new about the environmental, political, and deeply personal stories of the Sunshine State.

Awards and Recognition

My work in the field led me to win a Florida Associated Press award for my coverage after Hurricane Michael.

I've emceed nearly half a dozen community staple events.

I have been written up in the Florida State University Nomadic Nole magazine for my accomplishments as a proud Seminole alumnus.

Hobbies, Interest & Community Involvement

I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes! I also have an aloe plant I’m really trying to keep alive. More than anything, I love getting outdoors and exercising with my dog Maggie Mae.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

I love just being down south! I love the warm weather, the beaches, and being near friends and family.

New York woman makes lost and found Facebook page for boats

It’s a lost and found for missing boats. Many people cannot find their boats two months after Hurricane Ian and now there is a Facebook page dedicated to getting them back to their rightful owners. The admin of the page lives in New York, but she the problems in Fort Myers and decided why not […]

Downtown Fort Myers post office to return in February

Homeless people are taking shelter outside a post office in downtown Fort Myers. The post office has been closed since Hurricane Ian brought a storm surge to the area. The USPS spokesperson said homeless people are allowed to gather there because it’s the holiday season and many people lost their homes during the hurricane. The […]

Teens arrested, accused of drive-by shooting in Golden Gate

Three teens have been arrested after deputies say they participated in a drive-by shooting of a Golden Gate home. Seventeen-year-old Santiago Ruiz Del Rio, of Golden Gate, faces charges of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possessing a firearm by a minor, and resisting arrest. Seventeen-year-old Joan Isaac Roblero, of Golden Gate, faces charges of […]

Traveling at RSW during the holidays

Millions of Floridians have set off by plane to see family for the holidays. So many in fact, RSW is warning about running out of parking and the security line continues to grow longer. Triple A is expecting nearly 3,000,000 Floridians to travel more than 50 miles, and more than 200,000 of those people will […]

Downtown bike shop donates bike to Fort Myers Police Department

A downtown Fort Myers bike shop donated a bike to the Fort Myers Police Department to help reach the homeless population. Fort Myers police officers Ryan Beiner and William Beaton make up the Homeless Outreach Team, also known as HOT, as FMPD calls it. The Pedego eclectic bikes, donated by the shop, will allow the […]

Englewood man arrested for shooting at juveniles, using racial slurs during car chase

A 44-year-old Englewood man was arrested after deputies say he got into a vehicle chase with three juveniles, shot at them and called them racial slurs. Steven C. Whitney was transported to Charlotte County Jail and faces charges of DUI, driving while license suspended-second offense, fleeing to elude, possession of a firearm by a convicted […]

Brian Laundrie’s estate to pay $3 million in wrongful death lawsuit from Petito family

Brian Laundrie’s estate will have to pay $3 million to the family of Gabby Petito after a settlement was reached in the Petito family’s wrongful death lawsuit. According to the Petito family attorney, Brian Laundrie did not have $3 million. But whatever money his estate pays will help the Petitos in their endeavors with the […]

Man finds missing Father’s Day gift in debris on Fort Myers Beach

Never give up. That’s what one man said about dealing with the hurricane damage on Fort Myers Beach. During the storm, Matt Samko lost a pocket watch he got for his first Father’s Day, but he found it with some hard work and motivation. First, he rummaged through the parking lot. He said he must […]

Couple repairing their home after surviving Ian on Fort Myers Beach

A couple survives Hurricane Ian by riding out the storm inside their Fort Myers Beach home. That house is still standing. Repairs to the home are needed, and they’re being done, but the couple watched as other homes crumbled. The water was high, and in their home, it was lapping up onto the first landing […]