Professional Experience

September 2018 to present: Investigative Reporter at WINK News

Previously worked as a multimedia journalist at WCJB TV20 News, WUFT-TV and WUFT-FM in Gainesville, FL; and as an investigative intern at WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, FL

Member of National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)

Awards & Recognition

2019 Excellence in Broadcast News Award for Transportation / Traffic Series reporting, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) – “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 NATAS Suncoast Regional Emmy Nomination for Education / Schools News reporting– “Waiting in the Dark”

2019 Young Journalist Award for Broadcast, Press Club of Southwest Florida

2019 Sunshine State Award for Multimedia Feature, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – “You Are Now Live” (2nd Place)

2019 Excellence in Innovation in TV, Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, RTDNA – “Locked Out Florida”

2018 Awards for Photo Essay & Short Hard News Feature, Florida Associated Press Broadcasters (now FABJ) College Contest

News Philosophy

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Sara is a big fan of live theater and performing arts, traveling to faraway places, volunteering, playing roller derby, Gator football, spoiling her nieces and nephews, and cuddling up next to her dog Mickey.

Education

Master’s in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s in Telecommunication News from the University of Florida

Go Gators!

Fort Myers Police Department headquarters. (Credit: WINK News)

Fort Myers police lieutenant focus of recent lawsuits against FMPD

From federal investigations to federal lawsuits, the Fort Myers Police Department finds itself in the negative spotlight yet again. This time it involves a lieutenant who’s no stranger to accusations of discrimination. Since 2000, four people have filed discrimination lawsuits against FMPD. A man mentioned throughout those complaints — Lt. William Musante. The city settled […]

Death toll rising: Vaping companies hire Florida lab to test products

What’s causing mystery vaping illnesses? As the number of people getting sick and dying grows, more companies are looking to labs to test their products for impurities. WINK News got an exclusive look inside ACS Laboratory in Sun City Center, just south of Tampa. CEO Roger Brown says his clinical lab tests all kinds of […]

Seedy past: Ryan Cole has long criminal history, arrested 20+ times since 2011

Ryan Cole, a suspect in the killing of a Port Charlotte teen, has been in trouble with the law since 2011 when he was 19 years old. Since then, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has arrested him 20 more times. The most recent arrest was last month for disturbing the peace and resisting an officer […]

As push to ban plastic grows nationwide, how it could work in Florida

Plastic is everywhere. Bags, bottles, even your favorite blouse are all made with plastic that rarely gets recycled. Sarah Hancock knows it’s tough to go plastic-free. “I try. I’m not great about it. But if I consciously make an effort then yes, but not always. I try,” Hancock laughed. Hancock says she does her best […]

At-home sexual assault kits. (Credit: CBS Minnesota)

Attorneys general from multiple states issue warning for at-home rape evidence collection kits

Florida officials are asking victims of sexual assault to avoid at-home rape evidence collection kits, amid legal trouble two companies are facing. The companies under scrutiny are MeToo Kit and Preserve Kit, accused of marketing their products as an alternative to professional medical care that many states already offer for free. Florida and multiple other […]

FMPD captain retires, files not guilty plea after arrest

A Fort Myers police captain filed a not guilty plea Thursday amid suspicions he took part in sex acts while on duty. This comes after he was arrested Tuesday for those accusations, and the police department placed him on unpaid leave. He also announced his retirement. Capt. Jay Rodriguez of Fort Myers Police Department sent […]

Spotting price gouging when Hurricane Dorian threatened SWFL

More than 130 people in Southwest Florida complained of price gouging before Hurricane Dorian. But it is not always clear what constitutes the charge. When a storm like Dorian heads our way, it is always a mad dash for supplies. “I’m filling up five gas cans to get ready for my generator,” said Russ Rosen, […]

So now what do you do with all your extra hurricane supplies?

With Hurricane Dorian seemingly passing us by, maybe you’re thinking you over did it with emergency supplies. As soon as Dorian threatened Southwest Florida store shelves emptied out, and some people may have bought more than they needed. “I was very stressed out seeing that everyone was rushing around, making me feel like, ‘do I […]

Hurricane Dorian: Home prep in full swing in SWFL

With the frenzy to get homes and family secure for Hurricane Dorian, we asked local homeowners about how they are preparing for a major storm. We also looked at tips they offered as well as other best practices for supplies like sandbags to prevent home flooding. For starters, Estero Fire Rescue has sand piles available […]