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

manatee

Cooler weather means more manatee sightings in SWFL waters

The cooler weather has manatees searching for warmer water and that means you could see them heading up the Caloosahatchee River. Florida Fish and Wildlife is reminding boaters to use caution and to follow posted speed limits. And keeping an eye out for manatees is especially important after this year’s red tide. It’s been a […]

Blue-green algae moving into North Fort Myers

Blue-green algae was recently sighted near the Franklin Lock in Alva, and now it is moving down the Caloosahatchee River into North Fort Myers. MORE: More algae spotted near Franklin Lock in Alva Neighbors say they could smell the toxic blooms and conditions were so bad, they say an elderly woman had to be taken to […]

Horizon Council holds water quality discussion

Southwest Florida is synonymous with surf, sand and sunshine but unfortunately, those great water views were replaced with the ugly sight of blue-green algae this summer. We know the water crisis hurt waterfront establishments, but the trickle-down effect is starting to hit other industries as well. “Indirectly it’s going to affect us because those customers […]

Fort Myers community worried over fire hydrant availability after recent structure fire

Firefighters are calling the corner of Plantation Road and Mark Lane a dangerous situation. Earlier today, a house on Julip Court erupted in flames, and when firefighters arrived on scene to help, their only source of water was a fire hydrant nearly seven football fields away. This distance is now worrying neighbors. “You know, you […]

Cape Coral still running ‘bubble curtain’ pilot program as algae returns

New “bubble curtain” technology is being put to the test in Cape Coral to stop blue-green algae from invading the Caloosahatchee. While homeowners wait for results, algae is already making a comeback and many are starting to doubt the efficiency of the new tool which could act as a shield against algal blooms. Peter Formica […]

A dead fish from red tide. Photo via WINK News.

FGCU researchers support clay to mitigate red tide blooms

Scientists are gearing up to fight red tide with clay. It’s a strategy used all over the world, but is considered controversial in the United States. But for residents in Southwest Florida, many are ready to try something different. Jim Visone lives in Fort Myers and says that the thousands of dead fish washing ashore […]

Habitat for Humanity looks to add low income housing to Collier County

Habitat for Humanity intends to develop more low income housing for families in need in Collier County. Parents like Diana Buchheit, who is a hard working mother has struggled to pay her mortgage. The new developments have been a big help for her and her son. “My eleven year old was diagnosed with Asperger’s, and […]

Businesses hope Hurricane Michael clears up some of the red tide

Hurricane Michael may have washed up some unwanted gunk on to Fort Myers Beach, but the wind that came with it seems to have cleared out the red tide. “For the first time in months, it’s been like this. This is excellent,” said Allen Beagle, who lives in Cape Coral. “Nothing’s making me choke or […]

Weather conditions attracting some to Fort Myers Beach

As Hurricane Michael hits the Florida Panhandle, some beach goers here in Southwest Florida are enjoying the sights brought on by the powerful storm. Vacationer Ellie Vantol said she had plans to visit Tallahassee, but after learning the hurricane would be coming through she changed her destination to Fort Myers Beach. “Very exciting of course […]

Naples woman searching for answers after laptop never returned from FedEx

A Naples woman who works completely off her computer is devastated after she mailed off her computer through FedEx to get fixed, and it never returned. Tarra Wood is a Freelance Designer who works solely off of her computer. She shipped her $3,000 laptop through FedEx to get repaired, not knowing that it would be […]