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

Attorney/veteran feeds fellow heroes, gives legal advice in Collier County

A Florida-based attorney is doing his best to make sure our nation’s heroes are fed in our region. He hosted a special dinner for hundreds of Southwest Florida veterans. And he also offered free legal help to any veteran there who needed it. Attorney Harvey Cohen hosted a steak dinner at Veterans of Foreign Wars […]

Suspect arrested for hit-and-run that killed bicyclist in Charlotte County

Florida Highway Patrol says a man has been arrested for the hit-and-run death of Robert Hurst, 44, who was struck and killed on his bike in Charlotte County Jan. 9. FHP arrested Thomas Lambie 30, of Punta Gorda Friday for hitting Hurst and leaving the scene of the crash. “I worked with [Rob] the night […]

HAZMAT team responded to a chlorine spill in Lehigh Acres on Thursday

Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District responded to a crash involving a pool truck that caused chlorine and acid to spill,which blocked off Joel Boulevard for several hours in Lehigh Acres. According to the Fort Myers Police Department press release, crews were responding to  noticed hazardous materials spilled throughout the roadway and ditch. FMPD […]

A sleepy burrowing owl. outside the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. (Credit: WINK News)

Cape Coral wants to rid an owl nest near the Chamber of Commerce

Welcoming people to the city, a couple burrowing owls have made a grassy area by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce their home. But now, the City of Cape Coral is trying to kick the owls out and create a new burrow for them at Jaycee Park. However, wildlife advocates, like Pascha Donaldson, are against […]

One teen killed, one injured in North Fort Myers hit-and-run

Lee County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a driver who hit two teenagers, killing one, and left the scene of the crash this weekend. Saturday night, 14-year-old Allana Staiano was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the Suncoast Estates community of North Fort Myers. Neighbors put up a memorial for Allana Sunday at the […]

Collier family believes suspicious people caught on cam stole car

A family’s car was stolen in the middle of the night, and they think video recordings of two people snooping around other neighbor’s vehicles are the culprits. Homeowner Diel Malo believes two unknown individuals caught on a neighbor’s home surveillance stole their car along Livingston Woods Lane in Collier County early Saturday. “It’s a little […]

State seeks death penalty against Ryan Cole, accused of murdering 15-year-old Khyler Edman

State Attorney Amira Fox announces today that the State Attorney’s Office has filed a “Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty” against defendant Ryan Clayton Cole. A Charlotte County Grand Jury indicted Cole for First Degree Murder, First Degree Burglary with Battery, and Burglary of a Dwelling in December 2019. Cole, 28, is charged with […]

Hacker steals $16,000 from Cape Coral neighbor, posed as Apple tech

A victim thought an Apple tech was helping them fix their computer. But, it turn out, it was a hacker. Now, they’re out tens of thousands of dollars. A neighbor in Cape Coral says they lost $16,000 to a hacker who tricked them over the phone into thinking they were an Apple employing calling to […]

Harry Chapin Food Bank teams up with Church of the Nazarene to feed families

The Harry Chapin Food Bank has teamed up with the Church of the Nazarene in Fort Myers to help feed hungry families. Together, the food bank and the church distributed food to over 200 people. One family says these mobile food pantries are a life saver when help is needed most. ”When paychecks come in […]

Blue-green algae. (Credit: WINK News)

Blue-green algae returns to Fort Myers Shores

Daniel Sainato is disappointed to see a familiar visitor floating on top of the water where he takes his boat out. John Cassani, the Calusa Waterkeeper, said to see algae in the middle of the dry season is unusual. ”When it’s calm and the wind starts blowing, those tend to stick together,” Cassani said. “Then […]