Professional Experience:

June 2018 to present: Anchor for WINK News This Morning. Previously worked at KMIZ in Columbia, Missouri as a weekend anchor and reporter.

Awards and Recognition:

Suncoast Regional Emmy Award nomination for reporting on a "Bomb Squad Search at a Home in Cape Coral."; Two Heart of America Gold Awards from the Kansas City Press Club for a special report on "Surviving a Mass Shooting" and for several reports on human and sex trafficking in mid-Missouri.

News Philosophy: 

Be a voice for the voiceless.

Hobbies and Interests & Community Involvement

Relaxing at the beach or by the pool, working out, reading a good murder-mystery book and watching true crime documentaries. Volunteer at Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Education

Ohio University, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism

Likes best about Southwest Florida:

The heat, humidity and beaches.

Hometown

Canonsburg, PA

Seal of the School District of Lee County. Photo via WINK News.

Lee County schools step up security with new attendants

More adults will be roaming the hallways, bathrooms and parking lots in Lee County high schools. The additional layer of security at 11 high schools aims to keep teenagers healthy and safe. Among the threats facing students is surging tobacco usage, leading to quadruple the number of offenses compared to two years ago. Along with […]

8-year-old girl in a hit-and-run crash Monday morning. (Credit: Aiken Family)

Turning stones into beautiful rocks for a killed 8-year-old’s grieving family

A collection of plain stones, only to be turned into something beautiful as people of all ages are volunteering to paint these rocks for Layla Aiken’s grieving family. “Layla loved purple and pink, so a lot is purple and pink,” said Brittany Schwartz, a friend of Layla’s mother. “She loved cats. They are a Boston […]

Cape Coral residents hope for end to blue-green algae

President Donald Trump toured the Herbert Hoover Dike repairs at Lake Okeechobee Friday. People in Southwest Florida are hoping that fixes to the dike infrastructure will help prevent another water quality crisis like the one we saw last year. Thick green gunk plagued canals throughout SWFL, and homes on the water in Cape Coral were […]

Community advocates for better bus stop safety after an 8-year-old dies

The unimaginable heartache for one Cape Coral family is urging a community into action. “There should be no kids that have lost their life because of this,” Traci Debusman said. “I was heartbroken,” Mari Whitney said. “I have grandkids this age and it just breaks my heart.” The community wants school bus stops to be […]

Dangerous intersection has a big upgrade to make it safer

A Fort Myers intersection with a bad reputation now has a new, possibly safer design. Traffic signals now replace stop signs and temporary flashing lights at Winkler Ave. and Challenger Blvd. It is a design that drivers, such as Cathalen Way, told WINK News was dangerous. “The first time I went through I was hesitant […]

Portion of blueprints for the proposed roundabout. (Credit: WINK News)

City of Fort Myers faces push back on its roundabout proposal

The community is divided over a roundabout project along the historic McGregor Blvd. at Virginia Ave. “I’m against the roundabout,” Kay Holloway said. “Truly and simply.” “We need this roundabout,” said Randy Krise, owner of Krise Commercial Group. “It’s going to be beautiful.” On one side of the debate, the proposed roundabout by the city is critical […]

Lee County bomb squad members train for explosive situations

Seven members of Lee County Sheriff’s Office are part of the Southwest Florida Regional Bomb Squad. The agency serves five counties in the state’s region. On Wednesday, WINK News got an exclusive look at bomb squad training with the LCSO squad members. “Not many people other than the military ever get to play with explosives,” […]

Kid enjoying the food from the pantry. (Credit: WINK News)

School resource officer helps students with special needs avoid hunger

At the end of each school week, many kids across the nation and here in Southwest Florida are not sure their next meal is coming from. During spring break, one school resource officer stepped up to make sure no student goes home hungry. The SRO at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center allows kids with special needs to […]

Sheriff Carmine Marceno pets Chance. (Credit: WINK News)

Sheriff’s office cracks down on animal abuse after dog’s mouth taped shut

A reward for information leading to the arrest of an animal abuser has increased to nearly $17,000. Since his mouth was taped shut and he suffered several injuries, Chance has been adopted. But some animals are not so lucky. Lee County Sheriff’s Office is cracking down on anyone who abuses an animal. Meanwhile, the newest […]

Sheriff’s office seeks further contact with Punta Gorda cold case tipster

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is seeking further contact with a recent tipster, who shared information related to the cold case of a Punta Gorda woman. The sheriff’s office cold case unit believes information sent in related to Christine Flahive’s disappearance in 1995 is accurate and hope to reach the individual who contacted CCSO. Flahive’s disappearance […]