Professional Experience

2019 to present: Reporter, WINK News
2015 to 2019: Reporter, Producer, and fill-in Anchor, WWSB in Sarasota
2014: Intern, The Today Show and NBC Nightly News in Miami

Awards & Recognition

Finalist in Feature Television Reporting for the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence awards, and Robert Corley Groves Award for Outstanding Achievement in TV Producing.

News Philosophy

Every person has a story. Be honest and transparent while sharing it with the world.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Cheering on the Miami Hurricanes, experimenting with vegetarian recipes, spending too much money at Target and taking long naps.

Education

Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami, majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in LGBTQ Studies.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The WINK Weather Authority will never predict snow for SWFL. Every day feels like summer. It's either hot, hotter, or hottest.

Hometown

Mullica Hill, NJ.

Owner of Jesse’s Jungle asking for safe return of missing tegus

The owner of a breeding facility is asking the public to return 13 beloved tegus stolen from an enclosure in Charlotte County. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the stolen lizards taken from Jesse Hardin, owner of Jesse’s Jungle. It’s not an iguana or a baby […]

Port Charlotte man arrested for using racial slurs, pointing gun at group of women

A Port Charlotte man was arrested after yelling racial slurs and pointing a gun at a group of women at a bar early Monday. Manuel Torres Jr., 35, faces charges of aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm and resisting an officer. Torres was previously arrested in February and March of this year for violating […]

Fawcett Memorial to get $60M expansion

A Southwest Florida hospital is getting a major facelift. Fawcett Memorial in Port Charlotte is getting a $60 million expansion to match the growing community. The hospital plans to expand its critical care units, operating room and pre-op treatment areas. A new main lobby, registration areas and waiting rooms are in the works, too. Construction […]

arcadia food mart shooting

Beloved Arcadia store owner shot and killed inside his shop

There is now a makeshift memorial to honor a man killed inside his convenience store. Everyone wants to know why he was killed since no money was missing. Someone killed Saleh Ahmed in his store in Arcadia on Friday. Many of his longtime customers are having trouble coming to terms with this news. Remnants of […]

Preparing for the unexpected as hurricane season approaches

A last-minute shift of Hurricane Charley in 2004 forever changed Southwest Florida, and it’s proof that you should be prepared for the unexpected. “I sat in my recliner here and I’m looking out the window watching trees blow by,” said Edward LaSota, who lives in a Deep Creek, just a few miles from where Charley […]

Worker shortages at businesses could impact prices for customers, economist says

Stores in Southwest Florida are feeling the impact of staffing shortages. Some are having to close early every day, and others are offering hundreds of dollars to hire new employees. Economist Tom Smythe, a professor at FGCU, told us those worker shortages will eventually impact the wallets of customers. “The more people that get hired […]

Commissioners designate Charlotte County a Second Amendment sanctuary

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday to make Charlotte County a Second Amendment sanctuary. “This is simply pointing out the support of the Constitution the United States of America,” Commissioner Chair Bill Truex said. Cynthia Zarzano defends the U.S. Constitution any time someone shares views against the Second Amendment. She has […]

Deputies investigating abandoned van loaded with 300 gallons of fuel

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an abandoned van after finding 300 gallons of fuel inside of it. The van was parked at the Placida Boat ramp at 6499 Boca Grande Causeway. A deputy discovered the Transit van and another vehicle disabled on Placida Road just after midnight. As the deputy pulled over to […]

Sheriff’s office delays release of info in teen’s shooting death

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office conducted a death investigation of a teenager at a house on Euler Avenue in Englewood East back on March 31. But Thursday was the first time we learned about it. A teenage girl was determined to have been accidentally shot and killed in the back bedroom of the home, and detectives […]

Construction on Sunseeker Resort may resume by end of year

The future of a Southwest Florida resort looks a little clearer. Construction of the Sunseeker Resort at Charlotte Harbor may resume by the end of the year, which is welcome news to nearby business owners we spoke to. Barry and Jane Babler moved to Punta Gorda in 2019 to retire. That didn’t last long; now […]