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

Cape Coral man arrested for sex act with a minor

A former Lee County Public Schools employee was arrested after a minor accused him of committing a sex act. On Friday, Cape Coral Police Department arrested Alfredo Escalera, 24, for committing a sex act on a victim 12 to 16 years old. According to the Cape PD press release, Escalera came to the police department […]

Lake Okeechobee, for this time of year, is at its lowest level in 8 years

People in Southwest Florida have their fingers crossed that blue-green algae doesn’t return to local canals. Low lake levels are positive for the area, but a scientist with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation told WINK News there is a weather maker that might change that. Lake Okeechobee is at its lowest level in eight years, for this […]

‘School of Rock’ actor charged with stealing guitars

The actor best known for portraying Jack Black’s guitar playing prodigy in the 2003 movie “School of Rock” was arrested for stealing several guitars and amplifiers, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said. Joseph “Joey” Gaydos Jr., 27, has open theft and shoplifting cases in Sarasota, Venice and North Port, police and arrest records showed. At […]

FDA warns robotic surgeries for cancer-related procedures not approved

A surgery that is supposed to cut down on patient recovery time could be causing more pain in the long run. WINK News looked at why the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is warning the public about robotic surgery regarding cancer-related issues. Lora McCann has been breast cancer free for eight years now, but her […]

Iguanas and other exotic lizards a growing problem for Sanibel

If you live on Sanibel, you’re bound to run into one of the giant iguanas that live on the island. But don’t worry, the city is paying one man to catch these lizards, and they’re renewing his contract. Experts say iguanas can carry diseases and eat native vegetation. On rare occasion, their sharp nails have […]

Man views YouTube content. (CBS News photo)

Horrified mom discovers suicide instructions in video on YouTube and YouTube Kids

Warning: This article features disturbing content and mentions of suicide. Video promoting self-harm tips — spliced between clips of a popular video game — has surfaced at least twice on YouTube and YouTube Kids since July, according to a pediatrician and mom who discovered the video. The suicide instructions are sandwiched between clips from the […]

FILE: Water being released from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River on October 29, 2018. (Credit: WINK News/FILE)

Lake O releases now could benefit Southwest Florida’s coast

Could lake releases flowing into local waters benefit places like Fort Myers Beach? A lot more water is being released from Lake Okeechobee and heading toward Southwest Florida beginning Saturday. Scientist Dr. Richard Bartleson with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation said water the state’s army corps of engineers will be releasing over the next 21 days could […]

New study shows SWFL more needs to be done on climate change

A majority of people in Southwest Florida don’t think enough is being done to stop climate change, according to a new study by The Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “One of the biggest impacts of climate change is increased storminess, increased extreme weather events and certainly Hurricane Irma was one of those,” said The Conservancy of […]

Portion of blueprints for the planned Estero Crossing. (WINK News photo)

Ambitious developer encounters pushback from local residents

An ambitious developer faces push back from nearby neighbors as a series of projects will bring more traffic to an already busy area. Neighbors are angry as they fight the project in an effort to keep their community quiet. Bill Savage lives in a neighborhood off Corkscrew Road near I-75 in Estero. Savage and others […]

Dunbar sludge site nears completion, Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (WINK News photo)

Dunbar sludge cleanup nears completion

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the total budget estimate as the cost over budget. Sludge has been buried in Dunbar land for decades, but now it is just weeks from being completely removed. It is welcoming news for residents living near the former Dunbar dumping site. The city dumped lime residue […]