Professional Experience

Previous to having the pleasure of working as a reporter at Wink News in June 2018, I was a reporter at WXXV in Gulfport, Mississippi for 2 years after interning at WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Awards & Recognition

Honored to have had the opportunity keep the Mississippi Gulf Coast informed from the shores during Hurricane Nate, part of the station's very first time providing wall-to-wall severe weather coverage. Also covered a story on a car crash that reopened a police investigation, and was a three-year award winner of the Radio and Television Digital News Association broadcasting scholarship.

News Philosophy

Be a voice for those that need to be heard and always listen to your community, everyone has a story to tell.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement

Whether it's swimming, boating, kayaking, wakeboarding, fishing or just enjoying the beach--- my free time is most enjoyably spent near the water! And we're in just the right place. I also really like to volunteer at my church, bike ride, hike, do yoga, and eat ice cream.

Education

Majored in Broadcasting Arts at Central Michigan University, with a double minor in journalism and sports management.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The beautiful sunshine, sandy beaches and friendly people.

Hometown

Farmington Hills, MI

Event industry struggling to stay afloat amidst coronavirus pandemic

Events across the nation are being canceled, all due to COVID-19. So what does that mean for the event planning industry? After all, they’ve been at a standstill for months. ”If there’s no business on the horizon, how can you keep people?” asked GlobalWorks Events manager Katie Adams. She’s lucky to still have her job […]

restaurant

Tourists returning could give the economy the boost it needs

Rudy Bianchi is like many of the visitors from up north who come and shop at our stores  and eat at our restaurants. But popular spots like Fifth Avenue have seen crowds dwindle. “It’s dead here and a lot of places here for rent,” said Bianchi who lives in Toronto. Tourism decreasing, as many things […]

Gun sales skyrocket creating 5M new gun owners in the US in 2020

Who is making up the five million new gun owners in the U.S.? Sales nearly doubled in the first half of 2020. Shooting classes at gun ranges are booked, ammunition and guns are flying off the shelves. “I’m looking for a Glock 19 fifth generation, you can’t even get one,” said Mike Stein of Naples. […]

Collier County prepares for busy, mid-pandemic Labor Day weekend

Labor Day weekend means a three-day vacation for many, and the beaches will be open, but coronavirus caution won’t be absent from the festivities. ”It’s a good place to come with family and kids,” said Daniela Ponc, on vacation from Chile. “In Chile, it’s very cold.” Ponc also says she enjoys having fewer restrictions. “We […]

After heated debate, mask mandate is extended in Collier County

After much heated discussion, Collier County Commissioners voted 3-2 to extend the mask mandate until October 22. Over 40 people spoke in-person, while others appeared digitally during the Collier County Commissioners meeting to discuss whether they believed the mask mandate should continue. One doctor says the mask mandate is helping people. ‘”It is working,” said […]

Collier County Commissioners to meet for decision on mask mandate extension

The mask mandate in Collier County is set to expire Thursday at midnight and commissioners will meet earlier in the day to make a decision about extending it. Do business owners and patrons in Collier County still think it’s necessary? Some business owners say without the mask mandate, it’ll be difficult to get customers to […]

Greater Naples Fire to cut rescue response times with new buildings

Collier County residents know it takes up to 20 minutes for a fire truck to arrive. In an area prone to fires, like Golden Gate Estates, minutes can mean devastation. ”We lost two sheds, we lost a bass boat,” said Evelyn Mootispaw. She saw the over 8,000-acre fire that raged through the Estates in May. […]

Seminole Casino Immokalee reopens with new restrictions

It’s back to work today for more than 500 people. Not in schools, but at gaming tables. The Seminole Casino Immokalee reopened Monday after closing five months ago. Lyn Moore was at the casino on opening day and feels lucky to be back at the slots., saying, ” [I] used to come every three weeks. […]

Collier County Schools ready to safely reopen to students, staff

After desks sat empty for nearly six months, come Monday, students wearing masks will walk the halls of Collier County schools once again. ”At this point in time, we have to carry on with our lives. I have to go back to work,” said Stephanie Jaquith. She is part of the 60% of Collier parents […]