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

Mugshot of Francis Wayne Smallwood, Jr., 40. (Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office)

Suspect wanted in Grove City stabbing, fled on bicycle

Law enforcement is investigating what led to a stabbing at a home. Neighbors think it was related to drugs. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office are searching for suspect Francis Wayne Smallwood Jr., 40, who deputies believe stabbed a victim at a home in Grove City Monday morning. According to the CCSO press release, deputies responded to […]

Bodycam recording shows Cape officer fight with street racing suspects

Back in May three suspects were arrested for street racing and then fighting with an officer trying to detain them. Police body camera footage shared exclusively with WINK News Friday shows the encounter between a Cape Coral police officer and suspects Melvin Davila, Raymond Bogert and Suegem Inoa. The officer initially saw the suspects racing […]

Family loses dog and embedded microchip fails to help them locate it

A family is devastated after not being able to locate one of their dogs after he ran off during a quick 10 minute period of being outside. According to the owners they have a tracking microchip installed in him, but it appears to have not been compatible with a veterinarian’s scanner when a couple brought […]

Cars in a traffic jam. (Credit: WINK News)

Lehigh road rage crash leaves 10-year-old passenger fearing for his life

A 10-year-old scared for his life after he told investigators a woman repeatedly rammed into his mother’s car while he was in the backseat, on Tuesday. The road rage attack happened along Gunnery Rd. and Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres. After the repeated collisions, the woman exited her vehicle and started kicking the windows of […]

Doctor: Healthy people shouldn’t worry about flesh-eating bacteria in water

There are a lot of creatures that could give some nightmares in oceans like the Gulf. And a movie like the film “Jaws” scared people for generations. But the thing scaring people this summer is flesh-eating bacteria. More people are reporting getting the disease, and it’s scaring some people away from the shore. Doctors say […]

Army corps of engineers admits toxic algae released from Lake O

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District admits it knew about toxic algae found in Lake Okeechobee releases Friday. “Our water shouldn’t be polluted,” Lyn Sisti-Sommer said. “The fish shouldn’t be killed, but our basic health should not be in danger.” WATCH the video above for the fully story by WINK News Reporter Gina […]

New mosquito spray prevents disease, introduced in Lee County

There is a new way to fight biting, blood-thirsty bugs in Lee County. It’s meant to protect public health, but it could come at a noisy price. Lee County Mosquito Control District is unveiling new technology to battle mosquitoes, a machine that releases a spray to kill mosquito larva, preventing them from being a nuisance […]

Serial number is key to tracking stolen Cape Coral firearms

A common crime plaguing Cape Coral – police said firearms are disappearing from cars at an alarming rate. ”It’s surprising that it’s happening in this area,” Bob Kovach said, “because there’s just not that many people and most of us know each other.” But what happened to Kovach’s neighborhood is a crime that Cape Coral […]

Burglary suspect. (Credit: SWFL Crime Stoppers)

SWFL Crime Stoppers seeks suspect in connection to vehicle thefts

A suspect broke a window at a car sales business, snatched all of the keys inside, then took off with two vehicles. Valerie Aliaga said she is still in disbelief watching an intruder walk through her North Fort Myers car dealership, Paparazzi Motors, and steal from her family’s business. ”You know, I work hard for […]

Mugshot of Jose Antonio Gamez Azcanio, 71. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Alva man leaves his horse severely malnourished, deputies say

An Alva man faces animal cruelty charges after Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies found his Paint Mare severely malnourished with several wounds on Wednesday. The suspect, Jose Antonio Gamez Azcanio, 71, faces violations of Torment/Deprive/Mutilate/Kill an Animal and Permit Livestock to Run at Large or Stray. LCSO responded to concerns of a malnourished horse nearby […]