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.

Despite receiving help, many still don’t know what comes next after Ian

Lakes Regional Library has become the disaster recovery center for Lee County and is the place where people impacted by the storm in varying ways come together to get help. A lot of the people who visit the disaster recovery center don’t what the next move is for them after Hurricane Ian. Some, though, are […]

Fort Myers Yacht Basin

Fort Myers Yacht Basin closed due to unsafe conditions

Fort Myers said it will close its yacht basin until further notice after Ian swept through the area. According to the city, the Category 4 Hurricane brought flooding in excess of 42 inches to downtown Fort Myers and the basin endured vast damages as a result of the storm. The basin has been deemed unsafe […]

Collier County picking up the pieces after Ian

People in Collier County are working to clean up after Hurricane Ian brought strong winds and flooding to the area. The county on Monday updated its curfew to run from midnight to 6 a.m. Naples’ curfew now runs from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. As of October 3, Marco Island does not have a curfew. […]

marco island

Marco Island preparing for potential storm impacts

Marco Island’s city manager did not mince words when he let residents on the island know they need to prepare for the possible storm next week. The city manager said to lock everything down, figure out what arrangements need to be made, and batten down the hatches. City leaders told WINK News they’re trying to […]

flooding

Family walks hours through flooding water in DeSoto County to get home

The Peace River in DeSoto County is flooded turning a five-minute drive into an hour-long boat ride. The water is so deep people who live there can’t even get to their homes. In a water-logged neighborhood, a boat is better than a car but boats can’t just go anywhere. Dylan Taylor, DeSoto County resident said, […]

tractor trailer

Toll plaza worker, 2 others hurt after tractor-trailer crashes into I-75 toll plaza

Florida Highway Patrol says a toll plaza worker was seriously hurt after a tractor-trailer crashed into the I-75 toll plaza in Collier County. Troopers say the truck, hauling an empty cement tanker, crashed into the plaza and another vehicle at mile marker 100 on I-75 south. FHP’s message to the public is this unfortunate accident […]

SWFL rabbi comments on rising antisemitic incidents in Florida

Messages of hate against Jewish people in Florida have doubled in one year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The only places with more are New York and California. Southwest Florida has seen at least five antisemitic incidents and those are the only ones that were reported. Around June, racist fliers were thrown on people’s lawns […]

Man dies in custody at Lee County Jail; LCSO and NAACP host press conference

On Sept. 8, Carl Harper died while behind bars in the Lee County Jail. Harper was arrested after his wife called 911 and said he was on drugs—molly, specifically—and he was found on his bed with a gun near him. Sheriff Marceno said at a press conference that Harper never resisted deputies when they arrested […]

DeSantis

Verifying new Gov. Ron DeSantis ad about Charlie Crist

The Florida governor’s race is heating up now that Gov. Ron DeSantis is slamming his opponent Charlie Crist in a new advertisement. DeSantis accuses Crist of supporting the Biden Administration’s “open border policy” and claims it allows criminals, gangs and drugs passage into the U.S. Crist fired back at DeSantis, calling the ad vile and […]