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

Lee County residents face algae cleanup delays

Lee County was scheduled to restart algae cleanup efforts Monday but their contractor, AECOM wasn’t able to get their equipment ready in time. The crews cleaned out 15 canals before Lee County suspended the effort after state grant money ran out. The County still plans to clean the canals, just without state money, and they […]

Algae cleanup resumes after delay due to money shortage

A money shortage put a brief stop to algae clean up in Southwest Florida, but as of today those cleanups are starting again. “It’s definitely worth the clean up because we right now are’nt able to go outside,” said Peter Formica. Formica lives on a canal filled with toxic blue-green algae that the city cleaned, […]

Punta Gorda Isles residents speak out against contractors repairing seawall

Earlier this week we spoke with residents of Punta Gorda Isles who say they aren’t happy with the destruction being caused by contractors repairing their seawalls. MORE: https://winknews.com/2018/09/11/residents-of-punta-gorda-isles-not-happy-with-seawall-contractors/ The city told neighbors in the area that docks were their responsibility, but the residents say, the contractors used their docks to stack supplies without any permission. The […]

Crews work to stop mosquitoes after Gordon leaves behind standing water

Tropical Storm Gordon left behind enough standing water to give mosquitoes a fertile breeding ground, according to Lee County Mosquito Control. “They’re just swarming all over, I mean there’s just an abundance supply of mosquitoes,” said Fort Myers resident Holy Santani. Fighting to stop mosquito populations from growing, Lee County crews are trying to stay […]

Increased rain form Gordon could have an impact on algae

A welcome relief or a sign of worse things to come? Rain continues to fall thanks to tropical storm gordon and it has many people wondering how it will affect our water quality crisis? Blue-green algae keeps Lyn Sisti-Sommer inside lately. The green gunk has been so bad on her canal in North Fort Myers, […]

Fewer visitors hit the beach on holiday weekend as red tide lingers

On Fort Myers Beach Saturday, visitors were enjoying the sun and sand, but businesses and marine life are still taking a big hit from red tide. Rylee Schimmel was visiting the beach Saturday, “Today we are very lucky, it’s a lot better. It’s still here a little bit but there’s a lot more people in the […]

Cape Coral’s streetscape project causing frustration for local businesses

A construction project in Cape Coral is causing frustrations for people who work and live in the area. Rizolyn Hernandez, who works near the project, says the construction causes some of the business to lose potential customers. “It’s like how do I get here, all the roads are blocked off, it makes some people be […]

Army Corps increase water releases from Lake O

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Lake Okeechobee starting Friday. Since we are in hurricane season, the Army Corps say they want to make sure the lake levels stay low. They will adjust the amount of water let out of the lake at a 14-day average of 2,000 cubic feet per second […]

History buffs call for restoration of SWFL arches

Southwest Florida history buffs want the arches on Fort Myers Beach rebuilt. Crews removed them decades ago, but residents say the landmark is an important part of the history of Southwest Florida. WINK News reporter Gina Tomlinson spoke with residents advocating for the restoration. Watch the full segment above.

Red tide showing improvements in North Captiva, Collier County

Only a week after thousands of dead fish were lining the shorelines of Sanibel and Captiva Red tide, things appear to be looking better. Captiva’s Jensen’s Twin Palms manager Justin Harris says it’s been tough for businesses and hotels on Sanibel and Captiva lately with the amount of dead fish lining shorelines during the worst […]