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

Video of man ‘hugging’ pelican ruffles feathers

A video showing a man “hugging” a pelican is sparking outrage on social media. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the man isn’t breaking any laws. As long as he was rescuing the bird from a fishing line, he’s protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Some boat captains who saw the video […]

Alfie Oakes scores legal victory against School District of Lee County

A controversial Collier County business owner scored a victory this week in a lawsuit against the School District of Lee County, but where the case goes from here gets complicated. Fresh fruit and vegetables from the Seed to Table Market are still off the menu at Lee County schools, and now, instead of paying grocery […]

Collier County hopes to be part of statewide vaccine pre-registration system soon

The delays in the coronavirus vaccines are not the only thing frustrating many. It’s also the process of scheduling appointments for first and second doses. A Southwest Florida county is still not part of the state’s latest initiative. The State’s COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration website is supposed to help get people signed up, but Collier County […]

fifth avenue naples

Season may look different for hotels in Collier County this year

The last two weeks of February are normally the busiest time of year for hotel bookings. But will rooms in Collier County actually be filled this year due to the pandemic? Hotels are doing their best to make sure people are still booking. Joanna Manning and her two daughters are from Los Angeles and enjoy […]

cars on fifth

Cars on Fifth returns to Naples for its 17th year

The City of Naples is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year — Cars on Fifth. A mask is needed to be admitted to the Cars on Fifth on Saturday. There will be over 600 hot rods revving up their engines this weekend along 5th Avenue. Friday, exotic cars were sold […]

Seed to Table trending on Twitter for video showing lack of masks

A controversial grocery store owner and his business in Southwest Florida are going viral on social media. Owner Alfie Oakes and his business Seed to Table in Collier County are trending on Twitter Thursday after for a video posted that shows no one wearing masks inside his store. It comes after Oakes’ lawsuit over the […]

Marco Island close to finishing investigation of police, fire chiefs

It should be confirmed Wednesday why Marco Island’s police chief and fire chief are being investigated and if they did anything wrong. We know Tuesday it has something to do with vaccine distribution. ”Related to access to the Eventbrite system,” City Manager Mike McNees said. McNees told us he’s about done wrapping up the investigation. […]