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.

Parents search for childcare services after Charlotte Harbor daycare closes

Grace Community School in Charlotte Harbor closed its daycare and pre-school on Tuesday. Now, some Southwest Florida parents are struggling to find daycare for their children. They worry about the overall availability of childcare in the area. “It’s just kind of harder that you can’t get the care you need because it’s so much money,” said […]

Punta Gorda warns 13,000 customers of cancer-causing chemical in city water

The City of Punta Gorda notified 13,000 utility customers Thursday in the city and the outskirts of Charlotte County they need to use bottled water because a cancer-causing chemical may be in the city water. “I thought, ‘Holy cats,’” neighbor Elaine Tressler said. Tressler said she was shocked to find the letter in her mailbox […]

Sprinklers at a Charlotte County homeowner's backyard. (Credit: WINK News)

Charlotte County embraces new water conservation campaign

We take water for granted. But think about a day without it. Hospitals and fire stations would shut down. You could not shower or brush your teeth. That is why Charlotte County is joining a campaign to bring awareness to conservation. Pat Sarver, who lives in Burnt Store Village, said we would not exist without […]

FILE: Tony Lewis, left, PRIDE coordinator in Perry County, watches as Paul Lewis maneuvers a septic tank into place Monday, July 15, 2002, in Happy, Ky. (AP Photo/Rhonda Simpson/FILE)

Charlotte County has costly mandatory septic system switch

Hundreds of home owners in Charlotte County have to switch from septic to the county sewer system, and they don’t have a choice. The switch could cost home owners as much as $11,000, but the county says these changes will help prevent another algae and water crisis. Residents of Charlotte County are not thrilled with […]

Gopher tortoises attacked by dogs, recovering at Peace River Wildlife Center

Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda is taking care of six gopher tortoises that were seriously hurt by dogs recently. “Most people are very responsible pet owners, so we are not pointing any fingers,” Dr. Robin Jenkins with the wildlife center said. Jenkins says the half dozen injured tortoises that were brought to the […]

Traffic on U.S. 41 in Charlotte County. (Credit: WINK News)

FDOT needs your help to improve U.S. 41 in Charlotte County

Community leaders in Charlotte County want your thoughts about what changes the Florida Dept. of Transportation needs to make to U.S. 41. FDOT will hold meetings Tuesday afternoon, on this week and the next, showing off some ideas for your feedback. For some people, driving on U.S. 41 can be a challenge. Ask Bill Simmons […]

Port Charlotte family urging safety measures after 2-year-old drowns

Recent child drownings throughout Southwest Florida have sparked initiative by prevention advocates. And we spoke to a family, whose child is among the four recent drownings, warning others about the consequences. Kimberley Martin is normally helping her son, 2-year-old Wayne Schaefer Jr., pick out his Halloween costume during this time of year. Instead, she is […]

911 call taker helps Arcadia family deliver baby in their car

What started as a call to 911, ended with the birth of Sandra Castaneda’s baby boy. “It got pretty intense quite quickly. I just told them they had to pull over and to call 911,” said Castaneda. Ready or not, baby Anthony made his way into the world on Sept. 29 near the corner of […]

Charlotte County mom creates game to teach kids about the ocean while giving back

Who says learning can’t be fun? “The best way to connect with kids is through games, getting them involved, hands on interaction,” says Charlotte County mother a former educator with a Marine Science institute in the Florida Keys, Katharine Baumgartner. She goes near shark-infested waters to make sure kids have the right idea about the […]